Tom Waits

**EricABQ** · Aug-09-2012, 15:21

Forgive me if I've started a repeat topic. I used the search feature but couldn't find a thread devoted to Tom Waits, so I thought I would start one.

Tom Waits is simply my favorite recording artist ever. I went through a phase of such total obsession that for about a 2 year period, I pretty much listened only to Waits. It all started when I first heard Hold On at a record store. The song immediately captured me and I asked the clerk who it was and left that day with Mule Variations and never looked back.

Although I enjoy many songs from his early career, I am primarily a Franks Wild Years and later listener.

I think Pony is my favorite piece of recorded music ever.

I think his singing on Briar and the Rose is my favorite vocal performance ever.

If I made a list of 10 desert island CDs, five would be his: Franks Wild Years, Rain Dogs, Alice, Mule Variations, and Black Rider (and I would miss about 4 more terribly.)

If some higher power ever made me choose between all other music or Tom Waits for the rest of my life, I would struggle with the decision.

Anyway, that's my Tom Waits appreciation post.

**EricABQ** · Aug-09-2012, 19:23

Of course, no mention of Waits is complete without mentioning the famous video of Cookie Monster covering God's Away On Business. A classic.

**Art Rock** · Aug-09-2012, 19:55

..or his cameo in classical music (Gavin Bryars' Jesus blood never failed me yet)....

**regressivetransphobe** · Aug-09-2012, 20:35

He's inconsistent... Rain Dogs and Swordfish... would be better albums without those horrible schmaltz-ballads.

**Mesa** · Aug-09-2012, 21:14

Horrible schmaltz-ballads? Get out.

And indeed, through all of the phases and obsessions i've endured over the last 8 years, Tom Waits never, ever fails to thrill me. As a musician, i have few idols, but Tom is still by a long stretch held in my highest regards amongst them. The man would dominate any 'top 50 songs' or whatever i could come up with, i'm sure.

Immensely fond of Franks Wild Years, Mule Variations and the Black Rider, but Swordfishtrombones remains one of the most staggering artworks i've ever experienced.

**regressivetransphobe** · Aug-09-2012, 21:22

Admit it, this:

Is pretty bad.

With that said it's about the only clunker on the album*. I'm no Waits hater, but gimme Beefheart any day.

* Ok, there's another one I don't like where he's like "look at this photograph... IT'S HERRrr...." It's been a while since I've heard his stuff.

**elgars ghost** · Aug-09-2012, 21:24

Don't like too many of the ballads or mid-paced songs (Jersey Girl, Downtown Train etc.) unless there's a sinister or tragic undercurrent (Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis etc.). Otherwise, I could listen to his stuff for hours - like Ray Davies, Lou Reed and Randy Newman, Tom Waits is one of my favourite musical storytellers.