VARIOUS ARTISTS: Hurry Home Early: the Songs of Warren Zevon

Various Artists

Hurry Home Early: the Songs of Warren Zevon

© 2005 Wampus Multimedia (634479091971)

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Emerging artists interpret the literate, acerbic pop songwriter.

notes

'Hurry Home Early: the Songs of Warren Zevon' is 13 Zevon classics interpreted by emerging artists from the U.S. and England. It focuses on Zevon's contribution to literate, modern songcraft, and tracks his 35-year journey as acerbic troubadour and cynical romantic.

'Hurry Home Early' traces Zevon's career from the late 1960s until his untimely death from mesothelioma, an inoperable lung cancer, in 2003. From Phil Cody's "Splendid Isolation" to Robb Johnson's "Suzie Lightning," the CD tells the story of an artist torn between hopeful and dark impulses, locked in a struggle between heart and mind. From Tom Flannery's "Boom Boom Mancini" to Neil Luckett's "Mutineer," it explores the emotional interior of a composer who has been called the Hunter S. Thompson of audio journalism.

Wampus Multimedia started the Zevon project in 2001, after it released its first tribute CD, 'If I Were a Richman: a Tribute to the Music of Jonathan Richman,' and was working on its second, 'After Hours: a Tribute to the Music of Lou Reed.'

'Hurry Home Early' runs the gamut of Zevon's career, from Simone Stevens' and Jordan Zevon's reading of the previously unreleased "Warm Rain" to early nuggets (Last Train Home's "Desperados Under the Eaves," Rachel Stamp's "Carmelita," The Matthew Show's "Mohammed's Radio") to spirited pop-rock (Roughly Enforcing Nostalgia's "Run Straight Down," Robbie Rist's "Mr. Bad Example," Alpha Cat's "Reconsider Me") to latter-day ironies (The Simple Things' "I'll Slow You Down," Brook Pridemore's "Life'll Kill Ya").

'Hurry Home Early' portrays an uncompromising artist making accessible records, a surgically precise writer conveying a vision through the lens of Hollywood.

Wampus is donating one dollar from the sale of each Zevon CD to the American Cancer Society.

*****

"While Phil Cody’s cutting take on 'Splendid Isolation' comes nearest to capturing Zevon’s ferocity, other attempts add other nuances, particularly The Matthew Show’s soaring cover of 'Mohammed’s Radio,' Alpha Cat’s entreating 'Reconsider Me,' an industrialized take on 'Run Straight Down' by Roughly Enforcing Nostalgia, and the folk-like finesse of Brook Pridemore’s ironic 'Life’ll Kill Ya.' Jordan Zevon’s contribution on the heretofore-unreleased 'Warm Rain' adds additional legitimacy, although unlike the previous Zevon tribute, Enjoy Every Sandwich, Hurry Home Early eschews more familiar fare (no 'Werewolves of London' found here) in favor of the more obscure. Still, some things never change; when The Matthew Show sing 'Everybody’s desperate and trying to make ends meet/You work all day and still can’t pay the price of gasoline,' Zevon’s lyrics suddenly seem remarkably prophetic." --Lee Zimmerman, Amplifier Magazine

"It was just a few months ago that I reviewed the Warren Zevon tribute album, Enjoy Every Sandwich, featuring an all-star cast interpreting some of Zevon's best-known tunes. I had to ask myself what new insight could possibly be forthcoming from a second such album, similar in many ways, but featuring generally more obscure song choices interpreted by generally more obscure independent artists. After a couple of listens to Hurry Home Early, the answer hit me like a self-administered whack in the forehead. Tribute albums aren't so much about the artist being honored, or the artists honoring that person. They're about the songs themselves. And Warren Zevon left behind one hell of a songbook. By turns caustic, reflective, raucous and brilliantly funny, Zevon used the entire emotional palette to paint bold strokes on his sonic canvas. From the prideful iconoclasm of 'Splendid Isolation' to the gentle entreaty of 'Mutineer,' this disc covers a huge amount of that tonal ground." --Jason Warburg, The Daily Vault

"Alter-ego to 2004's star-studded Enjoy Every Sandwich, this spotlights lesser-knowns rifling through Zevon's songbook. Sketchy but heartfelt, highlights include Robbie Rist's 'Mr. Bad Example,' The Simple Things' 'I'll Slow You Down,' and Jordan Zevon and Simone Stevens on the stately, previously unknown ballad 'Warm Rain.'" --Luke Torn, Uncut Magazine

"These reinterpretations mine the folk soul at the heart of Zevon's urbane presentation.... A straightforward folk approach is employed by Tom Flannery, whose bone-chilling version of 'Boom Boom Mancini' marks the disc's pinnacle. Whereas Zevon's versions paint Mancini as a modern-day folk hero, Flannery's haunting vocal delivery gives the boxer's story a terrifying, stone-cold killer interpretation....This collection deserves space in the collection of any Zevon fan. Furthermore, because these tributes demonstrate the lasting depth of Zevon's songwriting, it deserves a listen by anyone who favors mature, meaningful music." --Ron Davies, Splendid

"Wampus has produced a strikingly good CD here.... Thirteen tracks in all, and to be honest each and every one is a great song. I guess it would have been a bit too obvious to stick 'Werewolves' on here, and to underline this, the songs are more reflective and show a side of Zevon that folks like me ain't heard. Damn fine project." --Dave Hughes, Modern-Dance

"This album is best suited for a Warren Zevon fanatic, as opposed to many albums that attempt to turn people into fans with the siren call of their favorite musical acts. Beyond the appearance of 'Warm Rain,' a Zevon fan will find there are enough interesting reinterpretations here to warrant a purchase.... Hurry Home Early: The Songs of Warren Zevon does justice to its honoree." --Hunter Felt, Pop Matters

"Hurry Home Early is refreshing because it's not just a collection of pop-'punk' bands called on to give their interpretations of Warren Zevon's songs. The artists on this album did a great job capturing the darkly humorous spirit of Warren Zevon." --Gary Schwind, antiMUSIC

"What’s amazing is how the songs lend themselves to so many styles on this tribute album, showing that the songs have strength in themselves apart from how they get played, sung, and delivered. The fact that so many of these artists have delivered the songs in meaningful, passionate ways only adds to the joy." --Music Spectrum

*****

Check out the other Wampus tributes:

o 'After Hours: a Tribute to the Music of Lou Reed'
o 'If I Were a Richman: a Tribute to the Music of Jonathan Richman'

reviews

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  • good stuff
    author: David Finlayson

    Zevon songs sung by artists I'd never heard of before. I was not disappointed. I think Warren himself would've been happy with this tribute CD. If you happen to like what you hear, also pick up ENJOY EVERY SANDWICH and WARREN ZEVON-PRELUDES.

  • Great songs reworked
    author: Stefan Pytlinski

    Being a WZ fan it was great to hear new bands and artists who i must admit have never heard of probly because i live in the UK recording his work and what a terrific job they have done amust for any bodys collection

  • Better Than 'Enjoy Every Sandwich'
    author: Jim Reader

    A marvelous compilation of Zevon covers that outshines the previous 'big name' tribute, 'Enjoy Every Sandwich'. Last Train Home's cover of 'Desperados Under The Eaves' and Alpha Cat's cover of 'Reconsider Me' stood out for me in particular.

  • Refreshing Rediscovery
    author: Dave Dalton

    I was hooked immediately by the opening Hammond B3 prominence and the clarity of vocal interpretation in Splendid Isolation; seductively inviting the listener to harmonize with the first chorus. Each artist brings a personality to songs long familiar, which is both refreshing and confounding at the same time. Refreshing in that you get to hear the genius of the songwriter outside Zevon's own take, and confounding in that as you listen, you want to sing along as with the original, but you have to accomodate the new twists and phrasing; the key point being that you are so enamored with the opportunity to hear these songs again, you can't help but involve yourself in the moment. Add to this the fact that these are newer artists, sometimes recording with the sparsest of surroundings, the joy of making music for the sake of the song returns to an industry long surrendered to profitability and bottom line decision making. Many thanks to the WZ website for bringing this CD to my attention. I think I'll go write a song.

  • engaging, catches your ear & makes you listen whether you know the master(WZ) or
    author: ronnie middleton

    what can you say bad about it ,nothing! heartfelt & energetic takes on the masters work. end of story, now hurry on home. detoxman

  • The better of the two Zevon tribute albums.
    author: Claes Carlson

    I have been playing this album almost constantly since I got it a week ago. I like it better than the "offical" tribute Enjoy Every Sandwich. Now, I have found an interesting way to enjoy this album even more – I am going to make a compilation cd of Warren´s own versions of these songs, culled from my old vinyls. That project will most likely get five stars – but this album definitely deserves four.

  • A Wonderful Surprise
    author: Mike Herbst

    I'm so glad I stumbled on Hurry Home Early while browsing through CDBaby. This CD is like a box of chocolates; each piece is different but all are delicious (apologies to Forrest Gump). I enjoyed and appreciated "Enjoy Every Sandwich" but this group of artists has taken WZ's songs, some obscure, and brought out much more than their well known counterparts did on Sandwich.

  • I predict this motel will be standing ...
    author: Earl B

    As a long-time fan of WZ I rate this as a wonderful tribute to his songs ... to me it shines a lot brighter than "Enjoy Every Sandwich" perhaps partly because the artists are relatively unknown and the quality of the songs isn't marred by a feeling of "oh, that's so-and-so singing". The versions of "Desperadoes Under the Eaves" (what an opening!) and "Carmelita" are favourites, but it's all good. Thanks Wampus. I bet Warren is smiling.

  • Impressive tribute!
    author: Laura T Lynch of Kweevak.com

    This collection spans Warren's career from the late 60's until his untimely death in 2003. The selections include some lesser-known songs, yet Warren's wry and wit still shines through. Each band on this tribute CD captures the dark essence of Zevon but adds their own colorful, modern stylings to the music. Highlights of the album include Phil Cody's edgy cover of 'Splendid Isolation', The Matthew Show's version of 'Mohammed's Radio' and Alpha Cat's pop/rock interpretation of 'Reconsider Me'. The whole CD is interesting, showcasing emerging talent and some of Warren's many musical nuggets. In addition to producing an eclectic, impressive CD!

  • Brilliant album, some fantastic versions of Warrens songs
    author: Dave Sullivan, Tayport, Scotland

    I am a huge fan of Warren Zevon and wondered if another tribute album was worth the money. You should buy this album , there are some fantastic tracks. Last Train Home's version of Desperado under the Eaves is excellent and Robbie Rist does a great version of Mr Bad Example.All in all not a bad track on the CD, just reminds you how great a songwriter Warren was

  • great versions of great songs
    author: Stevie B

    WARREN NEVER WROTE A BAD SONG THESE VERSIONS DO THEM JUSTICE

  • Very good, new artists play Zevon fantastic!
    author: Arne Solheim Kaldahl

    Good collection of Zevon songs. All the artists give Zevon what he deserves. "Run straight down" is really played in a new way!

  • being a zevon fan from way back, loved the whole CD
    author: susiecreamcheese2003@yahoo.com

    this is a great tribute album. i loved every track, especially #11 life will kill ya, preformed by my own son Brook Pridemore!

  • I keep listing to it over & over.
    author: KathyH

    Keep listing to it over & over. I'm sure it'll stay in my close collection.

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