If you haven't heard by now, Warren Zevon, the pessimistic
songwriting genius behind such great songs as "Werewolves of London," and
"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" has passed after a courageous battle with cancer.
Last year when the doctor's told him he only had three months left to live,
he went into the studio to make a farewell record without a lot of time to
make it work. Happily, Zevon was able to survive many months beyond this
prognosis and his many friends and musical peers lined up around the block
to work with one of the best one last time. This record alone boasts legends
such as Don Henley, Tom Petty, Tommy Shaw, Ry Cooder, T-Bone Burnett, Dwight
Yoakam, Jackson Browne, and Emmylou Harris. The best guest spot goes to
Bruce Springsteen though, who plays one bad ass guitar solo on "Disorder in
the House." Zevon has always been one of my favorite writers, and his swan
song doesn't disappoint. On "Dirty Life and Times," frail in voice, Zevon
sings "Some days I feel that my shadowÕs casting me." And you can just tell that
he probably isn't far from telling the truth. Zevon's cover of Dylan's
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is without a doubt humbling. And when Warren
sings on the ending and most beautiful track, "Keep Me in Your Heart," "If I leave
you it doesn't mean I love you any less, keep me in your heart for a while"
it's difficult to keep the tears from welling in your eyes. Warren, we'll
never forget you, and you'll always be in our hearts.