Warren Zevon S/T : An Album I’ve Heard A Thousand Times : Which Version Is Best?

[@ivesbk]

Fantastic LP. Cried the day he died, had to pull over with my whole family in the car.

[@PhilBaird1]

Hit me hard too. He was our guy. My favourite of all his great albums. Desperados clinches it.

[@trevorwyatt688]

Hi, Jazzy,I've was searching for a copy of this album on the strength of prior recommendations you have given.I found an original uk copy in a charity shop a couple of months back for one pound,lovely condition all present and shipshape.What a brilliant record!Best quid I've spent all year.peace

[@TheVinylVoyage-ud3uf]

Hey Mazzy! Yes, definitely! 1000 listen albums for me: probably all the later Beatles, Highway 61 Revisited & Blood on the Tracks, Forever Changes, Stone Roses debut, The Jam Setting Sons, Sticky Fingers and Beggars Banquet, Bridge over Trouble Water… the usual suspects! That’s why they’re classics, right?! Love Warren Zevon ❤ Cheers, Jack

[@juststeven35]

Mazzy, just listened to my original. Wow, it sounds amazing. I don't know if it can be topped. All those harmonies, the celebrities. What a group and time for all those musicians.

[@narrowfield6846]

Zevon was really a great singer/songwriter. Love the S/T album as well as several others of his.

[@johndoyle7644]

I found this lp in a mouldy box of lps in a basement , at a yard sale, didn’t know him but it looked interesting. It sure was , and I’ve since become a lifelong fan , so much so that years ago , my wife surprised me with personalized ZEVON , plates for my car .

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

My white label promo pretty much lives in the bin immediately next to my turntable. Easily in my top ten “debut” records of all time.

[@andrewt4042]

David Letterman had great respect for Warren and even appeared on one of his albums.

[@davebrez]

@@andrewt4042 hit somebody! 😂👍

[@michaelgrech3012]

my favorite Zevon album.Such a great song writer.Sadly missed.

[@musicsoundgear]

Listened to this LP last night. Excitable Boy is still my go to. I remember when he went on Late Night with David Letterman late in his life. The whole show was him. It was a celebration of his life while he was a live, but it was sad too, because you knew what was coming.

[@ianemery4355]

I got a compilation of Warren to begin with many many years ago! But I got his albums great songs some very black humour! Werewolves of London was a minor hit here! I can say I was a fan but not that widely known here in the UK! Nice video and interesting stuff! 😊

[@boomitchell989]

Love this album! "Desperado Under the Eaves" is one of his best. Still miss Zevon. My album I've played a thousand times is Supertramp's "Breakfast in America," followed by DC Talk's "Jesus Freak."

[@alanbescan4311]

Mazzy- your opinion of this album mirrors yours! I've seen him in Cleveland 6 times beginning with his first time here at the Cleveland Agora in the late '70's. I have all Warren's albums and cds including the WLP of S/T one and a test pressing of Excitable Boy- my 2 Go -To's! Keep up your insightful reviews!

[@mazzysmusic]

My opinion mirrors mine ? 😇😜

[@derhandtrommler]

You need "Stand In The Fire" his full band live record. SMOKES !

[@mazzysmusic]

Have it and the expanded full show version

[@michaelbroad6009]

That zipping sound, which is what I call a 'distorted crackle' is in the pressing. You can't get it out, I recently bought a whole bunch of Ryan Adams records from his website and the majority have that zipping crackle, it only goes for a second or two but it's the most horrible sound you can get when listening to vinyl. I'm a Zevon fan but I'll stick with my original UK '76 pressing if the Rhino release is not good. Keep up the great work Massy.

[@Delius1958]

Hi Mazzy, thanks for the video! For me „Desperados…“ is one of the greatest songs of all time! Not only the song itself but also its realization. Oh this „air condition humming“ in the coda! Pure Genius! And is there ANY record more moving than „The Wind“? - Greetings from Berlin, Harry

[@mazzysmusic]

Yes onDesperados ✌🏼

[@cohearent]

Hey Mazzy. I cut this originally in 1975 with John Haeny and Jackson Browne at Artisan. What goes around comes around

[@mazzysmusic]

Hey KG. I adore this record. 1000 plus listens can't be bad. I know you've said the 2009 was pretty good, and I really tried, but it seems dull, especially on the opener. At least on two of my rigs over the years. And I've tried three different copies over the years. That OG you did is magnificent. The new BG cut is nice and open, except for the sibilance and congestion in the harmonies. And, of course, the zipping I got. Hopefully, it's just specific to my copy???

[@davebrez]

@@mazzysmusic hi maz, i played my new copy (at least frank/jesse) about 5-10 times, friday, when it arrived. i have the exact (stitching? zipping?) issue, in the exact spot… the ultimate buzz kill! i cleaned it well, and then i tried different carts; different tables; different tracking forces… multiple different setups, in general… each to no avail. ugh! i liked it. i want a perfect copy. cheers.

[@mazzysmusic]

@@davebrez well that’s too bad. A guy in the Forums got one with no stitching but also said the background vocals were screeching when he tried to turn it up loud. That’s too bad. I’ll grab another but Kevin’s OG is the way to go imho on this one.

[@maskedandanonymous5377]

hi, again, maz. brez, here (writing from my main youtube account... haven't figured out how to combine/merge with my (accidental) other account). one other thing... does your new copy potentially have an ingrained schmutz, early on side four, track three (at first mention of echo park/carmelita)? i can't get it out. (tick, tick, tick...). 🤬 the quality control (or lack thereof), on so many of these new pressings, is getting so exponentially frustrating. cheers.

[@mazzysmusic]

@@maskedandanonymous5377 I sent it back. Will get a replacement.

[@johnboorman1204]

I have all of Warren’s albums. Every song on this album is an absolute gem.

[@mazzysmusic]

Yup🤠

[@timothywebber7404]

So good to learn from you. Did not know about WZ. Thanks

[@matthewrichey8542]

I often evaluate a person’s taste in (popular) music according to their understanding of this album. I agree, it’s a perfect album in so many ways. The songs (of course), the production, the arrangements, the playing, the aura (especially!) Good job Mazzy.

[@mazzysmusic]

@@matthewrichey8542 well thank you 🤠

[@Willthelistener]

Loved this album since 1976 and lucky enough to catch him live as a support to Jackson in Manchester (UK) and then a couple of stunning gigs in London in later years. My copy of this reissue also has an occasional ripping sound, also present in the between track sections, on the mid right position on side 2 - most noticeable on Carmelita. Have noticed my stylus picking up gunge from the record after each play, making me think there is an issue with pressing/vinyl control. After noticing this I dug out the recent rerelease of Feats Don’t Fail Me - and that too is depositing gunge (and in case it is after an USonic Clean) I do however like this new cut but it does feel rather dark and oppressive at times and needs cranking up, as you say, to bring it alive. And this is a common attribute of a few recent Rhino reissues - so it is windows closed listening.

[@jessem470]

Amazing Album , amazing career I was so happy when he was inducted in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Wait , what ? He Isn’t

[@LLYMYNT]

Named a cat 🐱 Zevon after him. Loved his music. ❤ And I agree with you, such a great album.

[@AetherPavilion]

Zevon was a musician’s musician, and this album exemplifies that. I’d put a couple Randy Newman albums in this category. They are so good, even their tracks I don’t like, I like, if you know what I mean.

[@twofromthetrunk9932]

Being a Linda Ronstadt fan, i knew early on who Warren Zevon was.

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

Same

[@onsenkuma1979]

'Excitable Boy' got all the attention, but this is a much better album IMO, and hangs together better as a collection of songs.

[@mazzysmusic]

Agree 🤠

[@joncaradies3155]

Great LP ! .... Always loved 'Desperadoes under the Eaves'. ....... Brilliant civil war hymn feel of it ......... Kudos

[@mikemoniz4441]

After watching your video, I ordered the album. I'm really hoping it's everything you say it is. I've always liked Warren Zevon but mainly for the few big songs he had. It's time I find out more. Thanks

[@mazzysmusic]

Enjoy

[@andrewmacdonald3667]

I have an Australian pressing that fits your description of the first issue. Still, I was curious about this latest version. Thanks for the heads up.

[@mazzysmusic]

It might be good will a better pressed copy. I’ll try again. But the bonus tracks are good.

[@preservedmoose]

As you said at the end, Mobile Fidelity were going to release it but, what I heard, had to cancel the project because of the state of the tape. So, I’m surprised that Bernie was able to get a better sound than Kevin. It sounds, from what you are saying, that he used a file.

[@boba2783]

I'm listening to it for the VERY first time on Qobuz right now, it's not bad at all

[@brianoneill3027]

Always believed this was his best album. Murray McLaughlin had a hit with "Carmelita" here in Canada during the early 70's.

[@TrevorMarshall-iq6sy]

Massey. Just purchased best Of Warren seven based on your recommendations. Never heard much of him prior to listening to your good self. Keep up the good work. Trevor Marshall,Northern Ireland

[@mazzysmusic]

Fantastic!

[@Diesel65-tl3zv]

I have the MoFi copy of Excitable Boy probably one of my best sounding records in my collection you also made me go pull my copy of the debut album to check which version I have the OG and will put it back into rotation to see what I’m missing because I prefer Excitable Boy

[@written12]

Interesting as usual. I actually don’t know the whole album. You’ve got me excited to hear the whole album. Any particular CD version you’d recommend?

[@mazzysmusic]

Just an original. I haven’t compared various CDs.

[@written12]

@@mazzysmusic thanks, Mazzy. I may have to buy a turntable. The idea of having Jackson, Lindsey’s etc harmony vocals scrunched together is depressing.

[@iconicon5642]

Mazzy ridiculously good call on Warren.

[@Dennis_510]

Look away, down Gower Avenue

[@audiomojo2074]

I was also disappointed with the 2009 reissue. I purchased this because my better sounding Canadian copy had seen a lot of wear over the years. I latter acquired a Specialty pressing that was alright but it was the Santa Maria pressing I acquired that is really special. What is the pressing you have ? Based on your own experience with Ry Cooder's "Jazz" there are noticeable differences among early pressings and I would guess the same goes for Warren Zevon.

[@MAC5REPORT]

Great album….been trying to find a decent original copy of this for years. Luckily, I recently found very good used copies of Excitable Boy and Sentimental Hygiene.

[@kingofallmediums2123]

Little known fact: Warren was trained by Igor Stravinsky who Warren’s father “convinced” to teach him-he was a mobster 😂😂😂😂😂😂😮😮😮😮😮

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

I wonder if the age of the tape(s) is partially or entirely responsible for the relative lack of nuance and detail in the harmonies, compared to the OG.

[@mazzysmusic]

@@TheAgeOfAnalog 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@trevorwyatt688]

Excuse the autocorrect,Mazzy

[@andyandrews6850]

You will know better but I think the original tapes were lost in a fire. Only the 1st and 2nd pressings ( maybe more) are from the master tapes. Rhino have to use ‘other’ generation copies

[@apollomemories7399]

Anybody know about the progress of the Documentary being made by Zevon’s former manager, Andy Slater?

[@johndoyle7644]

You likely have Hindu Love Gods ?

[@mazzysmusic]

I do 🤠

[@KevKavanagh]

Damn, that record smokes! I keep forgetting it, but the versions of Raspberry Beret and Battleship Chains are ace, I'm off to dig out my copy now!