Warren Zevon. I would call him a genius with story-telling and historical entertainments that only he could seem to merge with his perspective of the world. He was a dry-witted intellectual and even now 42 years after this album was released I am still discovering lyrics and references that I overlooked when I first heard this music on this album. He said in his own words once he wrote “A dumb song for smart people.” I think he wrote a long list of great songs with amazing depth and some very catchy melodies. This album is no exception. It was his third release and it finally got him noticed so he could deliver so many great collections of music to the people who appreciate his talent. In the beginning I enjoyed every album he released and in the end he taught me to “enjoy every sandwich.”
It’s Turntable Tuesday because life is too short not to listen to great music! TURN THAT TV OFF! Support your favorite musician. Buy some music media and CRANK IT UP! Streaming is a musical virus. Buy a music hard copy and put some gas in the tank of the musicians you love. Support your local record store. This week this one came from Hippo Records in Greensboro. Let’s get to it.
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I remember the first time I heard “Werewolves of London.” I was sitting outdoors at a bar in Memphis, Tennessee in the spring of 1978. I was on spring break from my first year of college with my roommate Wayne exploring Memphis and we were staying with his older sister Cindy in her apartment as guests. I heard this song come on and the vocals had this line “I saw a werewolf drinking a piña colada at Trader Vic’s.” I thought who is that? Soon I found out and it wasn’t long until I started collecting the recordings of Warren Zevon as a part of my lifelong passionate musical journey.
So let’s talk about the album. This vinyl has so many great songs and lyrics. There is a collection of great artists that magically came together to make this record. Here are the names in no specific order: Jackson Browne, Waddy Wachtel, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kotchmar, Linda Ronstadt, Jennifer Warnes, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Rick Marotta, Jorge Calderon, John David Souther, Karla Bonoff, and so many others I am running out of space to recognize. If you collect music from this era you will see many of these names all over many of the backs of albums you play on some frequency. This album has a true 1970’s rock and roll pedigree.
I never really try to write something you can find on any internet reference searches. That detail is already out there and there is no need to bore anyone with it but I do try to add my personal experiences with this music as I experienced it firsthand and now so many years later.
Tracks. Side One is amazing. One horror lyric after another and so compelling to listen to. If you want to really dig into this album go read all about the lyrics. Here is a listing:
Tracks. Side Two. Here is another non-stop album side of great songs…”Nighttime in the Switching Yard” You tell me if this is a reply to the hit from this time from Gladys Knight and the Pips that is a dry humor line about the train going both ways vs. just to Georgia? I can imagine the thought process and the smiles that came when writing this song. “Veracruz” I re-discovered this track listening to this album as I write this. I have never paid much attention to this song until I heard the lyrics during this current listening session. I don’t want to bore you with the research but I will post a You Tube link at the bottom of this article with the lyrics. Jackson Browne is not listed on the vocal credits but I hear him singing with his friend Jorge Calderon. Jackson still tours with Jorge on stage with him at times and Jorge was the guy who co-wrote this song with Warren. The lines in Spanish are very cool and their vocal skill shines on this track. At the end of side two the anthem “Lawyers, Guns, and Money” brings back so many memories from my life. I remember when this song was new. I remember when Warren was on David Letterman’s show in New York City and play this song. I remember the year 2000 when Jimmy Buffett played it at the “Y2K” aka Millennium Show concert in Los Angeles. This song is so full of paranoia:
I went home with a waitress the way I always do
How was I to know she was with the Russians, too?
I was gambling in Havana, I took a little risk
Send lawyers, guns, and money
Dad, get me out of this…
So I should share a personal observation about the life and times of Warren Zevon from my memory. David Letterman was a huge fan of Warren Zevon and had Warren on his show many times. I was a big Late Night with David Letterman fan over the years and smiled yesterday when his driver won the Indy 500. I remember when Warren was sick in late 2002 and appeared on David’s show. Some time later I remember David telling the story of Warren giving him his guitar as he left the studio that night. I think that story is out there somewhere and I do believe you could find it on You Tube with some research. I also remember doing a one hour show on Radiomargaritaville in 2003 that was a tribute to all of Warren’s music. I never saw Warren perform live and I still regret that but I certainly enjoy all of his music. “Excitable Boy” started this particular journey and so much of this music is an exceptional listening experience. Go listen to this one! What are YOU listening to tonight? Crank up a local speaker and live while you can. Stay safe.
Until next time I’ll see you, down the road.
I heard Woodrow Wilson’s guns
I heard Maria crying
Late last night I heard the news
That was dying
Veracruz was dying
Someone called Maria’s name
I swear it was my father’s voice
Saying, “If you stay you’ll all be slain
You must leave now – you have no choice
Take the servants and ride west
Keep the child close to your chest
When the American troops withdraw
Let Zapata take the rest”
I heard Woodrow Wilson’s guns
I heard Maria calling
Saying, “Veracruz is dying
And Cuernavaca’s falling”
Aquel dia yo jure (On that day I swore
Hacia el puerto volvere To the port I will return
Aunque el destino cambio mi vida Even though destiny changed my life
En morire In I shall die
Aquel dia yo jure On that day I swore)
I heard Woodrow Wilson’s guns
I heard them in the harbor
Saying, “Veracruz is dying”