Tom Waits and Orphans

[skizzerflake]

Who else thinks Tom Waits should be some sort of National Treasure? I have been listening to Orphans, which contains a staggering 56 songs, organized by "Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards". Three CDs of songs, each CD with a distinct mood and tone, some old songs, many new and some rerecorded. You can spend hours listening to his tobacco and whiskey soaked voice and keep finding new elements to the Waits saga. This guy has been producing strange, outsider, post-beatnik music for 30+ years now and is still spewing songs like a fire hose that sound "fresh" (as fresh as he can sound with that roadkill voice). This triple CD is a major piece of work from a likable, eccentric guy who could be resting on his laurels but keeps putting himself out there.

 

[Geno]

Yew Shaid it, Buddy

I've been listening to that guy since "The Piano Has Been Drinking". He's certainly in a class by himself. Wonder how many fifths of Four Roses and cartons of Chesterfields it took to get that voice?

 

[Tom Andry]

I've got one Tom Waits album (Rain Dogs) and love it. I should invest in more of his stuff... that voice... man, it sounds like it must hurt to talk! Any suggestions (other than Orphans) or his "best" stuff?

 

[jonnythan]

If you dig Rain Dogs, pick up Swordfishtrombones. Like... yesterday.

 

[Geno]

I've got one Tom Waits album (Rain Dogs) and love it. I should invest in more of his stuff... that voice... man, it sounds like it must hurt to talk! Any suggestions (other than Orphans) or his "best" stuff?

"Used Songs" has a good selection of his caterwauling over the years. One of his earliest, "Small Change" is one of my favorites. Once you're immune to shock, try "Real Gone"

 

[skizzerflake]

"Used Songs" has a good selection of his caterwauling over the years. One of his earliest, "Small Change" is one of my favorites. Once you're immune to shock, try "Real Gone"

I love Real Gone, great cd. An odd piece of trivia is that TW played Renfield in Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula". As Refields go, I think he is in a dead heat with the guy that did it in the Bela Lugosi version.

 

[Geno]

I love Real Gone, great cd. An odd piece of trivia is that TW played Renfield in Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula". As Refields go, I think he is in a dead heat with the guy that did it in the Bela Lugosi version.

I just watched that again last week - I didn't really pay attention to the credits, but there aren't many guys who could pull that off as well as Young Tom.

 

[Tom Andry]

An odd piece of trivia is that TW played Renfield in Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula".

I actually knew that (terrible with trivia so it is quite an accomplishment). After I saw the movie (this must have been a rental though I did see it in the theaters) I waited for the credits because of that voice. I thought it just had to be him. I thought he did a damn fine job. Surprised he isn't in more roles...

Edit - Looks like he has been in quite a few things - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001823/

 

[zhimbo]

The Essential Ultra-Condensed Tom Waits Collection:

1. Small Change (Early TW - drunken barfly/beatnik stuff)
2. Rain Dogs (80's eclectic Brechtian TW)
3. Bone Machine (start of later career, totally off-the-deep-end TW. "Earth Died Screaming" has to be heard to be believed).

Those 3 really go a long way to summarizing a long, convoluted career. Good stuff.

-Jim

 

[zhimbo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_CHZ8z-t6M

Tom Waits "Chocolate Jesus" - on Letterman

 

[ChrisJam]

I've got one Tom Waits album (Rain Dogs) and love it. I should invest in more of his stuff... that voice... man, it sounds like it must hurt to talk! Any suggestions (other than Orphans) or his "best" stuff?

My girlfriend intorduced me to Tom Waits's music years ago. When I met her she had one CD of his, "Bone Machine." Today we have about fifteen of his CDs. "Bone Machine" is still my favorite.

Chris