Any Tom Waits Fans?

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.

check out his latest live album 'glitter n gloom'.
rocking version of 'going out west'.

I have been a Tom Waits fan ever since hearing Bone Machine in 1992. That one holds a special place for me in Tom Waits line-up. I have to say Black Rider is often neglected too, but I saw a live staging of it by One Yellow Rabbit and it's a great take on Weber' Opera.

From his earliest Albums, I will have to say I love both Closing Time and Heart of Saturday Night equally - lots of amazing songwriting on those first two: From "I hope that I don't fall in love" and "OL'55" on Closing Time to "San Diego Serenade" on Heart of Saturday Night, they are both amazing albums.

The middle period (1980s) is pretty popular, but for myself I am somehow always drawn to the earlier 1970s and early 1990s albums.