Warren Zevon was a complex guy. I only saw him in concert, heard his music, enjoyed his warped, brilliant, poetic sensibility and view of the world. This excellent collection of outtakes, previously unreleased demos and unreleased songs is just a sampling of his brilliant songwriting and performing skills. When his son Jordan went through his stuff after his death in 2003 he found a case full of reel-to-reel recordings, cassettes and other teasures. He and his sister Ariel have chosen to share these terrific demos with us his fans. While not every track is perfect (how could it be? These are demos!), it's that lack of perfection that makes this collection so perfect, so intimate; it's a performance by one man with no idea they would be released when he did them. As a result, Warren is presents his music without artiface--these songs are as naked and pure (in an emotional sense)as when he first conceived them. Listening to them is like being at the birth of greatness for the best songs on here.

Two discs one featuring 16 (19 if you get this through Best Buy as there are three bonus tracks on their edition)tracks of the essence of the Mutineer. We get demos for "Join Me in L.A.", "Hasten Down the Wind", "The French Inhaler", "Poor Poor Pitiful Me", "Carmelita", "Desperados Under the Eaves" all of which appeared on Warren's second released album ("Warren Zevon"). We also get an early version of "Werewolves of London" (which is better than the outtake on the newly remastered edition of "Excitable Boy"), demos for "Tule's Blues" (written for Warren's first wife and which appeared on Zevon's first album and again reworked slightly on the expanded "Excitable Boy"), "Frozen Notes" (only on the Best Buy edition-originally slated for "Excitable Boy" and on that expanded edition)and "Empty Hearted Town" some elements of which ended up reworked for Warren's classic ballad "Empty Handed Heart" for "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School". Some of these recordings are pulled from acetates (records pressed before as demos or for the artist to listen to after recording but not for general release)and we're privilaged to get to hear many of these rare recordings.

The previously unreleased songs are terrific. While some are works in progress, others sound like they were ready for the next step--a full band work out. Since these demos are pre-1976 (according to the excellent booklet that comes with this released Jordan Zevon states that there are no credits for where, when and with whom many of these tracks were recorded), perhaps some of them were originally intended for the unreleased second album that Bones Howe produced or they fell by the wayside when Warren's "Warren Zevon" and "Excitable Boy" albums received critical acclaim and public acceptance. Either way "Steady Rain", "Going All The Way", "Studebaker", "The Rosarita Beach Cafe", "Stop Rainin' Lord" (and on the Best Buy editions "Workin' Man's Pay", "Some Kind of Rider")all of these are gems even if they are diamonds in the rough. Hearing "Desperado Under the Eaves" without the overdubbed strings and with just drums, a bit of guitar, organ, backing vocals and Warren's vocal is a delight as it's one of my favorite songs.

The second disc features "I Was in The House When The House Burned Down" and Warren's terrific take on Steve Winwood and Will Jennings' "Back in the High Life Again" from "Life'll Kill Ya". We also get about 30 minutes of an interview conducted by Jody Denberg to promote "LKY". We also get "Don't Let Us Get Sick" a live performance of Warren recorded for KGSR Radio Austin's 9th Anniversary Concert. Warren's interviews were always fun to listen to and this one is no exception. While you might listen to this disc less than the first one, it's still a nice extra here.

One of my treasured memories was seeing Warren at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, California where he held court playing for an intimate group of fans. It was one of many concerts but it was my first show with Warren and as a result is special. Hearing this reminds me of that show and how much I'll miss not being able to look forward to new music from him. It was the perfect venue for Warren's music. He'll be missed but with this release you can sit down with him and listen as he develops his craft and plays a concert just for you.

Also recommended: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon

Music: The Wind, Stand in the Fire,Warren Zevon, Excitable Boy,The Envoy, Sentimental HygieneLife'll Kill Ya

Rock on Warren.

I just picked this up last night thinking that this would relly be suitable for a loyal Warren Zevon fan like me. But what I discovered was really incredible versions of previously released songs and previously unreleased songs that in my opinion are terrific. For anyone that has the DVD of the making of The Wind, this two CD set is a must. Add in the great interviews on the second CD (which I already had from a prior special release) and you have a great package that will be enjoyed by WZ fans and those are coming later to the party. PS Take some time to read the liner notes as they add another perspective to a truly multitalented singer songwriter.

This is a collection of old tapes and interviews. It is not what I would suggest for someone checking him out for the first time. For the Warren "virgin"(not many around him by the sound of it) I would suggest "Warren Zevon" and "Exciteable Boy".

But for a long term diehard customer like me, then what you do is play Preludes, and read "Sleep When I'm Dead". Then it all makes sense.... or not.

Much of it is demo quality, but good listening. And gives an insight into the man, and how he built his songs.

Ownership is compulsory

If stuff doesn't get released by the artist there is usually a reason. This is not clean-and-pretty Zevon. BUT its FUN Zevon. Disc one has my new favorite version of Werewolves of London. There's a lot of unusual stuff and its great for any Zevon fan. Disc two is an interview that shows off Zevon's cantankerous side. The interviewer asks questions like a high school reporter scoring his big break and doesn't really listen to the answers but still the interview is made all the more poignant by the fact that Zevon has little knowlege that he has so little time left. THe set is a must for Zevon fans but probably won't make any new ones.

The "rough" cuts on this disc are what always sold Warren as an artist. It's like the recently published bio says "Warren traveled his own road...it was un-paved."

My all time favorite on this disc is ROSARITA BEACH CAFE. Listen to it twice and it will run around in your head for weeks! Also moving up with a bullet in our house is STEADY RAIN. I really like the cut of JOIN ME IN L.A. also...muy blusie.

Yep, this is probably going to end up being my favorite Zevon CD. Until the next one (I hope there is another one, Jordan!) comes out.