Any Tom Waits Fans?

I'm a big fan. A great poet. If Dylan is a journalist, Waits is a cinematographer.

Big fan. Saw him at Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom in Atlanta. Probably late 70's. One of the best shows I've ever seen. He did 5 encores.

Heck, yeah. Best show I EVER saw was Waits at the Fox in Atlanta on his Glitter and Doom tour...the coolest crowd, too. He started an hour late, but when he started, it was like nothing I'd ever heard. His band was killer too. Utterly effortless and relaxed sound like none of them were working. This show I later found out was recorded in its entirety for NPR's All Songs Considered, and it's a jewel.

Between the release of "Closing Time" and "Heart of Saturday Night" in the early '70s, I used to see Waits in bars and clubs on the east coast, no cover charge. I could all but stand right next to him. After "Saturday" was released, it cost $1 - $3 to be able to get in. I was an instant admirer.

Most of his early albums were recorded with simple mic'ing, and hence are paragons for natural sound. Also explosive dynamics from his vocals. Every creative turn he's taken has been interesting, expressive and worth following. "Orphans" is a compelling tour of the back side of "Tom Waits for No One"'s meandering mind.

Funny saying Waits is a cinematographer. Dylan was there first but Waits certainly wrote for Technicolor, and still does today.

Waits on vinyl is especially vivid.

Phil

Real Gone is incredible! Insane energy. Try two CDs:

Step Right Up - The songs of Tom Waits
New Coat of Paint - Songs of Tom Waits

(both performed by other artists)

He is great performer, great composer - great artist. Not too many like him these days.