Warren Zanes

03.10.2006 -- Review by: C. Eric Banister

How does this story relate? Well, it is one of the ways I was introduced to non-mainstream music and also Warren Zanes was a founding member of the del Fuegos. Other than that it probably doesn’t, but I am getting old and so I tell random stories which may or may not relate to any topic at hand.

Warren Zanes played guitar on the first two del Fuegos albums (they only had three) and soon left the group to pursue a bachelor’s degree, which was followed by two masters degrees and a Doctoral degree in Visual and Cultural Arts. After finishing his degrees, Zanes was widely published in the areas of music and art, including “Dusty in Memphis” a book on Dusty Springfield’s recording. Also in this time Zanes took a day job, but maybe one of the coolest day jobs for a musician, as Vice President of Education at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

In 2001, Zanes recorded his first solo effort “Memory Girls” for Ideal Records. Due to legal problems between the label and it’s parent company the album didn’t see light until two years later when Dualtone was able to release it.

Now Zanes returns with “People I’m Wrong For,” also for Dualtone. This album reflects Zanes southern upbringing and his penchant for southern soul. The infectious hornlines on the discs opener, “JR’s Bag of Tricks” pop up periodically throughout the album leading many of the songs into the territory of Stax-era Memphis. Other songs are very laid back and ethereal in tone, with an almost dream like quality. New fatherhood has had its effect on Zanes as can seen in songs such as “Everyone Here is Made of Thunder” and “Mating Calls.” The title track laments the fact that every time he falls in love, it’s with people he knows he is all wrong for. “No One Here Knows Jane” is a similar theme talking about a girl he once dated but as they both move on from the relationship he is glad that he isn’t dealing with her anymore. Zanes tips his hat to his influences in “Ella’s Arms” a song about Ella Fitzgerald.

Fans of the more mellow forms of Americana will enjoy this album and while it doesn’t break any ground musically or lyrically, it is a very enjoyable album.