This edition of Gimme Five focuses on the third and final act of Warren Zevon’s career, when his Giant Records days were winding down and dark clouds once again approached …
“MY SHIT’S FUCKED UP” from LIFE’LL KILL YOU (2000): This marked yet another change of fortune for Warren Zevon. After the sales failure of the big-budget Mr. Bad Example, Zevon’s recordings became a much smaller affair. Life’ll Kill You, produced by Zevon with engineers Paul Q. Kolderie and Sean Slade has a more intimate feel with minimal instrumentation, mostly played by Zevon and limited backing vocals. “My Shit’s Fucked Up” continue in the line of brilliant Zevon songs about illness and death. Stark, simple and poignant, the song is one of the best on the album.
“MUTINEER” from MUTINEER (1995): This was the last in a line of records for Giant records. The title track and third single from the overlooked album is stark, vivid and succinct. Handling all the production, Zevon frames a story which pulls at the listener, creating a world which seems immediately identifiable and slightly disturbing. The song would be worthy of Bob Dylan. Perhaps that’s why Dylan covered “Mutineer” many times, and it’s featured on the tribute album to Warren Zevon, Enjoy Every Sandwich.
“GENIUS” from MY RIDE IS HERE (2002): Warren Zevon and Larry Klein (producer of Walter Becker and Joni Mitchell, among others) co-wrote this gem. Released on Artimis records, this self-produced album is multilayered. Zevon also handles the string arrangements, which are brilliantly unconventional. Lyrically, “Genius” is sharper than the surrounding songs on the album.
“PORCELAIN MONKEY” from LIFE’LL KILL YOU (2000): I don’t know what it is about “Porcelain Monkey.” The song has an unmistakable charm and appeal. Warren Zevon handles the heavy lifting with the Danny Kortchmar-like lead guitar and a Theremin. Longtime friend and collaborator Jorge Calderon assist in the backing vocals, while holding down the low end on bass. What is the song about? Is it another tribute to Elvis? Is it another tale of a man nearing the end who rejects salvation for his own Rosebud? Does it matter?
“MONKEY WASH DONKEY RINSE” from MUTINEER (1995): Another song from Mutineer “Monkey Wash Donkey Rinse” is a charming and whimsical look at a relationship, and its long slow fade into oblivion. Appearing with Bruce Hornsby on accordion and David Lindley on fiddle, Zevon creates a rollicking ditty about the descent into Hell. After all, its only half full, so there’s plenty of space for you and me. See you there soon, Warren – just not too soon.
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