He wasn't necessarily underrated, more misunderstood. He was a masterful singer/songwriter with a penchant for adding bizarre imagery and dry humor into his Americana flavored tales about the few peaks and many valleys in life. He was a quaint, witty songwriter trapped in a rock n roll rebel. Sort of a Paul Simon or Bruce Springsteen with a healthy dose of Captain Beefheart or Tom Waits added for good measure, part storyteller with musical sensibility, part eccentric, seedy artist.
The man can ride a piano, and he plays it like a typewriter. He doesn't care who is playing for: one person, a camera or a show place: his authenticity and passion is serious. Wonderful.
The emotion this song elicits is strange. I'm certainly not crying over the James brothers. It makes me think of other things in my life. I hope that makes sense.
Meeting Zevon up close and personal in the 90's was an entirely different experience. He had that glorious golden hair of his in a ponytail down his back, grey t shirt tucked into jeans, checked shirt hanging open over it, sneakers. His demeanor was guarded, but kind, then more relaxed the longer we spoke. I'm grateful my brain didn't just go gooey at the sight of him, and that I had the presence of mind to thank him, with all my heart, for all his music meant to me. Now, nearly 20 yrs on, looks like I'll get the chance to thank him again, maybe tell him how much he's been missed. But I bet he knows...Rock the Pillars of Heaven, Mutineer...I'll grab a belaying pin and be right with you.....
Brenda Harper You write such kind words about Warren, thank you for that...I hope you are not struggling with health issues, your messages make it seem like you don't has much time left...
Nowadays except for the wild crazy songs like "I'll sleep when I'm dead" I weep every time I hear Warren. I like to play and sing his music and I'm always getting a lump in my throat because I know I wish I could just hear him play his songs instead of me covering them.
The opening track on one of the greatest (proper) debut albums ever recorded. "But except in dreams you're never really free" One of America's most overlooked songwriters (and his hair was never perfect).
I know it was pre Werewolves,I have been in love with Warren's music for years.He will always be one of my favorites.Thank you David Letterman for recognizing his talent! Stu Sundquist
This is so awesome...you can't do that on stage anymore 😢 Warren Zevon one of the true Z words in rock and roll...Frank Zappa the other Z word in rock and roll.... and I can't believe Warren and Frank never played together
My best concert year ever was 1990. I worked a 1-2 block north of the Beacon Theatre, and Warren played there twice, Electric in February, solo acoustic in December. (I think. Maybe flip that.) No Ticketmaster, walk down to the box office the day they went on sale. $20-25, Orchestra. Magic Shows.
Just a guy playing a piano. Amazing. Listen to one of his albums at least once a day. After all these years I'm still sad I never had the opportunity to see him live 😔
A true American songwriter. He sings about our collective experience and history. Warren is the best... This comes from a dead head, zappa head, john prine head, j mascis head... For me, Zevon tops them all.
......and David I'm right behind you!!!!! I absolutely love Mr. Zevon, unfortunately I'm only now discovering his incredible talent and I am very sad I missed all his early years.... Now he is passed on due to incurable lung cancer, .......I'm in love with his voice.....and him...😔🙏🙏🙏rest in piano heaven my darling Warren...❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️
He knew history and wrote songs about it. xoxo. Some of neer wonder about it. God Bless America, Warren Z. You knew what freedom meant, my Jewish Russian homie in US. xoxo forever. Let them eat sandwiches while we eat nector of truth in the end of truth.
There're not exotic. With a little training in music theory and a working familiarity with the piano keyboard, I feel sure you could figure them out yourself.
spamwagon, pretty much said it for me! Awesome and beyond, cool tv, and may 'the force' be with ya'll'. Warren Zevon was actually a more amazing artist than Elton John, (though I love them both just as well)....because Warren had such a high level of musicianship at the piano, and he wrote his own lyrics, and played guitar.
I am here after watching Sam Fuller's "I Shot Jesse James." We have all been here before, accidentally, like martyrs. Robert Ford was no martyr, though. Jesse was, as well as Warren, perhaps... What would Agriss say? He'd give Fuller's film more than two stars unlike Leonard Maltin.
I love the piano "fiddle tune" starting at 2:19. I see Jesse in my mind's eye, loping through the Ozarks on his pinto pony, wearing the same carefree look that Warren has when he's singing. Oh PS --- just my opinion but I don't believe Jesse died when/where/how they say.
maybe he identified with being an outlaw. but what sort? probably those who'd been afflicted with too much worldly wisdom. "accidentally like a martyr"?
King of the underrated artists
He wasn't necessarily underrated, more misunderstood. He was a masterful singer/songwriter with a penchant for adding bizarre imagery and dry humor into his Americana flavored tales about the few peaks and many valleys in life. He was a quaint, witty songwriter trapped in a rock n roll rebel. Sort of a Paul Simon or Bruce Springsteen with a healthy dose of Captain Beefheart or Tom Waits added for good measure, part storyteller with musical sensibility, part eccentric, seedy artist.
@@markrago7217 You should seek employment as a rock critic. Spot on.
There's nothing better than peak Zevon. This is peak Zevon.
The man can ride a piano, and he plays it like a typewriter. He doesn't care who is playing for: one person, a camera or a show place: his authenticity and passion is serious. Wonderful.
I'm a descendent of the James boys and this gave me chills. Thanks Warren. Rip.
My Great Great Grandfather used to sell them getaway horses. Gunn City.
Does your family know any tales about lost Confederate gold?
You yankee boys think your descendants of everyone. Couldn't be American.
Except in this circumstance I geeeuz
Same here, James married into the Brooks family. Love how warren sings!
The emotion this song elicits is strange. I'm certainly not crying over the James brothers. It makes me think of other things in my life. I hope that makes sense.
Meeting Zevon up close and personal in the 90's was an entirely different experience. He had that glorious golden hair of his in a ponytail down his back, grey t shirt tucked into jeans, checked shirt hanging open over it, sneakers. His demeanor was guarded, but kind, then more relaxed the longer we spoke. I'm grateful my brain didn't just go gooey at the sight of him, and that I had the presence of mind to thank him, with all my heart, for all his music meant to me. Now, nearly 20 yrs on, looks like I'll get the chance to thank him again, maybe tell him how much he's been missed. But I bet he knows...Rock the Pillars of Heaven, Mutineer...I'll grab a belaying pin and be right with you.....
Brenda Harper You write such kind words about Warren, thank you for that...I hope you are not struggling with health issues, your messages make it seem like you don't has much time left...
Brenda Harper i envy and admire all who met him
Warren's wisdom in these times makes gold look like carpet lint.
Ur lucky
@Brenda Harper wow. Thank you for posting that.
I was lucky enough to see him in the late nineties.
One of the greatest song writing tallents of the twentieth century.
I think I found Warren at just the right point in my life. This version of Frank and Jesse James causes me to weep every time I hear it.
Nowadays except for the wild crazy songs like "I'll sleep when I'm dead" I weep every time I hear Warren. I like to play and sing his music and I'm always getting a lump in my throat because I know I wish I could just hear him play his songs instead of me covering them.
The opening track on one of the greatest (proper) debut albums ever recorded. "But except in dreams you're never really free" One of America's most overlooked songwriters (and his hair was never perfect).
Yes, I agree. He doesn't get enough credit.
I know it was pre Werewolves,I have been in love with Warren's music for years.He will always be one of my favorites.Thank you David Letterman for recognizing his talent! Stu Sundquist
This is so awesome...you can't do that on stage anymore 😢 Warren Zevon one of the true Z words in rock and roll...Frank Zappa the other Z word in rock and roll.... and I can't believe Warren and Frank never played together
I wish I had seen him. What a legend. He was taken too soon and left a beautiful family behind. Rest in peace Warren.
he was so goddamn magnificent. R.I.P. Warren, wherever you are.
In retrospect,the amazing thing is the quality of every album Warren put out. Every one was insightful.
This is beyond awesome. I love the tv in the background with a football game on.
I love this, it’s so nice to see how happy he was playing and how he had fun while getting into it without any care in the world
Warren Zevon?? Although i'm a big fan of Led Zep, The Who, Floyd and all those other great bands Warren made the biggest impact on my life..
Those bands all knew who he was...
This is about as 70's as it gets.
Sweet!
Oh, the hands of a musician... sigh. Warren, you are so missed.
My best concert year ever was 1990. I worked a 1-2 block north of the Beacon Theatre, and Warren played there twice, Electric in February, solo acoustic in December. (I think. Maybe flip that.) No Ticketmaster, walk down to the box office the day they went on sale. $20-25, Orchestra. Magic Shows.
He was so very special.
This video is so wholesome and pure and beautiful holy shit
A truly beautiful song in an outlaw sort of pure American freak way
Just a guy playing a piano. Amazing. Listen to one of his albums at least once a day. After all these years I'm still sad I never had the opportunity to see him live 😔
A true American songwriter. He sings about our collective experience and history. Warren is the best... This comes from a dead head, zappa head, john prine head, j mascis head... For me, Zevon tops them all.
best of all time.
Such a unique voice, damn WZ left us far too soon.
a songwriters songwriter
norman crew ...well done , Norman...you pretty much summed it up!!! I am sure you probably miss Warren lots like me!
Hope I get through this video without crying. Nope I can't. Thanks very much.
Same when I listen to My Ride's Here (Richard Thompson)
incredible musician- and honest soul. bless his eternal being and memory. I wish I had known him- oh so much.
I just love his voice.
I like how he sang a song that wasn’t played on the radio, suggesting that she doesn’t actually know who he is.
Yeah, I find it interesting and such a WZ move to sing a song most didn’t know, but he himself enjoyed.
@@owenrees7544 local radio played local talent. And this is Los Angeles so a lot of people heard his shit. Ummm, it’s in his book.
My great-grandfather rode with the raiders in Missouri, his name was George Washington James
Does your family know any tales about lost Confederate gold?
I can't stop watching that small intro clip
SAME OMFG
gifted genius musician
First time seeing this footage...truly amazing capture. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. WZ was one of the best.
Hot damn, he's fantastic
I love how so much of his music, has that Steven Foster sound.
saw warren support act jackson browne manchesterb uk 1974 awonderful nighr rip david lindley
This is a beautiful piece of history. Thank you for posting!
This was part of a documentary that also featured Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown.
Do you know the name of it?
@@JLKDOOM Google Linda Ronstadt wonderland 1977 you should see a few entries come up.
@@stephenmartin6995 thank you :)
Zevon was a serious classical pianist, having studied with Stravinsky as a teenager. His piano chops are on display here.
Multi talented musictian.
Perfection!
Totally Roland the Headless Guesser. I LOVE Warren!
How good is this
if this is all warren ever did it would have been enough
One of my greatest regrets is missing Zevon's last show at the Cats Cradle in Chapel Hill.
OH MY!!!!! What a FIND, THANK YOU!
I love his voice! Genius musician!
Awesome! Gives me shivers everytime...
Warren belongs in the Jann Wenner R 'n' R Hall of Fame. To state the obvious.
Wonderful song, some of it reminds me of John Barleycorn (Traffic) with some great American saloon/whorehouse piano playing. Great lyrics. RIP
......and David I'm right behind you!!!!! I absolutely love Mr. Zevon, unfortunately I'm only now discovering his incredible talent and I am very sad I missed all his early years.... Now he is passed on due to incurable lung cancer, .......I'm in love with his voice.....and him...😔🙏🙏🙏rest in piano heaven my darling Warren...❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️
He liked the interlude so much he recycled it as the intro to "Desperadoes Under the Eaves."
The out of tune piano give it some nice old western saloon vibes. Beautiful
This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing it.
Pure gold
Bravo! Mr Good Example.
Warren was a genius
Beautiful music
Um gigante subestimado, droga! Tanta porcaria faz sucesso e esse cara é desconhecido.😢
Jewels of you tube
Warren Zevon during his Excitable Boy period back in 1977.
Excitable Boy came out in 78.
I know that The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is losing it's credibility, but putting Warren in would get some of it back.
And Leslie West
Might be my favorite vid of WZ
keep on riding riding riding. #FRank and jessie James.
Wow he should have done all his session taped golden just golden insight into a musical genius💀💀💀
LOVE
The best ever!
Watching some Football during break!
You are him!
God, does everybody realize this is pre werewolves!?
Ross Smith well it is... ;p
William Ashbrook gotta love it !
way more comparable to Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner.
I love u ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I miss u I wish I could meet u 😔 warren
ZEVON!!!!!!!!!!
Very Aaron Copeland like. Love it!
Rightguard73. I see what you mean.Those chords and melody. Good observation. R.I.P., Warren.
@@bh8365 , Warren was indeed learning classical music starting from his childhood.
Robert ford a gunmen in exchange for his parole , took the life of James the outlaw
Patrick Murphy which he snuck up on and stole
Satire my friend. Zevons calling card.
He knew history and wrote songs about it. xoxo. Some of neer wonder about it. God Bless America, Warren Z. You knew what freedom meant, my Jewish Russian homie in US. xoxo forever. Let them eat sandwiches while we eat nector of truth in the end of truth.
Frank and Jessie James.
wonder what football game was on the tube
certainly
Jeez. Floored again.
Pretty fucking cool.
Just like what Letterman said....every song paints a picture. R.I.P. WZ. Gonna go make a sandwich
And an accompaniment that would have done Aaron Copeland proud.
Is this footage part of a documentary or something? Never seen this before
He was one of a kind for sure. What I would give to find the piano chords to this song so I could play it myself. Can't find them anywhere. :(
newfie007 found chords for eukele
Ultimateguitar has the chords over the lyrics. Its a start
There're not exotic. With a little training in music theory and a working familiarity with the piano keyboard, I feel sure you could figure them out yourself.
Enjoy every sandwich.
we love you Warren rip jackie kennedy look alike??
His hair is great lol
spamwagon, pretty much said it for me! Awesome and beyond, cool tv, and may 'the force' be with ya'll'. Warren Zevon was actually a more amazing artist than Elton John, (though I love them both just as well)....because Warren had such a high level of musicianship at the piano, and he wrote his own lyrics, and played guitar.
goofball.
I am here after watching Sam Fuller's "I Shot Jesse James." We have all been here before, accidentally, like martyrs. Robert Ford was no martyr, though. Jesse was, as well as Warren, perhaps... What would Agriss say? He'd give Fuller's film more than two stars unlike Leonard Maltin.
I love the piano "fiddle tune" starting at 2:19. I see Jesse in my mind's eye, loping through the Ozarks on his pinto pony, wearing the same carefree look that Warren has when he's singing.
Oh PS --- just my opinion but I don't believe Jesse died when/where/how they say.
Is this full special out there somewhere?
I have found this and the Carmelita clip and that's it.
Mention Warren with the Great American Writers. Not just Dylan. Hemmingway. Faulkner. Steinbeck. Those guys. He belongs there.
Zevon- one of the only to reveal the beauty behind dark writing. I talk about to others like everyone knows him… when they don’t🥺. Such a shame..
The poster on the wall...who is it?
Im theguy eh!?
maybe he identified with being an outlaw. but what sort? probably those who'd been afflicted with too much worldly wisdom. "accidentally like a martyr"?
“Are you real or not?”
Enjoy every sandwich