Tom Waits

I'd agree with Closing Time. I also have a cassette copy of Anthology of Tom Waits from about 20 years ago which is a very good intro of his early stuff, but I don't even know if that ever came out on cd.

Originally posted by The Artist Formerly Known As grotty:
Closing Time is excellent ('73)

I'd start there.

None of the recent records would make sense to me if I didn't have it/know it.
at least download the second track on Orphans:

Low Down

one of the year's best tunes. nothing difficult about it: \nn/
Originally posted by Relaxer:
Originally posted by vassego:
Did anyone catch him on The Daily Show last week? He was pretty funny. He just kept saying, "Oh wow," when Jon Stewart complimented him.
He is funny. He was one of the better guests on Fishing With John, which is a classic show.
love that episode–especially when he decides it would be wise to put the one fish he caught in his pants.
wow, i saw him on the daily show and he was horrible…he can't sing for shit.
i'm actually being serious for once.

im in pure shock that people like that stuff…i thought better of all of you.
The Early Years Vol I and II are really good, although really different than what you normally think of when you think of Tom Waits. Really stripped down, just piano and/or acoustic guitar.

I love Heart of Saturday Night, Bone Machine, lots of it. Never did get too into Swordfish Trombones despite the great album title.
Tom Waits is probably THE best American songwriter…I can understand his actual singing is an aquired taste but his lyrics are amazing. I like his albums anytime, but really get into them when chilling and having a drinkie-poo or 9!

BTW…has anyone seen the movie The Polar Express? Is it just me or was that hobo ghost character based on Tom Waits? I checked the cast and evidently Tom Hanks did the voice but the character looked and sounded like Tom Waits. (no, I wasn't drinking at the time)

<img src="http://polarexpressmovie.warnerbros.com/images/media/photos/photo11.jpg" alt=" - " />