Flashback CD Review #48 - Warren Zevon - Mutineer

A little different spin on the Flashback Review this time. Back when I was writing for Rock Is Life.com, the site had a separate Flashback Review section. The rule was in order to do a "new" review of an old album for this section was the CD had to be at least 10 years old. This was my first Flashback CD Review for Rock Is Life.com back in 2005.

Warren Zevon

Mutineer

Giant Records - 1995

http://www.warrenzevon.com

What's The 4-1-1?

Warren Zevon was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1947. He started out his long, and in my book, very distinguished music career in the 1960's as a songwriter for the Everly Brothers and Linda Ronstadt. One of his best known songs, "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" was actually written and became a hit for Ronstadt.

He released his first solo album Wanted: Dead Or Alive under the moniker "Zevon" in 1969. However, he has long disavowed the album, considering the 1976 self-titled CD his "debut". While he was always considered a great songwriter, his solo career didn't involve selling many records.

His smash 1978 album Excitable Boy changed that for a while with the inclusion of three now classic hit songs including the instantly recognizable "Werewolves of London". Zevon had a successful battle with alcoholism in the 1980's and emerged from that to turn out what can only be considered some fo the finest work of his career. He had the respect of his peers, who worked with him on his own music and performed his songs during their concerts. He dabbled a bit in acting and filled in as music director for David Letterman when Paul Shafer was unavailable or on vacation.

There was even an album he did with REM that was released under the name Hindu Love Gods. While battling terminal lung cancer he recorded what would be his final album The Wind. It was released to some of the best reviews he'd ever received and it brought him some industry acclaim that had been long overdue when he won two Grammys. His son, Jordan, now keeps his father's memory alive. There was a tribute CD Enjoy Every Sandwich - The Songs of Warren Zevon, there are plans to release a box set as well as a forthcoming biography. The albums he released that are not yet available on CD are in the works.

The self-produced 1995 Mutineer album is one that is probably best described as hit and miss. There are some fantastic songs on this album that deserve at least a shot at being listed among his bester material and there are some songs that simply die on the vine. Warren Zevon is one of the most literate songwriters out there and it shows not only in his own material but in his collaborations with others as well. He wrote two songs with author Carl Hiassen for this CD. Those two songs "Seminole Bingo" and "Rottweiler Blues" are among the best songs alongside "Piano Fighter".

On other albums he's worked with poets, a sportswriter and even a well known talk show host. Mutineer splits its focus between a solid rocking nature and songs that lean towards a sparer outlook in both music and vocal delivery. The tracks range from the rocker "Rottweiler Blues" to the beautifully bleak sound of "Mutineer". Interestingly enough, the piano on the opening of "Piano Fighter" sounds just like a toy piano that I had as a kid. There's his version of the 1972 song "Jesus Was a Cross Maker". He even manages to come up with lyrics to "The Indifference of Heaven" that allow him to bring in references to Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.

The Verdict

This isn't the best album Warren Zevon ever did, but fully half the album is excellent and that half helps raise the overall likeability of the CD. Obviously this is a must buy for any Zevon fan, but it may not be the best album to use as an introduction to a potential new fan.

That's my objective view of Mutineer. However, for me personally, its Zevon and that is good enough for me!

Did You Know?

Warren Zevon passed away from lung cancer at the age of 56 on September 7th, 2003. Carl Hiassen's book Skinny Dip is dedicated to Warren, who died before it was completed.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5