Listening Post: Warren Zevon - The Envoy

Warren Zevon - The Envoy - 1982

On "The Overdraft" Zevon takes the plunge into previously unexpected territory. He writes and sings and produces a song like Jim Steinman. Which means he's the wrong guy to sing it. It belongs in Meat Loaf's catalog. It's also dig. I mean, BIG. The production on Warren's records are getting more and more overblown, which kind of sucks because he really can't sustain it. He's a raspy singer songwriter, beholden to the jazz-play of his own rhythms. Now he's tightly wound with high expectations.
Then there's stuff like "The Hula Hula Boys" which is more in line with the sardonic weirdness we've come to expect. But it's SO weird, that I almost expect it to end up on Dr. Demento's show.
The Envoy takes some bold steps in trying to deal with and talk about addictions but not often enough to really feel like a personal record. The distance from intimacy is so vast that it just left this listener cold. Although Zevon lets you in a little bit more toward the end, he saves the balladeering for the end. Which is where they belong, but as the strongest parts of the record, they are given the short shrift.

Grade C-
ASide: The Envoy, Never Too Late for Love
BlindSide: The Overdraft, Charlie's Medicine

Listening Post: Warren Zevon - Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School

Warren Zevon - Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School - 1980

Opening with strings, a parade snare and bigger all around sound, the title track of Bad Luck Streak is a semi-powerhouse. I say "semi" because I'm not convinced that Warren is comfortable trying to be a "rock star". Fortunately it's over pretty quickly and we're into the retro-50s "Certain Girl" complete with call and response lyrics. It's catchy and a helluva lot of fun, but the discomfort continues. By the middle of the record it all feels and sounds like leftovers from the Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner sessions. The Interludes throughout suggest a theme that coincides with the ballet practice room on the cover, but really just add a melancholia to the record. Without being really poignant or strong. The dirge, "Bed of Coals" is something we've heard before. He's sung it before. He's done it better. Hell, Tom Waits does this better. It's not awful, just tedious.
BLSiDS is a footnote. A trifle.

Grade: C
A Side: Play it All Night Long
BlindSide: A Certain Girl, Empty Handed Heart, Jeannie needs a Shooter

Listening Post: Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy

Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy - 1978

The first side of Excitable Boy is an exercise in song craft, heartache, humor and brilliance. It can not be matched and probably hasn't in it's genre, except by Randy Newman, perhaps.
The second side gets a bit funky, with "Night time in the Switching Yard". It's not what you'd expect, and it fails.. Then the album loses some of it's radiant genius with Veracruz. It's probably fine but considering how powerful side A is, it can't help but be a letdown.
As is most of Side B. Sadly, while Excitable Boy is terrific, all the best songs on it should be available on Best Of, sets.

Grade A-
ASide: Werewolves of London, Excitable Boy, Roland the Headless Thomspon Gunner, Accidentally Like a Martyr, Lawyers Guns and Money
BlindSide:
DownSide: Veracruz, Night time in the Switching Yard, Tenderness on the Block

Listening Post: Warren Zevon - Warren Zevon

"Enjoy every sandwich".
Zevon and I have had the slightest relationship over the years. I love the songs I've heard and, even though Roland, Werewolves, Excitable Boy, etc, are amazing tunes, I never bothered to give any album more than a moment. Until now. Getting them on vinyl is easy and cheap. I've already had a few on CD.
Whenever I think of Warren I get a lump in my throat. His death was saddening. I still get choked up when I listen to The Wind. But, by his own admission, it was his fault. He was scared of doctors. So he never went.
Even though he's not current, I still think he deserves a listen.




Warren Zevon - Warren Zevon - 1974

For me the trouble with Warren is that, after a while, all the songs begin to sound the same. He's a singer/songwriter, yes but he's so dark and troubled that you really have to invest in him. You have to read to really get all he has to offer. I love good lyrics, but for me, music has always overshadowed the lyrics. I can forgive crappo lyrics for the music. So, it's hard for me to penetrate a genre that I don't truly enjoy. Or traffic in.
That said, if one doesn't look at the lyrics, Warren Zevon is a great piano driven, pop rock offering.
If you do read his lyrics, its a masterstroke.

Grade A:
ASide: Mohammed's Radio, Hasten Like the Wind
BlindSide: Desperados Under the Eaves