The Wind (Warren Zevon album) explained
The Wind is the twelfth and final studio album by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. The album was released on August 26, 2003, by Artemis Records. Zevon began recording the album shortly after he was diagnosed with inoperable pleural mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the lung), and it was released just two weeks before his death on September 7, 2003. The album was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album, and "Disorder in the House", performed by Zevon with Bruce Springsteen, won the Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance (Group or Duo). Songs from the album were nominated for an additional three Grammys.
Recording and release
Upon learning of his cancer diagnosis, Zevon became determined to record a final studio album. His record label gave him a large budget to record, and he got assistance from several high-profile musicians and friends. Zevon was inspired to include a Bob Dylan cover after Dylan performed several of his songs in concert in 2002.[1]
Critical reception
The record was regarded by Robert Christgau as "one of those nearness-of-death albums", along with Mississippi John Hurt's Last Sessions (1972), Bob Dylan's Time Out of Mind (1997), Neil Young's Prairie Wind (2005), and Johnny Cash's (2010).[2]
Track listing
All tracks written by Jorge Calderón and Warren Zevon, except where indicated.
Personnel
Adapted credits from the liner notes of The Wind.[3]
- "Dirty Life and Times"
- "Disorder in the House"
- Warren Zevon – vocals
- Jorge Calderón – bass guitar, acoustic guitar and percussion
- Jim Keltner – drums
- Bruce Springsteen – electric guitar and backing vocals
- "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
- Warren Zevon – vocals
- Jorge Calderón – backing vocals, bass
- Brad Davis – electric guitar and backing vocals
- Steve Gorman – drums
- Randy Mitchell – slide guitar and backing vocals
- Tommy Shaw – 12-string acoustic guitar and backing vocals
- Billy Bob Thornton – backing vocals
- John Waite – backing vocals
- "Numb as a Statue"
- "She's Too Good for Me"
- Warren Zevon – vocals and acoustic guitar
- Jorge Calderon – bass guitar
- Luis Conte – drums and percussion
- Don Henley – backing vocals
- Timothy B. Schmit – backing vocals
- "Prison Grove"
- Warren Zevon – vocals
- Ry Cooder – slide guitar
- David Lindley – electric saz and backing vocals
- Jorge Calderon – electric guitar and backing vocals
- Reggie Hamilton – upright bass
- Jim Keltner – drums
- Jordan Zevon – backing vocals
- Bruce Springsteen – backing vocals
- Jackson Browne – backing vocals
- Billy Bob Thornton – backing vocals
- T Bone Burnett – backing vocals
- "El Amor de Mi Vida"
- Warren Zevon – vocals
- Jorge Calderón – Spanish-language vocals
- Luis Conte – bongos
- Reggie Hamilton – upright bass
- Jim Keltner – drums
- James Raymond – piano
- "The Rest of the Night"
- Warren Zevon – vocals and electric guitar
- Mike Campbell – electric guitar
- Jorge Calderón – bass guitar and electric guitar
- Luis Conte – drums and percussion
- Tom Petty – backing vocals
- "Please Stay"
- Warren Zevon – vocals and keyboard
- Gil Bernal – saxophone
- Jorge Calderón – bass guitar
- Luis Conte – drums and percussion
- Emmylou Harris – backing vocals
- "Rub Me Raw"
- Warren Zevon – vocals
- Jorge Calderón – electric guitar and bass guitar
- Jim Keltner – drums
- Joe Walsh – slide guitar
- "Keep Me in Your Heart"
- Warren Zevon – vocals
- Jorge Calderón – acoustic guitar, bass guitar and tres
- Jim Keltner – drums
- Technical personnel
- Bridgette Barr – executive Record producer
- Hugh Brown – art direction
- Jorge Calderón – production
- Steve Churchyard – engineering
- Greg Hayes – engineering
- Stephen Marcussen – mastering
- James Mitchell – engineering
- Matthew Rolston – cover photo
- Noah Scot Snyder – engineering, mixing, production
- Joe West – engineering
- Jordan Zevon – executive production
- Warren Zevon – production
Chart performance
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|
| 2003 | US Top Internet Albums | 12 |
| 2004 | US Billboard 200[4] | 12 |
| 2004 | US Top Independent Albums[5] | 1 | |
Awards
Grammy Awards
| Year | Winner | Category |
|---|
| 2004 | "Disorder in the House" | Best Rock Vocal Performance – Duo or Group[6] |
| 2004 | The Wind | Best Contemporary Folk Album | |
Grammy Award Nominations
| Year | Nominee | Category |
|---|
| 2004 | "Keep Me in Your Heart" | Song of the Year |
| 2004 | "Keep Me in Your Heart" | Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male |
| 2004 | "Disorder in the House" | Best Rock Song | |
Notes and References
- Web site: His Sh*t's F***ed Up: The Complicated Legacy of Warren Zevon . Hyden . Steven . Steven Hyden . . September 7, 2018 . September 8, 2018.
- Web site: Christgau. Robert. Robert Christgau. May 2010. Consumer Guide. MSN Music. February 27, 2019. robertchristgau.com.
- The Wind. Warren Zevon. Artemis. 2003. booklet. 9–11. REDK 751156.
- Web site: Top 200 Albums . Billboard . September 27, 2003 . October 23, 2015.
- Web site: Independent Albums . Billboard . September 13, 2003 . October 23, 2015.
- Web site: All GRAMMY Awards and Nominations for Warren Zevon . Grammy.com . January 17, 2023.
