These days, it seems that no sooner does a rock star die than his record company orders a frantic search of the archives to see if they can muster up one final cash-in. Fortunately, in the case of Warren Zevon, The Wind was already on standby. Recorded shortly before his recent death from an inoperable lung cancer, it finds the old curmudgeon in understandably reflective mood, mulling over what he calls his 'dirty life and times' with his customary sardonic wit. Zevon's rough-hewn voice was never exactly commercial, and his flippant, savage sense of humour is certainly an acquired taste. But this is a superb summation of his musical prowess, taking in everything from rollicking country to doom-laden blues, with a list of guest performers that's truly staggering (Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty, Dwight Yoakam and that's just for starters). A fitting tribute to a maverick talent who will be much missed.
