or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
38 used & new from $7.99
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Available to Download Now
 
Buy the MP3 album for $9.99
  
 
 
 
Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings
 
See larger image 
See all product images
See all 2 customer images
Share your own customer images

Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings

Warren Zevon
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews) | More about this product
List Price: $20.98
Price: $17.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $2.99 (14%)
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Only 3 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want it delivered Tuesday, November 24? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
32 new from $9.81 5 used from $7.99 1 collectible from $20.98
Buy the MP3 album for $9.99 at the Amazon MP3 Downloads store.

Amazon's Warren Zevon Store

Warren Zevon
Find all the CDs, MP3s, and vinyl, plus photos, videos, biographies, discussions, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Warren Zevon Store

Frequently Bought Together

Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings + I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon + Stand in the Fire
Price For All Three: $39.83

Show availability and shipping details

  • This item: Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings ~ Warren Zevon

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon by Crystal Zevon

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Stand in the Fire ~ Warren Zevon

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Get $1 worth of MP3 downloads from Amazon MP3 after you order your item. Here's how (restrictions apply)

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Stand in the Fire

Stand in the Fire

~ Warren Zevon
4.9 out of 5 stars (41)  $10.99
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon

by Crystal Zevon
4.3 out of 5 stars (73)  $10.85
The Envoy

The Envoy

~ Warren Zevon
4.6 out of 5 stars (13)  $10.99
My Ride's Here

My Ride's Here

~ Warren Zevon
4.3 out of 5 stars (50)  $18.98
Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School

Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School

~ Warren Zevon
4.4 out of 5 stars (18)  $8.96
› Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Audio CD (May 1, 2007)
  • Original Release Date: May 1, 2007
  • Number of Discs: 2
  • Label: New West Records
  • ASIN: B000NVIXJG
  • In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,430 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Disc: 1
1. Empty Hearted Town (3:05) (solo piano)
2. Steady Rain (4:23) (full band)
3. Join Me In L.A. (2:33) (solo guitar)
4. Hasten Down The Wind (2:34) (solo piano)
5. Werewolves Of London (3:36) (full band)
6. Tule's Blues (3:08) (solo piano)
7. The French Inhaler (3:34) (solo guitar)
8. Going All The Way (2:19) (full band)
9. Poor Poor Pitiful Me (3:12) (full band)
10. Studebaker (2:23) (solo piano)
See all 16 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. I WAS IN THE HOUSE WHEN THE HOUSE BURNED DOWN (3:02)
2. Warren speaks on songwriting and the early days of his career (7:14)
3. Musings on mortality, song noir and The King of Rock n' Roll (5:07)
4. A chat about producers and the stark sounds on the album Life'll Kill Ya (5:09)
5. BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE (3:11)
6. Warren's take on Winwood's classic and Warren's inspirations (3:58)
7. Talk of TV, movies, acting and performing (5:14)
8. DON'T LET US GET SICK (3:10) (solo acoustic) Recorded live 12/3/99 at Austin City Limits Studios for 107.1 KGSR Radio Austin 9th Anniversary Concert

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After Warren Zevon's death in 2003, his son Jordan was clearing out a storage space when he found a large stash of demos and home recordings Zevon had made before 1976. Winnowed down from many hours of tape, this selection is so satisfying you're left awaiting another volume almost instantly. Preludes has been generously packaged with a booklet overflowing with reminiscences and insight from peers and family, as well as a bonus disc with recent interview extracts and choice selections from 2000's Life'll Kill Ya. The rough sound quality is more than made up for by the performances. Highlights include a speedier, country-punk garage take on "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me" and the original demo of "Werewolves of London," here presented in a slowed-down reggae-ish (and campier) take. Only two of these 16 takes fall flat: the vocals on "Accidentally Like a Martyr" are just too bleak even for Zevon, while the faux-sunshine Eagles-y production on "Ride So High" is interesting but just too anachronistic. The versions of "French Inhaler" and "Carmelita" show Zevon in his angry, post-Dylan singer-songwriter style. It's reminiscent of the best John Cale solo recordings. Poignant, beautiful and bitter, it's no wonder the guy didn't fit in with his California contemporaries. As with Townes Van Zandt, there's something of a great short story in Zevon's songs; confronted with them in all their ragged, stripped-down glory, it's clear what a major talent he was. --Mike McGonigal

More from Warren Zevon


Stand in the Fire


The Envoy


Excitable Boy


Warren Zevon


The Wind


Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon



Product Description

Warren Zevon passed way from mesothelioma, a form of asbestos related lung cancer in 2003. A few months later, his son, Jordan, drove out to one of his dad's storage spaces in the San Fernando Valley to begin the sorting the process. He discovered over a 100 unreleased outtakes and demos in a piano-sized touring case.

Preludes features 16 of the best of these discovered recordings, including 6 unreleased tracks "Empty Hearted Town," "Going All The Way," "Steady Rain," "Stop Rainin Lord" "Studebaker" and "Rosarita Beach Café." All songs were recorded pre-1976. Other gems are previously unheard versions of "Werewolves of London" and "Accidentally Like A Martyr". The 2nd disc features an in-depth radio interview Warren did with Jody Denberg in 2000.

The deluxe 2CD package in a hardbound slipcase contains a 44-page booklet with dozens of family photos, all previously unpublished. Pictures are placed within excerpts from the forthcoming memoir I¹ll Sleep When I¹m Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon. Released by Ecco/Harper Collins.

See all Editorial Reviews
Related Artists on Tour(What's this?)
Product Ads

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(14)
(5)
(5)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Agree with these tags?

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

22 Reviews
5 star:
 (15)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Parting words from the past, May 2, 2007
Warren Zevon was a complex guy. I only saw him in concert, heard his music, enjoyed his warped, brilliant, poetic sensibility and view of the world. This excellent collection of outtakes, previously unreleased demos and unreleased songs is just a sampling of his brilliant songwriting and performing skills. When his son Jordan went through his stuff after his death in 2003 he found a case full of reel-to-reel recordings, cassettes and other teasures. He and his sister Ariel have chosen to share these terrific demos with us his fans. While not every track is perfect (how could it be? These are demos!), it's that lack of perfection that makes this collection so perfect, so intimate; it's a performance by one man with no idea they would be released when he did them. As a result, Warren is presents his music without artiface--these songs are as naked and pure (in an emotional sense)as when he first conceived them. Listening to them is like being at the birth of greatness for the best songs on here.

Two discs one featuring 16 (19 if you get this through Best Buy as there are three bonus tracks on their edition)tracks of the essence of the Mutineer. We get demos for "Join Me in L.A.", "Hasten Down the Wind", "The French Inhaler", "Poor Poor Pitiful Me", "Carmelita", "Desperados Under the Eaves" all of which appeared on Warren's second released album ("Warren Zevon"). We also get an early version of "Werewolves of London" (which is better than the outtake on the newly remastered edition of "Excitable Boy"), demos for "Tule's Blues" (written for Warren's first wife and which appeared on Zevon's first album and again reworked slightly on the expanded "Excitable Boy"), "Frozen Notes" (only on the Best Buy edition-originally slated for "Excitable Boy" and on that expanded edition)and "Empty Hearted Town" some elements of which ended up reworked for Warren's classic ballad "Empty Handed Heart" for "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School". Some of these recordings are pulled from acetates (records pressed before as demos or for the artist to listen to after recording but not for general release)and we're privilaged to get to hear many of these rare recordings.

The previously unreleased songs are terrific. While some are works in progress, others sound like they were ready for the next step--a full band work out. Since these demos are pre-1976 (according to the excellent booklet that comes with this released Jordan Zevon states that there are no credits for where, when and with whom many of these tracks were recorded), perhaps some of them were originally intended for the unreleased second album that Bones Howe produced or they fell by the wayside when Warren's "Warren Zevon" and "Excitable Boy" albums received critical acclaim and public acceptance. Either way "Steady Rain", "Going All The Way", "Studebaker", "The Rosarita Beach Cafe", "Stop Rainin' Lord" (and on the Best Buy editions "Workin' Man's Pay", "Some Kind of Rider")all of these are gems even if they are diamonds in the rough. Hearing "Desperado Under the Eaves" without the overdubbed strings and with just drums, a bit of guitar, organ, backing vocals and Warren's vocal is a delight as it's one of my favorite songs.

The second disc features "I Was in The House When The House Burned Down" and Warren's terrific take on Steve Winwood and Will Jennings' "Back in the High Life Again" from "Life'll Kill Ya". We also get about 30 minutes of an interview conducted by Jody Denberg to promote "LKY". We also get "Don't Let Us Get Sick" a live performance of Warren recorded for KGSR Radio Austin's 9th Anniversary Concert. Warren's interviews were always fun to listen to and this one is no exception. While you might listen to this disc less than the first one, it's still a nice extra here.

One of my treasured memories was seeing Warren at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, California where he held court playing for an intimate group of fans. It was one of many concerts but it was my first show with Warren and as a result is special. Hearing this reminds me of that show and how much I'll miss not being able to look forward to new music from him. It was the perfect venue for Warren's music. He'll be missed but with this release you can sit down with him and listen as he develops his craft and plays a concert just for you.

Also recommended: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon

Music: The Wind, Stand in the Fire,Warren Zevon, Excitable Boy,The Envoy, Sentimental HygieneLife'll Kill Ya

Rock on Warren.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Ernie Pouttu, May 2, 2007
By Ernie Pouttu (Akron, OH USA) - See all my reviews
I just picked this up last night thinking that this would relly be suitable for a loyal Warren Zevon fan like me. But what I discovered was really incredible versions of previously released songs and previously unreleased songs that in my opinion are terrific. For anyone that has the DVD of the making of The Wind, this two CD set is a must. Add in the great interviews on the second CD (which I already had from a prior special release) and you have a great package that will be enjoyed by WZ fans and those are coming later to the party. PS Take some time to read the liner notes as they add another perspective to a truly multitalented singer songwriter.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Zevon Unearthed, May 26, 2007
By Steven Case (Oviedo, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
If stuff doesn't get released by the artist there is usually a reason. This is not clean-and-pretty Zevon. BUT its FUN Zevon. Disc one has my new favorite version of Werewolves of London. There's a lot of unusual stuff and its great for any Zevon fan. Disc two is an interview that shows off Zevon's cantankerous side. The interviewer asks questions like a high school reporter scoring his big break and doesn't really listen to the answers but still the interview is made all the more poignant by the fact that Zevon has little knowlege that he has so little time left. THe set is a must for Zevon fans but probably won't make any new ones.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky and Fun
I just started listening to Warren Zevon a couple months ago. Preludes was my second CD purchase. I bought it on a whim without knowing much about it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by reader

4.0 out of 5 stars Another look at the one rock's wild geniuses

Starting with "Empty Hearted Town" a recording that evolved into "Empty Handed Heart" this look at Zevon's demos and unreleased songs definitely are of interest for anyone... Read more
Published 12 months ago by J. Carroll

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant collection of alternate takes and missed songs
This has some fine material on it, including quite a few songs that are previously unheard and discarded versions of established classics that work very well indeed... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr W

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Mix of Alternate Takes, New Songs and Interviews
Jordan Zevon did a wonderful job compiling these 2 discs full of alternate versions of previously released songs, never released songs and some great interviews. Read more
Published on September 21, 2007 by James P. Buckley

4.0 out of 5 stars A rare, intimate, look at Warren Zevon
Preludes includes two disks, one of unreleased and fairly raw recordings--demos and basement tapes--and the second with a smattering of interviews, two tracks from albums and a... Read more
Published on August 3, 2007 by David Etherington

4.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Zevon
This is a collection of old tapes and interviews. It is not what I would suggest for someone checking him out for the first time. Read more
Published on July 19, 2007 by Johnno

4.0 out of 5 stars peaking through a crack in a closed door
The release of this CD is akin to peaking through a crack in a closed door. We are given another opportunity to hear Mr Zevon "reinterpret" songs that were indelibly imprinted... Read more
Published on July 15, 2007 by Terence h Hollow

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection
I love the unreleased version of Werewolves of London even more than the familiar one. And the interview was somewhat eye-opening as to the personality of Zevon. Read more
Published on July 6, 2007 by Lloyd Frank Wrong

5.0 out of 5 stars Preludes
Preludes is excellent - more true genius from Zevon. Three songs, especially, stick in my mind - Heavy Rain, Empty Hearted Town and Rosarita Beach Cafe. Read more
Published on July 5, 2007 by Rebecca Rogers

5.0 out of 5 stars zevon
best for a big fan, demos of later hits a treat, as are zevon comments and unique versions of several songs
Published on June 27, 2007 by W. R. Chiodo

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
There are bonus tracks on Best Buy version! 0 August 2007
› See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   

SoundUnwound Says...

Warren Zevon's opens new browser window album Preludes opens new browser window,was engineered by Paul Q. Kolderie opens new browser window. Browse Warren Zevon's Discography opens new browser window and watch Warren Zevon videos opens new browser window on SoundUnwound.

View your Amazon music library opens new browser window, recommendations and new releases on SoundUnwound opens new browser window - the personal music encyclopedia.

SoundUnwound Logo

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings
62% buy the item featured on this page:
Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings 4.6 out of 5 stars (22)
$17.99
Stand in the Fire
10% buy
Stand in the Fire 4.9 out of 5 stars (41)
$10.99
Learning to Flinch
9% buy
Learning to Flinch 4.5 out of 5 stars (38)
$5.98
Mr. Bad Example
8% buy
Mr. Bad Example 4.4 out of 5 stars (20)
Explore similar items

Look for Similar Items by Category

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Music by subject:












i.e., each title must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.