Black Rider to me seemed as if he was exhausting himself, writing an album at the first inkling of a good idea. That came out around 1993 and then we heard from him six years later with his masterpeice Mule Variations in 99. I think the hiatus proved almost as genius as the album.
Paste recently said he was the 4th greatest living song writer and frankly I think he should have been higher. No man has ever understood that music is a trifecta of great lyrics, great music, and stage presence. He's been making exceptional music since the 70's, writing about the down-trodden outcasts of society that are the basis for real stories. No single preformer has had enough black hole gravity to depress you while being able to make you ballroom dance in the very next number.
Tom Waits, for all he's unknown and under appreciated, is without question, the greatest musician I have ever heard.
|