Accidentally Like A Martyr -

Accidentally Like A Martyr - Powerline draws our attention to this superb NYTimes piece by Anthony DeCurtis (the only Rolling Stone writer today worth wasting ink on) on . Warren Zevon.

It's all worth a read. I liked the close:

Mr. Zevon had to stop working on "The Wind" for several months earlier this year as his health worsened. Then, in the spring, he recovered sufficiently to complete two final songs at his home, including "Keep Me in Your Heart," the ballad that closes the album. It's a wish that is both honest and modest: "Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath," he sings. "Keep me in your heart for a while." Few artists get to write their own farewell as Mr. Zevon has here. It is high praise to say that "The Wind" would stand honorably beside his best work even if he were not dying when he made it.

In a year or so filled with musical deaths (Ben Orr, Stuart Adamson, Joey and Dee Dee Ramone), Zevon's terminal cancer is one of the most depressing stories of all - and also potentially the most enlightening and ennobling. Zevon was one of few rock stars to make recovery from alcoholism more than tabloid-fodder - to bring the insights from his recovery, articulately and unstintingly, to his music, and to great effect.

Lose great artist, gain some great art. Not a good exchange ratio...