Warren Zevon - a cult figure
The Warren Zevon interview, as it was published in Bergens Tidende 17.02.1988 (Facsimile, Bergens Tidende) (interview originally published February 1988)
Last weekend, Warren Zevon played three nights at Sardines in Oslo, two of which went for packed houses. We watched the first one, which will undoubtedly be remembered for a long time, if not only for musical reasons. After major sound problems early in the set threatened to ruin the mood both on and below the stage, things improved radically over time. The good sound came, and with that enthusiasm. "Werewolves Of London", "Sentimental Hygiene", old as new sat like a shot.
It's the first time in Warren Zevon's career as a touring artist that he plays three nights in a city.
- At the risk of sounding clichéd, I chose three days in Oslo for the simple reason that I became so fond of the city and the Norwegian people the last time I visited you, says Warren Zevon who has books with Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun lying in the hotel room. It is also a result of his "discovery" of and curiosity about Norway and our culture, he claims.
And then we can probably say that the great interest in his Norwegian concerts is due to the very impressive comeback LP "Sentimental Hygiene" which came out last spring.
With a little help from people like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, David Lindley, Don Henley, Jennifer Warnes and not least the album's regular backing band REM, the 40-year-old Russian-born American delivered one of last year's best LPs. More than four years after his previous LP "The Envoy" and ten years after his only small hit, "Werewolves of London".
Good break
Maybe more artists should try my recipe, to retire a few years? At least I'm sure I enjoyed the break. I had time to think about my situation, and I had time to write songs at my own pace without anyone standing behind my shoulder and insisting on a new "product". In short, the stay gave me new inspiration that came in handy when I started filming "Sentimental Hygiene", says Warren Zevon without going into the personal problems he has also struggled with. But more on that later.
Throughout his career, Warren Zevon has been surrounded by prominent figures. Before making his record debut, he played piano for the Everly Brothers, and on the debut album, his good friend Jackson Browne appeared as producer and protector, while with members of the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac provided the backing. And with the list he can boast of on "Sentimental Hygiene", his circle of friends does not seem to have become much smaller over the years. At the same time, the audience seems to be growing slowly but surely.
Inspirational
At least there were more people who wanted to see me when I toured the USA just before Christmas, than there have been on previous tours. And even though my goal is not to play for as many people as possible, it is always inspiring to see that people appreciate what you do, says Warren Zevon who previously lived in Los Angeles, but who in recent years has been living in Philadelphia.
Most people who know me know that a number of years ago I had major drug and alcohol problems, and that I voluntarily went to rehab. But it was not the alcohol that made me withdraw from the industry and move to Philadelphia, it was actually something as naive as love. The girl I live with today came from there, and since I was quite disillusioned with the whole music industry after also "The Envoy" became an LP that everyone "digged", but no one bought, it seemed a good idea to go there, explains Warren, who emphasizes that he was also active during the "break".
In addition to writing songs, I have toured a lot in recent years. Both completely on their own and with a full band. But I had no desire to force things, and made no attempt to contact a record company before the summer of 1986. Then I had all the material needed to make a good LP, says Warren Zevon who admits that the songs come easier than the words.
Musician, not poet
I am not a writer and struggle a lot with the lyrics. They are the ones who hold back, the music comes by itself once I have gotten the words down. Maybe I'm ambitious with the lyrics?
Not to understand that I have ambitions to change people's lives with my lyrics, but for my own part it is undeniably much nicer to be able to sing something with a little meaning instead of just letting go through the lyrics, Zevon concludes as after The European tour returns to the United States to write more songs for a new LP that he hopes will be available before the end of 1988.
By Leif Gjerstad
(interview originally published in several newspapers February 1988. This version is taken from Bergens Tidende)