Warren Zevon

Preludes -New West Records I've always enjoyed unreleased demos and alternate takes of songs by artists that I like. It almost seems like you are watching an artist while he is sketching out a masterpiece or an early draft of a great book. Until fairly recently, most of these recordings were only available as bootleg records, with very little in the way of information about the origin of the takes. Preludes, the new release from the late Warren Zevon, is a collection of demos with bands as well as solo demos that were found by his son. David Letterman has often said that Zevon is one of his favorite artists, and it is easy to see why- they are both cynical bastards who keep both eyes open. Linda Ronstadt had hits with "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" and "Hasten Down The Wind," but the version of "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" on this collection is the best ever laid down, and I'll jump up on the hood of Jerry Brown's hybrid and say as much. The original demo of his only real radio hit, "Werewolves of London," is real loose and for some reason the drummer's hi-hat is too high in the mix. But with these kinds of recordings you may get a few warts. Even though Zevon sang "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," his songs keep on living. Bob Jones is the founder of Silver Platter CDs EST1998 in Fort Myers. For more

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