You know someone is unique when the guy finds out he has a terminal illness and he, not Leno or Letterman (no, certainly not Letterman), is the one who sees gallows humor in the predicament.

On the Letterman Show, Warren Zevon, with a wry, paradoxical smile and laugh, said that his fear of doctors was "one of those phobias that didn't pay off." Also on that night, Zevon, who has told us so much through his songs, gave us a precious nugget he discovered, something he knows that David Letterman and other people whose life expectancy doesn't number in months or days, or in Warren's case, as he's already supposed to be sleeping while dead, negative numbers: we better learn to enjoy each sandwich.

Zevon, surpassing the limitations prescribed by his doctors, has lived to see the birth of his twin grandchildren and the release of his wonderful latest album, the understandably melancholy, yet at times strangely upbeat, _The Wind_. I feel privileged to bear witness to the Mutineer's final journey, as it, like his last two studio albums, holds its own with Zevon's greatest albums (Warren's best album for my money is "Life'll Kill Ya," written and recorded way before the cancer diagnosis).

Anyway, Zevon starts out with one of his great turns of phrase: "Some days I feel like my shadow's casting me, Some days the sun don't shine." I love that image of a shadow casting a person -- it evokes a darkness, a state of nothingness, death, and yet, the lyrics are carefully crafted: only on some
days does Zevon, and I'm going to presume that there's plenty of self-reference going on on this album, feel that his shadow is casting him and that the sun is not shining. Even in the face of certain death, the implication remains that there are days when the sun shines -- when Warren still casts his own
shadow. Later in the song we're reminded that Warren's "winding down [his] dirty life and times," and the lump hits the throat. Oh, is this a painful record. And it was so painful, on so many levels (the VH-1 special is essential viewing), for Warren. But like all great works of music, it somehow raises the spirit -- of both the listener and the singer-songwriter.

Next is "Disorder in the House," an outrageous, confused rocker, that describes both Warren's state-of-mind, and, on a broader scale, the state-of-mind of his country: "The floodgates are open, We've let the demons loose, The big guns have spoken, and we've fallen for the ruse." Bruce Sprinsgteen lends sharp
vocals and killer guitar to Disorder.

The third song is "Knockin'." There's nothing I can say about this song, this rendition, and all it means, that could do it justice. So I won't try.

"Numb as a Statue" proves that, no matter what, Zevon's not going to lose that biting, intelligent, sarcastic sense of humor: "I don't care if it's superficial, You don't have to dig down deep, Just bring enough for the ritual, get here before I fall asleep."

What follows is a song that I immediately place among Warren's greatest, and without hesitation I find it to be the best thing on "The Wind": "She's Too Good For Me." This one brought tears to my eyes, but, strangely enough, not in the way "Dirty Life and Times" or, my God, the last song did, but on a level
associated purely with the song itself -- I can envision the situation as removed from Warren Zevon's life and disease; it works on many levels. It's a work of pure beauty.

"Prison Grove" strikes me as in some ways Zevon's "I Shall Be Released." Both songs are ostensibly about escaping prisons, but ultimately the songs are universal and we're all in prisons that we will all one day inevitably escape: "Some folks have to die too hard, Some folks have to cry too hard, Take one last look at the prison yard, Goodbye Prison Grove."

There are also two great blues numbers on _The Wind_, "Please Stay" and "Rub Me Raw," that reminded me a bit of Dylan's blues on "Love and Theft." At this point, I think Zevon's blues have a basis that might even be comparable on an emotional level to the blues's original impetus: racism. Nobody is going to
question this white man singing the blues.

The album's final song is "Keep Me in Your Heart." It's opening pays homage to Dylan's _Time Out of Mind_: "Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath." This song absolutely destroys me, tears flow free, beyond mere watery eyes. If the
message "Keep me in your heart for awhile" is directed to Warren Zevon's fans, and not just his family and friends, Warren, you're going to be in my heart for a lot longer than a while. I only hope that I can be as strong and courageous as Warren Zevon, "Mr. 'Bad' Example", if the situation calls for it.
Rest in Peace, Warren. And thank you for all you've given us.

Judging by the people who helped with or appeared on this album, Warren Zevon is truly blessed with a lot of famous friends. As Warren himself said, David Letterman was the best friend his music had. Bob Dylan has taken to doing some Zevon covers in concert lately. Warren returned the favor by recording a Dylan song on this album. A partial list of those who appear on this album with Warren are: his mentor Jackson Browne, his longtime songwriting partner Jorge Calderon, Ry Cooder, Emmylou Harris, Don Henley, David Lindley, Tom Petty, Timothy B. Schmit, Tommy Shaw, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Bob Thornton, Joe Walsh and Dwight Yoakam.

DIRTY LIFE AND TIMES - When the opening line of the first song on the album is, "Some days I feel like my shadow's casting me," you can't help but be reminded of Warren's terminal illness. I can assure you that this is NOT a depressing album. With tasty guitar licks from Ry Cooder and backing vocals from Billy Bob Thornton and Dwight Yoakam, this song has a strong country music flavor to it.

DISORDER IN THE HOUSE - Lyrically, this song is very reminiscent of "I Was In the House When The House Burned Down." This song is a real rocker, with Bruce Springsteen providing scorching guitar licks. His guitar solos sound like Jimi Hendrix, with Bruce holding nothing back. In addition, his vocal contributions amount to a duet between Bruce and Warren, rather than Warren singing lead with Bruce in the background.

KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR - Warren turns in a heartfelt vocal on this classic Dylan song. May you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows you're dead, Warren.

NUMB AS A STATUE - This is another rocker, in which Warren pleads to beg, borrow or steal some feelings so he can feel something too. Leave it to Warren to equate being on painkillers with being emotionally withdrawn.

SHE'S TOO GOOD FOR ME - Warren is at his self-deprecating best in this moving ballad. Half of the Eagles, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit, provide harmonious background vocals.

PRISON GROVE - This is the most ominous sounding song on the album. The prisoner is sentenced to death, and you know for sure that the governor is not going to call with a last minute stay of execution.

EL AMOR DE MI VIDA - The love of my life is Warren's tender love song to his lady, with Jorge Calderon providing background vocals in Spanish. The saddest aspect of this song is the weakness in Warren's voice. Unlike the rest of the songs, you can almost feel him struggling for breath to sing this.

THE REST OF THE NIGHT - Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow...well, you know. Helping the listener party hearty are Tom Petty and Mike Campbell. You could almost say that this song was performed by Warren Zevon and the Heartbreakers!

PLEASE STAY - Warren pleads with his lover to stay with him, with Emmylou Harris providing sympathetic backing vocals. The lyrics in this song gave the album its title. "Will you stay with me to the end, when there's nothing left but you and me and the wind?"

RUB ME RAW - This is Warren's great blues song, with Joe Walsh providing scorching slide guitar. If anyone has a right to sing the blues, it's Warren Zevon. However, this song is filled with Warren's dark humor, and is also guaranteed to get your feet tapping.

KEEP ME IN YOUR HEART - This is Warren's fond farewell to his fans, friends and loved ones. Keeping with Warren's wishes, I will not end this with something sappy or maudlin. I will say that the memory of Warren Zevon's songs will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I've been crying and laughing, laughing and crying for the last hour or so. Warren's VH1 special just went off. I know of no other public figure who could or would grant his fans/customers such intimate access to his life during a time like this. Nor can I think of anyone else who could face his fate with such bravery and graceful acceptance.

Now I'm listening to "The Wind". Knowing the circumstances behind the album's conception makes it an emotionally tumultuous listen. But one doesn't need to be familiar with the backstory to appreciate Warren's swan song. Introspective, intimate, personal, mournful, moving, beautiful, melodic, raucous, raw, irreverent, courageous...it's all in this final masterpiece, the album of a lifetime. You'll hear a man saying goodbye to those he loves and cares about, and maybe even to us. What you won't hear is a man feeling sorry for himself. Pride, ego, call it what you will...Warren is too tough for that.

Mr. Zevon will leave behind an unequalled legacy of left field anthems and smiles on the faces of all who were lucky enough to hear them. "The Wind" is not only a worthy addition to his canon of musical brilliance, it is a necessary one. Thank you for sharing with us, Warren, and God bless you.

Like the brilliant Freddy Mercury before him, Warren Zevon knew he, too, was going to die soon. And like Freddy Mercury, Zevon poured his last bit of life into his final work, "The Wind". You can read whatever you like into Zevon's lyrics on such reflective songs as "Dirty Life & Times", "Numb As A Statue", "The Rest Of The Night", "Rub Me Raw" and his most powerful piece "Keep Me In Your Heart". Whatever conclusion you draw, one thing still remains: Zevon's death will leave an expansive hole in the music business, a business that has sadly become a greedy, adolescent beauty pageant contest. Zevon added much needed insight, humor and a unique take on life that most musicians could only produce in their dreams. To me, there are only two possible equals left: Randy Newman and Tom Waits. "The Wind" gets five stars from me because it's Zevon's final work. The cd itself is crammed with guest appearances by Springsteen, The Eagles, Jackson Browne and Tom Petty. Zevon does justice to Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and many of the songs remind you of all of Zevon's talents with my favorites being "Numb As A Statue" and "Keep Me In Your Heart". Overall, I think I liked "Life'll Kill Ya" of his last three recordings, and that cd is no less prophetic and sardonic than "The Wind". R.I.P. 1947-2003.

I'm not a professional reviewer, just a humble fan of good music. I've read all the reviews, both professional and customer. We own this album, and we love it.

I'm appalled by the level of cruelty in some of the reviews; yes, Warren Zevon was a hard-living, even hedonistic musician - as so many are! And yes, he probably smoked himself into his final inescapable predicament. But here is a man who didn't just lie down and stop living. He fought pain, medication-fog and despair to produce one last work for family, friends and fans. For that reason alone, it is worth owning, as a testament to courage and the will to live.

Warren Zevon's music has never been for everyone. Those of you who never liked him, won't like this album either, I'm sure; but don't be so self-righteously cruel in your reviews. None of us is perfect. This album has a wide spectrum of musical flavors; most of us will find something we love on it. Many of the songs, given the circumstances, make me cry everytime I hear them.

I'll just mention my two favorites on the album: I agree with many of the reviewers that the closing song "Keep Me in Your Heart" will haunt you for a very long time. I also think the ballad "Please Stay" reveals his fragility of mind and voice; his voice wavers, misses notes, but the emotion evoked will overwhelm anyone but the hardest-hearted. This man was facing his own mortality, but mustered enough strength to live his life to the last day.

Bravo, Z-man, wherever you are now on the other side. You've inspired some of us. I, for one, am going to take your advice from now on, and "enjoy every sandwich!"