Where have you gone, Tom Waits?

[out_there]

Okay, yes, it's bad when a post vaguely related to a fandom refers to a fic in the subject line. But, I'm bored. I'm... lackluster. I can barely be bothered using capitals.

(heh. i'm not going to.)

should i know tom waits? seriously, is this a singer i should know? i'm checking my memory and it's coming up empty. i don't know him.

(Oh man, even when I'm the one eschewing the shift key, it still annoys the hell out of me. Back to capitals, people.)

The only reason I'm even curious about Tom Waits is Dan. The adorable way he almost cries when he's told he can't see Tom Waits play.

So, has Tom Waits sung anything famous? Anything I'd recognise? If not, any recommendations? I might see if I can download some music later this week.

I want to know what all the fuss is about.

Comments

[laylee.livejournal.com]

He's one of those performers that never gets radio time (except maybe triple j occasionally) but has a very loyal following. I think his last album was Mule Variations. He writes music for film (He composed for 'Things to do in Denver when you're dead', featuring, of course, Josh Charles!) and he's also an actor (he was in 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' amongst others.)

[laylee.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to leave a comment about your latest drabbles, but lj is being difficult. Really liked them, especially the last because my favourite boy (Danny) likes another of my favourite boys (Han)

[jcalanthe]

If your brain is confused similarly to mine, you're thinking of "Missing You" by John Waite, which was big in the 80s. But maybe it's just me... And yes, I am embarassed to admit that's what I thougt of when I read your question.

[dammitcarl.livejournal.com]

well, i can't say that you should know him, as i think everyone should know everyone i know. he's famous, but not popular. you never hear him on the radio anymore, and i'm not even sure you would have heard him a lot in the '70s/'80s. but he is cool.

he's got a gravelly deep voice and weird songs like "christmas card from a hooker in minneapolis."

oh! did you ever see mystery men, the movie about the lesser superheroes with ben stiller and william h. macy? tom waits played the crazy inventer guy.

[sinnylong.livejournal.com]

Oh man, where do I even start?

Tom Waits once said in an interview that Bob Dylan is the greatest living songwriter. Later, when told of the comment in a subsequent interview, Bob Dylan said, "That's funny, because Tom Waits is the world's greatest living songwriter."

A couple of songs you may know (that he's written, as covered by others - including the Waits album they appear on:)

Downtown Train (Rod Stewart) - Rain Dogs
Jersey Girl (Bruce Springsteen) - Heart Attack and Vine
Ol' 55 (The Eagles, Sarah McLachlan) - Closing Time
16 Shells from a Thirty Ought Six (Bob Seger) - Swordfishtrombones

And there are so many more. He's been covered so much, it's ridiculous.

Here's the thing: Tom Waits is arguably the most influential songwriter of the last thirty years. You really should know his work. Everyone should. He's been reinventing songwriting structure and tone and style since 1972 (Closing Time) and most recently released two albums on the same day (Alice and Blood Money, 2002). Alice is his version of the Wonderland story, while Blood Money is a straight album. He's also done other "musicals" (Franks Wild Years and The Black Rider). His early music is very dark alley nightclub jazz and blues. The middle years found him experimenting a lot with clanky percussion and pump organs and found sounds and pirate songs. His newest stuff is more dirt in your bones acoustic mixed with eerie forlorn love songs.

To start: pick up Rain Dogs, Franks Wild Years, and Blue Valentine. These will give you a solid start and showcase his stellar songwriting. If you must pick just one, I would recommend Franks Wild Years. It's an inspired album in every way and simply an essential for anyone who likes music at all.

There's so much more to say, but I don't want to bore you. Really, check him out. He's so very worth it.