Jordan Zevon – Insides Out

Jordan Zevon, son of the late Warren Zevon, has just released his debut album entitled, Insides Out, from New West Records. Sure, there are bound to be comparisons with the old man. Especially with his cover of the song, “Studebaker”, which first appeared on the 2004 tribute album to his late father, Enjoy Every Sandwich. Yet, songs like Jordan’s “The Joke’s on Me” is enough of a self-effacing romp to reveal that he has found his own territory to explore and needn’t worry about being completely overshadowed by his father’s accomplishments. Check out Jordan’s MySpace page for both songs, among others.

Author: urbangraffito

I am a writer, editor, publisher, philosopher, and foole (not necessarily in that order). Cultural activist and self-described anarchist.

7 thoughts on “Jordan Zevon – Insides Out”

  2. [quote comment=”1165″]Good to see sons getting from under the uncomfortably large shadow of their old man. Jacob Dylan comes to mind as well.

    Urban: what would you say is the quintessential W. Zevon album?[/quote]

    That’s a tough question, Barry. There’s really no single W. Zevon album that one could point to and say, “Yeah, that’s typical Warren Zevon.” One has to look at his album output in stages. His first album, “Wanted Dead or Alive” was like a sputtering first attempt, and sounds very much like it. His self-titled second album (which he often referred to as his debut album) established him as a singer songwriter among other singer songwriters as JD Souther, Jackson Brown, Linda Ronstadt, and California groups such as the Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles (members of both bands performed and sang background vocals on WZ second album). Beginning with the second album and lasting well past the recording and release of his third album, Excitable Boy, and the live, Stand In The Fire, was his growing alcoholism and addiction to the rock and roll lifestyle: reflected in the sloppiness of many live performance (check internet archive for examples).

    Quintessentially, Barry, at least for me, Warren Zevon mature sound began with 1991’s Mr. Bad Example. He was sober, and his songs reflected it. They were tight, dark, sardonic, humourous. Everything one expects from a WZ album. From there on, the albums just got better and increasingly brilliant. Certainly, WZ isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but like FZ, he has his own cult following.

    If I had to recommend a single album (they are all quite excellent), it would be the 2 disc compilation ‘I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead’. It offers a great overview of this man’s music.

  5. [quote comment=”1172″]Zevon Plays Zevon. I hear lawyers saddling up :-)[/quote]

    The Zevon’s have a completely different relationship to their fanbase than do the Zappa’s, Harald. It was WZ’s instruction to Jordan that after his death, all of his field recordings and bootlegs be made available to his fans free to download:

    http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Warren%20Zevon

    Perhaps this is why WZ’s fans still hold such affection for him (as though it was some kind of parting gift of thanks to his fans for all their support throughout his career).

  6. Well, there never will be anything new in music, so the Dweez’ doin’ his fathers catalog is really no crime. Once again, this KUR entry is petty. I thought you had moved on? I sure will if you keep it up.

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