Warren Zevon – Epilogue: Live at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival
These 13 live tracks, previously unissued, represent this August 9th, 2002, duo performance in Canada. No band. Produced for release by Cheryl Pawelski, Adam Unger & Matt Cartsonis, the effort is admirable. The audio anomalies should be ignored & forgiven for this showcase Epilogue: Live at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival (Dropped Nov 28/Omnivore Recordings/51:28).
Sometimes a live performance can bring out a song’s muscle rather than its perfect, sterile studio production. Other times, the live version is passable but lifeless. An example is the live version of “Lawyers, Guns & Money.” Still a great song, but Warren sounds tired of performing it. It doesn’t have the original sonics of the studio version. Maybe the wrong type of song to do as a duo.
Even the audience sounds apprehensive. The playing is nonetheless skillful; Warren Zevon’s (acoustic guitar/harmonica/piano) voice is good, full, though it’s “hot” at the microphone. Matt Cartsonis (acoustic & electric guitars/dulcimer/banjo/fiddle/harmony & bgv) is a good accompaniment.
The vocalizing, with a bit of poor word pronunciation (“I Was In the House When the House Burned Down”), is criticism only fueled by what I’ve previously heard live & better by Warren. Maybe he brought enthusiasm, but not quite enough inspiration. Aficionados will appreciate these songs. The material has excitement & Zevon’s biting attitude comes through during brief dialogue moments.
The cover of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You,” solely on acoustic, is a far better performance. It segues into “Detox Mansion” uneasily. Zevon’s unique voice sounds more “into it” but also rushed. The guitar strumming is clear but with no distinctive soloing. It sounds like the lead guitar is far back in the mix & audience appreciation sounds miles away. I never cared for Warren’s between-song patter – not as friendly, humorous, or entertaining as Tom Waits or Randy Newman.
The repertoire leans into Canadian themes, which is appropriate, but “Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song),” while sung well, is a distraction with its silly interspersed shouting. There’s a reason this wasn’t released by Warren’s label. It’s a good document, but not viable. Neither was the live Bob Dylan & Grateful Dead album.
His classic “Werewolves of London” is rendered far gutsier & “For My Next Trick I’ll Need a Volunteer” is superbly captured. “Dirty Life & Times” & “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” are given more of a country feel with fiddle. The traditional folk song & coda “Canadee-I-O” is worth the price of the album. Lovely, poignant & sincere.
Highlights – “A Case of You,” “Detox Mansion,” “Werewolves of London,” “For My Next Trick I’ll Need a Volunteer,” “Dirty Life & Times,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” “Play It All Night Long,” & “Canadee-I-O.”
Cover image courtesy of Scott Sanderman-Allen. Liner notes included by Mr. Cartsonis. CD @ Amazon & Apple + https://www.warrenzevon.com/Epilogue/ & https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/edmonton-folk-festival/