Willard's Wormholes

Hindu Love Gods (1986/1990)
After Hours With Zevon & REM
…Plus The Long Lost Debut 45

This one-off, after-hours jam from Warren Zevon and REM (sans Michael Stipe) has made the rounds online for years. But, I recently came across the collective’s previous 45 in my collection and figured I’d post it for those that haven’t heard it. As you probably know, during the making of Sentimental Hygiene (still my favorite Zevon), Warren and three-fourths of REM (Peter Buck, Bill Berry & Mike Mills) jammed together on a bunch of, mostly, blues oldies. The result is more drunken frat than earthy blues and, according to legend, takes as long to listen to as it did to record. Their very cool, REM-esque cover of Prince’s “Raspberry Beret,” which stripped the paisley to reveal the tune’s rock essence, got most of the attention. Probably because this album, never intended for release, contained no original material from WZ or REM. The Hindu’s debut 45, released in 1986 (before the LP’s 1987 recording and 1990 release), did contain an REM tune, “Narrator,” but the 45 is not available in any other format. The back cover says Zevon is not shown, but if you look close you can see his cut-off face on the far left. Amazon has it. Thanks to Grateful for the re-up.

Walkin’ Blues (4:15) (Robert Johnson)
Traveling Riverside Blues (4:03) (Robert Johnson)
Raspberry Beret (3:54) (Prince)
Crosscut Saw (3:06) (Fred Ingrahm/Bill Sanders)
Junko Partner (2:41) (Bob Shad)
Mannish Boy (6:58) (Bo Diddley/Melvin London/Muddy Waters)
Wang Dang Doodle (3:51) (Willie Dixon)
Battleship Chains (3:08) (Terry Anderson)
I’m A One Woman Man (2:18) (Tillman Franks/Johnny Horton)
Vigilante Man (2:55) (Woody Guthrie)

Gonna Have A Good Time Tonight (3:31) (George Young/Harry Vanda)
Narrator (2:24) (Bill Berry/Peter Buck/Mike Mills/Michael Stipe)