I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: Anthology

Warren Zevon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 17, 1996)
• Original Release Date: September 17, 1996
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000003479
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,859 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Frank and Jesse James

2. Hasten Down the Wind

3. Poor, Poor Pitiful Me

4. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead

5. Carmelita

6. Desperados Under the Eaves

7. Johnny Strikes up the Band

8. Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner

9. Excitable Boy

10. Werewolves of London

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Sentimental Hygiene

2. Boom Boom Mancini

3. Detox Mansion

4. Bad Karma

5. Reconsider Me [Single Version]

6. Run Straight Down

7. The Long Arm of the Law

8. Splendid Isolation

9. You Don't Know What Love Is

10. Raspberry Beret

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

This definitive 42-song retrospective features Warren Zevon's most dangerous songs, including "Werewolves of London" and "Lawyers, Guns and Money" as well as the previously unreleased "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "If You Won't Leave Me I'll Find Someone Who Will."
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: ZEVON,WARREN
Title: I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD
Street Release Date: 09/17/1996
Domestic
Genre: ROCK/POP

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Incomparable Warren Zevon: Music's Gruff, Sardonic, Moralist Wordsmith., September 13, 2005

By 

mirasreviews (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: Anthology (Audio CD)

I'm not familiar with Warren Zevon's studio albums, so I can't say if "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead " has omitted anything essential, but what's here is terrific. This anthology includes 44 songs originally released 1976-1996, representing 12 studio albums plus 4 previously unreleased tracks -3 songs from soundtracks and a previously unreleased version of "Frozen Notes". Zevon's last 3 albums are not represented, as they were recorded later. There are twice as many songs in "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" than in 2002's "Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon", although that album includes 3 tracks that this one doesn't. Bruce Springsteen called Warren Zevon a "moralist in cynic's clothing". Jackson Browne described him as "the first and foremost proponent of song noir". That's a catchy, although vague, way of putting it, but Zevon does approach his themes with a sardonic, fatalistic eye, always personal and introverted, that distinguishes his work. Zevon's lyrics tend toward narrative, are frank and thoughtful, usually unsentimental, though somehow intensely empathetic, with a touch of dark humor and a sharp edge. This anthology of Zevon's great songs and gravelly voice is simply a pleasure.

Disc 1 features 22 songs (1 hour, 15 minutes) from the "Asylum Era", originally recorded 1976-1982. It begins with the folk song "Frank and Jesse James" and moves onto love songs, hard rock, and lighthearted fun. Hits include "Werewolves of London", "Poor Poor Pitiful Me", and "Lawyers, Guns, and Money". "Accidentally Like a Martyr" is a particularly melancholic and moving love song. "The Envoy" and "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" are overtly political but, as always, express their ideas through characters. "Mohammed's Radio" and "Jeanne Needs a Shooter" are live versions.

Disc 2 covers "The Virgin/Giant Era" with another 22 songs (1 hour, 17 minutes) that might be even more eclectic than Disc 1, originally recorded 1987-1996. "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Searching for a Heart" are both love songs from the "Love At Large" movie soundtrack, but the former is a gravelly, sensual jazz standard, and the latter is gentle and optimistic. Zevon's popular cover of Prince's "Raspberry Beret" gives the song a rough edge, but it's surprisingly more memorable than the original. "Run Straight Down" and "Seminole Bingo" are political. "Mr. Bad Example" is a comical celebration of sociopathic greed to a polka tune. Three previously unreleased songs from television soundtracks are the brief "If You Don't Leave Me I'll Find Someone Who Will" from "Route 66", "Real or Not" from "Tek Wars", and "Roll With the Punches" from "Tales from the Crypt". "Reconsider Me" is the single, not album, version. "The French Inhaler" and "The Indifference of Heaven" are live versions.

The CDs are in separate jewel cases inside a cardboard slipcase, along with a companion booklet. The booklet has 5 sections: "Quotes" about Warren Zevon by friends and fellow musicians. "Notes" say a little about the story behind each song. "Lyrics" provide lyrics and writing credits for all the songs. "Track Information" lists the musicians for each track. "Album Information" supplies catalog numbers, producers, and technical personnel for the albums and soundtracks. There is also a letter from friend and author Hunter S. Thompson, now deceased.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great, if incomplete starting place, November 25, 2003

By 

Tom Andrews (West Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: Anthology (Audio CD)

This two disc set from Rhino records is a very well done, and comprehensive collection of Warren Zevon's material. It only covers from 1976 to 1995, but still, it highlights the wide scope of what he could do. I say incomplete as his last three recordings are not represented, but digesting this anthology should give ample reason to pick those said albums up.

If there is any reason to wonder what all the fuss is about, listen to songs such as Frank and Jesse James, Hasten Down The Wind, Accidently Like A Martyr, Desperadoes Under The Eaves, Mutineer, the rocking cover of Raspberry Beret which has a tendency to linger as does the title song, Boom Boom Mancini, The Indifference of Heaven, and so forth. Of course there is the well known Werewolves of London, and the lesser known but awesome Excitable Boy and the soldier epic Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner (eat your heart out Gordon Lightfoot). The rarities and soundtrack items are a pretty good bonus, and fill in some gaps previously unavailable. The benefit also with this package is the fact that all lyrics are included, as well as a listing of who played on each track, some neat photos and that Warren himself commented on each track in the collection. Cool stuff and highly recommended.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hearing this will make you cry..., July 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: Anthology (Audio CD)

From your first listen this amazing compilation will bring tears to your eyes both from sadness and from laughter. This is an artist that defies labeling. A man confident enough to buck the establishment and go his own, lonely way. His brillant songwriting abilities coupled with an eye for the wonderous and absurb make for true genius. In a world sorely in need of his kind it saddens me to know that his days are now numbered from the cancer ravaging his body. As a high school dropout he has since learned to speak multiple languages, taught himself to play numerous instruments, writes and conducts his own string arrangements; all this and still remain true to himself.

If you are tired of listening to the meaningless noise of today's so-called 'music' and you really are beginning to wonder if there is anyone 'out there' who matters look no further than Warren Zevon. But look fast before he is gone.

Like someone else said before me: if you've read this far you know you want to buy this so get on with it! And like Warren said to David Letterman, make sure to "Enjoy every sandwich" while you still can. Thanks for the ride Warren, you'll be sorely missed.