Album of the month #55

ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Album # 55 is Warren Zevon - Warren Zevon

When Warren Zevon released his album Warren Zevon in 1976, he had already spent 10 years making a name for himself.
A failed try at becoming a folk singer at the age of 16 in New York led him back to California where he recorded as one half of the duo Lyme & Cybelle and released his first album under his own name; Wanted Dead Or Alive. He did session work, composed jingles and toured with The Everly Brothers.

Hanging out with The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne and other major names of the west coast scene, it's not surprising that a lot of them show up playing on the album Warren Zevon. With Jackson Browne producing it sounds like a typical laidback, soft rocking west coast record of the mid 70's. What sets it apart is the lyrics. They're anything but laidback and soft.
You get tales of pimps, junkies, lunatics and other "outsiders". The lyrics can be grim, funny, heartbreaking... but always sincere and true.

The critics loved it and 30 years later it's still a great album. It features two of his most covered songs; Carmelita and Poor, Poor Pitiful Me.

Warren Zevon was a great songwriter and artist that more people should get a chance to get to know. Becasue with the exception of his one-off 1978 hit Werewolves Of London, Warren didn't have much commecial success.

N.S.

Bonus! A lot of Warren's live shows have been legally uploaded and shared over on the Internet Archive. I suggest you start with a wonderful little radio show recorded in 1978 where Warren and Jackson Browne play songs and chat with the DJ. The link is here.