The Official Tom Waits Thread

[Neapolitan]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Sort of sad that someone would bother coming into a thread about an artist we already know he hates, to tell us he hates him, huh? I mean, if you don't like the guy just don't post in the thread dedicated to him. Seems more than a little childish, if you ask me.

Yes. But I didn't say explicitly I hated Tom Waits in this thread ... yet. I just announce that I like Frownland's music 3600 times more than him. Please don't turn a positive affirmation of Frownland's music into a negative statement about Tom Waits. Sorry I find Frownland's music by more appealing to the ear, don't hate me for it.

Tom Waits was a friend of Keith Richards, and Keith is my hero. Also I like to add that Tom Waits said some kind words for Mimi Farina because of her passing (unfortunately I can't find the quote for that now.) I think after reading his words it soften my opinion of him. Still, even with those connections to artist I like, it isn't enough to turn me into a Waits fan. I really really don't want to crash your thread with negativity.

[Thelonious Monkey]

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

Yes. But I didn't say explicitly I hated Tom Waits in this thread ... yet. I just announce that I like Frownland's music 3600 times more than him. Please don't turn a positive affirmation of Frownland's music into a negative statement about Tom Waits. Sorry I find Frownland's music by more appealing to the ear, don't hate me for it.

Tom Waits was a friend of Keith Richards, and Keith is my hero. Also I like to add that Tom Waits said some kind words for Mimi Farina because of her passing (unfortunately I can't find the quote for that now.) I think after reading his words it soften my opinion of him. Still, even with those connections to artist I like, it isn't enough to turn me into a Waits fan. I really really don't want to crash your thread with negativity.

[innerspaceboy]

Definitely overdue to have a thread dedicated to everyone's favorite gravel-throated troubadour.

Rain Dogs was my initiation (as it was for many of his younger listeners). But once I fully digested that LP I dedicated myself to the task of surveying his complete catalog in chronological order.



There is a well-organized megatorrent of his body of work organized into folders based on the label he was with at each stage of his career. The Asylum years (1973-1980) showcase his early development as an artist, followed by his gritty transformation when he moved to Island Records (1983-1993). A quick detour at CBS for the One From the Heart soundtrack leads listeners to his latest period from 1999 onward with ANTI- Records, which includes the impressive Glitter & Doom Live tour record from 2009 and the celebrated 7LP box set from 2006 titled Orphans, Brawlers, Bawlers, & Bastards. And that's the set I find myself returning to more than anything else from his catalog.

The torrent also includes 26 albums of compilations and live sessions which are a welcome addition to any Tom Waits library.

Pictured below is the Orphans set, along with a live promo 7" from the Glitter & Doom tour, the Lowside of the Road biography, and an unofficial documentary titled Tom Waits: Under Review 1983-2006.



It's impossible to choose a favorite release. There are so many gems spanning the entirety of his career. I'm just thankful that I can enjoy it all in my lifetime.

[Zhanteimi]

.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by innerspaceboy

Definitely overdue to have a thread dedicated to everyone's favorite gravel-throated troubadour.

Rain Dogs was my initiation (as it was for many of his younger listeners). But once I fully digested that LP I dedicated myself to the task of surveying his complete catalog in chronological order.



There is a well-organized megatorrent of his body of work organized into folders based on the label he was with at each stage of his career. The Asylum years (1973-1980) showcase his early development as an artist, followed by his gritty transformation when he moved to Island Records (1983-1993). A quick detour at CBS for the One From the Heart soundtrack leads listeners to his latest period from 1999 onward with ANTI- Records, which includes the impressive Glitter & Doom Live tour record from 2009 and the celebrated 7LP box set from 2006 titled Orphans, Brawlers, Bawlers, & Bastards. And that's the set I find myself returning to more than anything else from his catalog.

The torrent also includes 26 albums of compilations and live sessions which are a welcome addition to any Tom Waits library.

Pictured below is the Orphans set, along with a live promo 7" from the Glitter & Doom tour, the Lowside of the Road biography, and an unofficial documentary titled Tom Waits: Under Review 1983-2006.



It's impossible to choose a favorite release. There are so many gems spanning the entirety of his career. I'm just thankful that I can enjoy it all in my lifetime.

I officially hate you.

Originally Posted by Mord

I thought somebody had necro'd an old thread. Surprised Tom Waits didn't have his own thread until now.

Me too, that's why I decided to make one.

[Trollheart]

I tend to be, if there can be such a thing, more a "traditional" Waits fan, as in, I do like his "experimental" stuff, but I prefer his earlier material. Blue Valentine, Heartattack and Vine, even Closing Time. I found Alice and Blood Money left me cold and The Black Rider just confuses me every time I try to listen to it. Bad As Me was great but really doesn't compare to his classic works, and though I like Franks Wild Years I've always found there was something missing about it, not sure what. Orphans was a mixed bag: some great songs, a few real gems, but sadly quite a lot of below-standard filler, I found. I guess that's inevitable.

Still, even the lower quality fare Waits puts out is better than ninety percent of the work of other artists.

[LoathsomePete]

Originally Posted by Mord

I thought somebody had necro'd an old thread. Surprised Tom Waits didn't have his own thread until now.

*ahem*

http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...tom-waits.html

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

*ahem*

http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...tom-waits.html

Knew there had to be one.
Go ahead and merge if you wish.
Spread the Waitsy goodness around.

[MicShazam]

I originally heard about Waits from my younger brother, who is a big fan.
I honestly think I could get into waits now if I simply got around to it. Years ago, I owned a couple of his albums for a while but decided it wasn't for me. A lot of things I dismissed back then, I really like now. Especially singer/songwriters of varying kinds. Small change was one of the two or three albums that I owned.

These days, I really like the sort of low key, melodic music that I didn't have the patience for back then. I was an instant gratification hungry metalhead that craved in-your-face riffs and hooks above all else. I think I'd like it now.

I still remember the song The piano has been drinking and it's pretty great.

[Frownland]

You're not a real Waits fan until you rep Big Time



The soundtrack is hands down his best album.