Tom Waitts Where do I begin?
You can begin with spelling his name correctly...just one 't' in 'Waits" I'm a big Tom Waits fan from way back. I think there is another thread on this that I contributed to....just a minute, let me check. Ah, found it. Check here Marco |
Been a Tom Waits fan (in the truest sense) since the beginning. Taught school w/ one of Tom's best friends and sometime collaborator, saw him in concert 1st time about 25-30 years ago and been along for the ride ever since. The albums mentioneed above are terrific, especially "Nighthawks'' which lends some great insight into his concert demeanor. I also like "Small Change and Closing Time" but the one I believe is the best is "Heartattack And Vine". The brilliant line" There ain't no devil, only God when he's drunk" stays with you forever. Seediest cover pic and graveliest voice but virtually every song is amazing. By far IMHO the peak of Tom's lyric prowess (other songs are in the realm, but I've yet to hear another album as consistenly impressive). Rhyno wrote "proceed at your own peril". Words of wisdom indeed. There is no one else like Tom and this is not background music, this is late night (or very early morning), no lights and for some libation induced music. Welcome to the club! |
Uppermidfi could possibly change his moniker to "Lowerlevelatormusic". Now back to the question: I feel that there are three periods in Wait's music, although you will not find any great line dividing them if you were to listen to all his albums in chronological order. His early work is that of the singer/songwriter with folk roots, the second is a more urban beat poet-type thing and the third, the more mature Waits with its own dark and quirky side, is the hardest for a lot of folks to appreciate. I recommend his first album if you want to hear his early stuff as a baseline of sorts; "Nighthawks at the Diner" (an early live in the studio album) is a must for his "beat poet" stuff; "Swordfishtrombone" marks the beginning of the mature and often difficult to appreciate period, so no one should judge on a first listen. More recently "Mule Variations" is a must. I guess I am a Wait's fan. Not Pablum in any way, so, I fully agree: all Donna Summer fans should look elsewhere. Interestingly, his voice has gone steadily downhill in singing terms, while gaining so much in expressiveness: just goes to show you that music and “nicey-nice” sounds are not necessarily bound to each other. |
Hey Warren, nothing like a little diversity in your listening tastes Huh'? One of my favorite periods of Tom Waits is the period in which he was locked up in hotel rooms in L.A. with Ricki Lee Jones doing heroin. Approx. 1982-1988. It's sometimes hard to understand what the hell he was saying, but some of his material was pretty intense. I can't really say there was an album from that period that I didn't like. Also, I'm with Unsound, Nighthawks At The Diner was a great release. Probably one of my favorites. Happy Listening. |
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Great post, Pbb. A lot of good recommendations here. I am partial to Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs, and Heart Attack and Vine, although I never met a Waits album I didn't like. Also, check out his performance on Sparklehorse's last album, "It's a Wonderful Life," certainly worth owning for its own sake. |
Except for the one "Burp", this group of Tom Waits fans deserve a round of applause for their suggestions. It just goes to show what a great artist he is. Very few other artists provide such diversity album to album and have so many people think each one is some of the best music Tom has done. Hurray for Mr. Waits all of us who enjoy the quality of his music. |
Nicko - I can't remember who said it, though I'm sure it wasn't Waits....I think maybe it was Gary Null....."....critics and lawyers are just two steps beneath snail dung...." Now I'll probably get my ass flamed by all the lawyers and critics on this list. Ouch! I do enjoy Rain Dogs too. Try my very best not to use the word "best" for exactly the reasons you question critics....hey, what the f%*k do I know?! I just like his music. He's the BEST you know. You can quote me on that. Just don't shout quite so loud, I can't hear my music when your making your point like that, and no one's listening anyway. Marco |
You should probably check out some of the movies that Tom has been in also. Check this link at the Internet Movie Data Base: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001823/ I seem to remember that he was a hoot in 'Mystery Men', and I just watched 'The Fisher King' again the other night; I realized that I hadn't recognized him the first time I saw the movie many years ago. He has a good part in there as a disabled veteran at the train station, talking to the Jeff Bridges character. Great movie. |
OK guys. Started with Rain Dogs and Mule Variations. On Rain Dogs, particularly, his voice ( coming from a telephone receiver??) was a little hard, at first, but, man, can he write a song. Mule Variations is great! After a few more listens, I'll know if I'm ready for more. Think so. Thanks for the tips. peace, warren |
Hey Warren- If you like his lyrics, but the voice doesn't grab you, don't forget to try the cover albums mentioned in the thread, of which there are several excellent ones. Holly Cole's "Temptation" and John Hammond's "Wicked Grin" are both outstanding. Waits without as much gristle and half the calories! Marco |
I'm with you there on Eva, Warren! That woman could make The Back Street Boys sound listenable (ugh, what a thought though)! I do like Cole however and the recording's pretty darn good too with some great soundstaging. But definitely go for the gusto dude. The real thing builds character, and helps build strong bones in eight essential ways! I salute your manliness my friend! A toast to all things masculine! I'll drop my drawers today and look down and be reminded of you and of Tom Waits as I gaze upon my own manhood. You can take it Warren, I know you can. Just edge that volume up just a nudge each time you listen. Oh yeah, now we're talking. Eastwood and Hackman would be proud dude. Marco |
