Warren Zevon was a fantastic musician and songwriter, and the cover album Enjoy Every Sandwich is a worthy tribute to his music. The songs covered here are almost all enjoyable and interesting takes on Zevon's songs.
Kudos for assembling a very eclectic group of musicians for this album. Big rockers like Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Don Henley, and Bonnie Raitt are performing alongside Steve Earle, the Pixies, Jill Sobule, and even actors Adam Sandler and Billy Bob Thorton! And these performers make most of these songs their own, refusing to merely copy Zevon's originals.
Most of the songs hit the mark quite well. Browne and Raitt combine their talents for a high-energy version of "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," while Jill Sobule's childlike voice makes Zevon's dirge "Don't Let Us Get Sick" almost upbeat. Even Adam Sandler infuses "Werewolves of London" with a comic energy that maintains that Zevon classic's goofiness without turning it into a joke. There are a few weak songs -- Billy Bob Thorton whispers rather than sings "The Wind," the Pixies deliver a sonic and grating rendition of "Ain't That Pretty at All," and Bob Dylan can't save Zevon's dull "Mutineer" -- but the overall album is very strong.
Warren Zevon fans will enjoy Enjoy Every Sandwich for the new versions of classic songs, while folks unfamiliar with Zevon (who should really get his wonderful greatest hits collection Genius) can enjoy some rockin' tunes and hopefully seek out the originals.
Overall grade: A-
Reviewed by James Lynch
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