Wanted Dead Or Alive (1969)

"Wanted Dead or Alive" (Fowley, Cerf) – 2:36
"Hitchhikin' Woman" – 2:16
"She Quit Me" – 4:48
"Calcutta" – 2:19
"Iko-Iko" (M Jones, S Jones, J Jones, M Thomas) – 1:54
"Traveling in the Lightning" – 3:05
"Tule's Blues" – 3:32
"A Bullet for Ramona" (Zevon, Evans) – 3:50
"Gorilla" – 3:23
"Fiery Emblems" (instrumental) – 3:15

For years, I had heard how awful this obscure debut album was (issued on Imperial Records), but there is some great stuff amidst the wreckage.

The title cut, even though not written by Warren is a dark, acoustic spirited romp that is stunning (the minor key helps too).

"Gorilla" is a great Zevon tune and quite warped. He would later sing about not only gorillas, but monkeys too in his career! This song is downright strange but really cool with some primitive, snarling guitar (I think by Warren himself).

The demented Country/Blues of "A Bullet For Ramona" is quite good too and that dark, twisted humor is evident.

I kinda like the Hard Rock of "Traveling In The Lightning" but the mix is so bad it's hard to figure out where Warren is at times. And what the shit is up with the phasing effects? Awful!

Another great track with Zevon's trademark vocals and voice (although pained at times) is "She Quit Me". This is damn good. Stripped down with nothing but ragged acoustic guitar and harmonica, it's a great song. Of course, this tune would end up on the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack but not sung by Warren.

There are some clunkers (covering "Iko-Iko" a song I despise wasn't a good idea and probably not his), and the production is rickety and scattershot like the engineer was asleep half the time. The guitars really sound like crap at times and Zevon's voice is either buried in the mix or all over the place.

A strange, misguided album to say the least and it bombed and disappeared quickly.

Some great quotes...

Zevon on the album's sales: "It was released to the sound of one hand clapping".

Zevon on Kim Fowley initially producing the album but ditching Fowley: "I had a sudden attack of taste".

Fowley on Zevon: "Warren wanted to play all the instruments himself. He wouldn't listen to anybody. I wasn't trying to produce him because you really couldn't produce Warren, at least not in those days, but I was trying to help him make a record that might sell more than ten copies, all purchased by his friends. But, he didn't listen to anyone about anything, and one day I just walked in thinking I'd had enough".

Jackson Browne on Zevon: ""I don't remember thinking [the album] was as good as he really was." (This quote makes little sense to me-wouldn't it read 'I remember thinking the album wasn't as good as he really was'? Or am I wrong here? Maybe I am.)

Anyway, this was a weird one but not the trainwreck I'd heard it was. I know One Way Records put it out in 1996 and I heard Capitol remastered it in 2003.

Is that true as does anyone own this album?

This should be a fun thread for one of my very favorite artists.

I'm uncertain if I've heard this one. I know I've seen it.

I don't believe I've ever heard this, either, but great choice for the next thread! I got into Warren much too late, but I'm glad to say I was able to see him twice, both solo. The first time was when he was opening for Chicago on the 16 tour, I believe. A buddy and I went, and both of our dates thought he sucked - neither one of us could believe it. The second time was after I'd started to get into him and after "Learning To Flinch". Awesome show in a small club.

This is going to be fun!

did we ever finish the joe walsh thread?

I'm pretty sure I have the remastered version of this, or rerelease, or whatever it was. I buy everything WZ, but I don't listen to this because it's such a mess. I keep my CDs at the office, and I'll double check for this when I get to work tomorrow.

to respond to the zevon, this isn't really his first album, he was in a duo called "lyme and cybelle" and they actually had a sort of hit with the song "follow me".

zevon's first solo album, mentioned above, is just not very good at all. i believe he was still finding his way........much better things to come.


now....about joe walsh.......................................................

Probably not deserving of the hatred that's often been heaped on it, but nothing special either. To me, it just never sounded like a Warren Zevon album, whatever that means.

I have the 1996 version on One Way Records, but it strikes me that this has been reissued another time or two as well.

Ask Chris about Joe Walsh!

It's funny, this to me isn't really an album as much as it is something that got thrown out there, but it was an album so what else we do call it?

I think he was billed as Zevon on this album which is pretty weird because Taco and Falco were still available.

I think you're right; IF I REMEMBER RIGHT That was originally released on a teeny indie (I even remember a Pickwick Vinyl release), & wasn't widely available until long after the success of Excitable Boy.

We're far from being finished. I admit, I've been neglectful of the Joe Walsh thread lately.



I will do the next album (Barnstorm) this week.

US #189

all songs written by Warren Zevon
1."Frank and Jesse James" – 4:33
2."Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded" – 2:53
3."Backs Turned Looking Down the Path" – 2:27
4."Hasten Down the Wind" – 2:58
5."Poor Poor Pitiful Me" – 3:04
6."The French Inhaler" – 3:44
7."Mohammed's Radio" – 3:40
8."I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" – 2:56
9."Carmelita" – 3:32
10."Join Me in L.A." – 3:13
11."Desperados Under the Eaves" – 4:45

A fantastic (and true) debut from Mr. Zevon.

This album showcases his undeniable wit, talent and skills as a player and writer.

Lots of excellent musicians are on this record and the album is a joy from start to finish. Zevon was ready and it shows.

"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" rocks and the lyrics are genius. "The French Inhaler", "Mohammed's Radio", "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead", "Frank And Jesse James", "Join Me In L.A.", "Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded"-I mean, the list goes on and on!

What writing-and so unique and with acerbic wit and dark, demented humor that clearly not everyone got.

Jackson Browne's production and in particular the mix by John Heany is brilliant bringing every instrument and backing vocal to life.

Zevon's arrangements (not to mention Carl Wilson's vocal arrangements) accent the songs so well. I truly find this a fascinating debut album (disregarding the oddball 1969 release) and one of the very best by anyone.

Members of Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and Jackson Browne's band all appear which doesn't hurt.

The Deluxe edition adds a most worthy second CD.

Collector's Edition bonus CD
1."Frank and Jesse James" (Solo Piano Demo) – 4:39
2."The French Inhaler" (Solo Piano Demo) – 3:23
3."Hasten Down the Wind" (Band Demo) – 2:50
4."Carmelita" (1974 Demo) – 3:58
5."Mohammed's Radio" (Solo Piano Demo) – 2:52
6."Backs Turned Looking Down the Path" (Take 1 - 1/28/76) – 2:33
7."Join Me in L.A." (Take 2 - 11/20/75) – 4:22
8."Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (Alternate Version) – 3:24
9."Frank and Jesse James" (Alternate Version) – 4:41
10."Mohammed's Radio" (Take 2 - 11/6/75) - 4:02
11."The French Inhaler" (Take 1 - 1/13/76) – 3:48
12."Carmelita" (Alternate Version) – 3:38
13."Desperados Under the Eaves" (Take 2 - 1/13/76) - 4:14
14."Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded" (Live WMMS 10/13/76) - 2:01
15."I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" (Alternate Version) – 3:06

Great, great, great record! Desperadoes Under The Eves is one of the great album closing tracks.

I need to own this.

Get the expanded version. Pete's right…it's worth it

The important thing Smiff said here:

Pete's right.

The expanded edition is definitely worth it. Great stuff on here - "Mohammed's Radio" is a good 'un, although I'm more familiar w/the live version. This is a solid album, debut or not. I look at the track listing and think about how long I missed out on this stuff since I didn't get into Zevon until much later.

10 out 0f 10.

john, get it......yesterday!

Nice real debut. O lean towards remembering the 2 classics: Mohammed's Radio, Poor Poor Pitiful Me & Carmelita. I honestly don't remember if I got this when it came out or if I first discovered WZ with the next one (by far the best of his career & an album I've always considered pop genius).

I've got the One Way CD and though it's not his best album, I certainly wouldn't classify it as a train wreck. I probably listen to it once every couple of years

Thanks, just ordered it with 2 day shipping!

One of the very best Deluxe editions that I own. A prime example of how to do it RIGHT!!