Customer Reviews

Learning to Flinch

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Walk up to most people and ask if they've ever heard of Warren Zevon, and you're likely to get a blank stare. Then sing a few bars of "Werewolves Of London," and they'll know who you're talking about. Unfortunately, this multi - talented artist will most likely be forever linked to that song. Well, heck, he DID write it, and probably made a pile of money from it, but it's a shame the masses still have yet to discover the "real" Warren Zevon, whose musical skills are showcased on this live recording.

"Learning To Flinch" (another in a long line of great Zevon album titles) finds the Excitable Boy on stage with only an acoustic guitar, piano and his voice, that great, distinctive Zevon voice.

More than any other singer - songwriter of his time, with the possible exception of Tom Waits - Zevon has an incredibly twisted, cynical, dark view of the world, but this is what makes his music unique. He has never shied away from searching for the macabre in a seemingly innocent situation, but long - time listeners have come to appreciate and expect this, and know (or at least hope) he's really a nice guy who's just a little off - center.

"Flinch" provides a good dose of the Zevon classics, including "Werewolves", "Mister Bad Example", "Excitable Boy", "Lawyers, Guns And Money", and "Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner." Those who are only moderately familiar with Zevon's work will appreciate these tunes the most. Junkies will be happy to see that such gems as "Worrier King", "Piano Fighter", and "The Indifference Of Heaven" are also part of the mix.

Zevon rips his way through the up - tempo numbers, pounding away at the piano, chewing up and spitting out the lyrics. His guitar work is amazing. At times it's hard to believe there is only one person playing - check out "Boom Boom Mancini" and you'll know why. His strength as a guitarist, if it had ever been in question, is cemented here.

Even though Zevon creates a mountain of sound and riles up the audience with the rockers, my personal favorites on this recording are the singer's ballads. Warren has never been given his well - earned appreciation as a writer or singer of serious songs, songs from the heart, if you will. "Hasten Down The Wind" and "Searching for A Heart" are great songs, and Zevon's readings on this live recording are excellent. When his voice cracks slightly on "Hasten," one gets the impression it's not so much from overuse as from pure emotion.

There is only one flaw in this recording. The sound mix on "Mister Bad Example" is such that the lyrics are inaudible in places, thus only four stars. Otherwise, this is an excellent live recording, and an opportunity to hear Zevon at his best.

Good live recordings are gems. Live recordings permit musical groups to play directly to the audience, unmasked and unfettered by studio gimmickery. Good *solo* live recordings are diamonds. In solo live recordings musicians play *directly* to the audience, uninterpreted by backup bands. Warren Zevon, a talented singer, guitarist and pianist, also is an *underrated* composer/lyricist who writes complex lyrics describing the rough edges of society. "Learning To Flinch", a live recording of 1992 concerts Warren gave in North America, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, is a diamond in the rough.

Six of the seventeen selections on this recording are *particularly* outstanding. 'Splendid Isolation' describes how we all lost "The Battle of the Sexes". 'Hasten Down The Wind' (an outstandingly tender performance) is the best depiction of a failing relationship that I have heard. 'The French Inhaler' (another outstandingly tender performance) describes seeking a friend in a Los Angeles pickup bar. 'Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner', a WZ brash standard, is performed with added complex instrumental passages as Warren plays for his "Land of the Midnight Sun" live audience. 'Poor Poor Pitiful Me' also is performed with added complex instrumental passages. And Warren performs 'Play It All Night Long' with quiet piano accompaniment as this live concert recording depicts "the end of the road".

"Learning To Flinch" contains several of WZ's other brash standards: 'Lawyers, Guns, and Money' (listen carefully to the alternate vocal -- "rush ins" -- "mum me"); 'Mr. Bad Example'; 'Excitable Boy'; and 'Werewolves of London'. 'Worrier King' is a clever but respectful depiction of a sitting President's life featuring complex guitar accompaniment. Another two selections depict "the end of the road": 'Searching For A Heart' and 'The Indifference of Heaven'.

This recording is *extremely* clear -- the selections were recorded live to DAT and the merges between selections are flawless. And Warren's solo instrumentals and vocals are outstanding -- he gives his heart on this recording. Yet, like certain cheeses, Warren's solo performance of his complex lyrics might be too strong for the inexperienced. Warren Zevon fans will love this wonderful recording, but I recommend the studio recordings "Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School" followed by "A Quiet Normal Life: The Best of Warren Zevon" for those unfamiliar with his music.

This is a very frustrating listen, because it is so darn spotty. The voice is frequently undermiked, and the guitar is often harsh. But it is Warren Zevon in his element. I saw him play a show very much like the ones captured here, in Harrisburg PA, during the tour for "The Envoy." He was a captivating performer, full of wicked humor and some amazing chops.

The best moments on "Learning To Flinch" come when Warren sits behind his piano and lets loose. "Excitable Boy," "Hasten Down The Wind," are the CD's highpoints. But you also have to put up with a nearly inaudible version of "Mr Bad Example" and a puzzlingly drawn out synthesized opening to "Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner."

"Learning to Flinch" will likely always stay in my library because of the handful of great renditions here (especially "Boom Boom Mancini"), but only the die hards should feel like they absolutely have to own this. The superior "Stand in the Fire" concert album has returned to print, so you really can do better.

Learning to Flinch is a whirlwind tale spun by the genius word weaver, Warren Zevon. This is his only his second outing with a live record, but this record pits you one on one with Warren Zevon (no backing musicians!) He plays all his music solo, and that alone makes the music more personal. This record contains the essential Zevon (Excitable Boy, Werewolves of London, and a unbelievable version of Roland), however it also drags the lesser known Zevon tunes into the limelight. The French Inhaler, Piano Fighter, and The Indifference of Heaven, are all songs that must be enjoyed. Also, this record also carries the best version of Splendid Isolation, ever! This one on one experience with Warren Zevon must be experienced. Hands down this is a great record! So just sit and listen, you will be a better person because of it.

It goes without saying that this is an absurdly brilliant album from the master Warren Zevon. The song I wanted to point out is "Worrier King," and this record is the only one that contains it. "Worrier King" is Warren's confession, made (of course) with a laugh. Warren "worries when [his] subjects (i.e., his fans, or as he prefers, his "customers") bow down (pay so much damn homage) to the Worrier King (Warren)." This is the master artist telling us "don't look to me for guidance, I'm a nervous wreck and I'm lost." In addition to the unfailing musical genius, Warren's awareness of himself and the world around him is what attracts his smart clientele to be customers and fellow travelers for the long haul. Warren's worry - his concern over damn near everything - begins to explain his accomplishments. Listen a bit (pick an album) and realize that this is a person who took his craft very very seriously and raised it up to the heights of Ibsen and Dylan Thomas and (yes) Bob Dylan. Take that you other singers. This guy has laid down the gauntlet, and if he doesn't want the crown, that only speaks further to his worth. Have a good trip Warren.

Here it is - Warren Zevon's "Unplugged" album. Recorded straight to DAT in numerous venues in 1992, this is live music at it's best. No polish, no studio tricks, just a man, his voice (with the occasional harmonica), a guitar and a piano. The production here is like what you would find on a very good bootleg (warts and all), which just adds to the charm. The classics (Werewolves of London, Lawyers Guns & Money, Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner, etc) are here, as well as some fine samples of his later work (Splendid Isolation, Mr Bad Example, Searching For a Heart). I found myself liking these versions of these songs better than their studio counterparts. I turned onto Warren Zevon's music fairly late in the game, and found him (as many others on these pages have said) to be a gifted songwriter. What this CD did was to open my eyes (and ears) to his musical prowess. There's a lot of great playing on this CD, and Warren Zevon was equally adept at the piano and the guitar. This is a very fine CD - Enjoy!

The first time I listened to this, I thought it was pretty good. The second time, I thought it was very good. The third time, unbelievable. And then I listened to it for about two weeks straight. Playing solo and moving from piano to guitar, Warren sounds as stark and human as he ever did. And the mix of old and new, silly and sad, makes LTF a top "greatest hits" collection as well. Also it's a nice contrast to the manic "Stand In the Fire", and really gives you a sense of Zevon's musical versatility. Boy, I'm going to miss him.

Favorite cuts:
"Splendid Isolation"--Slower, edgier, and more heartfelt than the studio version. And the studio version is great.
"Mr. Bad Example"--Strong vocals.
"Excitable Boy"--Features some nice piano work.
"Hasten Down the Wind"--It can make you cry.
"French Inhaler"--Ditto.
"Boom Boom Mancini"--Zevon's voice in top form.
"Piano Fighter"--Emotional singing and I think the most emotional and intricate piano work on the CD.
"Indifference of Heaven"--Could this be his best song ever? When you listen to him sing it here, you might think so.

Out of all the L.A.-based singer/songwriters to come out of the seventies, Warren Zevon is the one who refused to succumb to the "laid-back syndrome." Imagine Jackson Browne after listening to Tom Waits and watching too many Martin Scorcese films and you've got the general idea. He may be brandishing an acoustic guitar, but he's no mellowed-out folkie. "Learning to Flinch" is Warren's second live album (the incredible "Stand in the Fire" is unfortunately not available on CD -- yet) and finds him in the ideal singer/songwriter setting: armed only with acoustic guitar and piano, which he both plays himself. Recorded during Warren's 1992 world tour, the old songs are given new life amidst the bare instrumentation. Old favorites are revisited ("Werewolves of London," "Lawyers, Guns and Money") in addition to lesser-known album tracks ("The French Inhaler," "Play It All Night Long") and previously unreleased ones ("Piano Fighter," "The Indifference of Heaven"). Often twisted, occasionally tender, but never boring, "Learning to Flinch" is a great primer on the wonderful voice that is Warren Zevon.

I like this cd but it is really for hard core fans of Zevon. The stripped down versions (either just guitar or piano) take away rather than energize the songs.

In my opinion, his work is about the lyrics rather than the music. I have alwasy liked the production and arrangements of Zevon's albums.

On the other hand, Zevon plays the 12 string accoustic guitar quite effectively. I never knew how talented and vibrant his playing could be.

The cd has a good selection of his best songs and acts as a comprehensive compilation. A superior move would be to get a greatest hits cd of the studio versions.

The piano songs work well but the guitar ones are way too sparce.

I would rank this only behind Excitable Boy and Warren's Self Titled... reasons? If nothing else, some of Warren's most achingly beautiful ballads are on here. I cannot express in words the gruff tenderness that is Warren Zevon with just his voice, and an Ovation 12 string playing "Searching for a Heart". Unlike the studio version (from Mr. Bad Example was it?) this contains no polished up studio early 90's sound. This is the real deal... a real man with flaws, bruised and battered, pouring out his emotions into song. Also better than the studio versions are Splendid Isolation, Piano Fighter, and The Indifference of Heaven. This album has tons of replay value, and I favor it over the entire second disk of the "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Anthology", or just about any of Warren's later albums. A great sampler of his work, and great for introducing fans of Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, and Tom Petty to Zevon.