Warren Zevon was a brilliant American songwriter and musician who made many brilliant recordings during his lifetime. He was diagnosed in 2002 with inoperable mesothelioma and died in September of 2003. He refused treatments that he thought would interfere with the quality of his remaining life and decided instead to use the time left to record his final album ,The Wind. A true work of art, this recording contains a stunning cover of Bob Dylan's ,Knocking on Heaven's Door and a hauntingly beautiful song called Keep Me in Your Heart. Whenever I hear the latter song, it reminds me of both the importance of remembering and staying connected to our loved ones who have crossed over. The Wind was one of the first Cd's that I purchased after my daughter Jeannine died in 2003. I admire Zevon for using the knowledge of his impending death to make perhaps his most significant contribution to the American music scene.
One of the most important lessons that can be learned from Warren Zevon's life is how he chose to handle his impending death. Rather than run away from it, he embraced it as an opportunity to make one last recording whose message will resonate with many generations to come.
I too was greatly moved by his music and his choice, You can hear him getting weaker and you can hear how many other world class musicians come into the project to lift him up. The respect and support he recieved was incredible. How hard it must have been for them to participate, but what a beautiful thing to do for another human being.
ReplyDeleteZevon was always one of my favorites,but this CD was so hard to listen to.Hauntingly beautiful. You can hear him get weaker and then all these world class musicians come in to support him. What respect that shows for him. What a beautiful thing to do for someone.What a great chance to say goodbye but more to say glad you were here.
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa. Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne were among the many world class musicians who lended their talents to this CD. It was a great chance for them to say goodbye and to acknowledge his contributions.
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