For Mojo: The Bob list of Tom Waits Albums

[Bob Impact]

From the Perfect Albums thread.

Bob, I demand that you start a Tom Waits thread and tell me which albums of his I need to get.

Here it is, my personal top 5, with a song example and the reason (you can't say I'm not thorough). One of the things I really admire about Waits is that he doesn't have a bad album, and that each one shows you a different side of his creation process. There are very few artists who have changed as much as he has while still maintaining integrity in their craft.


I'm leaving this out because it doesnt really count in my mind, but:
Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards
Bottom of the World
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This is a triple album consisting of some old songs, some new songs and some remakes in each of Wait's three "styles." Bawlers are his sadder style songs, Brawlers are the bar songs and Bastards are all the weird ones. These are great albums to get into Waits, with notable songs being Bottom of the World, Lie to Me, Road to Peace Fish in the Jailhouse and 2:19.

5) Small Change
The Piano Has Been Drinking
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For a first album this one is insanely good. Notable songs are Bad Liver and a Broken Heart, Small Change, Pasties and a G String and Tom Traubert's Blues.

4) Swordfishtrombones
16 Shells from a 30-ought 6
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3) Bone Machine
Jesus Gonna Be Here Soon
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2) Mule Variations
Hold On
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To me this is the best of the Waits "weird" albums. Notable songs: The entire album.

1) The Heart of Saturday Night
San Diego Serenade
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I won't lie to you, this is really a sentimental choice for me, but it's also my favorite Waits album. The video I linked above is San Diego Serenade, which is what Sarah and I are dancing to at our wedding. This entire album is brilliant from start to finish.

[Bob Impact]

Now I'm just finding a bunch of good old video's on You Tube:
From the album Real Gone: Make it Rain live on Letterman.
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And for those of you who haven't seen it, i HIGHLY recommend Fishing With John, especially the Tom Waits episode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3GRtOkmOo4 ("http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3GRtOkmOo4)
I'd LOVE a bite of your sandwich.

[bossdjbware]

Heart Of Saturday Night was my first Waits album. Instantly I was hooked. I followed that up with The Black Rider. Which was an extreme contrast. Both completely different and both completely brilliant.

Small correction Bob: Closing Time was his first album release in '73. Small Change came two years later, his third.

[Bob Impact]

Heart Of Saturday Night was my first Waits album. Instantly I was hooked. I followed that up with The Black Rider. Which was an extreme contrast. Both completely different and both completely brilliant.

Small correction Bob: Closing Time was his first album release in '73. Small Change came two years later, his third.

Right you are, I wasn't sure when I wrote that if it was HIS first album or the first Waits album I heard. :wink: I'll keep it there as a monument to rush jobs.

[bossdjbware]

And for those of you who haven't seen it, i HIGHLY recommend Fishing With John, especially the Tom Waits episode.


Fishing With John is a must see. Also check out Jim Jarmusch's vignette Coffee & Cigarettes with Iggy Pop & Tom Waits.

Here's a great video animation:
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[bossdjbware]

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[Tall_James]

Bob, thanks for doing this. I've always wanted to download some Tom Waits but wasn't sure which ones to tackle.

[Stankfoot]

No love for "Nighthawks at the Diner" ?

Eggs and Sausage -

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He has a way with a story ..... :smoke:

[bossdjbware]

No love for "Nighthawks at the Diner" ?

Eggs and Sausage -

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He has a way with a story ..... :smoke:

Much love for Nighthawks. A great concept for an album. Perform your new songs in front of a small, intimate crowd then release it as a new record.

[jetdog]

Holy Motherfucking godamn shit fuck hell what the piss?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

NO mention of Rain Dogs?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[razorboy]

I'm probably in the minority on this, and it is no doubt due partially to my undying love for Crystal Gayle, but I adore the One From the Heart soundtrack.

[bossdjbware]

I'm probably in the minority on this, and it is no doubt due partially to my undying love for Crystal Gayle, but I adore the One From the Heart soundtrack.

I've wanted to pick that one up for awhile. Just haven't gotten around to it.

[razorboy]

I've wanted to pick that one up for awhile. Just haven't gotten around to it.

Keep an ear out for the Ronnie B-esque line "Looks like you spent the night in a trench, and tell me, how long have you been combin' your hair with a wrench". Hilarious.

[Bob Impact]

Holy Motherfucking godamn shit fuck hell what the piss?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

NO mention of Rain Dogs?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Rain Dogs is a great album, but this list was albums to buy if you're just getting into Waits. I stand by my list.

[bossdjbware]

Holy Motherfucking godamn shit fuck hell what the piss?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

NO mention of Rain Dogs?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Here's my list from the previous thread.

any of these:

Blue Valentine
Bone Machine
The Heart Of Saturday Night
Franks Wild Years
Heartattack And Vine
Mule Variations
Rain Dogs
Small Change

[Badinia]

More on The Black Rider, from a show he did in Berlin. It's a Porgy an' Bess style record, based on the boy-meets-girl, boy-gets-ensnared-in-a-Faustus-deal, boy-shoots-girl-with-magick-bullet story. It's one of my favorites, as a whole work.

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[TheMojoPin]

Thanks Bob and boss! This was my reply in the other thread...all of the stuff reccomended so far sounds great, but I just wanted to make sure I was first cutting to the heart of what I was looking for:

"Down in the Hole," "Cold Cold Ground" and "'Til the Money Runs Out" are probably my favorites of what I've heard, so any of the albums along those lines (besides the ones those songs are on) would be what I'm looking for.

[Stankfoot]

Quote:
"Down in the Hole," "Cold Cold Ground" and "'Til the Money Runs Out" are probably my favorites of what I've heard, so any of the albums along those lines (besides the ones those songs are on) would be what I'm looking for.


Why start in the middle? Start at the beginning and watch how he matures, how he adapts to his voice gettin' raggedy, the changes in instrumentation, etc.

My list would be:
The Heart of Saturday Night
Nighthawks at the Diner
Small Change
Swordfishtrombones
Rain Dogs
Bone Machine
Blood Money

I like to stay chronological ....

[bossdjbware]

"Down in the Hole," "Cold Cold Ground" and "'Til the Money Runs Out" are probably my favorites of what I've heard, so any of the albums along those lines (besides the ones those songs are on) would be what I'm looking for.

I would suggest picking up Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs, and Franks Wild Years(the one those songs are on).

Then check out Big Time, a live concert/play written by Waits and his wife. It consists of tracks from the three albums. It was also released on video as a concert/movie, which i've yet to see. I've been searching for an original copy.

[ChrisBrown]

You can see the Tom Waits show in London, 23 November 2004 on Youtube. First of all, it is an amazing concert. First time in the UK in 17 years starting with Marc Ribot in fine form in Hoist That Rag and ending with a nice encore including the two house songs off of Mule Variations. Here are the two last songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcMpnMaYf9g

Sarah, who posted this clip, has posted the whole concert. I am sure you could find the full DVD somewhere.

This could be a nice intro to his music. The only problem is the setlist is heavy with newer stuff. Maybe Nighthawks at the Diner for a good intro to earlier Waits. My favorite three still are Swordfishtrombone, Rain Dogs, and Frank's Wild Years with all of the music he wrote with his wife for the Robert Wilson plays coming in a close second.

[ChrisBrown]

Razorboy, I completely agree about the One From the Heart soundtrack. Here is a great video of Take Me Home. If this doesn't make someone at least want to explore more Tom Waits music, I don't know what will:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XewO1DB96To

[djjd]

love tom waits

saw him on the franks wild years tour, a great show in a very intimate theatre

[ChrisBrown]

djjd, where did you seem him?

[Stankfoot]

and for this crowd one of the greatest lines ever:

and this epitaph is the aftermath
yea I choose my path
hey come on Cath,
he's a lawyer,
he ain't the one for ya

("Bad Liver and a Broken Heart")

[bossdjbware]

and for this crowd one of the greatest lines ever:

and this epitaph is the aftermath
yea I choose my path
hey come on Cath,
he's a lawyer,
he ain't the one for ya

("Bad Liver and a Broken Heart")

"I don't have a drinking problem, 'cept when I can't get a drink"

[djjd]

djjd, where did you seem him?

Massey Hall in Toronto, also saw Stevie Ray Vaughn there about the same time

Massey Hall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massey_Hall)

[ChrisBrown]

It looks like a great looking place to see a Waits concert.

[bossdjbware]

Tickets went on sale today and my buddy got us a pair for the Columbus, Ohio show! I can't wait. It sold out in minutes. Never thought I'd get the chance to see Waits.

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[Skellington]

I'm going to kill myself becuase i missed the on sale date for phoenix. Now.... i can pay $2000 per ticket to some yutz that wants to meet me there to give me said tickets. Er, no.

It is a very, very, sad day for me.

[bossdjbware]

I'm going to kill myself becuase i missed the on sale date for phoenix. Now.... i can pay $2000 per ticket to some yutz that wants to meet me there to give me said tickets. Er, no.

It is a very, very, sad day for me.

Wow. $2,000 per. Pretty steep.

He'll have to meet you there. It's a paperless ticket event.

[Furtherman]

Hey Tom! Thanks for remembering us here up North. :furious:

[Skellington]

Wow. $2,000 per. Pretty steep.

He'll have to meet you there. It's a paperless ticket event.

As much as i love TW, $2000 x2 is out my budget with the upcoming wedding. Even if there was no wedding, unless those were tickets sitting on TW's knee with the promise of a horsey ride, I just can't allow myself to spend it......

*blinks* Although, I do have the power of boobs on my side and can easily bring offerings of bourbon....

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Bumped for this thread's overall excellence and usefulness.

Just got through his Orphans album, looking for some more.

[TheMojoPin]

I winder if there are any plans to re-release his old albums. A lot of them could stand to be remastered, if just to have the freakin' volume levels upped.

[meanmrbill]

For the Waits' virgin. Listen to these albums in this order:

1. Heart of Saturday Night-- More focused than his first release. Overall, a good place to start.

2. Small Change-- If you've ever been down-and-out, heartbroken or drunk this is the album for you.

3. Swordfishtrombones-- Tom turns a corner here, like any great artist, and starts to experiment with different sounds. A self-produced album that his record company at the time, Asylum, refused to release which led him to Island. The beautifully spare, "Jonesburg, Illinois" is a highlight.

4. Frank's Wild Years-- Written as an accompanyment to his stage play written with his wife, Kathleen Brennan. Inspired by the track "Frank's Wild Years" off of Swordfishtrombones.

5. Bone Machine--Two of my favorite Waits' songs, "A Little Rain" and "Whistle Down the Wind" are on this one. These two songs were the genesis to my eventually doing some real travelling.

6. Alice-- Wonderful darkness.

I know I'm missing a lot of his stuff but this is a good beginners' list.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Devoured Small Change and Rain Dogs before Orphans Heart of Saturday Night currently on the plate.

Only song from Bone Machine I know is going out west

[CofyCrakCocaine]

By the way, are the first two tracks on Closing Time the only good songs on that album? I've heard alot of critiques on that particular album.

[meanmrbill]

Only song from Bone Machine I know is going out west

You should give Bone Machine a chance. Along with the two songs I mentioned in my last post there are other classics here:

Who Are You?--- A bitter lost-love song

Black Wings--- A dark, moody tune with a great guitar solo.

I Don't Wanna Grow Up-- For those who never wanna....uh...grow up.

That Feel-- Co-written and performed with Keith Richards

[BeerBandit]

By the way, are the first two tracks on Closing Time the only good songs on that album? I've heard alot of critiques on that particular album.
Track 4, Old Shoes (& Picture Postcards) is wonderful.

[epo]

By the way, are the first two tracks on Closing Time the only good songs on that album? I've heard alot of critiques on that particular album.

The first two tracks are not the only good tracks on the album. That is pure crazy talk.

[razorboy]

By the way, are the first two tracks on Closing Time the only good songs on that album? I've heard alot of critiques on that particular album.

Insanity. Closing Time is a lip-to-label listen.