Conference marvin::uk_music

    "Closing Time" is the only Tom Waits album I can really listen to.
    Maybe 'cos it's got a sorta Country feel to it.
    
    - Dave K.

    Blue Valentine by Tom is one of the best albums EVER!!  There is really
    a split between his earlier albums, and his last 3 ( Swordfishtrombone,
    Raindogs, Franks Wild Years)  These last 3 need a little introduction
    perhaps, because they are a little different.  But check out BV - You
    won't be disappointed.
    
    There is a Tom notes conference, can't remember the node.  Its not used
    too mch tho'.
    
    Mikef

    Conference is on OPG::TOM_WAITS

    Perhaps a good sampler to 'Old Tom's' music would be the compilation
    album 'Asylum Years' which gives you a great cross section from
    his albums on .. er .. um... oh yes Asylum Records (pre Island days).
    
    His earlier stuff like 'Heart of Saturday Night' and 'Closing Time'
    have some good acoustic singer/songwriter type stuff (voice quite
    mild)
    
    I agree re 'Blue Valentine' and if you like lounge piano/jazz type
    music then 'Foreign Affairs' is a must.
    You can almost see him at a piano in some stingy bar/diner singin'.
    (Bette Midler does a duet with him on it. strange combination but
    it works.)
    
    Then comes the Frank's Wild Years 'trilogy'.
    
    Swordfishtrombones, Raindogs and Frank's Wild Years.
    These albums are made up of 'how many little ditties can I squeeze
    on this album' ideas.
    
    lyrics brilliant, music first class and if you can take Tom's singing
    style then you will enjoy all his music.
    
    Wonder how he gets his voice like that... I will have to drink a
    couple of bottles of bourbon a day and about 100 ciggies and try.
    
    Iain
    
   

My first introduction to Tom was when I saw the "In The Neighbourhood" video
on the Tube yonks ago. I rushed out and bought "Swordfishtrombones". When I got
home and played boy was I surprised. A very strange album if you are not 
prepared for it. I persevered and it became a favourite so I started buying a
few more of his albums.I find it very hard to pick a favourite but "Closing
Time" is always one I can turn to whatever the mood. Blue Valentine and The
Heart of Saturday Night are also big players. 

I also like to look out for any film roles Tom is in as I think he has great 
presence. One of the best ever gigs I've seen was tom Waits at Hammersmith Odeon 
last year (i think). It was the Frank Wild Years album tour. Surely it's
about time he did another tour and came up with some more new material.

Tc

    Ol' Tom hit the big 4-0 yesterday.  
    
    Guess it comes to us all sooner or later...

    Hello Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Schilton
    
    If you're about to plunge into the wonderful/wackey world of Waits
    you certainly have a magnificent treat in store. His material basically
    falls into 2 areas - pre Swordfishtrombones and post Swordfish.
    
    Pre - this is his earlier material, which spans quite a few years
    from 1973ish to 1978ish. Some people call this his bar-room period.
    
    Post - this covers the last 3 albums (+1 live one), where Tom took
    a fairly radical change in musical direction with much more emphasis
    on producing a completely new sound. In this I think he has succeeded
    brilliantly. I know of few other artists' whose songs evoke such
    strong imagery through the music and lyrics. Many of his songs portray
    the seedy, downbeat, wierd side of USA life. His approach is similiar
    to Hill Street Blues.
    Humour - Toms songs are often filled with this - usually black.
    Instruments - Tom uses a vast selection ranging from the Liberty
    Bell to bagpipes, from a toy police siren to standup double bass.
    
    Tom certainly isn't easy listening - you either love him or hate
    him. Try borrowing a couple of albums. I would suggest Heart of
    Saturday Night (early Waits - smoothe vocals), and SwordFish (marked
    the change - less extreme than later). I could say something like
    "listening to Waits will force you to reconsider your musical tastes",
    but that would be pretentious ! Just give it a try.
    
    Rich.
    
    ps Let us know how you get on.

    I agree that 'blue valentine' is a good album along with 'Frank's....'
    'Swordfish..','looking for the heart..'.But what about 'Small Change'?
     
    I can also recommend a book that I'm reading at the moment called
    "Small Change: A life of Tom Waits" Pretty informative stuff. 
    
    e.g Re: The Eagles cover of 'Ol' 55'
    
    	"I dont like The Eagles. They're about as exciting as watching
    paint dry. Their albums are good for keeping dirt off your turntable
    and thats about all.. Country Rockers?? Those guys grew up in LA
    and they don't have cowsh** on their boots, they just got dogsh**
    from Laurel Canyon. They wouldn't last 2 minutes in Putnam County,
    thats for sure."
    
    3 holes in the ground
    
    David.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    (Well Well Well!)

    For those fans of total noise, Tom has a new album out next week, which
    is meant to be even furthr along the road of Bone MAchine.  Features
    WIlliam Burroughs on 3 tracks.  
    
    Good job its pay day soon.
    
    M