We can now add Warren Zevon to the list of artists who have released posthumous albums. Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings is a collection of demos, unreleased songs, and interviews from the late, great Warren Zevon. The resulting album is a decent bunch of songs from an outstanding performer.
Most of the songs on Preludes are quieter, more introspective tunes (with the exceptions of "Werewolves of London" and "Poor Poor Pitiful Me"). The older recordings sound like demo versions of the "official" versions, which sometimes yield new lyrics (as in "Poor Poor Pitiful Me") or a stark, simpler rendition. The new songs are alright: nothing outstanding, but more than just an experiment that will only appeal to people looking for new Zevon songs after his death. The interviews are similarly neither great nor awful. And in light of Warren Zevon's untimely death from long cancer, the live rendition of "Don't Let Us Get Sick" at the end of the album reminds us of whata great artist we lost.
If you're looking for Warren Zevon's greatest songs, go with his greatest hits compilation Genius; if you want to hear him rockin' loud and hard, pick up the recently-rereleased concert album Stand in the Fire. But if you've heard all those before and would like to hear some new material, Preludes will give you some new songs from Warren Zevon.
Overall Grade: B
Reviewed by James Lynch
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