Warren Zevon special on VH1

Subject: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: Sleepless Dad
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 11:08 PM

I was just wondering if anyone else saw this special tonight. It was about the recording of Zevon's last music since he is dying of lung cancer. It was at various times moving, funny, insightful and scary. He seems to be about as brave as a person can be facing death. I've always enjoyed his music so I'm looking forward to the release of this recording. Did anyone else see this show? Comments please.

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 09:10 AM

It doesn't look like anyone's seen it! I would have watched it if I'd known it was going to be on. I've always liked Zevon's ability to do both dark humor and sensitivity.

Theres a bit about the documentary on Zevon's offical website The website says the show will be on agin on Tuesday the 26th Aug at 1AM EST. He's put the entire album up on his webiste!

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: Gern
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 10:39 AM

Yes I did, and it was upsetting to me. But I agree that WZ's sardonic wit does him well in fending off the panic he must feel. Although reality has ground some of the edge off his attitude, what remains is still provocative. I wish someone would tell Springstein that he is no lead guitarist, though. Self-conscious rock poses and loud screeches are not enough. As for Zevon, he was blessed to have this album project to absorb his energies. Time well-spent for all of us. It still surprises me how he can be so flippant and irreverant, and then turn around and write a beautiful and touching love song.

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: Sleepless Dad
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 06:43 PM

Gern - I know what you mean but I think the touching love songs come from the same place as the irreverance. It makes me wonder what I would do with the last few months of my life if I knew the end was near ?

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: open mike
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 07:54 PM

looks like Tuesday the 26th Aug at 1AM EST
would be monday aug 25 at 10 pm tonite...

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: bflat
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 11:04 PM

Nice article on him in Sunday, 8/24/03 NYTimes Arts and Leisure. Puts some of his perspective on his condition and the latest CD "Wind."

Ellen

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 08:29 AM

Looks like it's on again tonight (Tue/26th Aug) at 8 EST. (5:00 PM Pacific) Now that is a time I can manage!

Sleepless Dad, I agree with your 'same place' comment.

I still think it's hilarious that once, on telephone 'hold', I heard a muzak version of 'Excitable Boy'.

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: GUEST,Whistle Stop
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 12:56 PM

I saw the show the other night. It was pretty sobering, which isn't a description one usually applies to a Zevon production. I've enjoyed his music for a long time, and I'll miss him when he's gone.

I have to disagree with Gern about Springsteen's abilities as a lead guitarist. Springsteen has a distinctive style, and a great musical sense; where other guitar players may just take whatever opportunity they get to show off their chops, Springsteen's contributions are always in service of the song. The particular song he was playing on is called "Disorder In The House," and musically it flirts with an out-of-control sound, consistent with the theme of the song. The song called for someone with Springsteen's talents, and I think Springsteen captured the feel of the song perfectly.

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 08:40 AM

I finally saw it last night.
One remarkable thing I found about the documentary itself was the gentleness of the film makers. Many films of this type starts with someone's big agenda - a Message - and all the content is manipulated to fit that agenda, usually by use of an unsubtle narrator who tells people what they should be seeing and feeling. This one just came off as unadorned-honest: "here is what happened during the making of the CD."

I found him to be a whole lot less insane than I thought he'd be just from listening to his music. I found him to be honest and down-to-earth. The thing which stands out more than anything else was how he made up his mind to do the CD and then remained passionate about getting it done. Maybe that might have had something to do with the fact he's lasted 4 times as long as doctors predicted?

The funny thing is, he doesn't come off as either tragic or heroic in my mind. You can see his decision to make the CD as extraordinary, but I see it as just his way of 'putting one foot in front of the other'. It was a good decision because it made making the CD a more significant goal, on a day-to-day basis, than dying. Maybe it was natural for him or maybe it took a lot of courage, but I can't say.

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: Chief Chaos
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 05:11 PM

I watched the show last night. Having never seen a picture of Warren Zevon before I didn't know who it was. We have lost so many good artists to cancers its a wonder that the music execs allow them to smoke. I guess it's a matter of the bucks that can be made from the tabaco giants vs. length span of fame. All I know is that I stopped at first because of the music. Then I learned that this artist I was watching was dying, it became all the more poignant then and made a little more sense. When I finally learned it was Warren Zevon the only thing I could think was why haven't we heard more of his music? From what I heard last night the man was a genius. God must have needed a good poet. Can you imagine the jam sessions going on up there?

If you haven't seen it you should.

Subject: RE: Warren Zevon special on VH1
From: Wesley S
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 01:15 PM

He's not dead yet.

It was an inspiring show. Films like this help us to treasure the days that we have.