Tribute albums are one of those ideas that either works or it doesn’t. You have to have a solid lineup of performers, of course, and a team behind the concept that’s capable of bringing a sense of cohesion and coherence. Above all, though, you need a featured songwriter who is genuinely worthy of having their songs covered.

Warren Zevon was a songwriter’s songwriter: a brilliant observer of human nature and a novelistic narrator of his environment, with a sharp ear for melody and an unmatched instinct for the inherent drama of moments large and small.

This helps to explain why his songs have been the subject of multiple collections in the past; there’s just so much rich material to explore. The latest, from New York’s Paradiddle Records, celebrates Zevon just weeks after his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, and it’s often excellent and never less than entertaining. Keep Me In Your Heart: The Songs Of Warren Zevon gathers a sprawling cast of players ranging all the way from unknowns to legends, and in every case it’s clear the artists embraced the chance to celebrate one of their songwriting heroes.

First in the dock on this 33-track, two-CD set is Paradiddle Records artist Pete Mancini, who kicks things off by leading his Hillside Airmen in a stately rendition of “Accidentally Like A Martyr.” Later on, the versatile Mancini duets with Sarah Gross on a keening run at “Carmelita,” and contributes bass to James Maddock’s pensive rendition of “Reconsider Me” and Phil Kennelty’s steady-rocking “Stop Rainin’ Lord.”

Mancini also sits in on guitar for the album’s finest moment, the legendary Jimmy Webb’s reverent, gorgeous take on “Desperados Under The Eaves.” Another big name, the great Willie Nile, contributes a gorgeous, resonant, spare-and-bluesy take on another of Zevon’s finest constructions, “Mutineer.” Elsewhere, fellow songwriting ace Freedy Johnston opens disc two with a melancholy “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” that leans into the song’s country elements.

Other tracks of note include:

• Russ Seeger delivering a terrific Dylan-and-a-horn-section folk-funk reimagination of “I’ll Slow You Down”;
• A soulful r&b interpretation of “Nighttime In The Switching Yard” from Mike Nugent & The Blue Moon Band;
• Richard Barone’s spare, beautiful presentation of the self-eulogizing title track;
• A jaunty bluegrass take on “Werewolves Of London” from Howard Silverman;
• Bryan Gallo’s transformation of “Splendid Isolation” into a Springsteenesque acoustic lament;
• The Belle Curves’ giddy makeover of “Lawyers, Guns & Money” as a Bangles bop; and
• The slide guitar magnificence of Kerry Kearney’s bluesified “Rub Me Raw.”

The album closes out in fine form with Emily Duff’s pensive and pretty acoustic run at “Excitable Boy,” with Charlie Giordano of the E Street Band on accordion. It’s serious yet celebratory and a fitting send-off.

Lest there be any doubt that these players and singers are genuine aficionados, this expansive collection includes covers of a pair of early obscurities—“Like The Seasons,” written for Lyme & Cybelle, Zevon’s early-days duo with Violet Santangelo, covered here by Hank Stone; and Gene Casey’s British Invasion-flavored take on “It’s True,” which dates from Zevon’s time backing the Everly Brothers.

The element holding this disparate collection of artists and approaches together is the respect and affection they all share for the late, great Warren Zevon and his body of work. Keep Me In Your Heart is the perfect choice of a title for this lovely and loving collection, made by people who have done exactly that.

Rating: B

User Rating: Not Yet Rated

---

Comments