The Official Tom Waits Thread
 

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG...er=allrovi.com
I'm not one for the simple "what do you think of this artist?" thread, as you know, but hell, Waits deserves his own thread. I know a lot of people here are into him, and there are few who don't at least know who he is. So let's have a discussion about the man who has confounded music critics and influenced more musicians than you could shake a stick at, should you wish for some reason to do that.

My very first introduction to Waits, my first realisation he even existed, was looking at the cover of Heartattack and Vine in a local record shop with my mate (who has sadly long passed away) on our way home from our part-time job in the city. The shop was closed, but we would look at it and remark that the guy looked like he was insane (unsurprisingly, given his attitude on the cover) and make that old chestnut of a joke: "Tom Waits for no man"!

Ten years or so down the line I'm in the house of a friend of a friend and he plays "Tango till they're sore". I thought it was the worst thing I had ever heard - like, was this guy drunk? But I still remember humming it as I left the house.

Springsteen releases Born in the USA and on one of the singles' B-sides is the song "Jersey Girl". I note it's written by Waits.

Forward another few years and my brother sends me a tape from Boston, all the best Waits stuff on it, to try to get me into him. First track I hear is "9th and Hennepin". I'm sold immediately. Fairly soon I'm buying all the Waits albums I can lay my hands on.

Favourites now include: Rain Dogs, Heartattack and Vine (yeah), Bone Machine, Small Change, Blue Valentine, Mule Variations and the OST to One From the Heart. Also love the first two albums, though they're a very different proposition to what he went on to do.

Back when I joined, Small Change was the first album I was recommended. I swore to explore the rest of his discog since I loved it so much, but never did. I'll probably get around to it someday, but you know me. Either way thanks for the rec.

I would rather listen to ten hours of Frownland than ten seconds of Tom Waits.

You're welcome. I remember that; it was when you called yourself Justin, wasn't it? You can always check out my review of his complete discography in my main journal, or if you want more recs, just let me know.

Thank you for your kind contribution.

Same. Love Waits.

Sort of sad that someone would bother coming into a thread about an artist we already know he hates, to tell us he hates him, huh? I mean, if you don't like the guy just don't post in the thread dedicated to him. Seems more than a little childish, if you ask me.

That's how I feel about getting huffy about it.

I'm not getting huffy. I just don't see the point in wasting your energy saying how much you hate someone. I mean, if there's a 50 cent or Merzbow or whatever thread, do I waste time going into it and declaring how much I feel that artist sucks? Just stay out if you're not interested. Far better things to expend your energy on, is all I'm saying. And if you do want to talk about how much you hate the guy, make more of an effort than the equivalent of "Waits Sux boo". :rolleyes: At least try making your case.

(initiate search for emoticon for "shrug": file not found)

Yes. But I didn't say explicitly I hated Tom Waits in this thread ... yet. I just announce that I like Frownland's music 3600 times more than him. Please don't turn a positive affirmation of Frownland's music into a negative statement about Tom Waits. Sorry I find Frownland's music by more appealing to the ear, don't hate me for it. :(

Tom Waits was a friend of Keith Richards, and Keith is my hero. Also I like to add that Tom Waits said some kind words for Mimi Farina because of her passing (unfortunately I can't find the quote for that now.) I think after reading his words it soften my opinion of him. Still, even with those connections to artist I like, it isn't enough to turn me into a Waits fan. I really really don't want to crash your thread with negativity.

:rolleyes:

Definitely overdue to have a thread dedicated to everyone's favorite gravel-throated troubadour.

Rain Dogs was my initiation (as it was for many of his younger listeners). But once I fully digested that LP I dedicated myself to the task of surveying his complete catalog in chronological order.

https://i.imgur.com/jlVDuKWl.jpg

There is a well-organized megatorrent of his body of work organized into folders based on the label he was with at each stage of his career. The Asylum years (1973-1980) showcase his early development as an artist, followed by his gritty transformation when he moved to Island Records (1983-1993). A quick detour at CBS for the One From the Heart soundtrack leads listeners to his latest period from 1999 onward with ANTI- Records, which includes the impressive Glitter & Doom Live tour record from 2009 and the celebrated 7LP box set from 2006 titled Orphans, Brawlers, Bawlers, & Bastards. And that's the set I find myself returning to more than anything else from his catalog.

The torrent also includes 26 albums of compilations and live sessions which are a welcome addition to any Tom Waits library.

Pictured below is the Orphans set, along with a live promo 7" from the Glitter & Doom tour, the Lowside of the Road biography, and an unofficial documentary titled Tom Waits: Under Review 1983-2006.

https://i.imgur.com/un8hzGnl.jpg

It's impossible to choose a favorite release. There are so many gems spanning the entirety of his career. I'm just thankful that I can enjoy it all in my lifetime.

.

I officially hate you. :)
Me too, that's why I decided to make one.

I tend to be, if there can be such a thing, more a "traditional" Waits fan, as in, I do like his "experimental" stuff, but I prefer his earlier material. Blue Valentine, Heartattack and Vine, even Closing Time. I found Alice and Blood Money left me cold and The Black Rider just confuses me every time I try to listen to it. Bad As Me was great but really doesn't compare to his classic works, and though I like Franks Wild Years I've always found there was something missing about it, not sure what. Orphans was a mixed bag: some great songs, a few real gems, but sadly quite a lot of below-standard filler, I found. I guess that's inevitable.

Still, even the lower quality fare Waits puts out is better than ninety percent of the work of other artists.

*ahem*

http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...tom-waits.html

Knew there had to be one. :rolleyes:
Go ahead and merge if you wish.
Spread the Waitsy goodness around.

I originally heard about Waits from my younger brother, who is a big fan.
I honestly think I could get into waits now if I simply got around to it. Years ago, I owned a couple of his albums for a while but decided it wasn't for me. A lot of things I dismissed back then, I really like now. Especially singer/songwriters of varying kinds. Small change was one of the two or three albums that I owned.

These days, I really like the sort of low key, melodic music that I didn't have the patience for back then. I was an instant gratification hungry metalhead that craved in-your-face riffs and hooks above all else. I think I'd like it now.

I still remember the song The piano has been drinking and it's pretty great.

You're not a real Waits fan until you rep Big Time



The soundtrack is hands down his best album.

I knew about the thread and I am not even a fan. I refrain from posting the link cause I didn't want to spoil your mood for the thread you just made. I know how much you like him and junk.

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The bootleg radio recording from the Glitter & Doom tour's concert in the Atlanta Fox Theatre is his best album.
I love Waits, I just wish every album of his wasn't marred by 2-3 ****ty folk ballads.

I need to start listening to his bootlegs. And I love his folk ballads. "Hang down your head", "Burma-Shave", "Kentucky Avenue"! How can you not like "Kentucky Avenue"???!!!! :yikes:

Tom is my favorite musician of all time. I've mentioned this before. Yet, with all of his work, this video is still my favorite thing Tom Waits related...