Tom Waits - I don't get it. I just don't know what it is.
It could be the jazz noodlings or perhaps his gruff voice although given that I like Jon Dee Graham, Johnny Dowd and latter day Bob Dylan I'm not sure that the latter applies.
Mrs CC is a fan however and came in the other day with Used Songs (1973-1980) and Mule Variations.
I've given Used Songs a listen and didn't feel the urge to turn it off or skip any tracks.
I acknowledge that it's probably pretty good but it is not for me.
Others, I'm sure, will choose to disagree.
Tom Waits - Heartattack and Vine
Tom Waits - Mr Siegal
I'm a massive Tom Waits fan, particularly following his musical gear change with 'Swordfishtrombones' in 1983. If you ever see 'Rain Dogs' on your travels, grab it with both hands. It's a magnificent thing and a good entry point. Mind you, 'Mule Variations' is quite wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteI'll give Mule Variations a go
DeleteHave started on Mule Variations - it's not bad at all
DeleteLove a bit of Tom Waits, The Heart of Saturday Night is my favourite album.
ReplyDelete" I don't get it. I just don't know what it is"
ReplyDeleteI am 100% with you on this one. Heart attack and Vine had the makings of a tremendous song but somehow isn't. Maybe it's the vocal.
I had a Tom Waits phase many years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe rare artist from the '70s that actually got better in the '80s. The two albums the Swede mentioned are his best. You're going to want those.
ReplyDeleteGuess everyone's got a guilty Tom Waits secret. Mine's 'Small Change' (1976). Step Right Up!
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have Tom Waits than Dylan. For me, he tells better stories.
ReplyDeleteShh! Pretend I didn't say that, lest I irk the musos...
That said, I do prefer the first half of his career to the patchier, croakier, far more mental latter half.
Am I too late to pitch "Closing Time" into the maelstrom of great Tom Waits albums to use as a starting point?
ReplyDelete