Warren Zevon: The Wind

The Wind Documentary
Singer-songwriter Warren Zevon was born in Chicago on January 24, 1947. He was one-of-a kind, and could blend his dark humor, important themes, and music better than anyone else before or since.

Throughout his career, he crossed paths with other legends in various ways. While he was starting out in the early 1970s, he toured with the Everly Brothers as a piano player and music coordinator. In the mid-1970s, he lived with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. And in 1976 Jackson Browne produced Zevon’s major-label debut album, entitled Warren Zevon.

He continued to connect with other talented and legendary musicians and artists throughout his career. Later in his career, he became a regular guest and substitute bandleader on Late Show with David Letterman.

His debut album included classics such as “Carmelita” and “Poor Poor Pitiful Me.” While he never received the success he deserved, he continued to record wonderful songs such as “Lawyers, Guns and Money” and “Werewolves of London.”

Some of his most memorable work came on his final album, The Wind. Zevon created the album after doctors had diagnosed him with pleural mesothelioma. Zevon knew the cancer was killing him, but he wanted to create one last work of art. A number of musicians who admired Zevon’s work came to the studio to help out. Guests included Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Dwight Yoakam, Billy Bob Thornton, Emmylou Harris, and Tom Petty.

The album was released on August 26, 2003. Zevon died at his home in Los Angeles on September 7, 2003 at the age of 56.  The Wind, which featured songs such as “Keep Me In Your Heart,” went gold and won two Grammys.

What is your favorite Warren Zevon song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Werewolves of London
  • Jackson Browne’s Double-Song Combo, “The Load Out/Stay”
  • Jackson Browne Covers Tom Petty’s “The Waiting”
  • “Love is Love” Released From Upcoming Album “Let the Rhythm Lead: Haiti Song Summit Vol. 1”
  • Joan Baez in Concert
  • The Killers Lament Another “Christmas in L.A.”
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    Troubled Waters Plays “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”

    Troubled Waters Simon

    With the departures of David Letterman and Craig Ferguson from late-night television, the odds of catching an intelligent discussion on a late-night talk show decreased significantly. That is one reason why it was refreshing to see Stephen Colbert finally take over for Letterman, and his first week did not disappoint, with highlights that included a thoughtful conversation about grief and loss with Vice President Joe Biden.

    Of course, we want to laugh and dance too. And the first week of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert did not disappoint in that category either.

    For example, at the beginning of one episode the announcer (Colbert) exclaimed that one of the guests would be Troubled Waters, a Paul Simon tribute band. For those who stayed awake for the end, the “tribute band” did not disappoint, turning out to be made up of Paul Simon. Troubled Waters then performed “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” from Simon’s 1972 self-titled album.

    On the performance of “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” Simon also received a little help from Colbert, who proved he not only can be thoughtful, he can sing, dance, and whistle. Check it out.

    What do you think of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert so far? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Emmylou Harris Covers Steve Earle’s “The Pilgrim”
  • John Fogerty Rocks One More Time for Letterman
  • Goodbye to Stephen Colbert and Craig Ferguson
  • Stephen Colbert Announces Final Date for “The Colbert Report”
  • Pop Culture Roundup (for Early February 2012)
  • American Tune: We Came on a Ship in a Blood Red Moon
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Bob Dylan Sends Off Letterman With “The Night We Called It a Day”

    Dylan Night Called It a Day

    Last night, on David Letterman’s next-to-last Late Show With David Letterman, Bob Dylan appeared as the final regular musical guest for the show. Dylan performed the appropriately named “The Night We Called It a Day” from his latest album of jazz standards, Shadows In The Night.

    Some reviewers have claimed Dylan’s performance was “bizarre,” noting the way Dylan stands distant when the retiring host greets him. Other reviewers have labeled the performance “beautiful” and “haunting.” Probably only Bob Dylan, who first appeared with Letterman in 1984, could provoke such a diverse reaction, but in my mind, it was a nice musical sendoff to one of the all-time greats of late night.

    Interesting, after Letterman introduced Dylan as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan sang a cover song, as “The Night We Called It a Day” was written by Matt Dennis and Tom Adair in 1941. In 1942, Frank Sinatra released the song as his first solo recording.

    What did you think of Dylan’s performance of “The Night We Called It a Day”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Bob Dylan Croons “I Could Have Told You”
  • Norm Macdonald’s Touching (and Funny) Tribute to Letterman
  • John Fogerty Rocks One More Time for Letterman
  • Darlene Love’s Final Letterman Performance of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
  • Bob Seger on Letterman: “All the Roads”
  • Stephen Colbert Announces Final Date for “The Colbert Report”
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Norm Macdonald’s Touching (and Funny) Tribute to Letterman

    macdonald letterman
    As David Letterman prepares to sign off from the Late Show With David Letterman, his final shows have allowed some favorite guests the chance to say goodbye. Friday night’s show featured Oprah Winfrey and Norm Macdonald (and a few minutes of George Clooney finishing up his joke from the night before when he handcuffed himself to Letterman). At the end of the night, Macdonald closed the show with a surprising standup routine.

    I have been a fan of Macdonald for a long time, and I will miss his exchanges with Letterman. But Friday night, instead of sitting down for a conversation, he did a straight-up standup routine in a tribute to Letterman’s own standup work. And while we are used to seeing Macdonald with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek, his affection for Letterman came through as he could barely finish his routine without breaking down. Check out the touching tribute and his very funny jokes.

    David Letterman ends his run on Wednesday, May 20. It was announced today that his final musical guest will be Bob Dylan on May 19. But nobody seems to know what Dave has planned for the final show. Knowing how Letterman acts like he hates sentiment, I am guessing that he might pull a Good Will Hunting and not be there when we turn on our televisions for the final show.

    What did you think of Macdonald’s routine? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Bob Dylan Sends Off Letterman With “The Night We Called It a Day”
  • John Fogerty Rocks One More Time for Letterman
  • Darlene Love’s Final Letterman Performance of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
  • Bob Seger on Letterman: “All the Roads”
  • Stephen Colbert Announces Final Date for “The Colbert Report”
  • Warren Zevon: The Wind
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    John Fogerty Rocks One More Time for Letterman

    Fogerty Letterman

    This week, John Fogerty pulled out several of his classic Creedence Clearwater Revival tunes in a medley on The Late Show with David Letterman. At a thunderous pace, Fogerty played excerpts from “Travelin’ Band,” “Proud Mary” and “Fortunate Son.”

    Having seen Fogerty live during the era where he did not play CCR songs because of legal battles, I am always happy to see him bust out these great songs even though I also love his post-CCR songs. Note where Fogerty points when he gets to the “Proud Mary” lines about leaving a good job in the city. Check it out.

    If you wish to catch Fogerty live singing some of his CCR songs, check out his tour this summer. As for Letterman, watch for this final show on May 20, 2015.

    What CCR song would you like to hear Fogerty perform? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • John Fogerty and Family Gift Us “Green River” from the Campfire
  • Troubled Waters Plays “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”
  • Bob Dylan Sends Off Letterman With “The Night We Called It a Day”
  • Norm Macdonald’s Touching (and Funny) Tribute to Letterman
  • Darlene Love’s Final Letterman Performance of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
  • Bob Seger on Letterman: “All the Roads”
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)