Zevon’s fine swansong.
Warren Zevon, who died earlier this month (Sept. ’03), never achieved the mass acclaim his songs warranted. But the guests on his final album emphasise the high regard in which he was held by his peers. Diagnosed with lung cancer last year, Zevon made The Wind as a farewell to his family and friends, many of whom appear. With backing vocals by buddy Jackson Browne and slide guitar from Ry Cooder, the album is dominated by rootsy U.S. country rock. But, with the singer often abandoning his flippant wit for a more heartfelt approach, there are intriguing detours, too. Disorder In The House features the dirtiest sounding guitar Bruce Springsteen has played in years, while Please Stay is a bittersweet piano duet with Emmylou Harris. The album’s one cover, Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, has never sounded so heartbreaking – though one also senses that Zevon had his tongue slightly in cheek as he sang it. Even more poignant is Keep Me In Your Heart, one of several songs which suggest Zevon’s impending personal tragedy helped to focus his creative instincts.
BTW, Joveski, do you ever listen to Bert Jansch? I think you might like him, too.
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