Warren Zevon - Great Songwriter, Crappy Singer

[illini99]

Ok, I know this isn't exactly an original observation, but I wanted to remark on the contrast between his tribute album and his own albums. "Enjoy Every Sandwich" is a tribute album created after Warren's death and includes artists like Springsteen, Dylan, Jackson Browne, Jill Sobule, The Pixies, and others. I find the tribute album 100x more listenable than any other Warren Zevon album. Warren's voice is just too shitty to truly enjoy his performances, despite his tremendous songwriting. After I got "Enjoy Every Sandwich" I picked up like 4 Zevon albums. I still listen to the tribute album often, but I hardly ever listen to the originals. That gravelly voice just grates on me.

[Paxosmotic]

I actually like his cover of "Back in the High Life Again"

[2planka]

I have the exact opposite impression. I think the covers pale in comparison. Just my opinion. I grew up listening to WZ, though.

[Dominic]

Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Tom Waits...also crappy singers?

their voices are what makes them even more distinctive.

[imported_The Vibesman]

He's a fine singer. A bit nasal, but whatever.

I get a kick out of hearing him do Prince's Raspberry Beret. And I love his hockey song (Hit somebody!)