Warren Zevon - Romantic Genius Album Review

Warren Zevon
Romantic Genius - The Love Songs
Album Review
Rykodisc

Zevon's sideways wit and offbeat worldview was a staple of his albums from the mid-1970s to the last album before he died in 2003. However, his life passion, which famously stated that people should enjoy 'every sandwich' also led to a fantastically resonant romantic side. Here we have the first collection of the love songs from that career. And what a beautiful piece of work this makes: touching, tender, but never maudlin. His slightly gruff voice increases the ability of the songs to break in, and when accompanied by guests like Don Henley and Emmylou Harris, this disc points out the genius that there was in his songwriting - he rarely comes at the subject straight on, preferring to illuminate it from a new direction. A great musical loss, but what a great legacy.

Rating 8/10

Mike Rea
Adult Contemporary Essentials