Lines like “…These young girls won’t let me be. rock opus with weird nods to Jesse James and a waring blender. ![]() Another terrific composition, “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” may be the ultimate L.A. The band sustains the hard-charging dynamics on “The Sin”. It is a gritty film noir narrative that is unique to this performer. The 3-chord anthemic bedlam is represented with crashing guitars and growling vocals. “Lawyers, Guns And Money” are the perfect metaphors for Zevon’s songwriting. Side Two amps up the rock spirit of this live music. The band is tight and Zevon’s vibrato is a nice touch. He refreshes the context with call outs to Jackson Browne, Brian DePalma and James Taylor in relating the story of a creature, mutilating an old lady in Soho, or Kent, or Mayfair, England. ![]() The allusions to bizarre cultural touchstones like Lon Chaney, Trader Vic’s and beef chow mein are comically adroit. “Werewolves Of London” is a song for the ages. At the core, it is signature Zevon with rolling piano, complex lyrics and sparkling 2-part harmony at the finish. In a lyrical transition, “Mohammed’s Radio” is self-reflective and updated with topical subjects like Jimmy Carter. There is minimal repartee from the singer. The band shines with doo-wop back up vocals and dramatic stops. Zevon delivers malevolent imagery with jagged vocals and trademark scream. Switching to piano, the band delivers the jaunty hooks of “Excitable Boy”. Of course, there is some Zevon mayhem in the mix. Continuing to rock out, “Jennie Needs a Shooter” (from his then current album Bad Luck Streak) is co-written with Springsteen and explores working class romanticism with factory girl and outlaw references. Zevon intones, “All I wanna do is rock you…”. The up tempo hard rocker features prominent rock guitars (with a touch of synthesizer), a catchy “call and response” first chorus, and droning coda. He performed as he lived, unrestrained and at times, over-the-top. Many rock performers have meticulously crafted stage personas that differ from their real lives. This album was recorded in August 1980 over a five date residency at the famed Roxy Theater. Speakers Corner records has released a 180-gram re-mastered vinyl of Zevon’s 1980 live album, Stand In The Fire. His untimely death in 2003 ended a truly unique legacy. Though he would have an occasional second or third wind, broad stardom never happened. The dysfunctional contexts of his life translated into memorable songs like “The Mutineer”, “Life’ll Kill Ya”, and “Detox Mansion’. He collaborated with notable songwriters (Bruce Springsteen) and counterculture writers (Hunter Thompson, Carl Hiaasen). Additionally his “erudite sociopathy” became rooted in a self-destructive lifestyle that resulted in strained relations and long hiatuses. Subsequent albums like Excitable Boy (“Werewolves Of London”, “Lawyers Guns And Money”) and Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School were relevant, but never brought sustained record sales. Zevon played piano and guitar while delivering vocals with a strong baritone voice. Several covers by Ronstadt provided a mainstream outlet for his rocker legacy. Songs like the junkie lament, “Carmelita”, Americana-infused “Frank And Jesse James” and rockers like “Mohammed’s Radio” and “Desperados Under The Eaves” made him a favorite of contemporaries (Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Browne, Glen Frey and Don Henley). But in 1976, Warren Zevon (produced by Jackson Browne) provided critical acclaim, if not robust sales. His initial success as a songwriter and recording artist proved elusive as his 1969 debut, Wanted Dead Or Alive did not chart. ![]() There he became the band leader for a re-formed Everly Brothers. But late 60’s wanderlust took over and Zevon moved to Los Angeles. Born in Chicago, he moved to California and at one point briefly studied piano with Igor Stravinsky. Warren Zevon forged a career of relentless hard-edged rock music, only matched by his equally reckless lifestyle. (Warren Zevon – piano, guitar, vocals Zeke Zirngiebel – guitar, vocals David Landau – guitar Bob Harris – synthesizer, piano, vocals Roberto Pinon – bass, vocals Marty Stringer – drums) Warren Zevon – Stand In The Fire – Asylum Records ASYLUM SE-519 (1980)/Speakers Corner Records (2019) 180-gram stereo vinyl, 42:37 ****1/2:
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