Current Photo Friday theme: Warm
There are so many inspirations and memories on the walls in my office. The wall behind my desk is my Muse Wall, and the wall behind the other desk–I guess that’s Muse Adjacent, though there are some heavy hitters on that wall in terms of who has influenced my writing and thinking.
It was definitely a Houston summer night in June 1993 when Tom and I saw Warren Zevon. He signed a CD cover for me, “For Becky. Very hot, Warren Zevon.” It lives on the Muse Adjacent Wall.
I read a review of Paul McCartney on the Freshen Up tour in which the reviewer said someone needs to tell him to stop–you see, his voice isn’t as strong as it used to be. Needless to say, I was not amused. The man just turned 77 and he kicks ass. Rock and roll, Sir Paul, rock and roll, even if they have to wheel you out, even if your voice is a whisper. You are Paul Fucking McCartney and your music changed the world.
When I was telling Tom about that review, he talked about what a different depth Warren Zevon’s voice had on his last album. Zevon knew it was his last, he was dealing with lung cancer. The Wind was released two weeks before his death. I compared it to the emotional power of Johnny Cash’s last work.
The audacity of thinking anyone shouldn’t do what they love as long as they can do it, and share it with the world if that’s what they want to do. If you want perfection, limit yourself to whatever you think that was. I’m grateful to listen to the voices of my inspirations for their whole journey. It’s all real.
I was a fan of his. I still think about him from time to time. In particular about what it must have been like to complete The Wind. Hard work I’d imagine.
It’s always good to meet another Warren Zevon fan–especially one who I already admire for other reasons.
I am going to make a confession that as a southern gal might get me in trouble. I am not a Johnny Cash fan. I can appreciate his music, but never a fan … till his last album. I think that last album was amazing, his voice the emotion … I think that there is something to be said for age and experience in the arts, especially music. I hate to be all “get off my lawn” but I think that there is a huge difference in older musicians and younger ones these days. I think there is a passion and love that is not as present in the kids today. I love an older wiser musician.
One thing I’ve always taken as my guide is who do MUSICIANS admire and listen to. I’ve given a lot of artists a second listen because of that and found a lot of great music that way. In particular, the country music I rejected as a teen has some of the artists I most like to listen to now. As we mature, we appreciate more mature perspectives, I think.