New to Tom Waits....

iAmNoKiller
iAmNoKiller Posts: 25
edited May 2008 in Other Music
So here's the deal...I know absolutely nothing about Tom Waits, however, I seem to hear about him quite often on this pit and have always been curious. I've tried to go to amazon.com and get a clip of some of his songs but the 15 second clips just don't do it for me. So I need to know if he's worth getting into, and if so, where do I start? Thanks for the help!
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Rhinocerous Surprise
    Rhinocerous Surprise Posts: 4,423
    I'm not a huge follower of Pitchfork, but they said it best: it's not a question of whether Tom Waits is a great American songwriter. It's a question of whether he's the greatest. :)
    Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    well, you are going to get probably every CD listed as a good place to start. I would ask yourself what type of music do you prefer?

    his first 2 (Closing Time, Heart of Saturday Night... and I guess you could put Nighthawks in there) are smoky bar ballads that are beyond beautiful. I have a special place for these 2 CD's. However after that? All bets are off.

    If I were going to hand off 2 to somebody to get the feel it would be Heart of Saturday Night and Rain Dogs.

    Honestly, I don't see how in the world somebody would not like the first 2. His remaining work is more challenging which equals greater rewards. I can see why it wouldn't appeal to people however I feel sorry for those folks :)
  • jwillmo
    jwillmo Posts: 471
    I would go through his stuff chronologically. That way, once he gets really weird you're already hooked. Personally, my favorite albums are Mule Variations and Rain Dogs, but I would start with early stuff like Closing Time and Small Change.

    And if you want a taste of what a brilliant wordsmith he is, check out this interview with himself:

    http://www.antilabelblog.com/?p=288

    I will be seeing him next month in Houston and am extremely excited.
  • UKDave
    UKDave Posts: 5,557
    Small Change is great... Rain Dogs.... Mule Variations... I need some of the earlier stuff myself too but those 3 won't let you down ;)
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  • W.C. Carter
    W.C. Carter Posts: 56
    If you're wanting to dive into Tom Waits head first, I highly suggest 'Bone Machine' and give it a few listens. It'll grow on you.
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    My first Waits album was Mule Variations and I now have about 85% of his stuff so it was clearly a good intro. Amazing album. Has just the right mix of his beautiful ballads (which are peerless imo) and his crazy juke-joint stomp mental songs.

    Here are some of the best songs from it:

    Hold On:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74xpualjuhk

    Come on up to the House:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GugzLSbOQE

    Then just go chronologically from the beginning I guess.

    This is a song from his debut, Closing Time.

    Martha:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBtlmdV_ZLY
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"

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