I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology)

Amazon.com essential recording
Released nearly a decade after Zevon's first best-of (A Quiet Normal Life), I'll Sleep When I'm Dead provides a more comprehensive overview of the off-center California songsmith's fitful career. The first disc of the 44-song, two-CD set nearly duplicates the earlier retrospective, dropping only one song ("Ain't That Pretty at All") and tossing in the likes of "Hasten Down the Wind," "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School," and live versions of "Mohammed's Radio" and "Jeannie Needs a Shooter" from Zevon's early, most popular period. Disc two cherry-picks highlights from the artist's more problematic but periodically inspired late '1980s and '90s recordings, tossing in such oddities as the Hindu Love Gods' spirited remake of Prince's "Raspberry Beret" (HLG is Zevon backed by the instrumentalists from R.E.M.) and live takes of "The French Inhaler" and "The Indifference of Heaven." Thorough and smartly sequenced, Sleep provides the uninitiated an intro into the work of a true original and adds enough mislaid gems to please steadfast followers. --Steven Stolder

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology),Warren Zevon,Elektra / Wea,Album Rock,Hard Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology)

Average customer rating:

A GREAT OVERVIEW BUT...
The Incomparable Warren Zevon: Music's Gruff, Sardonic, Moralist Wordsmith.
A must for every Zevon fan
Awesome collection of Zevon's 44 best songs...
A good chance to hear what you missed

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology)
Warren Zevon
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon
The Wind
Life'll Kill Ya
Learning to Flinch
VH1 (Inside) Out - Warren Zevon: Keep Me in Your Heart

ASIN: B000003479
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

Frank And Jesse James
Hasten Down The Wind
Poor Poor Pitiful Me
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Carmelita
Desperados Under The Eaves
Johnny Strikes Up The Band
Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner
Excitable Boy
Werewolves Of London
Accidentally Like A Martyr
Lawyers, Guns And Money
Frozen Notes
Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School
Gorilla, You're a Desperado
Play It All Night Long
Mohammed's Radio (Live Version)
Jeannie Needs A Shooter (Live Version)
The Envoy
The Hula Hula Boys
Let Nothing Come Between You
Looking For The Next Best Thing

Tracks:

Sentimental Hygiene
Boom Boom Mancini
Detox Mansion
Bad Karma
Reconsider Me (Single Version)
Run Straight Down
The Long Arm Of the Law
Splendid Isolation
You Don't Know What Love Is
Raspberry Beret - Hindu Love Gods
Suzie Lightning
Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead
Searching Gor A Heart
Mr. Bad Example
Roll With the Punches
The French Inhaler (Live Version)
The Indifference Of Heaven (Live Version)
If You Won't Leave Me I'll Find Somebody Who Will
Real Or Not
Seminole Bingo
Monkey Wash Donkey Rinse
Mutineer

Amazon.com essential recording

Released nearly a decade after Zevon's first best-of (A Quiet Normal Life), I'll Sleep When I'm Dead provides a more comprehensive overview of the off-center California songsmith's fitful career. The first disc of the 44-song, two-CD set nearly duplicates the earlier retrospective, dropping only one song ("Ain't That Pretty at All") and tossing in the likes of "Hasten Down the Wind," "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School," and live versions of "Mohammed's Radio" and "Jeannie Needs a Shooter" from Zevon's early, most popular period. Disc two cherry-picks highlights from the artist's more problematic but periodically inspired late '1980s and '90s recordings, tossing in such oddities as the Hindu Love Gods' spirited remake of Prince's "Raspberry Beret" (HLG is Zevon backed by the instrumentalists from R.E.M.) and live takes of "The French Inhaler" and "The Indifference of Heaven." Thorough and smartly sequenced, Sleep provides the uninitiated an intro into the work of a true original and adds enough mislaid gems to please steadfast followers. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

A GREAT OVERVIEW BUT..........2005-12-06

...there should be more live material or Elektra should get off their butts and release STAND IN THE FIRE...C'MON NOW, IT'S A CRIME TO HOLD IT BACK (what's the matter, legal problems or something?) Anyhoo, this collection is chock full of nutty songs from a real musical genius.

The Incomparable Warren Zevon: Music's Gruff, Sardonic, Moralist Wordsmith........2005-09-14

I'm not familiar with Warren Zevon's studio albums, so I can't say if "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead " has omitted anything essential, but what's here is terrific. This anthology includes 44 songs originally released 1976-1996, representing 12 studio albums plus 4 previously unreleased tracks -3 songs from soundtracks and a previously unreleased version of "Frozen Notes". Zevon's last 3 albums are not represented, as they were recorded later. There are twice as many songs in "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" than in 2002's "Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon", although that album includes 3 tracks that this one doesn't. Bruce Springsteen called Warren Zevon a "moralist in cynic's clothing". Jackson Browne described him as "the first and foremost proponent of song noir". That's a catchy, although vague, way of putting it, but Zevon does approach his themes with a sardonic, fatalistic eye, always personal and introverted, that distinguishes his work. Zevon's lyrics tend toward narrative, are frank and thoughtful, usually unsentimental, though somehow intensely empathetic, with a touch of dark humor and a sharp edge. This anthology of Zevon's great songs and gravelly voice is simply a pleasure.

Disc 1 features 22 songs (1 hour, 15 minutes) from the "Asylum Era", originally recorded 1976-1982. It begins with the folk song "Frank and Jesse James" and moves onto love songs, hard rock, and lighthearted fun. Hits include "Werewolves of London", "Poor Poor Pitiful Me", and "Lawyers, Guns, and Money". "Accidentally Like a Martyr" is a particularly melancholic and moving love song. "The Envoy" and "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" are overtly political but, as always, express their ideas through characters. "Mohammed's Radio" and "Jeanne Needs a Shooter" are live versions.

Disc 2 covers "The Virgin/Giant Era" with another 22 songs (1 hour, 17 minutes) that might be even more eclectic than Disc 1, originally recorded 1987-1996. "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Searching for a Heart" are both love songs from the "Love At Large" movie soundtrack, but the former is a gravelly, sensual jazz standard, and the latter is gentle and optimistic. Zevon's popular cover of Prince's "Raspberry Beret" gives the song a rough edge, but it's surprisingly more memorable than the original. "Run Straight Down" and "Seminole Bingo" are political. "Mr. Bad Example" is a comical celebration of sociopathic greed to a polka tune. Three previously unreleased songs from television soundtracks are the brief "If You Don't Leave Me I'll Find Someone Who Will" from "Route 66", "Real or Not" from "Tek Wars", and "Roll With the Punches" from "Tales from the Crypt". "Reconsider Me" is the single, not album, version. "The French Inhaler" and "The Indifference of Heaven" are live versions.

The CDs are in separate jewel cases inside a cardboard slipcase, along with a companion booklet. The booklet has 5 sections: "Quotes" about Warren Zevon by friends and fellow musicians. "Notes" say a little about the story behind each song. "Lyrics" provide lyrics and writing credits for all the songs. "Track Information" lists the musicians for each track. "Album Information" supplies catalog numbers, producers, and technical personnel for the albums and soundtracks. There is also a letter from friend and author Hunter S. Thompson, now deceased.

A must for every Zevon fan.......2005-02-24

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead is a must for every Zevon fan.

what more can I say.

Awesome collection of Zevon's 44 best songs..........2004-12-29

This is an awesome collection of his 44 best songs. It also comes with a 50 page booklet. The first 14 pages are hilarious quotes about Zevon like "I'm no linguist, but I believe Warren Zevon may be the only man in the history of human communication to use the word brucellosis in a song" - David Letterman.

In the next section, Zevon discuses the background of every single song. It makes for an interesting and fun read. And what an incredible list of musicians in this collection. In addition to regulars like Waddy Wachtel, David Lindley, & Russ Kunkel he's had Jackson Browne, Phil Everly, Bobby Keyes, Lindsey Buckingham, Glenn Frey, Carl Wilson, J.D. Souther, Linda Ronstadt, Jennifer Warnes, John McVie, Don Henley, Karla Bonoff, Mick Fleetwood, Jeff Porcaro, Jim Horn, Steve Lukather, Graham Nash, Neil Young, REM, Roy Bittan, Benmont Tench, Mike Campbell, Tony Levin, David Gilmour (what a solo!), Richie Hayward, Chick Corea (sounding great!), Mark Isham, Larry Klein and Bruce Hornsby. Do your ears a favor and buy this. Brought to you with love from Rhino Records!

A good chance to hear what you missed.......2004-03-06

If you're like me, the first album is filled with familiar tunes, Poor Poor Pitiful Me, Werewolves of London etc, while the second album contains many songs you haven't heard before. Who but Zevon could have written Monkey Wash Donkey Rinse?

Those of you who, like me, overlooked Warren Zevon's later career owe it to yourselves to hear this set.

String Quartet Tribute to Warren Zevon: Dad Get Me
Average customer rating:

Maybe the acid test ...

Ain't So Bad

Shameful

The most lackluster "tribute" ever produced...

the jury is out

String Quartet Tribute to Warren Zevon: Dad Get Me
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Vitamin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Tributes | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Hurry Home Early: the Songs of Warren Zevon

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon

Preludes

Reconsider Me: The Love Songs

The Envoy

ASIN: B0000TGA5A
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Tracks:

Poor, Poor Pitiful Me
Werewolves Of London
Detox Mansion
Excitable Boy
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Hasten Down The Wind
I Was In The House When The House Burned Down
Keep Me In Your Heart
Lawyers, Guns And Money
Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner

Customer Reviews:

Maybe the acid test ..........2007-06-30

... is whether Warren would like it. I kind of think he would. Maybe he's sitting on a cloud somewhere, chuckling.

Ain't So Bad.......2006-10-26

In fact, I really liked it!

what ya gotta do is burn a CD with the instrumental followed by the Zevon original. It works for me. I think Warren woulda got a kick outta this one. I can imagine him with a cigerette holder, wearing a gray flannel suit with gold matching cuff links and tie clasp humming along with these songs as he rides to the top floor of a high rise in an elevator. And...his hair is perfect!

Shameful.......2006-08-26

You would be better served buying any other release full of WZ's music instead of this one. Part of the problem is the leaden execution of the music. It sounds like a totally midi programmed score, drum machines, midi instruments and the like. The second problem is that this release illustrates that, while WZ was a true genius musically, without his lyricism, his melodies can be repetitive. Don't agree with me? Then buy this CD, and listen to "Werewolves of London" 5 times in a row.

The most lackluster "tribute" ever produced..........2005-02-02

The version of "Roland..." presented here is the only thing that keeps this from a 1 star rating. It's dull and lacks any of the intensity or originalitly that Zevon brought to the original recordings of these songs. "Enjoy Every Sandwhich" has some great moments and heartfelt tributes, this is an insult to a genius.

the jury is out.......2004-03-07

i am a HUGE wz fan and have been since i first saw him live in boston circa 1980. i agree with some of the other comments. no lyrics means that you've lost more than half the power of zevon. however, i'm delighted that someone out there respects his songs so much as to put out a tribute record. but what i would really like to see (hear) is a tribute record performed by singer/songwriters, such as bob dylan, tom waits, elvis costello, or even eugene chadbourne, the residents or randy newman. now that would be fun !!!
and i still want 'the envoy' and 'stand in the fire' to be released on CD. get with it already !!!