VOL. XIX, NO. 12
MAY 19, 1978
Warren Zevan and Jackals
Capture Their Rock Fans
Capture Their Rock Fans
BY STEVE VISTEEN
Excitement and werewolf howls filled the air of Chicago's elderly Riviera Theater as Warren Zevon pulled into town last Saturday night. The excitement was provided by the stellar performances of Zevon and his group, the Jackals. The werewolf howls were emniating from the mouths of the crowd as Zevon's latest single, "Werewolves of London," became Saturday's battlecry much to Zevon's delight.
The show opened with the Unannounced appearance of comedian Richard Belzer. Belzer's act was witty and quick paced and incorporated impressions, one liners, and psychocomedy. Comedians and rock concerts are like apples and oranges; they just don't mix, yet Belzer was able to appeal to the decidely college intellectual crowd. Except for the banterings of a couple of hecklers, quickly ridiculed by Belzer's acidic barbs, the crowd was in Belzer's hand.
After a lengthy intermission, punctuated by ever present werewolf cries, Warren Zevon and the Jackals took the stage and didn't let loose until an hour and one half later.
Zevon's music is multifacted. His songs are at times humorous ("Werewolves of London," "Excitable Boy") sensitive ("Hastens Down the Wind," "Accidently Like a Martyr") and majestic ("Desperados Under the Eaves," "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner").
Excitement and werewolf howls filled the air of Chicago's elderly Riviera Theater as Warren Zevon pulled into town last Saturday night. The excitement was provided by the stellar performances of Zevon and his group, the Jackals. The werewolf howls were emniating from the mouths of the crowd as Zevon's latest single, "Werewolves of London," became Saturday's battlecry much to Zevon's delight.
The show opened with the Unannounced appearance of comedian Richard Belzer. Belzer's act was witty and quick paced and incorporated impressions, one liners, and psychocomedy. Comedians and rock concerts are like apples and oranges; they just don't mix, yet Belzer was able to appeal to the decidely college intellectual crowd. Except for the banterings of a couple of hecklers, quickly ridiculed by Belzer's acidic barbs, the crowd was in Belzer's hand.
After a lengthy intermission, punctuated by ever present werewolf cries, Warren Zevon and the Jackals took the stage and didn't let loose until an hour and one half later.
Zevon's music is multifacted. His songs are at times humorous ("Werewolves of London," "Excitable Boy") sensitive ("Hastens Down the Wind," "Accidently Like a Martyr") and majestic ("Desperados Under the Eaves," "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner").
Zevon's set featured material from his first album, "Warren Zevon," as well as selections from his latest album, "Excitable Boy." Zevon and the Jackals opened the show with "Veracruz," a stirring epic of the Spanish empire in Mexico. The lads moved through a few more tunes and then worked up to "Excitable Boy" which featured a scorching guitar solo by David Landau. Prior to the song, "Nighttime in the Switching Yard," Warren headed toward the front of the stage and continued walking until the stage ran out and deposited Zevon on the floor.
The evening's crowd pleaser was "Lawyers, Guns and Money" from the latest album. As with all of the songs Zevon played, the live versions, arranged with the Jackals, showed the rougher, unpolished side of Zevon's songwriting; and "Lawyers, Guns and Money" was no exception. The song features a riff that won't quit and lyrics that are universal in appeal; yet Saturday's performance displayed the song in a most aggressive context.
The more chic members of the audience began to file out of the theater at the beginning of "Lawyers...," so it was obvious that it was the final tune. The lights went up, but an encore was inevitable from the start of the show. And what an encore. Warren performed a solo version of "Hasten Down the Wind," which was nothing but breathtaking. Then the Jackals with Richard Belzer and special guest T‑Bone Burnette joined Zevon for a crushing version of "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," which wound up a howling good show.
The evening's crowd pleaser was "Lawyers, Guns and Money" from the latest album. As with all of the songs Zevon played, the live versions, arranged with the Jackals, showed the rougher, unpolished side of Zevon's songwriting; and "Lawyers, Guns and Money" was no exception. The song features a riff that won't quit and lyrics that are universal in appeal; yet Saturday's performance displayed the song in a most aggressive context.
The more chic members of the audience began to file out of the theater at the beginning of "Lawyers...," so it was obvious that it was the final tune. The lights went up, but an encore was inevitable from the start of the show. And what an encore. Warren performed a solo version of "Hasten Down the Wind," which was nothing but breathtaking. Then the Jackals with Richard Belzer and special guest T‑Bone Burnette joined Zevon for a crushing version of "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," which wound up a howling good show.