Hmmmmm. What Do You Make Of This.........SUTC
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Artist:
David Lindley is one of California's most sought after "hired gun" guitarists. He's worked with the Eagles, Warren Zevon, Jackson Browne, and others too numerous to list here. Known for his offbeat sense of humor & his insistance on playing cheap guitars he picks up in thrift shops & department stores, stories of his antics in the studio are legion.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (11)
Not particularly familiar with the original I have to confess; I'm aware of its existence, but am not suficiently familiar with it to employ it as any sort of comparator (good word, that).
As a stand-alone track this is certainly cheery enough, but might not be quite to the taste of WZ fans?
"As a stand-alone track this is certainly cheery enough, but might not be quite to the taste of WZ fans?"
LOL...you're so right.
Warren was quite ambivalent that for most who stood on the fringe of his greatness, this was his career defining song.
I can understand that.
Oh. My. Here's a video of David Lindley doing this song on Night Music with David Sanborn:
David Lindley - Werewolves of London
For comparison purposes: Warren Zevon solo on piano:
Warren Zevon - Werewolves Of London
I think what strikes me most about the difference between the two is the way the tempo of the original allows for comedic timing for lines like "Huh. I'd like to meet his taylor," and "And his hair was perfect." With Zevon's version, I know those lines are coming. And I still laugh.
I don't know. Maybe Lindley's version appeals to a different comedic sensibility than mine, but the charm of the original is lost on me.
I agree, The original cannot be surpassed, except perhaps for Warren's own live performance on "Stand In The Fire"
Lindley's version is a bit too Rastafarian for my taste. IMO the original's choice of piano as the instrument added to the whole musical context that made it unique.
Ive got an old vinyl of Davids in the pile somewhere, most of it reggae beat, I remember being really surprised when I bought it years ago but I grew to like it
David's version is "very, very greasy" but tasty nontheless. He is name-checked a favorably in the warts and all biography of Warren and played on one of the last records Warren made, My Ride's Here and also on Buccaneer. I think they liked and respected each other, and David certainly has said that it is important to keep Warren's memory alive. His life was so difficult and some of his best work came towards the end. Both are very much to my taste although I regret never having seen Warren live, there is a fair amount of film footage. He was a riviting performer. no doubt.
Ok... for sure the keys got my attention.. being a pianist/keyboard diva... hahaha. Anyway, thanks for the post. Very fun.
I bet Christine McVie got the idea for the high sustained falsetto note in the chorus of her song "Everywhere" on Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album Tango in the Night from Zevon's song.