THE WIND won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. "Keep Me in Your Heart" was nominated for Song Of The Year and for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. "Disorder in the House" won for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal and was also nominated for Best Rock Song.
With the specter of a terminal lung cancer diagnosis hanging over his head, Warren Zevon responded by rallying to make THE WIND, an album that found him working with longtime collaborator and friend Jorge Calderon, shortly after getting the news. The result is a tight group of 11 songs wrapped up in a year, despite a diagnosis that only gave Zevon three months to live. Along the way, plenty of famous names--both friends and fans--pitched in, including Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Dwight Yoakam and Don Henley. Allusions to his situation are naturally sprinkled throughout, whether it's partying in the face of doom ("The Rest of the Night"), using a self-penned blues song to look back with no regrets ("Rub Me Raw"), or pledging his eternal love ("El Amor De Mi Vida"). Even Zevon's cover of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," avoids the pitfall of sentimentality as he can be heard bellowing "open up, open up" in the background of the song's chorus sung by Tommy Shaw, John Waite, and Billy Bob Thornton. "Keep Me in Your Heart" finds Zevon subtly asking just that, in a dignified manner guaranteed to mist up the eyes of even the most jaded person.
Live Recording
Personnel: Warren Zevon (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, keyboards); Jorge Calderón (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, tres, maracas, background vocals); Tommy Shaw (acoustic 12-string guitar, background vocals); Brad Davis, Bruce Springsteen (electric guitar, background vocals); Mike Campbell (electric guitar); Randy Mitchell (slide guitar, background vocals); Joe Walsh , Ry Cooder (slide guitar); David Lindley (lap steel guitar, background vocals); Gil Bernal (saxophone); James Raymond (piano); Reggie Hamilton (upright bass); Luis Conte (drums, congas, bongos, maracas, percussion); Steve Gorman, Don Henley, Jim Keltner (drums); Dwight Yoakam, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, John Waite, Jordan Zevon, T-Bone Burnett, Timothy B. Schmit, Tom Petty, Billy Bob Thornton (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Noah Scot Snyder.
Recording information: Anatomy Of A Headache; Cherokee studios; Fancyboy Studios; Groovemasters; Henson Studios; Masterlink Studios; Sunset sound; The cave.
Personnel: Warren Zevon (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, piano, keyboards); Jorge Calderon (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, tres, bass, maracas); Bruce Springsteen, Brad Davis (electric guitar, background vocals); Mike Campbell (electric guitar); Ry Cooder (guitar, slide guitar); Tommy Shaw (12-string guitar, background vocals); Randy Mitchell (slide guitar, background vocals); Joe Walsh (slide guitar); David Lindley (lap steel guitar, saz, background vocals); Gil Bernal (saxophone); James Raymond (piano); Reggie Hamilton (upright bass); Luis Conte (drums, bongos, congas, maracas, percussion); Don Henley, Jim Keltner, Steve Gorman (drums); Dwight Yoakam, Billy Bob Thornton, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty (background vocals).
Rolling Stone (12/25/03, p.111) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2003" Rolling Stone (9/18/03, p.71) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...In somebody else's defiance of death, we in the audience get an intense affirmation of life....Zevon's a lucky man in the sense that brilliant songwriters are granted a form of immortality denied everyone else..." Spin (10/03, p.113) - "...Zevon has been finding the lyricism in grim resignation for 30 years..." - Grade: A- Entertainment Weekly (12/26/03, p.145) - "Keep Me in Your Heart" ranked #15 in Entertainment Weekly's 2003 "Records of the Year" Entertainment Weekly (9/5/03, p.75) - "...Unsentimental [and] happily unhygienic, sounding as ramshackle and energized as you'd hope a nothing-left-to-lose last blast would..." - Rating: A- Q (12/03, p.140) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...THE WIND is poignant beyond words....It's been a privilege to listen to him..." Uncut (p.120) - "Zevon's songwriting rose in unexpected ways to his most exacting of challenges....Zevon exhibited a little-used ability to turn his focus inwards..." Uncut (01/04, pp.84-7) - Ranked #1 in Uncut's "Albums Of The Year 2003" Uncut (9/03, p.96) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...Zevon has done, if not the impossible, then the unlikely. Under the direst circumstances, he has painted his masterpiece..." Mojo (Publisher) (11/03, p.122) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...There's a real sense of party-beneath-the-scaffold much of the time....Still powerful though; there are several energetic rockers..."
Warren's Magnum Opus
You don't need to know the story behind the story, (Warren's terminal illness) to appreciate his final album, THE WIND as a magnificent piece of work. But, mark my words, the story behind the story, might be what pushes this one to the ranks with some of the best albums of all time.
"Dirty Life and Times" opens this album perfectly with the line, "Somedays I feel like my shadow's casting me. Some days the sun don't shine." This is the numbing theme of the fine line between life and death, shadows and light, from which the album doesn't stray throughout the eleven tracks. Few artists manage this feat of keeping such a tight construction around a single theme as Zevon. This creative discipline is unmatched by anyone since Pink Floyd and just like The Dark Side of the Moon, "The Wind" should also rank among the best albums ever put together.
Disorder in the House, with Springsteen singing backup, and playing guitar, may be Zevon's best rock n roll song since "Lawyer's, Guns and Money", but with even a better lyric. It's a metaphorical rocker that alludes to zevon's cancer with a images of a fly in the ointment, doors falling off hinges, the tub running over and "plaster falling down in pieces by the couch of pain".
Given Zevon's love of guns, westerns and writing gunslinger themes, the Dylan classic, Knocking on Heaven's Door seems now to have been written for Zevon. Zevon's take is certainly poignant. And when Zevon sings, "I'm gonna put my guns in the ground. I can't shoot them anymore..." Warren is as genuine as John Wayne in the same role, all those years ago playing "The Shootist".
"Numb as a Statue" is a self explanatory hard rocker opening with Warren talking to his band mates, "Let's do another bad one then. I like it when the blood drains from Dave's face." ( I presume Dave refers to WZs long time friend and collaborator, David Lindley) Then WZ breaks right into the chorus, "I'm numb as a statue. I'm gonna have to beg, borrow or steal, some feelings from you. I'm gonna beg borrow or steal. So I can have some feelings too." Having myself recently experienced an unimaginable family tragedy, (the accidental death of my own son) I can vouch for Warren's numbness here, and his need to borrow feelings from aquaintances, as he discusses issues of death, as if just to check and make sure you're still alive, even if it does mean watching the blood drain from your best friend's face. But listening to this one, you soon forget the grief behind WZ's rock.
"She's Too good for Me" is the first of four beautiful love ballads. Puts me in mind of "i'll slow you down" on his Life'll Kill Ya album.
"Prison Grove" is the much anticipated Springsteen collaboration, a haunting tune that might take some getting use to . After these first few listens, this song seems to be the only lowpoint on the album. But, with the Boss in the picture...expectations are higher, I suppose. The lyric is good and it seems the metaphor established in Disorder in the House extends into Prison Grove...but perhaps this time the house is the body.
"Please stay" is another beautiful ballad. The only song on the album that makes a reference to wind.
El Amore De mi Vida is another of Warrens most beautiful love ballads---reminiscent of Johnny Cash's version of Nine inch Nails' "Hurt"?
"The Rest of the Night" is the catchiest song Warren has written in years. There's nothing not to like about this one. Certainly a favorite of mine. The sound puts me in mind of a light hearted Lou Reed or Velvet Underground tune.
Rub me Raw is a hard rocker with strong blues influence?no beating around the bush here. Warren puts it plain and simple. Dying can be rough. It'll rub you raw. Joe Walsh's powerful guitar work here is terrific as expected.
Keep me in Your Heart?is probably the most beautiful song in the Zevon canon. Right there with Don't let us get Sick, Mutineer, Carmelita, and Accidentally, Like a Martyr. What makes this one so brilliant, I think, is that as heartwrenching as the lyric is when you read it, the song doesn't play that way.
"Keep Me in Your Heart" is another of those rare "songs that have always been" that WZ seems able to write with such ease. "Keep me in your heart" puts me in mind of "Dont let us get sick". But it gives me the same vibe I got the first time i heard the Police song, "Every Breath you Take". You just know the simplicity and the universiality and the beauty of it will make "Keep Me In YOur Heart" an instant classic.
As heartwrenching and self loathing as this album could very well have been, It's not. Instead, its a damn good album that looks death right in the eye and gently bids us a rocking and rolling farewell.
Best wishes and thank you for reading
Mark E
Submitted by a reviewer (Irvona, PA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 2 found this helpful.
Coincidence? I bought this album the day it was released, but I did not listen to it right away. I put it on the shelf for a little bit, and then one fateful Satruday, I had a hunch that I should play this album. I listened to it all the way through, and I witnessed Zevon at his best; when his life was at its worst. The whole album moved me so deeply, especially "Keep Me In Your Heart." Once the album was over, i received a call from a friend of mine, informing me that our beloved Warren Zevon had just passed away. I was shocked and stunned, because I personally listened to his passing. It is a moment I will never forget, and an album that should go into the annals of rock history. Submitted by a (Edison, NJ, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
great too bad he's gone. this is the best. Submitted by thecookie (bronx, ny) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Zevon's last is his best This is a very compelling recording. The performances are raw and heartfelt, from Springsteen's guitar solos to Eagles back-up vocals to Zevon's unique, relaxed vocal style. And as always, Zevon's wit and wisdom is very apparent in his lyrics. I laughed and cried in my first listen through. This is a must-have for the definitive music collection. Submitted by susan (Miami, FL, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Very Nice This is a poignant and fantastic effort. For Warren to leave us with such a gem is a fantastic thing. The playing and production values are first class. He inner-mixes rockers with ballads and as always with Warren the lyrics are original, fun, insightful and moving.
I was on the bubble with this having grown weary of werewolves and the circumstances, but buy it and really listen. Even for the casual fan you will be happy you did.
Thank You Warren! Submitted by Boomer (Philadelphia, Pa.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Warren's Magnum Opus
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