Stand in the Fire [LIVE] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Warren Zevon

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 27, 2007)
• Original Release Date: March 27, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live, Original recording remastered
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B000MGV9W0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,129 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Why Warren Zevon's Stand in the Fire has languished in the CD-reissue era is a mystery. It's an unbridled live rock album, recorded in 1981 when live albums were de rigueur. Zevon, for all the well-orchestrated rock (and great backing vocals on "Mohammed's Radio"), was a small-venue guy and an unlikely rocker. He tears it up on "Stand in the Fire" and adds guitar grit and vocal menace to "Werewolves of London," making the "little old lady got mutilated late last night" line sparkle and name checks James Taylor and Zevon's early champion Jackson Browne. Then there are the added tracks, all four previously unreleased. "Frank and Jesse James" rolls as a piano and vocals vehicle, brilliant in its simple dressing. And the closer, "Hasten Down the Wind," is touching, especially with the ever-aware Zevon introduction: "Speaking as one who has abused privilege a long time," he says, "I tell you, it's great to be alive." --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description
The 1981 live album masterpiece STAND IN THE FIRE--until now woefully out of print--prompted allmusic.com to write, "No one argues that Warren Zevon is a gifted singer and songwriter, but STAND IN THE FIRE proves that, when he wants to, he can also rock with the best of `em." Recorded at L.A.'s Roxy theatre in 1981, the disc features the two unforgettable original songs Zevon debuted on that year's tour, "The Sin" and "Stand In The Fire." Also includes searing versions of "Lawyers, Guns And Money," "Werewolves Of London," "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me," "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," "Mohammed's Radio," and "Jeannie Needs A Shooter," a co-write with Bruce Springsteen, among other stellar performances. Boasts liner notes by David Fricke and four previously unreleased cuts including "Johnny Strikes Up The Band," "Frank And Jesse James," and "Hasten Down The Wind."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get out here and dance, or I'll kill ya! And I got the means!, March 30, 2007

By	Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Warren Zevon was on a comeback of sorts when he set out to record "Stand In The Fire." As is well known (and documented in the infamous Rolling Stone cover story), he had his addictions to battle, and this was the first tour after having conquered them. The line-change in "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" to "I got a .38 special up on the shelf, and I don't intend to use it on myself" was part of that rejuvenation. Zevon was clean and proud and ready to rip.

"Stand In The Fire" is as pure a rock rip as Zevon ever made. Songs up to "Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School" are included here, with two new songs and a goofy Bo Diddly medley. Why in the world it remained out of print (and never even issued to CD) for over 25 years is downright criminal. Somewhere after this - and documented on "Learning To Flinch" - Zevon became more an acoustic live act. When I saw him on "The Envoy" tour, it was just him, his piano and guitar. On "Stand In The Fire," however, Zevon is almost giddy with rock and roll exuberance.

Adding to this five-star document of Zevon at his peak are the four bonus cuts. My guess is (along with time restrictions) that at least two were left off the original album due to their more mellow qualities. "Frank and Jessie James" and "Hasten Down The Wind" are solo piano performances, but "Hasten" is transcendental. The anguish in Zevon's voice is awe-inspiring. This was always a five-star album in my mind, the bonus tracks add to the luster.

But it is the original 10 song album that I had the excitement for when I heard Rhino was finally going to get them out stateside. Warren Zevon is as alive as he ever was on this LP, and when he shouts out to George Gruel to get on stage and dance, it's as inspiring a moment as has ever been recorded for a live album. (I'd add to that the final verse of "Werewolves of London," where Zevon bellows "and he's looking for James Taylor" like he's on the brink of sanity.) It is just another reason why I will miss Warren Zevon and his insight, literary wit and passion. Essential seventies music.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rocks Your Brains Out!!!!, March 30, 2007

By	J. Blilie "Natural Hedo-Epicurian" (Twin Cities, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow, this is what rock and roll could be, should be, used to be*. These guys are tight and they rock out! Great renditions of Warren's great songs. Warren is singing out of his mind. Lots of fun lyric variations, just enough jamming, great backing band. Warren always did know how to choose and lead a great band. (* see also Lou Reed's Rock N Roll Animal!)

The extra four tracks (Johnny Strikes up the Band, Play It All Night Long, Frank and Jesse James, and Hasten Down the Wind) are from the same concert and are also great. The last two provide a denoument to the concert: they are calmer, WZ alone at the piano. The remastered sound is wonderful.

Explosively energetic. Wonderful. This is a must for any WZ fan. Sure makes me sad that he's: too soon gone.

Essential rock n roll. One of the best rock albums ever.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine live album, April 7, 2007

By	DanD - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

There were better rock 'n roll singer/songwriters than Warren Zevon. Or so I heard somebody say. I think they may have been wrong.

STAND IN THE FIRE captures the Warren-in-concert feel that his newer fans (such as myself) will, alas, never be able to experience for ourselves. This is an album of great rock 'n roll--from the satirical "Excitable Boy," to the deliciously perverse romp of "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," to rollickin' surprise of "Bo Diddley's a Gunslinger," to the exquisite piano/vocal performance of "Hasten Down the Wind." From the very first note the very last, this album (like most of Zevon's records) will captivate you. Older fans will delight in hearing this treasure on CD; newer fans such as myself with simply delight in hearing it at all.