The Alternate Warren Zevon (1976)
The Debut Album, Using Outtakes
I casually tossed around some derogatory remarks regarding Warren Zevon’s L.A. crew getting out-rocked by some Georgia boys (REM) on our Sentimental Hygiene post. Well… I’m munching on those tasty words, all while enjoying this alternate universe version of Warren Zevon’s outstanding (decade-long) debut, Warren Zevon. As the title suggests, The Alternate Warren Zevon is a collection of alternate takes (along with a demo and a live track), giving noisy skeptics (ahem) a chance to hear those L.A. guys in action, live in the studio. And, virtually all of this recreation either is, or at least sounds, live. Besides the great songwriting, the groove is creative and irresistible, flubs and alterations intact, and Zevon & his keys fit snugly into L.A. studio surrounds. Listen to “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” (with a gypsy violin lead instead of a second guitar), just to hear how much fun these guys are having. These tracks come from the 2008 2CD Deluxe Warren Zevon (though, the label didn’t bother to ‘replicate’ the original). PS: After compiling this and digitizing the original cover art – using the same techniques that the Maysles Brothers used on Gimme Shelter to root out a killer Hell’s Angel – I’ve come to the conclusion that Zevon is giving us all the finger.
Frank and Jesse James (Alternate Version) (4:41)
Mama Couldn’t Be Persuaded (Live WMMS 10-13-76) (2:01)
Backs Turned Looking Down The Path (Take 1) (2:33)
Hasten Down The Wind (demo) (2:50)
Poor, Poor Pitiful Me (Alternate Version) (3:24)
The French Inhaler (Take 1) (3:48)
Mohammed’s Radio (Take 2) (4:02)
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (Alternate Version) (3:06)
Carmelita (Alternate Version) (3:39)
Join Me in L.A. (Take 2) (4:23)
Desperados Under The Eaves (Take 2) (4:14)
22 Comments
Search HERE
Thanks once again Willard for all the great stuff you dig out and a very happy Christmas to you
One thing about session musicians I’ve come to appreciate is that they can really play, and get it in a take or two.
S’why they make the big bucks.
Merci beaucoup Willard. Beau cadeau de Noel/ Thanks a lot for this beautiful gift Willard
Merci
Thanks for the Warren Zevon. I’m looking forward to hearing it. You’re probably right about WZ’s finger. I just wish he was still around to give it to us again.
Debut? Are you forgetting “Wanted Dead or Alive”?
I know I am.
Actually, I did. Until now.
Thanks Willard, for everything… and all the best for the new year.
Same to you, Col.
..Thanks Willard, great stuff..Saw Zevon in Montreal circa 76-77(?), he was pretty wrecked but the the band cooked & was enjoyed by all!..Keep up your tremendous work, appreciated by everyone..Best, Cheers Beega in Florida
Thanks. I saw him a few times myself, beginning in 1980. I remember one time (in Florida, as it happens) there was a screaming match backstage between Zevon’s road manager and a local newspaper guy who had written something about Zevon’s alcoholic intake. The RM was calling the writer out, saying he was full of shit, but – unless I’m mistaken – Zevon was still imbibing at the time (and looked it). Thanks for commenting.
great stuff Willard. I’ve only just been really listening to Zevon in the past few weeks (i’d heard some stuff in the past but i’d never stopped to listen to the stuff at length). I recently brought 5 of his early albums in a box set, “Warren Zevon” – “The Envoy: but none of the CDs include the bonus tracks that are available on other releases. Has anyone thought about doing a Warren Zevon Bonus Tracks Collection similar to the ones you’ve done for The Doors etc.?
Not a bad idea, but all my Zevon stuff is ancient and without bonus tracks, too. Wasn’t even aware of any, really.
I have ripped all of Zevon’s albums @ 320 (remasters w/bonus tracks). If anyone is interested in links, just let me know. Thanks for all the great stuff, Willard! l
Thanks B. How many Bonus Tracks are there?
Excitable Boy Remaster has 4 bonus tracks: I Need a Truck, Werewolves of London (Alternate version), Tule’s Blues (Solo Piano Version), and Frozen Notes (Strings Version).
Excitable Boy Full Album and Bonus Tracks Remastered @ 320: http://www68.zippyshare.com/v/43012522/file.html
Stand In The Fire Remaster (live album) has 4 bonus tracks: Johnny Strikes Up The Band, Play It All Night Long, Frank And Jesse James, and Hasten Down The Wind.
Stand in the Fire Full Album and Bonus Tracks Remastered @ 320: http://www47.zippyshare.com/v/9528125/file.html
The Envoy has 4 bonus tracks: Word of Mouth (Instrumental Outtake), Let Nothing Come Between You (Alternate take),The Risk, and a cover of “Wild Thing”.
The Envoy Full Album and Bonus Tracks Remastered @ 320: http://www34.zippyshare.com/v/94471001/file.html
*Sentimental Hygiene has 2 bonus tracks: Leave My Monkey Alone (Spanish), and Nocturne (Instrumental), and Transverse City has 1 bonus track: Networking (Acoustic Version). I thought that I had these bonus tracks, but I forgot that I deleted them as they didn’t make it for me. I truly apologize for that.
**The other Zevon remasters, with the exception of the self-titled one (you uploaded those), have no bonus tracks.
Also, I’m not sure if this is applicable, but the 2 disc collection, “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (An Anthology)”, has some songs or versions that are on no other Zevon albums (though some are on movie or t.v. soundtracks). These are :
1. Real Or Not, 2. If You Won’t Leave Me I’ll Find Somebody Who Will, 3. Roll With The Punches. 4. You Don’t Know What Love Is, 5. Reconsider Me (single version) 6. Jeannie Needs A Shooter (Live), 7. Mohammed’s Radio (Live), 8. Frozen Notes (Alternate Version), 9. The French Inhaler (Live), 10. The Indifference Of Heaven (Live).
These 10 songs @ 320: http://www40.zippyshare.com/v/41111092/file.html
The rest of the cuts on the anthology are album versions, so I deleted those from my computer since I already have them.
Cheers!
Last Post (I’m so sorry)!
I have also heard that there are two bootleg tracks from either the Sentimental Hygiene sessions or the Life’ll Kill Ya sessions floating around, called “I’m A Shadow of Him”, and “Up On The Cross”. I have searched obsessively for these but can not find them on the net. If anyone can post them, I would be eternally grateful! Thanks so much!
Scant info about these 2 songs here: http://zevonaticism.tripod.com/faq.htm
Hi B,
Fantastic. Thanks for all the bonuses AND the details. Let me do some homework and see about posting them up top next week. Really appreciate you doing all the dirty work. Sorry I can’t help you with your missing tracks. When we post the bonuses up top, repost this request there and maybe someone might be able to help. Many thanks again.
W
Hey B… drop me an email (there’s a contact link in the upper right corner), or just reply and included your email as part of your name (don’t post the address in the comment). Got a couple questions for you. Thanks.