Tom Waits

[hifi_dave]

OK lads - I've heard a bit of Tom Waits music over the years and quite like his delivery, words and funky music but I have no idea which album to buy as an intro..:scratch:

Ideally, I would like good recorded quality as on the "Dead Man Walking", where Tom Waits has two tracks but the music is the main interest.

Thank you.

[DSJR]

For Gawd's sake ask our favourite Rega sales manager/ex-colleague :) he's a HUGE fan of Mr Waits (can't stand his stuff - yech :lol:)

[John]

Tom has a extensive catalogue so its hard picking out highlights
Check out
Alice
Small Change
Blue Valentine
Nighthawks at the Dinner A lot more talking but good recording
The Heart of Saturday Night
Closing Time

[Stratmangler]

Swordfishtrombones is as good a place to start as any :)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BM1FStAWL._SL500_.jpg

I particularly like this track from the album...

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Then there's this http://www.tomwaits.com/songs/song/245/In_The_Neighborhood/

[hifi_dave]

Very Beefheart..:carrot:

Well, that's a few to check out. Thank you.

Good Ol' AOS.

[The Grand Wazoo]

'Nighthawks at the Diner' gets another vote from me, but I'd say the best way to get a dose of him for not too much lolly spent is to snag yourself this Dave:

Original Album Series: Closing Time / The Heart of Saturday Night / Nighthawks at the Diner / Small Change / Foreign Affairs (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Album-Series-Saturday-Nighthawks/dp/B005TQAJSI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1354732113&sr=8-11)

Five great albums for seventeen quid - How can you go wrong?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518Ev5veRnL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[sq225917]

Anything from 73-87 is good, after that his output begins to lose sparkle for me.

If I was going to pick three it would be Nighthawks for the live Tom, Asylum Years, becuase it covers his best and Orphans, Bawlers and Bastards, which covers the darker Tom.

[Jonneville]

Swordfishtrombones is as good a place to start as any :)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BM1FStAWL._SL500_.jpg



There's an absolute gem on this album called "Frank's Wild Years" - includes great lines like "His wife was a spent piece of used jet trash, made good Bloody Marys, kept her mouth shut...".

That Original Album Series would be a perfect intro'. That series looks like great value - what's the quality like?

Regards

Jon'.

[goraman]

'Nighthawks at the Diner' gets another vote from me, but I'd say the best way to get a dose of him for not too much lolly spent is to snag yourself this Dave:

Original Album Series: Closing Time / The Heart of Saturday Night / Nighthawks at the Diner / Small Change / Foreign Affairs (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Album-Series-Saturday-Nighthawks/dp/B005TQAJSI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1354732113&sr=8-11)

Five great albums for seventeen quid - How can you go wrong?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518Ev5veRnL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I would start here,at one point I had everything e did on LP's Even the goofy one where he sings with Crystal Gayle the only Waits album I never opened.
I also like Bone machine and Mule variations.
Glitter and Doom sucks be for warned.
If you are lucky you may find some cool old night club boot leggs always a fun listen.

Check this out.
http://www.nerve.com/entertainment/ranked/ranked-tom-waits-albums-from-worst-to-best

[Thing Fish]

This thread has made me want to dig out my swordfish trombones lp...:)

[Barry]

I would start here,at one point I had everything e did on LP's Even the goofy one where he sings with Crystal Gayle the only Waits album I never opened.
I also like Bone machine and Mule variations.
Glitter and Doom sucks be forewarned.
If you are lucky you may find some cool old night club boot leggs always a fun listen.

Check this out.
http://www.nerve.com/entertainment/ranked/ranked-tom-waits-albums-from-worst-to-best

Interesting - for years I simply couldn't stand the sound of Waits's voice, despite being interested in the subject matter of his songs. Unfortunately my adverse reaction to his voice meant I could never listen for too long to any of his LPs.

Thinking that after some 30 years I ought to give him another chance, given he is well regarded by many, I listened to 'Glitter and Doom'. Well, I managed to listen to the whole CD without grimacing, but didn't want to buy it.

Maybe I ought to have another go with his earlier work.

[DanJennings]

For me, of the early lounge jazz bum era, my favourite is Small Change by a mile.

Of the experimental middle ground, the best for me is 'Bone Machine'

And the later americana influenced stuff I'm torn between Mule Variations and Alice,

There is no right answer though. I started with Asylum Years and slowly bought every album he ever recorded.... It's a slippery slope!

[Canetoad]

Funnily enough I just ordered my first Tom Waits CD yesterday too. I ordered Rain Dogs, which hasn't been mentioned here. Hmmm, wonder if it was a good starting point? :scratch:

[Sandro]

Funnily enough I just ordered my first Tom Waits CD yesterday too. I ordered Rain Dogs, which hasn't been mentioned here. Hmmm, wonder if it was a good starting point? :scratch:

Good choice ! :)
I was wondering why nobody had mentioned it yet ! :eek:

[sq225917]

There's an absolute gem on this album called "Frank's Wild Years" - includes great lines like "His wife was a spent piece of used jet trash, made good Bloody Marys, kept her mouth shut...".

That Original Album Series would be a perfect intro'. That series looks like great value - what's the quality like?

Regards

Jon'.

The best piece of that song isn't the lyrics, it's the timing of his little cough.

[hifi_dave]

Thanks lads.

Lots to consider but from the recommendations, it looks like I need to buy the whole lot..:rolleyes:

I have just ordered Swordfish Bones (?) and see how I go from there.

[Concerto Audio]

Hi Dave

I love all of TW albums, my fvourite Mule Variation.
If you want quality recording try www.cdjapan.co.jp.They have most of TW remastered which you cant get in the UK.

[Bazil]

easy intro to TW is Blue Valentine which contains the beautiful "Kentucky Avenue"

[hifi_dave]

Thank you all.

I'm easing myself in slowly..:thumbsup:

[Tim]

Lots to consider but from the recommendations, it looks like I need to buy the whole lot..:rolleyes:
Nowt wrong with that David ;)

Closing Time is essential I think.

[Tim]

How are you getting on with Tom Waits, David.

Be interested to hear what you have bought and what you like?