I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology)

Warren Zevon

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: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,187 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Rock > Singer-Songwriters

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. Long Arm of the Law

8. Splendid Isolation

9. You Don't Know What Love Is

10. Raspberry Beret - Hindu Love Gods

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Released nearly a decade after Zevon's first best-of (A Quiet Normal Life), I'll Sleep When I'm Dead provides a more comprehensive overview of the off-center California songsmith's fitful career. The first disc of the 44-song, two-CD set nearly duplicates the earlier retrospective, dropping only one song ("Ain't That Pretty at All") and tossing in the likes of "Hasten Down the Wind," "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School," and live versions of "Mohammed's Radio" and "Jeannie Needs a Shooter" from Zevon's early, most popular period. Disc two cherry-picks highlights from the artist's more problematic but periodically inspired late '1980s and '90s recordings, tossing in such oddities as the Hindu Love Gods' spirited remake of Prince's "Raspberry Beret" (HLG is Zevon backed by the instrumentalists from R.E.M.) and live takes of "The French Inhaler" and "The Indifference of Heaven." Thorough and smartly sequenced, Sleep provides the uninitiated an intro into the work of a true original and adds enough mislaid gems to please steadfast followers. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem among gems..., August 7, 2002

By	Colin T. Gagnon "just a guy" (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've always found Warren Zevon's stuff to be very hit and miss. When he does a great song, it's a really great song, and when he does a lousy song, it's pretty lousy. Unfortunately, my opinion of "really great song" seems to conflict with most other people's, so it's rare that a compilation album actually appeals to me. This is one of those few exceptions.

First and foremost, even ahead of his musicianship, Warren Zevon is a songwriter. And while Top 40 radio keeps churning out manufactured pablum, Zevon has steadily produced consistently interesting, well-written lyrics, coupled with genuinely catchy melodies. The result is music that is both highly cerebral and highly enjoyable -- a rare combination.

I'll sleep when I'm dead is a great selection of Zevon's best tracks, and they're not necessarily all hits. Sure, Werewolves of London is on here, but there are also plenty of lesser-known tracks, along with a few live rarities. All in all, though, this is a very tight CD. There are no wasted seconds. On his full albums, the songs I consider to be the best are spread out, so having them all here, along with more than a couple of pleasant surprises is and especial treat. If you're looking to pierce the surface of Warren Zevon's work, or if like me you're not a big enough fan to collect 'em all, this is set is a great investment.

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 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.

19 of 19 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 100 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

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.