Warren Zevon moved to Spain in the summer of 1975, dropping out of the music business after nearly a decade. During his self-imposed exile, he performed regularly at the Dubliner, a colorful bar owned by a former mercenary who helped Zevon pen the classic "Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner."
Zevon's luck changed when his friend Jackson Browne contacted him about a recording deal. He signed with Asylum Records in 1975 and began recording his major-label debut, 'Warren Zevon'.
Watch video: Warren Zevon w/ Jackson Browne 'Mohammed's Radio' (Dec 1976):
Today, many consider his self-titled album a high water mark not only for Zevon, but for the decade as well.
Rhino will reissue a Collector's Edition of 'Warren Zevon' that includes the original album remastered, along with a bonus disc filled entirely with unreleased demos and alternate versions of album tracks.
The two-CD set will be available November 11, 2008 from all retail outlets, including www.rhino.com, for a suggested list price of $24.98 (CD) and $13.99 (digital).
Jackson Browne produced the album and also enlisted some of the West Coast's biggest names to help out, including members of the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, David Lindley and J.D. Souther. Providing Zevon with an outlet for his pent-up creativity, he unleashed a barrage of sharply observed songs that pulse with dark wit and sophisticated melodies.
Many of his best-known tracks are included here, such as "Hasten Down The Wind," "Poor Pitiful Me," "Carmelita" and "Mohammed's Radio" - all of which were later covered by Linda Ronstadt. The album also contains "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," "Frank And Jesse James" and "Desperados Under The Eaves," a song Zevon wrote about staying at the Hollywood Hawaiian Motel with no way to pay his bill.
The bonus disc uncovers 15 unreleased tracks, including different versions of every song on the album. Several demos capture Zevon alone at the piano, including a poignant take on "Frank And Jesse James," a song he wrote while touring with The Everly Brothers. A demo Zevon recorded for "Hasten Down The Wind" features a full band.
In addition, the collection presents alternate versions of "Poor Pitiful Me" and "Carmelita" along with different takes from the sessions for "Join Me In L.A." and "Desperados Under The Eaves." The live bonus track of "Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded" was recorded in October 1976 during an appearance on the Cleveland radio station WMMS.
'Warren Zevon' (Collector's Edition)
Track Listing
Disc 1
1. Frank And Jesse James
2. Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded
3. Backs Turned Looking Down The Path
4. Hasten Down The Wind
5. Poor Pitiful Me
6. The French Inhaler
7. Mohammed's Radio
8. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
9. Carmelita
10. Join Me In L.A.
11. Desperados Under The Eaves
Disc 2 (Previously Unissued)
1. Frank And Jesse James (Solo Piano Demo)
2. The French Inhaler (Solo Piano Demo)
3. Hasten Down The Wind (Band Demo)
4. Carmelita (1974 Demo)
5. Mohammed's Radio (Solo Piano Demo)
6. Backs Turned Looking Down The Path (Take 1 - 1/28/76)
7. Join Me In L.A. (Take 2 - 11/20/75)
8. Poor Pitiful Me (Alternate Version)
9. Frank And Jesse James (Alternate Version)
10. Mohammed's Radio (Take 2 - 11/6/75)
11. The French Inhaler (Take 1 - 1/13/76)
12. Carmelita (Alternate Version)
13. Desperados Under The Eaves (Take 2 - 1/13/76)
14. Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded (Live WMMS 10/13/76)
15. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (Alternate Version)
'Warren Zevon' (Collector's Edition)
Listening Party Track List:
1) Poor Poor Pitiful Me
2) The French Inhaler
3) Desperados Under The Eaves
4) Frank & Jesse James (Solo Piano Demo)
5) Carmelita (1974 demo)
6) I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (Alternate version)
Click links for songs:
Warren Zevon Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Petition
MySpace
Warren Zevon Official Website
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