by 'Rebel' Rod Ames
Since the early 70’s I have been a huge fan of Warren Zevon. Even though he was considered by many to be a way-above-average singer-songwriter and sought- out-by-many studio musician, he was so much more than that. This last fact was proven with the 1978 release of “Excitable Boy”.
I’m going to take that point even further by focusing tonight’s show on Mr. Zevon’s music. You will hear tunes of his performed by many who knew Mr. Zevon for what he was, a musical genius who always put his music above everything else. He never sold out. The latter statement would make him an obvious hero of mine. However, I’m just a guy who has a blog and a weekly radio show.
Jackson Browne once said of Mr. Zevon’s writing, “the first and foremost proponent of song noir". “Excitable Boy” was certainly that and more. The album contains characters that were psychotic serial killers, mercenaries, and revolutions in Veracruz.
It would have been simple to just play every tune on that record and call it a day, but I decided to show just how wide an array of genres Mr. Zevon’s music weaved in and out of. That is why you will hear Steve Earl and Reckless Kelly performing “Reconsider Me” and The Pixies doing their rendition of “Ain’t That Pretty At All”. Of course, there is everything in between that as well.
Mr. Zevon also battled his own demons, winning the one over addiction, but ultimately losing the war to lung cancer. Even though he lost that war, he lasted much longer than many expected, including his doctors.
The last time I saw Mr. Zevon was on The David Letterman show. He had been guest band leader on many occasions when Paul Shaffer was away doing a film, or simply on vacation, etc. Towards the end, Mr. Letterman had Warren on his show as the only guest. Mr. Letterman asked him about how he had lived his life up until now.
Warren responded, “I lived my life like Jim Morrison and lived thirty more years. Who knows why? You make choices and then have to live with the consequences. There are always consequences”.
Then Letterman asked, “From your prospective now, do you know something about life and death that maybe I don’t know now?”
Zevon paused and replied, “Not unless - I know how much – how much you’re supposed to enjoy every sandwich, you know.”
Simply stated – today, thanks to Mr. Zevon’s understated philosophic message just a very short time before his death, If nothing else, I try and enjoy every sandwich.
Tonight’s play list is as follows –
As always – Steely Dan – East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
Steve Earl & Reckless Kelly – Reconsider Me *
Brian Ledford and the Cadillac Desert – The Jewel Fades
Countrycide – She Kills Me
Susan Cowsill – Mohammed’s Radio *
The Silvertones – Uh-Huh
Bob Dylan – Tombstone Blues
Linda Ronstadt – Carmelita *
Falmin’ Groovies – Prelude In A Flat
Ben Beckendorf – Hand Me the Pliers
Lyle Lovett – White Boy Lost In the Blues
Robert Earl Keen/Margo Timmins – Then Came Lo Mein
David Lindley/Ry Cooder – Monkey Wash Donkey Rinse *
Bohannons – Tune In Tonight
Beth McKee – Shoulda Kept Walkin’
Jackson Browne/Bonnie Raitt – Poor, Poor Pitiful Me *
Spottiswoode & His Enemies – Drunk
New Mystery Girl – Dangerous Lines
Hummingbiird – Kill My Imigination
Pixies – Ain’t That Pretty At All *
If Madrid – Trip
New Riders of the Purple Sage – Shake That Thinig
Warren Zevon – Detox Mansion *
And as always (almost) If Madrid’s Angie will take us out.
It all gets started at 10 pm (central) on KOOK 93.5 in Junction, Tx and KERV 1230 AM in Kerrville and on the world wide web by clicking on the button near the top of this blog.
Since the early 70’s I have been a huge fan of Warren Zevon. Even though he was considered by many to be a way-above-average singer-songwriter and sought- out-by-many studio musician, he was so much more than that. This last fact was proven with the 1978 release of “Excitable Boy”.
I’m going to take that point even further by focusing tonight’s show on Mr. Zevon’s music. You will hear tunes of his performed by many who knew Mr. Zevon for what he was, a musical genius who always put his music above everything else. He never sold out. The latter statement would make him an obvious hero of mine. However, I’m just a guy who has a blog and a weekly radio show.
Jackson Browne once said of Mr. Zevon’s writing, “the first and foremost proponent of song noir". “Excitable Boy” was certainly that and more. The album contains characters that were psychotic serial killers, mercenaries, and revolutions in Veracruz.
It would have been simple to just play every tune on that record and call it a day, but I decided to show just how wide an array of genres Mr. Zevon’s music weaved in and out of. That is why you will hear Steve Earl and Reckless Kelly performing “Reconsider Me” and The Pixies doing their rendition of “Ain’t That Pretty At All”. Of course, there is everything in between that as well.
Mr. Zevon also battled his own demons, winning the one over addiction, but ultimately losing the war to lung cancer. Even though he lost that war, he lasted much longer than many expected, including his doctors.
The last time I saw Mr. Zevon was on The David Letterman show. He had been guest band leader on many occasions when Paul Shaffer was away doing a film, or simply on vacation, etc. Towards the end, Mr. Letterman had Warren on his show as the only guest. Mr. Letterman asked him about how he had lived his life up until now.
Warren responded, “I lived my life like Jim Morrison and lived thirty more years. Who knows why? You make choices and then have to live with the consequences. There are always consequences”.
Then Letterman asked, “From your prospective now, do you know something about life and death that maybe I don’t know now?”
Zevon paused and replied, “Not unless - I know how much – how much you’re supposed to enjoy every sandwich, you know.”
Simply stated – today, thanks to Mr. Zevon’s understated philosophic message just a very short time before his death, If nothing else, I try and enjoy every sandwich.
Tonight’s play list is as follows –
As always – Steely Dan – East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
Steve Earl & Reckless Kelly – Reconsider Me *
Brian Ledford and the Cadillac Desert – The Jewel Fades
Countrycide – She Kills Me
Susan Cowsill – Mohammed’s Radio *
The Silvertones – Uh-Huh
Bob Dylan – Tombstone Blues
Linda Ronstadt – Carmelita *
Falmin’ Groovies – Prelude In A Flat
Ben Beckendorf – Hand Me the Pliers
Lyle Lovett – White Boy Lost In the Blues
Robert Earl Keen/Margo Timmins – Then Came Lo Mein
David Lindley/Ry Cooder – Monkey Wash Donkey Rinse *
Bohannons – Tune In Tonight
Beth McKee – Shoulda Kept Walkin’
Jackson Browne/Bonnie Raitt – Poor, Poor Pitiful Me *
Spottiswoode & His Enemies – Drunk
New Mystery Girl – Dangerous Lines
Hummingbiird – Kill My Imigination
Pixies – Ain’t That Pretty At All *
If Madrid – Trip
New Riders of the Purple Sage – Shake That Thinig
Warren Zevon – Detox Mansion *
And as always (almost) If Madrid’s Angie will take us out.
It all gets started at 10 pm (central) on KOOK 93.5 in Junction, Tx and KERV 1230 AM in Kerrville and on the world wide web by clicking on the button near the top of this blog.
* Warren Zevon tunes
No comments:
Post a Comment