Wednesday Paperback Cover

I couldn't help but notice the similarities between this cover and Warren Zevon's mascont Little Velvet.

Yet More Warren

As Ali Karim and a shadowy figure known only as Bruce pointed out in the comments section of my last post, Archive.org has a large collection of live Zevon recordings available for streaming and download free.
There are a couple I'd like to endorse. The first is a live show from 1990, which some of you may know at the bootleg "The Electric Werewolf Strikes Again." It's from the Transverse City tour, and the quality is excellent.

For a more intimate experience I recommend Zevon's 2000 show at The Customs House, which is one of my favorites.

My next post will, I swear, be about books. I just haven't been able to concentrate well enough to read seriously lately, and I'd rather be a little behind on reviews than half-ass it. I don't want to shortchange anyone.

Warren Strikes up the Band

If you read this blog on a regular basis you know Warren Zevon is my favorite musician ever. I realize he's not everyone's cup of tea. Either you get him or you don't, and most people don't. I don't know what's wrong with those people. It's their loss. I've given up trying to explain Warren. For those of you who do get it, here's a concert from 1982 you can stream for free online. This was recorded for MTV. Yeah, let that sink in for a minute. Remember when MTV played music?

Another Zevon Article in the NY Times and two in the LA Times

There's another article in the NYT about the new oral biography of Warren Zevon. That's two in a week, if you're keeping score. The LA Times also has two Zevon articles. It's official, being dead is the best thing that ever happened to Zevon. I got my copy of I'll Sleep When I'm Dead a couple of days ago, but it's 400-plus pages, and I'm only about 100 pages into it, so I'm reserving judgement.

Ain't that pretty at all

There's an article on the first (and so far only) Warren Zevon biography to come out at the NY Times Web site. It gives the thumbs up to the new work, and describes Zevon as "lovable but aberrant." I preordered a copy from Amazon, and hopefully it will be here before the weekend, because I am anxious to read it. Although the article is positive, I remain skeptical, because the book was put together by Zevon's ex-wife Crystal (at his request.) I hope it's a balanced look at the man and artist, and not a vehicle for bashing or glorifying him. We shall see.

Listen to some Warren Zevon this morning

Over at the Thrilling Detective blog Kevin Burton Smith notes that two Warren Zevon albums are getting re-released on CD this month. Neither The Envoy, nor Stand in the Fire, has ever been released on CD before, so either you hunted them down on vinyl, as I did, or you missed out.
Rhino Records is now streaming both albums on their Web site, however, so go listen to The Envoy, or, Stand in The Fire now.

Ross MacDonald and Warren Zevon

How in the hell did I not know this? Today, in a moment of idleness, I ran a Google search for Warren Zevon and crime fiction. I was wondering if anyone had ever compiled a list of Zevon's links to the world of crime fiction, and references to Zevon's work in novels.
I didn't find a list, but I did find this January Magazine article about Kenneth Millar ( a.k.a. MacDonald) and Zevon. I had no idea they knew each other, let alone that it was Millar who convinced Zevon to go into rehab This is why I love the Internet.
I didn't find a list though, so I've got to work on that. I know Carl Hiassen referenced him in Lucky You and, of course, Basket Case and that they wrote a song together on Mutineer (an underrated album, by the way). I also know Greg Rucka's Fistful of Rain takes its title from a song on this album . I'm sure, with a little research, I can find more. If anyone's knows of any other references to Zevon's work in crime novels, email me, please.

There is also a petition to have Zevon inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Sign it.