Learning to Flinch
Encyclopedia
Learning to Flinch is a live solo acoustic album
by American
singer/songwriter Warren Zevon
, recorded at various venues in the U.S., Europe and Australia and released in early 1993 (see 1993 in music
). Zevon's second and final live set, it featured three new songs ("Worrier King," "Roland Chorale" and "The Indifference of Heaven"). While not an official MTV Unplugged
title, the stripped-down format of the album is in line with the live acoustic trend that flourished in the early 1990s.
This album is the only time Zevon played a version of "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner
" that lasted more than the average 4 minutes on an album, although he did it frequently in live performances. This version of the song includes a piano solo at the beginning of the song and another between the last two verses. Also, this version of "Lawyers, Guns and Money" is played in the key of C major
rather than D Major
, the key in the studio version. "Mr. Bad Example" is played in E Major
rather than F#Major as heard on the studio version.
, except where indicated.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer/songwriter Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
, recorded at various venues in the U.S., Europe and Australia and released in early 1993 (see 1993 in music
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
). Zevon's second and final live set, it featured three new songs ("Worrier King," "Roland Chorale" and "The Indifference of Heaven"). While not an official MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
title, the stripped-down format of the album is in line with the live acoustic trend that flourished in the early 1990s.
This album is the only time Zevon played a version of "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner
Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner
"Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" is a song composed by Warren Zevon and David Lindell and performed by Zevon. It was first released on his 1978 album Excitable Boy. It is the last song he ever performed in front of an audience, on the Late Show with David Letterman, before his death in...
" that lasted more than the average 4 minutes on an album, although he did it frequently in live performances. This version of the song includes a piano solo at the beginning of the song and another between the last two verses. Also, this version of "Lawyers, Guns and Money" is played in the key of C major
C major
C major is a musical major scale based on C, with pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Its key signature has no flats/sharps.Its relative minor is A minor, and its parallel minor is C minor....
rather than D Major
D major
D major is a major scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. Its key signature consists of two sharps. Its relative minor is B minor and its parallel minor is D minor....
, the key in the studio version. "Mr. Bad Example" is played in E Major
E major
E major is a major scale based on E, with the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has four sharps .Its relative minor is C-sharp minor, and its parallel minor is E minor....
rather than F#Major as heard on the studio version.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Warren ZevonWarren Zevon
Warren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
, except where indicated.
- "Splendid Isolation" – 4:20
- "Lawyers, Guns and MoneyLawyers, Guns and Money"Lawyers, Guns and Money" is a song by Warren Zevon, the closing track on his 1978 album Excitable Boy.The lyrics describe going home with a waitress who is "with the Russians too". The narrative goes on to speak of "gambling in Havana", with the request that "Dad" send "lawyers, guns and money "...
" – 3:22 - "Mr. Bad Example" (Jorge CalderónJorge CalderónJorge Calderón, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer best known for his collaborations with Warren Zevon. He holds the unique distinction of having been credited on all of Zevon's post-1976 albums with the exception of My Ride's Here...
, Zevon) – 3:08 - "Excitable Boy" (LeRoy Marinell, Zevon) – 2:41
- "Hasten Down the Wind" – 3:41
- "The French Inhaler" – 4:22
- "Worrier King" – 4:05
- "Roland Chorale" (David Lindell, Zevon) – 1:30
- "Roland the Headless Thompson GunnerRoland the Headless Thompson Gunner"Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" is a song composed by Warren Zevon and David Lindell and performed by Zevon. It was first released on his 1978 album Excitable Boy. It is the last song he ever performed in front of an audience, on the Late Show with David Letterman, before his death in...
" (Lindell, Zevon) – 11:18 - "Searching for a Heart" – 3:05
- "Boom Boom Mancini" – 3:18
- "Jungle Work" (Calderón, Zevon) – 4:53
- "Piano Fighter" – 4:08
- "Werewolves of LondonWerewolves of London"Werewolves of London" is a rock song composed by LeRoy Marinell, Waddy Wachtel, and Warren Zevon and performed by Zevon. Included on Zevon's 1978 album Excitable Boy, it featured accompaniment by bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac.The single was released by Asylum as...
" (Marinell, Waddy WachtelWaddy WachtelRobert "Waddy" Wachtel is an American musician, composer and record producer, most notable for his guitar work...
, Zevon) – 4:10 - "The Indifference of Heaven" – 4:12
- "Poor, Poor Pitiful MePoor Poor Pitiful Me"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" is a rock song written by Warren Zevon.-Content:In keeping with Zevon's sardonic lyrical style, the song's verses deal with a failed suicide, domestic abuse, and a brush with sadomasochism. The song appeared first on Zevon's 1976 self-titled solo album...
" – 9:38 - "Play It All Night Long" – 3:49
Personnel
- Warren Zevon - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocals, HarmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Billboard 200 | 198 |