Tom Waits

TheBig3 · 01-08-2009, 08:56 AM

his spoken word pieces are decidedly good, but to me their akin to Shapespeares sonnets, not in talent but in relation to his other works.

While you can tell he's great with these, his real power comes with a couple of words mid-song that show an amazing depth of knowledge of his own characters and people in general, but a way to refine a feeling down to an experince we've all had but have never heard articulated in such a way.

**Janszoon** · 01-08-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3KilledMyRainDog

his spoken word pieces are decidedly good, but to me their akin to Shapespeares sonnets, not in talent but in relation to his other works.

While you can tell he's great with these, his real power comes with a couple of words mid-song that show an amazing depth of knowledge of his own characters and people in general, but a way to refine a feeling down to an experince we've all had but have never heard articulated in such a way.

Totally agree. These two lines from "Make It Rain" come immediately to mind:

I'm close to Heaven
Crushed at the gate

ElephantSack · 06-10-2009, 07:01 PM

I haven't been able to find any threads about old Mr. Waits. I find this terribly confusing and maybe a little disheartening. If there is a Tom Waits thread, and I just couldn't find it, someone point me to it.

If not, lets take this little opportunity to discuss his work.

Antonio · 06-10-2009, 07:10 PM

http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...ighlight=Waits

1ST RESULT!!!!!

.......other than your thread, of course

ElephantSack · 06-10-2009, 08:07 PM

I FOUND IT!!

Here's how I came to find the Waits.

I was at work one day listening to "Whose Been Talkin'" by Clutch, when the home owner came up and asked me if it was Tom Waits. It was the first time a home owner had ever asked me an objective question about my music, so I was taken aback. And I became suddenly interested in what kind of music Tom Waits made, although I had heard the name many times before.

It wasn't until at least a year or two later that I was rifling through our home studio when I found an album entitled Nighthawks at the Diner by none other than Mr. Waits. I had no idea where it had come from, so I abducted it and it remains in my collection to this day. I still haven't given it back to it's rightful owner, even though I know who it is now.

So it was Nighthawks... that got me started.

Then, one day last summer, my girlfriend and I took a day off together to drink rum and lime-ade on the beach, and eventually found our way to a Barnes and Noble Bookseller. After getting pretty tanked in the Children's section, reading Bernstein Bears and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, we sauntered on over to the CDs and DVDs where I found Rain Dogs. Needless to say, I was mesmerized.

So it was Rain Dogs that got me hooked.

And now, I find myself taking my time with acquiring albums from his repertoire. I have Nighthawks..., Rain Dogs, Real Gone, and Small Change on CD and Swordfishtrombones on vinyl. Small Change being the one that I've not yet become familiar with. From what I've heard so far, though, I don't expect it to be a favorite.

Schizotypic · 06-11-2009, 06:18 AM

Tom Waits has done stuff with Nick Cave??? Man, I love Nick Cave, I need to check that out. But anyway, yeah Big3, my sister turned me onto Mr.Waits and I got his discography but I have no idea where to start. I played Real Gone but didn't pay much attention to it and thought I might have gotten a weird album, so I decided to eventually give Closing Time a listen. Any recommendations?

333 · 06-11-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schizotypic

Tom Waits has done stuff with Nick Cave??? Man, I love Nick Cave, I need to check that out. But anyway, yeah Big3, my sister turned me onto Mr.Waits and I got his discography but I have no idea where to start. I played Real Gone but didn't pay much attention to it and thought I might have gotten a weird album, so I decided to eventually give Closing Time a listen. Any recommendations?

Wow, you started with Real Gone? No wonder you're weirded out! That album is strange and dark, but I've grown to love it. I just gave it another listen last night and man, what a strangely gifted individual. Did you know he works with Les Claypool and Brain on that album? His son does percussion and turn tables on some of the songs, too. The more I listen to it, the more I find.

So, a good start for me was Nighthawks at the Diner. I've always been fond of albums recorded live. Certain aspects of them just feel more personal to me. This album to me is definitive in how my perception of music began to transition. It's more subtle than most of his stuff, and not my favorite, but always a good listen when you're driving alone in the rain.

One of my favorite albums by him is Swordfishtrombone. I don't know if it's because I've not heard it outside of my record player, or the fact that it was the first album he produced by himself, but I think it's some of his most brilliant work. Along with the brilliance comes the darkness, so brace yourself.

djchameleon · 06-11-2009, 07:43 AM

My friend introduced me to Mr. Waits by recommending that I listen to Bone Machine then Rain Dogs. I found Rain Dogs much more enjoyable than Bone Machine. Upon first listening, it took me awhile to get used to the sound of his vocals but once I got passed that I was able to appreciate his lyrics.

333 · 06-11-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

My friend introduced me to Mr. Waits by recommending that I listen to Bone Machine then Rain Dogs. I found Rain Dogs much more enjoyable than Bone Machine. Upon first listening, it took me awhile to get used to the sound of his vocals but once I got passed that I was able to appreciate his lyrics.

Oh, his vocals are what got me into him! I just want him to read me a ****in' story! Yes, I agree with Rain Dogs. It's quite easy to digest. I really like the percussion in that album. I'm not familiar with Bone Machine. And the man is a lyrical genius. Movies practically play in my mind when I listen to his albums.

Bulldog · 06-11-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schizotypic

Tom Waits has done stuff with Nick Cave??? Man, I love Nick Cave, I need to check that out. But anyway, yeah Big3, my sister turned me onto Mr.Waits and I got his discography but I have no idea where to start. I played Real Gone but didn't pay much attention to it and thought I might have gotten a weird album, so I decided to eventually give Closing Time a listen. Any recommendations?

Mule Variations is great if you're looking for the next step.

It's between Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs and Bone Machine when it comes to my flat-out favourite though.

01-08-2009, 08:56 AM	#251 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	his spoken word pieces are decidedly good, but to me their akin to Shapespeares sonnets, not in talent but in relation to his other works. While you can tell he's great with these, his real power comes with a couple of words mid-song that show an amazing depth of knowledge of his own characters and people in general, but a way to refine a feeling down to an experince we've all had but have never heard articulated in such a way. __________________ I've moved to a new address

06-10-2009, 07:01 PM	#253 (permalink)
ElephantSack Man vs. Wild Turkey Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: ATX Posts: 948	What About Tom Waits?? I haven't been able to find any threads about old Mr. Waits. I find this terribly confusing and maybe a little disheartening. If there is a Tom Waits thread, and I just couldn't find it, someone point me to it. If not, lets take this little opportunity to discuss his work.

06-10-2009, 08:07 PM	#255 (permalink)
ElephantSack Man vs. Wild Turkey Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: ATX Posts: 948	I FOUND IT!! Here's how I came to find the Waits. I was at work one day listening to "Whose Been Talkin'" by Clutch, when the home owner came up and asked me if it was Tom Waits. It was the first time a home owner had ever asked me an objective question about my music, so I was taken aback. And I became suddenly interested in what kind of music Tom Waits made, although I had heard the name many times before. It wasn't until at least a year or two later that I was rifling through our home studio when I found an album entitled Nighthawks at the Diner by none other than Mr. Waits. I had no idea where it had come from, so I abducted it and it remains in my collection to this day. I still haven't given it back to it's rightful owner, even though I know who it is now. So it was Nighthawks... that got me started. Then, one day last summer, my girlfriend and I took a day off together to drink rum and lime-ade on the beach, and eventually found our way to a Barnes and Noble Bookseller. After getting pretty tanked in the Children's section, reading Bernstein Bears and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, we sauntered on over to the CDs and DVDs where I found Rain Dogs. Needless to say, I was mesmerized. So it was Rain Dogs that got me hooked. And now, I find myself taking my time with acquiring albums from his repertoire. I have Nighthawks..., Rain Dogs, Real Gone, and Small Change on CD and Swordfishtrombones on vinyl. Small Change being the one that I've not yet become familiar with. From what I've heard so far, though, I don't expect it to be a favorite.

06-11-2009, 06:18 AM	#256 (permalink)
Schizotypic Souls of Sound Sailors Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mojave Posts: 759	Tom Waits has done stuff with Nick Cave??? Man, I love Nick Cave, I need to check that out. But anyway, yeah Big3, my sister turned me onto Mr.Waits and I got his discography but I have no idea where to start. I played Real Gone but didn't pay much attention to it and thought I might have gotten a weird album, so I decided to eventually give Closing Time a listen. Any recommendations?

06-11-2009, 07:43 AM	#258 (permalink)
djchameleon A.B.N. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NY baby Posts: 11,455	My friend introduced me to Mr. Waits by recommending that I listen to Bone Machine then Rain Dogs. I found Rain Dogs much more enjoyable than Bone Machine. Upon first listening, it took me awhile to get used to the sound of his vocals but once I got passed that I was able to appreciate his lyrics.