[Music] Tom Waits

[exKT17]

First heard him about 40 years ago when I was a young 'un and he was just getting appreciated.

A lifelong love affair followed - and I saw in the two times he played in England.

I prefer his earlier work to his later avant-garde work, I suspect he was at his best as a craftsman when he was drinking (I'm guessing)

I figure him as not only a great US singer songwriter, but also as a great lyricist/poet of the USA.

I'd take 'Kentucky Avenue' and 'The Briar and the Rose' to my grave, but there are too many other favourites to choose...

Any other 'Waitists' out there in NSC-land?

 

[Fungus]

First heard him about 40 years ago when I was a young 'un and he was just getting appreciated.

A lifelong love affair followed - and I saw in the two times he played in England.

I prefer his earlier work to his later avant-garde work, I suspect he was at his best as a craftsman when he was drinking (I'm guessing)

I figure him as not only a great US singer songwriter, but also as a great lyricist/poet of the USA.

I'd take 'Kentucky Avenue' and 'The Briar and the Rose' to my grave, but there are too many other favourites to choose...

Any other 'Waitists' out there in NSC-land?

I have a few albums, some of his work is inspirational and some is unlistenable (or maybe I need to listen better). Can understand why some people prefer the cover versions, but I like his voice.

 

[Napier]

Way Down in the Hole for me.

 

[Gwylan]

I've been listening to Waits for about 35 years, I think all his albums are great but if I had to pick one, it would be Rain Dogs. I can see that his vocal style is an acquired taste however.

I've never seen him live - he's top of my list of unseen acts that I'd love to see.

 

[exKT17]

I've been listening to Waits for about 35 years, I think all his albums are great but if I had to pick one, it would be Rain Dogs. I can see that his vocal style is an acquired taste however.

I've never seen him live - he's top of my list of unseen acts that I'd love to see.

He doesn't come here often, so when he does tickets are hard to come by, I was lucky, twice

 

[herecomesaregular]

Love this cover of one of his classic songs:

https://rockthistownrecords.bandcamp.com/track/dirt-in-the-ground-2

 

[exKT17]

Love this cover of one of his classic songs:

https://rockthistownrecords.bandcamp.com/track/dirt-in-the-ground-2

Wow, yeah... thanks for this, it's a boxcar ride out of New Orleans to who knows where

 

[herecomesaregular]

I've been listening to Waits for about 35 years, I think all his albums are great but if I had to pick one, it would be Rain Dogs. I can see that his vocal style is an acquired taste however.

I've never seen him live - he's top of my list of unseen acts that I'd love to see.

Agree re Rain Dogs, probably as I first heard him on Down By Law (just bought it again on Blu-ray).

 

[brakespear]

My equal favourite songwriter (along with Randy Newman).

'Alice' is my favourite album, 'Kentucky Avenue', 'Ruby's Arms' or 'Fawn' favourite song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIA57dvTNyg

 

[Coxovi]

Not a committed fan but have a live album that I love. He is a voice of the US that is so different than what is usually heard abroad, neither ecstatic nor vehement, but very human. He can also define an image so well “ she cracked her gum, then arched her back”. Not a melodic voice to sure, but a real one.

 

[Franks Wild Years]

Who ?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Love the man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfQ7ieF7w4Y

 

[Acker79]

I mostly associate him with Rod Stewart's cover of Downtown Train, and his appearance in Mystery Men.

Edit: Just did a search of my itunes library, I also have a bob seger cover of downtown train, tom wait's performing little drop of poison from shrek 2, and writing a song on the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss album Raising Sands, and Meat Loaf's Welcome to the Neighbourhood.

 

[catfish]

I've got a few of his albums and Closing Time is my favourite. A few years ago I heard him reading a Charles Bukowski story on the radio and it was superb.

 

[chip]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmrGImjmUZk

About 25 years for me, I love the melacholy poetry of this

 

[chip]

If you also like Iggy Pop this is worth a watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49tTzEifY6M

 

[Bob'n'weave]

Small Change was my introduction to TW and it is it for me. I love this track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXFuBuG03TU

"iv'e lost my equilibrium, my car keys and my pride..........."

Absolute magician. xxx

 

[Binney on acid]

He’s obviously very talented, but I couldn’t stand his voice, which meant that his musical output completely by-passed me. Generally speaking, I love American singer songwriters. However, this is an example of ‘the marmite effect’.

 

[Bob'n'weave]

He’s obviously very talented, but I couldn’t stand his voice, which meant that his musical output completely by-passed me. Generally speaking, I love American singer songwriters. However, this is an example of ‘the marmite effect’.

I get it. Bob Dylan does the same thing for me. Sounds like ambulance or a two stroke engine to me but his lyrics are poetry.

 

[Perfidious Albion]

Can't call myself a big fan, not heard enough, but what I have heard....I have liked.
I must investigate further.