![]() ![]() He performed as he lived, unrestrained and at times, over-the-top. Many rock performers have meticulously crafted stage personas that differ from their real lives. This album was recorded in August 1980 over a five date residency at the famed Roxy Theater. Speakers Corner records has released a 180-gram re-mastered vinyl of Zevon’s 1980 live album, Stand In The Fire. ![]() His untimely death in 2003 ended a truly unique legacy. Though he would have an occasional second or third wind, broad stardom never happened. The dysfunctional contexts of his life translated into memorable songs like “The Mutineer”, “Life’ll Kill Ya”, and “Detox Mansion’. He collaborated with notable songwriters (Bruce Springsteen) and counterculture writers (Hunter Thompson, Carl Hiaasen). Additionally his “erudite sociopathy” became rooted in a self-destructive lifestyle that resulted in strained relations and long hiatuses. Subsequent albums like Excitable Boy (“Werewolves Of London”, “Lawyers Guns And Money”) and Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School were relevant, but never brought sustained record sales. Zevon played piano and guitar while delivering vocals with a strong baritone voice. Several covers by Ronstadt provided a mainstream outlet for his rocker legacy. Songs like the junkie lament, “Carmelita”, Americana-infused “Frank And Jesse James” and rockers like “Mohammed’s Radio” and “Desperados Under The Eaves” made him a favorite of contemporaries (Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Browne, Glen Frey and Don Henley). But in 1976, Warren Zevon (produced by Jackson Browne) provided critical acclaim, if not robust sales. His initial success as a songwriter and recording artist proved elusive as his 1969 debut, Wanted Dead Or Alive did not chart. There he became the band leader for a re-formed Everly Brothers. But late 60’s wanderlust took over and Zevon moved to Los Angeles. Born in Chicago, he moved to California and at one point briefly studied piano with Igor Stravinsky. Warren Zevon forged a career of relentless hard-edged rock music, only matched by his equally reckless lifestyle. (Warren Zevon – piano, guitar, vocals Zeke Zirngiebel – guitar, vocals David Landau – guitar Bob Harris – synthesizer, piano, vocals Roberto Pinon – bass, vocals Marty Stringer – drums) No one argues that Warren Zevon is a gifted singer and songwriter, but Stand in the Fire proves that, when he wants to, he can also rock with the best of 'em.Warren Zevon – Stand In The Fire – Asylum Records ASYLUM SE-519 (1980)/Speakers Corner Records (2019) 180-gram stereo vinyl, 42:37 ****1/2: The set list is dominated by Zevon's better-known tunes of the period, though there are two otherwise unrecorded originals (the OK title cut and the blazing "The Sin"), and a rave-up encore on "Bo Diddley's a Gunslinger" that revels in the joyous surrealism of the lyrics, and if one might have hoped for a more imaginative selection of material, these guys nail everything on deck. And the artist proved he was a superb rock & roll frontman on this tour, singing with mean-spirited glee (for a change, "Werewolves of London" and "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" sound just as menacing as they were meant to be) and spewing hilarious bile at every turn (his ad-libbed "the Ayatollah has his problems, too" on "Mohammed's Radio" alone is worth the price of admission). The musicians (anchored by flashy lead guitarist David Landau) pour out these tunes with plenty of fire, and the songs rock a lot harder than anything Zevon had summoned in the studio at that point. Anyone who saw Zevon on what he called "The Dog Ate the Part We Didn't Like Tour" can attest to the fact he was in superb form, playing music that rocked hard while displaying intelligence, passion, and a sharply corrosive wit, and Stand in the Fire, recorded during a five-night stand at L.A.'s Roxy near the end of the tour, captures Zevon and his band at their peak. While his songs long had a dark and frantic undercurrent, Zevon was now capable of playing a no-holds-barred rock show where he could bring the sharper edges of his music to the forefront. After the release of Warren Zevon's fourth album, Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School, he was clean and sober for the first time in years, and on-stage he was determined to make the most of his newfound strength and self-control. ![]()
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