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September 1992 Articles
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Issue:September 1992 Year: 1992
this one

Letters to the Editor

Zevon review 'intensely negative'

I'm writing in reference to your recent review of the Warren Zevon concert at Hurricane O'Malley's [August 1992 issue]. I also attended the concert.

It totally escapes me how an artist/musician can "give fans their money's worth" despite delays, poor sound that progressively moves toward horrendous, old tunes that were sluggish, and one that was "derailed by a long, monotonous bridge." According to your critic the show was also marred by distractions such as "a painfully brittle high-end" (it's called "feedback," Mr. Howie), as well as an inconsiderate crew.

If readers of your reviews are influenced in the least by this particular critic then why should anyone show up for a concert by Mr. Zevon in the future?

I failed to see any mention of the fact that Warren Zevon is a multi-talented musician, singer, and songwriter. He presented himself in a positive, exciting, and professional way sprinkled with occasional humor. In his usual charming manner he tried to ignore the "distractions" Mr. Howie speaks of (which were, incidentally, due to the poor equipment at Hurricane O'Malley's) and did the best he could do under the circumstances.

Your critic also made no mention of his musical versatility. Not only did Mr. Zevon play piano and guitar, he also played harmonica, 12-string guitar, as well as dobro. Where is the positive?

Mr. Zevon's outstanding talents are undeniable. Since quoting onlookers must be acceptable to you (Werewolves of London" . . . "the song that pays the bills") I am submitting quotes from onlookers who were surrounding me in the large room filled to capacity: "Great!" "Wonderful!" "Good job!" "All right!"

In fact, Warren Zevon treated an extremely enthusiastic crowd to an evening of wit surrounded by totally gratifying melodies and music. Anyway, in my opinion this review was intensely negative. Get real.

Lin Gross

New Albany, IN 47150

(Our writer, Allen Howie, was given an opportunity to respond. -- Editor.)

I'm sorry if Ms. Gross felt my review was unduly harsh; on balance, it contains more favorable comments than unfavorable. I've attended any number of performances that were flawed in many ways, but were still worth attending. My review reflected Zevon's performance of nineteen songs, with criticisms of only two (which I feel are valid and fair comments), and generally positive remarks on the rest.

The comparison of "Werewolves of London" to "Margaritaville" was a reflection of the popularity of both songs, and was in no way intended as a criticism.

Zevon did indeed have a charming manner, which is reflected in the review.

The show did start over ninety minutes late (which Hurricane O'Malley's attributes to the artist) and the sound was, as you indicated, plagued by feedback problems, diminishing the quality of the show to some extent.

I agree that Mr. Zevon is a multi-talented artist, and stand by my conclusion that while the show was not without flaws, it was nonetheless a good performance overall. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Hurricane O'Malley's disappointed with Zevon article

(Although the following letter was addressed to free-lance writer Allen Howie, it was subsequently agreed between Hurricane O'Malley's and LMN to print it as a Letter to the Editor.)

Re: August, 1992 Issue of Louisville Music News.

In reading your article in the above-referenced issue, I was obviously disappointed in your lack of journalistic integrity. A journalist, especially one with a small town newspaper, should always check all of his/her facts before printing something that may appear damaging to an establishment (or a person for that matter). If you would have checked all of your facts, you would have been made aware that the Warren Zevon show was scheduled (via contract) to begin at 8:00 p.m.

It is totally out of our control if a musician shows up late for his sound check and then decides to change everything that has been prepared for him. In working for a music newspaper, I would think that you have learned by now that top-named talent can sometimes be difficult to work with. Instead of checking into the reason why this concert began late, you decided to blame it on Hurricane O'Malley's and their poor marketing department. I don't know about you, but when I have a contract for an act to begin at 8:00 p.m., I would think that the advertising of such show should state this.

In closing, I would like to say that I disagree with your opinion that the show moved from "listenable to horrendous." Our audience was very pleased with Mr. Zevon's performance and we have had nothing but praise on the show. How could you start an article by saying this?" . . . horrendous") and close with "Zevon mostly gave fans their money's worth . . . and that' really the bottom line." Could a show be horrendous and worth its money at the same time?

Lynda K. Burton

Marketing Director

Hurricane O'Malley's

Louisville, KY 40202

(Allen Howie's reply to Ms. Gross' letter generally speaks to Ms. Burton's letter as well. We would, however, like to add a brief response:

Howie didn't say that the show moved from listenable to horrendous. What he said was that the show was marred by a late start and sound that moved progressively from listenable to horrendous. There is a great deal of difference in the two statements.

Poor sound has marred many a concert, both in large venues and small, and for famous and not-so-famous performers. Fortunately, poor sound does not always equal poor show, and this appears to be true of the Zevon concert. You are to be commended for booking popular artists such as Warren Zevon.

Thanks for your letter. We are sorry that there were problems with the Zevon concert, but we were merely the messenger of the bad news, not the culprit. -- Editor.)

'Contagious' thank you

Cheers to a considerably well-written and well-respected paper that's getting better all the time.

Thanks again for recently putting our band together with a new lead singer through your musicians' classified ads.

Things are working out great. We're playing more out of town than in, but having considerable success either way.

It would be our pleasure to have LMN catch a show when you can.

Thanks again.

"Contagious"

Louisville, KY

Easy Money grateful for benefit

As your readers may have noted in last month's issue, we in Easy Money lost all our equipment in a fire at Annie's in Mitchell, Indiana, on June 29.

A benefit show was held at the Red Bird Inn on August 16, at which approximately $800 was raised for living expenses.

On behalf of Easy Money, I'd like to thank George Tomes for providing the P.A. and lights for the show. Along with George, I'd like to thank Timeless, Golden Country, Bobby Lanz, Anxiety, Open Road and the Wulfe Brothers for their participation. Thanks go to Jim Tino, proprietor of the Red Bird Inn, for sponsoring the event along with the Musician's Emergency Relief Fund. Jim also made a generous contribution.

Special thanks go to Marvin Maxwell of Mom's Music, who made a generous contribution.

Special thanks also go to the folks who came out and supported Easy Money at this benefit. Without you this show would not have been possible.

And last, but definitely not least, I'd like to add a very personal thank you to my fiancee, Judy Hardin, who collected donations for the benefit. Judy has stood by me throughout the ordeal, and I'll never be able to thank her enough.

Again, thanks to all who supported Easy Money. Here's hoping we'll see you all again very soon!

Mark Winburn

Keyboardist/vocalist

for Easy Money

Louisville, KY 40216

Letters to the Editor are welcomed and should be addressed to:

Letters to the Editor

Louisville Music News

7400 Cross Creek Blvd.

Louisville, KY 40228

Letters should include the writer's full name, address and home telephone, and may be edited for purposes of clarity or space.

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