My Ride's Here

Warren Zevon

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 7, 2002)
• Original Release Date: May 7, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Artemis Records
• ASIN: B0000641B3
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,044 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Warren Zevon has always been one of the most literate songwriting storytellers. Thus, it makes sense that My Ride's Here (the title refers to the vehicle the Grim Reaper might drive) comes in the form of a cool rock-literary crossover. Zevon once used novelist Thomas McGuane as a collaborator; here, he employs the considerable talents of Hunter S. Thompson, Carl Hiaasen, and sportswriter Mitch Albom (of Tuesdays with Morrie fame) to aid in his satiric little gems, and he's hit a grand slam this time out. "Basket Case," the Hiaasen collaboration, is the ultimate music/book tie-in, sardonically performed in the metallic style of the Slut Puppies, the band in Hiaasen's bestselling mystery novel Basket Case. "You're a Whole Different Person When You're Scared," the Thompson collaboration, is a dark, bluesy, philosophical vamp, but it's Albom's humorous "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)"--featuring guest vocalist David Letterman(!)--that ultimately steals the CD. Not that Zevon banks solely on his book-writing buddies. "Sacrificial Lambs," a cynical (but sadly true) look at modern celebrity; "MacGillycuddy's Reeks," an authentic-sounding Irish folk parody; and the Dylanesque hallucinations of the title track all prove the once excitable boy is still in fine shape. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Ride's Here...pure "GENIUS!", September 27, 2002

By	Matthew S. Braid (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This is a must have CD for any Zevon fan. It's not a cookie cutter train wreck like most music out there today and Warren along with his motley crew of Hunter S. Thompson, Paul Shaffer, Michael Wolff, Sid McGuiness, David Letterman and his own two children Jordan and Ariel Zevon (who provide backup vocals) keep this cd creative, fun and just plain awesome! It helps to understand and be a fan of Zevon's work, but I would recommend this CD to anyone that can appreciate good story telling in the form of music. The only song I had trouble with was "Laissez-moi Tranquille." This is due to the fact that this song is in French and has a pretty repetitive style, lyrically and musically. It's not hard to overlook that one song though. I wish this album had had another 2 or 3 songs on it; however the quality of the 10 tracks you get is excellent! I wish Warren would receive a little more notoriety for his work, just because I think he shouldn't have to be known as the "Guy that did Warewolves of London", but at the same time I realize that people in this world wouldn't know a good artist if one smacked them in the face...
I'm sad to say that Warren won't be with us much longer due to his inoperable Lung Cancer and it kills me to think we have to do without more recorded gems from him such as this album.

Peace be with you Warren...

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Work Of Near Genius, May 12, 2002

By	Mike Vegas King (Taunton, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

"My Ride's Here" finds Warren Zevon in fine form although, with a mere 10 songs clocking in at a little over 41 minutes, it left this listener wanting more. "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)" was previously released as a single, but is included on this album. Also, for someone who made his reputation as a songwriter, it's interesting to note that only one song was written by Warren Zevon without a collaborator, and two songs weren't written by him at all. I would have much preferred another original Warren Zevon song to "Laissez-Moi Tranquille," a French song written by Serge Gainsbourg. Perhaps if I understood the language I could appreciate the song. "Basket Case" is a strange song about a sexy, psychotic woman who finally drives her lover insane. "Macgillycuddy's Reeks" is an authentic Irish-sounding song that deals with lost love. The poor protagonist is laid up in a hospital bed, his former lover now a nurse tending to him. "She only looked at my chart, the valleys and the peaks. Brought back the time she broke my heart in Macgillycuddy's reeks." The song "Genius" includes references to Mata Hari, Albert Einstein and Charlie Sheen, but again the singer personalizes it. "You broke my heart into smithereens, and that took genius...Everybody needs a place to stand, and a method for their schemes and scams. If I could only get my record clean, I'd be a genius." The title song "My Ride's Here" closes out the album on a strong note. After a life on the road, staying at innumerable hotels, the protagonist (presumably Mr. Zevon) would "..like to stay, but I'm bound for glory, I'm on my way. My ride's here..." I hope Warren makes it to the promised land. In the meantime, I enjoyed going along with the ride this album provided.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ahoooooooo, Zevon Rides Again, October 4, 2002

By	Lili Love (Beverly Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Zevon's latest, My Ride's Here is a collection of 10 songs incluces 2 cover tunes ("Laissez-Moi Tranquille", -- Translation: Leave me in peace or Leave me alone? -- "I Hate to Leave"). Zevon collaborates with various writers for MR'sH including Carl Hiassen, Hunter S. Thompson, sports writer Mitch Albon and poet, Paul Muldoon. Zevon also gets help from long-time buddy, David Letterman on "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)" where the latter yells, "Hit somebody!"
As is his trademark, Zevon uses sardonic humor. "You and the barber make a handsome pair. Guess what -- I never liked the way he cut your hair" "Genius. "I was staying at the Westin. I was playing to a draw. When in walked Charles Heston with the Tablets of the Law." "My Ride's Here".
In keeping with tradition, Zevon illustrates with a new group of wacko characters, including his "baby" the Basketcase, a "pretty as a picture and totally crazed" woman who is "manic-depressive and schizoid too." "Basketcase".
One of the best cuts on the CD is the Irish Folksong, "MacGillycuddy's Reeks". "Genius" might as well be discussing Zevon, because he's rather late in his career getting the props for his literate, intelligent brand of folksy, popsy, rocksy whateversy style of music.
Unfortunately, due to Zevon's recently disclosed health problems, this CD may be his last complete one. Although Zevon has decided to spend his remaining time (he was given a few months to live) with his two children and recording more music. Let's hope this genius gets a chance to complete his current work, and/or a miracle cures him.
For anybody who thinks Zevon is a "one-hit wonder" (I guess "Werewolves of London" would be the hit), this CD, along with Life'll Kill Ya, and gems such as "The Indifference of Heaven" show that Zevon is one of a kind, a genius. Sadly, "Werewolves" isn't even his best song; it's just his best known song.