I'm 63 years of age. I've seen a hell of a lot of concerts in my life including concerts by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and many others, but the greatest concert I ever experienced was Warren Zevon by himself in the mid 90's in Memphis, TN. What an absolutely awesome, inspiring, one of a kind musical genius! Gone way to soon but never to be forgotten!
Had the good fortune to see him live ywice once in 85 by himself and once in 90 with the Hindu love gods. I have also had the misfortune yo only have seen him live twice.
I saw him at CIty Stages in Birmingham AL around the same time. Must of been the same tour. I got to the stage hours early and stood right in front of him.
The very first time i ever heard Warren live, or to my knowledge, at all, was in Santa Barbara when he and his band opened for the Grateful Dead. My friend and I were tripping on psychedelics, and we were working our way through the crowd trying to get to the back bleacher seats where we could sit down and chill out. I heard Warren sing ".....as we waded through the knee deep gore," and I thought to myself, "Did that guy just sing "...as we waded through the knee deep gore"?" Then later, when I knew more of Warren's songs, I always liked the line from The French Inhaler. "When the lights came up at 2, and I caught a glimpse of you, and your face looked like something death drug in in a suitcase." I mean, who else writes that honestly?
Being from Alabama, I'm glad to have heard this. I had no idea Zevon weighed in on the Skynard/Neil Young thing, but more than a war of words, would anyone agree that this sounds a lot like Faulkner in song?
Children! Stop ranting! Just love the music, politicians know nothing, and feel nothing, they dont deserve the time spent arguing the toss here...God bless you Warren!! Thankyou! Jack. U.K
This gives me goosebumps. People always say what a genius and great songwriter Zevon was, (which is true) But he also was one hell of a performer and had amazing stage presence.
Interesting story behind this song...It began with Neil Young's "Southern Man". To which Lynyrd Skynyrd responded with "Sweet Home Alabama" ("Well, I hope Neil Young will remember A Southern man don't need him around anyhow")...to which Warren wrote this song. Even though Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd kissed and made up, Warren served to remind us that there really isn't much to country living.
Basslord, FYI pedal steel guitar players use these all the time. Its what gives them a violin-like tone. If you want to hear an even better example of this sound, listen to the original studio recording of this song. David Lindley's phrasing & fills in it are hauntingly beautiful. I don't listen to rock much anymore but I'll always make time for Warren. He was one of a kind. RIP my friend.
I'm actually a huge Republican and a huge Zevon fan. Don't stereotype. As for the song, it's a repudiation of the idealization of simple living. Even country people can live screwed up lives.
Whether it's "Gimmie Three Steps", "Needle and the Spoon", and "Saturday Night Special", or "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner", "Lawyers, Guns, and Money", and "Play it All Night Long", the two songwriters that could be mentioned in... well... the next breath after Lennin-McCartney... have given us songs no other songwriter could have. Why throw stones, Van Zant and Zevon contributed to music, and our enjoyment, in ways no one else has.
He always took risks with his lyrics. Warren Zevon had so much guts....no wimpy modern "career" songwriter would touch a song like this even if they had the smarts to think it up.
does anyone not know that Neil Young was a HUGE skynard fan.... He was an honorary pall bearer at Van Zants funeral... He wrote Powderfinger for them.. Listen to Drive by Truckers Southern Rock Opera... it lays it out for you.
I hate that I will never see him live. He had faults as a person(we all do) but as an artist he was so amazing. (And he was sexy too, but I didn't think that till after I got into his stuff lol)
"Sweet Home Alabama play that dead band's song, turn those speakers up full blast, Play it All Night Long". Indeed ( I'm from/live in Ky. ) there "ain't much to country livin' ", (lol) those 4 "items"..... pretty well cover it. ; )
Its called a slide. It produces a very smooth liquid tone. Very typical in blues & country. Some players prefer it made of stainless steel, others like the glass ones. The difference is in the tones it produces.
@Poopsmith01 I think it was because Skynyrd wrote Sweet Home Alabama as an answer to Neil Young's Southern Man, then Warren did this song as an answer to Skynyrd's song :)
@theblitz8 It depended on the track. Sometimes it was the guys from Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt did some backing vocals. Sometimes it was members of Jackson Browne's band. He had a lot of respect throughout the music industry, so he had a lot of different people working with him at one time or another. Amazing to listen to. His music was that good.
@Poopsmith01 i am almost positive its the same guys who played with him on the live "Stand in the Fire" album, which came out a year or so earlier. there is a Wikipedia page that lists the guys in the band
Warren Zevon is undoubtedly a class songwriter and performer.........but better than Bruce?? I can't have that, aside of all the usual awesome 3 hour live shows, check him out in 1975 at the Hammersmith Odeon. raw as it gets!!!!
Yes thats right, BUT just like David Allan Coe ,in his song "if that aint country", both these songs are made in the perspective(?) of a singer, and they are, in the end, proud of being from country. I think.
Somebody needed to say what this song says. It is natural that Warren would say it best. I've always felt offended at Skynard's heavy handed poke at Mr. Young. Neil was making a statement about a shameful past history. For Skynard to defend that can only mean they hold on to the creed of the old south & support racism & segregation . Warren is observing how bad things are for the family in this song. But the empty hope lies in blasting Skynard's anthem of pride for the old south. RIP Mr. Zevon
I think Warren was one of the greatest, but saying that about Springsteen is just crazy talk. Maybe you need a refresher course? Go put on Born To Run. :-)
How was it an answer to "Sweet Home"? It came out well after that song and even after the plane crash .... hence "play that dead band's song" Skynyrd wasn't a functioning band at the time... they didn't reunite until well after.
@MrDavearama I think it's more a jab than a tribute, considering lyrics like "Daddy's doing Sister Sally ", "There ain't much to country living Sweat, piss, jizz and blood", "Grandpa pissed his pants again He don't give a damn Brother Billy has both guns drawn He ain't been right since Vietnam" Awesome song though
Or, name another song that references "Brucellosis". C'mon, try! BTW, is it just me, or does his "dance" beginning at 2:39 remind anyone else of Ashley Simpson's attempt to dance when she screwed up the lipsynch on SNL? How 'bout THAT for a Zevonesque attempt to connect the absurd? (BTW, I have become a huge fan, and this is probably my favorite song of his...reminds me of my hometown of Berrien Springs, Mi...where Ali lives as well.)
Phishdawg- if you drifted into my town and played those two cheezy, tone-deaf covers that you posted, we wouldn't even let you gig in front of the bus station - which is a mile out of town. The expression "Pearls before swine" comes to mind. Then again,you probably couldn't make out the lyrics on those shitty library headphones, anyhow.
![Warren Zevon- "Carmelita" LIVE (with David Lindley) 1976 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bwXnBrMAbm8/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm 63 years of age. I've seen a hell of a lot of concerts in my life including concerts by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and many others, but the greatest concert I ever experienced was Warren Zevon by himself in the mid 90's in Memphis, TN. What an absolutely awesome, inspiring, one of a kind musical genius! Gone way to soon but never to be forgotten!
Had the good fortune to see him live ywice once in 85 by himself and once in 90 with the Hindu love gods. I have also had the misfortune yo only have seen him live twice.
I might have seen him on that tour, and w/out the shows you have seen--can certainly say he was a powerhouse, and underrated
I saw him at CIty Stages in Birmingham AL around the same time. Must of been the same tour. I got to the stage hours early and stood right in front of him.
The only song that mentiones "brucellosis" in it. Zevon was an absolute genius.
best opening line to a song ever!
The very first time i ever heard Warren live, or to my knowledge, at all, was in Santa Barbara when he and his band opened for the Grateful Dead. My friend and I were tripping on psychedelics, and we were working our way through the crowd trying to get to the back bleacher seats where we could sit down and chill out. I heard Warren sing ".....as we waded through the knee deep gore," and I thought to myself, "Did that guy just sing "...as we waded through the knee deep gore"?"
Then later, when I knew more of Warren's songs, I always liked the line from The French Inhaler. "When the lights came up at 2, and I caught a glimpse of you, and your face looked like something death drug in in a suitcase."
I mean, who else writes that honestly?
One of my all-time favorites from one of my all-time favorite songwriters/musician/performers. Warren was one of a kind. R.I.P.
Being from Alabama, I'm glad to have heard this. I had no idea Zevon weighed in on the Skynard/Neil Young thing, but more than a war of words, would anyone agree that this sounds a lot like Faulkner in song?
Last word
I met Warren in 1976 at The Main Point in Bryn Mawr, PA... it's his turn for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year! 🎸🎵
"there's not much to country living; sweat, piss, jizz and blood". A classic Zevon lyric.
Children! Stop ranting!
Just love the music, politicians know nothing, and feel nothing, they dont deserve the time spent arguing the toss here...God bless you Warren!! Thankyou!
Jack. U.K
This gives me goosebumps. People always say what a genius and great songwriter Zevon was, (which is true) But he also was one hell of a performer and had amazing stage presence.
Genius...the last interview with letterman was incredible as well...and I agree...2 minutes in is perfect
my personal favorite warren zevon song. its just so damned ridiculous, i love it.
One of my favourite tunes from one of the best musicians.
He still lives in our hearts and minds. I can still hear the echoes of his songs and see his unsmiling face. He lives!
I just love the humor in his songs
Warren zevon music tells tales of the heart. We all can relate in our own way.
Just listen
Drive-by Truckers covered this song on their The Fine Print album. Ya'll should check it out!
That's why it was an "answer" to Sweet Home, since it came out after that song and references it, just like you said.
Interesting story behind this song...It began with Neil Young's "Southern Man". To which Lynyrd Skynyrd responded with "Sweet Home Alabama" ("Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow")...to which Warren wrote this song. Even though Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd kissed and made up, Warren served to remind us that there really isn't much to country living.
you got it!!!! this is a Southern Prejudice song,,,pitiful :0(,,,i should not even give it this much attention!!!!-W
I front the band 'Wicked Gentlemen', my guitarist sings this song. Love to play it when someone requests Skynyrd!
My favorite Warren Zevon song. Reminds me of The Band!
this is without a doubt the most amazing song ever i really enjoy it i just wish he was still alive he was truly before his time
Basslord, FYI pedal steel guitar players use these all the time. Its what gives them a violin-like tone. If you want to hear an even better example of this sound, listen to the original studio recording of this song. David Lindley's phrasing & fills in it are hauntingly beautiful.
I don't listen to rock much anymore but I'll always make time for Warren. He was one of a kind. RIP my friend.
I'm actually a huge Republican and a huge Zevon fan. Don't stereotype. As for the song, it's a repudiation of the idealization of simple living. Even country people can live screwed up lives.
Really no one can touch his musicianship. Witty song writing, great composition and flare to go with it.
Miss you WZ.
Man, this is by far the best american folk music performer ever!
Nice to see Warren enjoying himself
This is why I love Warren Zevon!
I believe at that time his guitarist was waddy wachtel, another well respected LA session man.
and he shall be zevon
Whether it's "Gimmie Three Steps", "Needle and the Spoon", and "Saturday Night Special", or "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner", "Lawyers, Guns, and Money", and "Play it All Night Long", the two songwriters that could be mentioned in... well... the next breath after Lennin-McCartney... have given us songs no other songwriter could have. Why throw stones, Van Zant and Zevon contributed to music, and our enjoyment, in ways no one else has.
What a great live version
..best zevon song ever!!!!.....on a par with joe strummer.....what a jam they must be having up above!!!!!......
He always took risks with his lyrics. Warren Zevon had so much guts....no wimpy modern "career" songwriter would touch a song like this even if they had the smarts to think it up.
wow...WOW that was great , thanks for posting!!!
Quite, quite splendid.
A shame his talent is not around anymore....RIP
I love all of LTF's versions! 'Poor Poor Pitiful Me' is epic. Possibly my favorite Warren album, barring perhaps Mr. Bad Example.
warren (rip) absolute legend!
What a man
i like this live version better than the studio version
LOLOLOL@ It fills me with great happiness to see that Warren isn't using a bar chord for F.
Fantastic clip. It doesn't get any better than Zevon.
wonderful slide guitar
Happy Birthday Warren.
does anyone not know that Neil Young was a HUGE skynard fan.... He was an honorary pall bearer at Van Zants funeral... He wrote Powderfinger for them.. Listen to Drive by Truckers Southern Rock Opera... it lays it out for you.
I hate that I will never see him live. He had faults as a person(we all do) but as an artist he was so amazing. (And he was sexy too, but I didn't think that till after I got into his stuff lol)
If you really dislike this song, chalk it up to a "you problem".
Play it all night long, Warren
"Sweet Home Alabama play that dead band's song, turn those speakers up full blast, Play it All Night Long". Indeed ( I'm from/live in Ky. ) there "ain't much to country livin' ", (lol) those 4 "items"..... pretty well cover it. ; )
I'll play this all night long.
great lindleys is too - very fun to cover
Its called a slide. It produces a very smooth liquid tone. Very typical in blues & country. Some players prefer it made of stainless steel, others like the glass ones. The difference is in the tones it produces.
@Poopsmith01 I think it was because Skynyrd wrote Sweet Home Alabama as an answer to Neil Young's Southern Man, then Warren did this song as an answer to Skynyrd's song :)
10/20/1977
Grandpa pissed his pants again, he don't give a damn!!
@theblitz8 It depended on the track. Sometimes it was the guys from Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt did some backing vocals. Sometimes it was members of Jackson Browne's band. He had a lot of respect throughout the music industry, so he had a lot of different people working with him at one time or another. Amazing to listen to. His music was that good.
love it, W.Z is the best!
@JustAintthatWay
Definitely agree about Lindley's solo.
@Poopsmith01 i am almost positive its the same guys who played with him on the live "Stand in the Fire" album, which came out a year or so earlier.
there is a Wikipedia page that lists the guys in the band
Killer guitar part, even better than the original. Anybody knows the guitarist's name ?
Drive By Truckers did a cover version of this that rules too. Just to say.
The Drive By Truckers brought me here.
Goddamn that man had stage presence!!
Just plain erotic! Warren was the best!
This should be dedicated to Kid Rock right now. Sweet Home Alabama, play that dead band's song!
"Strength and muscle and jungle work" from the song "Jungle Work" :)
Yes, JOHN WOULD. Fantastic guitarist, still doing it with his own stuido ("Stanley Recordings") you can find them on Myspace.
@agricolaemontanae
The DBT version also includes part of the Zevon song, "Ain't that pretty at all",
@336kgf I agree I was wondering who the guys in this particular concert are, because in they're seen in the other live videos.
You too dude. Peace :-)
Are you ready for the country?
'Cause this is what it's fucking about.
seriousley what song starts of with grandpa pissed his pants again? Zevon's the fuckin man
that BASS! haha awesome fucking song
@matador483 guitarist is john wood, he's awesome on the guitar
dat bass
IS!! IS THE MAN!! He's dead I know but still...
@kamen41 without a doubt the most amazing song ever? I'm not sure bout that one.
@easywind1975 Yes, yes you do. As much Warren Zevon as possible.
Anyone know where I can see this documentary in full?
Colorado, I think.
Warren Zevon is undoubtedly a class songwriter and performer.........but better than Bruce?? I can't have that, aside of all the usual awesome 3 hour live shows, check him out in 1975 at the Hammersmith Odeon. raw as it gets!!!!
Yes thats right, BUT just like David Allan Coe ,in his song "if that aint country",
both these songs are made in the perspective(?) of a singer, and they are, in the end, proud of being from country.
I think.
Oh yes WZ kicks major ass!
Enjoy every sandwich.
Somebody needed to say what this song says. It is natural that Warren would say it best. I've always felt offended at Skynard's heavy handed poke at Mr. Young. Neil was making a statement about a shameful past history. For Skynard to defend that can only mean they hold on to the creed of the old south & support racism & segregation . Warren is observing how bad things are for the family in this song. But the empty hope lies in blasting Skynard's anthem of pride for the old south. RIP Mr. Zevon
Anyone know the names/bands of the rest of the band?
I think Warren was one of the greatest, but saying that about Springsteen is just crazy talk. Maybe you need a refresher course? Go put on Born To Run. :-)
Nice Tori reference
the guy on lead guitar looks and plays like Eddy Shaver.
How was it an answer to "Sweet Home"? It came out well after that song and even after the plane crash .... hence "play that dead band's song" Skynyrd wasn't a functioning band at the time... they didn't reunite until well after.
@MrDavearama I think it's more a jab than a tribute, considering lyrics like "Daddy's doing Sister Sally ", "There ain't much to country living Sweat, piss, jizz and blood", "Grandpa pissed his pants again He don't give a damn Brother Billy has both guns drawn He ain't been right since Vietnam" Awesome song though
Does anyone know who Zevon's guitarist is? He is pretty freakin awesome. Check out the Live Excitable Boy too...
John Wood is on lead guitar here … According to Warren Zevon … “He can … And he will!”
Or, name another song that references "Brucellosis". C'mon, try! BTW, is it just me, or does his "dance" beginning at 2:39 remind anyone else of Ashley Simpson's attempt to dance when she screwed up the lipsynch on SNL? How 'bout THAT for a Zevonesque attempt to connect the absurd? (BTW, I have become a huge fan, and this is probably my favorite song of his...reminds me of my hometown of Berrien Springs, Mi...where Ali lives as well.)
@whiskeypriest1 spose "Skynyrd" would approve??
he digs 12 string I've noticed, so do I! I want a 12 string strat
You got one yet?
Phishdawg- if you drifted into my town and played those two cheezy, tone-deaf covers that you posted, we wouldn't even let you gig in front of the bus station - which is a mile out of town. The expression "Pearls before swine" comes to mind. Then again,you probably couldn't make out the lyrics on those shitty library headphones, anyhow.
4 people pissed their pants
Warren was a nut! =) Good man, though.
This song is 20 times better than anything Lynyrd Skynryd ever did ... ironic ain't it?
The four dislikes are from people who were the result of first cousins mating and breeding.