Nuggets
Tom Waits is a wonderful singer songwriter who I love to listen to.
The record I most often pull out of our Tom Waits collection is Closing Time, recorded in 1973.
One reviewer at Amazon called this his "late night drinking record". That's a good description, but to me what makes this record great is the range of styles on this record. There is something for everyone, jazz, blues, rock, folk, country.
There isn't bad song on the record but two of my standouts are Martha and Ice Cream Man, which together show the artistic range of this record.
If you haven't ever listened to Tom Waits, you should.
Aren't all Tom Waits LPs late night drinking records?
Good record, his first right?
Posted by: jackson | August 11, 2006 at 10:26 AM
I love Tom Waits and his raspy, gravelly voice. Closing Time was his first major release; he did some early stuff for Zappa's manager Herb Cohen. It is a masterpiece, and is full of great songs, combining many different styles of music. When Tom Waits sings about loneliness, you can feel it. In 1978 he put out Blue Valentine, my favorite. He adds electric guitar and this album is full of great characters. My favorite track is Romeo is Bleeding; there are some great stories on this album, as with all Tom Waits albums.
Napster has some of his stuff, this is a greatest hits, and it has 3 songs from blue valentine;
Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis,
Whistlin' Past the Graveyard,
Blue Valentines,
but not Romeo is Bleeding
http://www.napster.com/view/album/index.html?id=12014684
Posted by: Rod Wilson | August 11, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Thanks for the reminder. It's been a while since I've put the headphones on, kicked back, and enjoyed a Tom Waits record.
Posted by: steve odom | August 11, 2006 at 10:50 AM
Fred - I know you have such a passion for music and I'm always excited to see your picks. I've got a few for you, Red House Painters, The National, Sun Kil Moon, and Mark Kozelek.
Rock on!
Posted by: Kevin | August 11, 2006 at 02:38 PM
Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon, and Mark Kozelek are all the same person! :-)
And agree that any Tom Waits fan would love this stuff too.
Posted by: David | August 11, 2006 at 03:06 PM
You've probably heard it but if not do check out Closing Time as the background music for a Ginsberg reading of his poem America. It's unforgettable.
Posted by: mike | August 29, 2006 at 03:23 PM