Discussion: Tom Waits

Subject: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: DonMeixner
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 07:09 PM

Looking for suggestions. I have like much of what I have heard. Anyone have some favorites?

Don

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 07:32 PM

Roseville Fair I think is an absolute knockout.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: rangeroger
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 08:29 PM

"I Hope I Don't Fall In Love With You" is one of my favotites,along with everything on his "Closing Time" CD.

I've got a site bookmarked, will come back with a link.

rr

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: DonMeixner
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 08:31 PM

Ahhh. Thanks Lead, I'll look for that.

Thanks RR. Wonderful writer, ashame he feels the need to over train his voice.

Don

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 08:32 PM

Didn't he write the Briar and the Rose? I've heard a couple from Australia called Cloudstreet do it and it's stunning.

Sal

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: rangeroger
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 08:59 PM

Here is the Tom Waits Main Page. Having heard his songs by other people,(Ol'55) the "Closing Time" album really sold me on him.

John Hammond does an excellent CD of his music titled "Wicked Grin".

It is a shame he does what he does with his voice but that is Tom. I have really enjoyed his acting and have a one man play he acted in,somewhere on video tape. He played a perfect Renfro in "Bram Stokers Dracula".

Have heard that he has a new CD out thatis as good as "Closing Time". Will have to get it.

rr

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Mudlark
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 09:29 PM

Don...Too many to mention here, but I especially like Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night. Also Small Change (got rained on by his own .38) Have you seen Down by Law? A great film, and Waits, who stars, along w/John Lurie and Roberto Begnini, sings a nifty song over credits.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 10:23 PM

Roseville is a Bill Staines tune. Tom covered it, but didn't write it. Bill did.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:16 AM

Too many to mention is right. He's the bard of scum. Never let it be said that the downtrodden didn't have their own voice. He's wonderful. And what's this about overtyraining his voice? It's perfect.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Stewie
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:56 AM

My favourite collection is probably 'Frank's Wild Years', with its powerful songs like 'Innocent When You Dream' and 'Cold, Cold Ground', but I am also fond of the stark performances in the two 'Early Years' collections from Bizarre/Straight, with mostly piano or acoustic guitar backings.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 02:00 AM

"Time" is a favourite of mine - think that one is on "Early Years". I'm also like "Singapore" - think that one is on "Rain Dogs". I don't have any of his stuff any more (had a long term loan of one compilation CD) but I have a couple of brothers who are big fans and have listened when visiting.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: fat B****rd
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 07:05 AM

I love "Downtown Train" "Martha" and just about everything TW does, but what is he building in there ?!?!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: mack/misophist
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 09:52 AM

William Borroughs and Tom Waits = The Black Rider It ain't no sin to take off your skin, and dance around in your bones.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 10:58 AM

Lots of fine tunes here. Many though are difficult to remove from the theatre of Waits himself: material on Nighthawks at the Diner, for example, need his delivery. But there's lots of room for interpretation on songs like "On the Nickel," "Invitation to the Blues," "The Heart of Saturday Night," and his own peculiar "Waltzing Matilda." Hammond's album is a must.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: dwditty
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:26 AM

I included Invitation to the Blues on my forthcoming cd. I also do Ol 55 and Fumblin with the Blues. You can search for Tom here .   I heard a great rendition of Tom Traubert's Blues on paltalk the other night.

And yes, I think his voice is perfect. Of course someone once said my voice sounds like I gargle with onion soup mix.

dw

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 01:40 PM

As luck would have it, one of my borthers is visiting this week. Just asked him. His first 2 suggestions were "Martha" and "Ruby's Arms".

dwditty. I seem to remember "accusing" your voice of having similarities to Tom Waits in the Paltalk sessions! It was meant as a compliment of course.

Jon

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: DonMeixner
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 08:38 PM

Thanks everyone. There is some great stuff here. I have to admit I like Downtown Train and Waltzing Matilda as well. I turned my son Greg onto Tom Waits and now I find my C drive loaded with everything Kazaa has to offer. Thank god for firwalls and a decent antivirus.

Don

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Joerg
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 10:26 PM

It took me a good piece of work to find out that the title of 'Waltzing Mathilda' is 'Tom Traubert's Blues'. Search for that and you'll find the lyrics at once. And - 'Tom Traubert's Blues' isn't 'Waltzing Mathilda' at all! Just try it on the guitar or the piano and you will find out that this is a completely different song. It's creepy to me how it sounds like some version of 'Waltzing Mathilda' and the fact that the lyrics contain these words is at the very edge of being pervert.

Ever listened to 'Georgia Lee' (that's a hard one) or 'So It Goes' (an old one) or 'Fish And Bird' (a new one), all of them are jewels.

Joerg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: dwditty
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 07:24 AM

Don,
You will find more chords and lyrics at
this small but excellent site.

dw

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Willie-O
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 12:20 PM

Don: Really, given that you are a nautical singer, if you're going to put one Tom Waits song in your repertoire, I would suggest
"Shiver Me Timbers".

My 16-year-old daughter (who made her high school locker a shrine to Tom Waits) sings this with me and it's a showstopper.

Let me know if you need lyrics/chords.

Roseville Fair? That gave me a good laugh. Everyone knows Stephen Foster wrote it.

Bill

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 05:20 AM

Tom Waits has written some wonderfully atmospheric songs and, as well as those mentioned above, I think 'Heartattack and Vine' is worth mentioning, it's as lowdown and dirty a piece of atmospheric rock as you're ever likely to hear.

Brian

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: mooman
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 05:46 AM

The Good Lady and myself (and band) do his "Georgia Lee" as mentionaed above which is a fine if rather sad song (from Mule Variations if I remember correctly).

moo

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Den
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 08:04 AM

Lots of fine tunes mentioned here. I have to concur with Heartattack and Vine. On the nickle is one of my favourites. There was also a film based on this song if memory serves. I like Ruby's Arms, In the Neighbourhood, Downtown Train, Innocent when you Dream, Singapore and Cemetery Polka. I think his voice is perfect for most of his subject material.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Callie
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 09:57 AM

The other ones I love are "Take It With Me When I Go", "Alice" and "Paper Moon".

I also enjoyed his appearance on the epic "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet".

But "What's he Building in There?" has to be the best!!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 11:26 AM

'Briar & Rose' IS Tom Waits, from the aforementioned 'Black Ryder' cd (not the same as 'Roseville' by Staines).
Black Ryder is a must have for Waits' fans, well maybe nor for some Waits' fans, but for any cd collection you gotta have it. 'November' is great, 'I'll Shoot the Moon Right out of the SKy' Russian Dance, etc. timeless music. IMHO

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 01:23 PM

"Black Ryder is a must have for Waits' fans, well maybe nor for some Waits' fans"

Interesting comment. I don't know that CD but on the times I've gone through my brothers' collections, I've found Waits very variable in terms of style. I've really enjoyed "Rain Dogs" for example but "Blue Valentine" left me cold. Others may have the opposite view or enjoy both.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Cluin
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 01:33 PM

"Singapore". Sing it to the kiddies.

TW rulez, man. To the max! WA-A-AY!.... dude.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Joerg
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 10:00 PM

If you are considering "The Briar And The Rose" mind also "That's The Way" immediately before it on the CD (Black Rider). They are marked as two songs in the directory but they belong together and I would never do one of them without the other.

Joerg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: jeffp
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 03:58 PM

One of the beauties of this place is that once in a while someone will start a thread that reminds you of songs you've forgotten you love. Thanks Don for starting this and thanks everyone for your input. Time to relearn some old favorites.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tom Waits
From: Stu
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 06:04 AM

"Innocent When You Dream" Barroom version from "Franks Wild Years" (as mentioned by Stewie above).

Also, "I'm Still Here" from "Alice" is just about as perfect a melancholy song as exists.

stigWeard

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: number 6
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 08:02 AM

ihs cd Mule Variations

Just sitting here listenting to it now ... "Picture in a Frame" certainly fits the groove this very fine sunny Sunday morning.

sIx

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: Ron Davies
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 09:11 PM

"Nighthawks at the Diner"--the whole album. "Emotional Weather Report", "Warm Beer and Cold Women", "On a Foggy Night"--the works. The whole thing is an absolute classic.

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: bobad
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 09:34 PM

Some Tom Waits' lines I love:

"I don't have a drinking problem 'Cept when I can't get a drink."

"It's colder than a ticket taker's smile at the Ivar theater on a Saturday night."

"Colder than a well digger's ass"

"I knew him when he was nothing and he hasn't changed a bit"

"I'm so goddamn horny the crack of dawn better watch itself around me."

"Coleen's belly was shakin' like jelly And I'm gettin' harder than Chinese algebra."

"Veal cutlet came down...started beatin' the shit outa my cuppa coffee...coffee just wasn't strong enough to defend itself...."

"It was a hubba, hubba, ding dang, baby you are just everythang. A week later it's a hubba, hubba, ding dong, baby sure didn't last too long."

"Pour me a cab, I just can't drink no more."

"I know a girl, she been married so many times, she got rice marks all over her face"

"They take apart their nightmares and they leave 'em by the door."

"And the earth died screaming As I lay dreaming"

"I'm gonna make like a bakery delivery truck and haul buns."

"I'll ride upon a field mouse, I was dancin' in the slaughterhouse."

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: voyager
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:58 AM

Step Right Up - Tom Waits

Available from the "Tom Waits Supplement" Site (tabs at the bottom) -

Tom Waits Supplement - Website

voyager

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,ifor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:27 AM

Me and my old 55 by Tom Waits is a great song!Back in 1971 I met a young Californian travelling in Wales who told me about his school friend who was a marvellous songwriter....a few months later his first album came out and it was Tom Waits!
ifor

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 11:02 AM

I agree with Rangeroger about "I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You"
Another favourite of mine is "New Coat Of Paint". I'm not sure if that's the right title, but that's how I introduce it.

I must admit that I think Frank's Wild Years was a turning point for Waits. I much prefer his earlier stuff. I was first turned on to him when I saw him on the Mike Douglas show many years ago, about thirty I think. Those were his chain-smokin' years and he and Mike were obviously very uncomfortable with each other, but his singing was great.

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,p
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:10 PM

he gets more ass than a toilet seat..

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Jacqued
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:16 PM

A classic - "Looks Like I'm Up Shi*ts Creek Again".

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:31 PM

Drunk On The Moon is a great song. Sneezy Waters used to do a great cover of it. I haven't heard him do it lately.

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: Nick
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 08:07 PM

San Diego Serenade
Please Call Me Baby
Drunk on Moon

...are enjoyable to sing.

Heart of Saturday Night is a treasured album for me

Subject: RE: Tom Waits
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Nov 22 - 06:22 PM

I'm reluctant to post lyrics by songwriters who make a living from them, but I post lots of lyrics when I don't think it's going to do harm. And I think that people who buy music or attend concerts ought to be able to read the lyrics so they can appreciate them.
Like many of the best songwriters, Tom Waits has a Website with all his lyrics, which is how I like to find them.

http://www.tomwaits.com/

Subject: RE: Discussion: Tom Waits
From: Stewie
Date: 27 Nov 22 - 11:09 PM

Tribute album, 'Come on up to the house: women sing Waits', is excellent. If you would like to check track listing and artists, the review on Folk Radio is well worth a read:

Click

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Discussion: Tom Waits
From: David C. Carter
Date: 28 Nov 22 - 03:11 AM

Georgia Lee

The House Where Nobody Lives

Down Where THe Trains Roll Slow.

And a hundred others.

Subject: RE: Discussion: Tom Waits
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 28 Nov 22 - 03:59 AM

Many recordings to choose from on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Tom+Waits++top+tracks

Subject: RE: Discussion: Tom Waits
From: Rain Dog
Date: 28 Nov 22 - 01:04 PM

Tom Waits Library

The Tom Waits Library site also has all the lyrics along with a lot of other Tom Waits information.

Subject: RE: Discussion: Tom Waits
From: Sol
Date: 28 Nov 22 - 08:27 PM

My favourite Tom Waits Songs are ...
-------------------------------
"San Diego Serenade"
"Jersey Girl"
"Time"
"Tom Travers Blues"
"Jayne's Blue Wish"
"(Looking For) The Heart Of Saturday Night"
"The Piano's Been Drinking"
"Soldier's Things"
"Flower's Grave"
"The House Where Nobody Lives"
"I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You"
-----------------------------------------
Where do I stop? Tom Waits is a poetic genius.

Subject: RE: Discussion: Tom Waits
From: keberoxu
Date: 15 Dec 22 - 11:08 AM

As a vocalist, I think Tom Waits is actually a romantic disguised as something else.
It's in the phrasing.

Subject: RE: Discussion: Tom Waits
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 15 Dec 22 - 11:44 AM

See that little Jersey girl in the see through top
With the pedal pushers suckin on a soda pop.
Well I bet she's still a virgin but it's only twenty-five to nine.
You can see a million of em on Heartattack and Vine.


Always makes me chuckle :0)

Subject: RE: Discussion: Tom Waits
From: Neil D
Date: 22 Dec 22 - 05:35 PM

You got to tell me, brave captain
Why are the wicked so strong?
How do the angels get to sleep
When the devil leaves his porch light on?

Sublime piece of songwriting.

Subject: RE: Discussion: Tom Waits
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Dec 22 - 10:34 PM

One of my favorites sung by Sara Jarosz - "Come on Up to the House," from Austin City Limits.