October 28: Bob Dylan covers two Warren Zevon songs – Kansas City 2002

These performances of Warren Zevon's great songs came with the news that Warren had stated previously that his illness was expected to be terminal within months after his diagnosis in late 2002 at age 56. Dylan responded by including these two songs as part of his Set List for the balance of the tour that year. I was able to hear him perform them beautifully at the Hartford Civic Center on November 17, 2002. I remember a lady next to me at the concert that night commenting that this was such a kind and thoughtful gesture. It brought great joy to Warren to hear that Dylan was doing this, as he held Dylan in such high esteem and it increased fan awareness of Zevon's work which had tended to lie somewhat in obscurity. Warren was anxious to finish his final work before passing and made several appearances on the David Letterman show to promote his work which would surely greatly aid his estate for his family and survivors. Dylan's performances demonstrate a very unique and thoughtful understanding of Zevon's place in American music and his own role in the American music consciousness. It was a very beautiful sentiment on his part, not widely publicized but it meant the world to Warren. These songs are tenderly delivered and understanding the fuller context helps us appreciate these two stellar performances even more.