Heard a new Tom Waits song & interview on a San Francisco radio show this morning.

I love Tom, and it's great to hear something less mainstream on the radio, but I have to say, he sounded drunk. Granted, this is not out of character, but I didn't think it was the most interesting interview I've heard from him. But again, at least it wasn't the same old crap we usually hear.

It was funny though, that one of the radio guys asked him "I don't really get your music, could you help me out?" Tom replies something like "You say that like it's not a good thing"

Has anyone heard the new record? I didn't get his last two, but have just about everything before it.

My favorite Tom Waits records are Swordfish Trombones, Rain Dogs, & Franks Wild Years, and from the earlier days, Small Change.

I know Tom likes Prince, do Prince fans like Tom?

as much as, if not more than Prince

just bought his new album and starting the lengthy process of "getting" it.

shetriedtostopmebutididitanywayedit
[Edited 10/5/04 11:26am]

I just peeped out Real Gone last night and I liked it. 3 or 4 songs bigtime. One called " Make It Rain" is sick. There is another track With a spoken word thing by William S. Burroughs. as the main vocal that's just too cool and wonderfully creepy.

I'm sure that more of the album will grow on me. The gritty distorted sound is cool but at times I think it obscures the performance,especially the vocals on some songs. Guitar sounds are awesome. But It's a fresh take man.The creativity is inspiering and it's vibe and atmosphere carry the record.

And I do hear a slight Prince influence too.

Just my opinion...

Tom is the bomb.


Witness
[Edited 10/5/04 11:36am]

andyman91 said:

when doesn't he? i think it's part of his charm

CinisterCee said:

Yeah, like I said, it's not out of character. But he didn't have too much to say. I have read interviews where he was very talkative. Maybe it was too early for him.

But at least his responses were not about demographics, how it's tough being a celebrity, and the dancers in his videos. It was just a slightly boring conversation with a genius. I think it was as much the interviewer's fault.

My dad owns his albums and i got to say they're irritating to say the least with his drunken sound. Is there any songs where he actually sings, without the drunken bar stool bum voice?

jayaredee said:

His early stuff is sung more traditionally, like The Early Years or Closing Time.

I think Small Change, while it has that rough voice, is very easy to listen to.

Tom Waits is definitely an aquired taste (just like alcohol coincidentally). But once you get past his voice and odd arrangements, you will hear beautiful, original yet familiar melodies, and some truly inspired lyrics.

I have heard:

from 1973

from 1978

from 1983

from 1985

from 1987

I like his 80s stuff more.

What's he building in there?

I also like his 80's stuff the best; it's weirder.

But I think many people would find the 70's stuff easier to listen to.

Ninth and Hennepin

"Well it's Ninth and Hennepin
All the doughnuts have names that sound like prostitutes
And the moon's teeth marks are on the sky
Like a tarp thrown all over this
And the broken umbrellas like dead birds
And the steam comes out of the grill
Like the whole goddamn town's ready to blow...
And the bricks are all scarred with jailhouse tattoos
And everyone is behaving like dogs
And the horses are coming down Violin Road
And Dutch is dead on his feet
And all the rooms they smell like diesel
And you take on the dreams of the ones who have slept here
And I'm lost in the window, and I hide in the stairway
And I hang in the curtain, and I sleep in your hat...
And no one brings anything small into a bar around here
They all started out with bad directions
And the girl behind the counter has a tattooed tear
"One for every year he's away", she said
Such a crumbling beauty, ah
There's nothing wrong with her that a hundred dollars won't fix
She has that razor sadness that only gets worse
With the clang and the thunder of the Southern Pacific going by
And the clock ticks out like a dripping faucet
'til you're full of rag water and bitters and blue ruin
And you spill out over the side to anyone who will listen...
And I've seen it all, I've seen it all
Through the yellow windows of the evening train..."

andyman91 said:

I love Tom Waits. I've got the new album. If you liked "Swordfish Trombones" and "Mule Variations", you'll like most of "Real Gone". It's not his best album, but most of it is great. You should do yourself a favour and get "Alice" and "Blood Money" because they're both superb.