Tom Waits
 

Okay, so I've always liked what I've heard of Tom Waits, but I've never really listened to him in much depth. I had read somewhere that everybody should go through on Tom Waits phase, and that it should start with Swordfish Trombone. So for years I remembered that quote, and I finally picked it up a couple of weeks ago.

At first I was happy. It was pretty much what I expected, and that was good.

However, now, I'm going crazy for it. I'm hooked. The quote was right.

So...what next?

Re: Tom Waits
 

"The Asylum Years" is an absolute must!

A kind of "best of" of the 70s and 80s, there are some priceless numbers on there like Tom Traubert's Blues, Mr Henry, Burma Shave and, one of my faves, The Piano Has Been Drinking.

I have a keyboard that drinks sometimes so I get where he was coming from.

Seriously. Get it. NOW!

Re: Tom Waits
 

I'm not so crazy about compilations though.

Re: Tom Waits
 

You must get Rain Dogs. It's utterly awesome.

I also really like Frank's Wild Years, even though it gets overlooked a lot. Innocent when you dream is one of my favourite songs ever.

Re: Tom Waits
 

I second that recommendation for Rain Dogs. Just a really great album. It has perhaps my favorite Waits song, Clap Hands.

Bone Machine is another great album too. It has perhaps my second favorite Waits song, In the Colosseum.

Re: Tom Waits
 

don't go backwards from swordfish... unless you like the jazzed out beatnik hobo vibe.theres some good stuff back there but theres also loads of crap.i would say checkout his soundtrack from "one from the heart",its mainly duets with cristal gale but don't let that put you off.

Re: Tom Waits
 

ive only heard Whats He Building, should i dig furthur?

Re: Tom Waits
 

I have to say i still like his first album the best. "Closing time" is one of my all time favoritte albums. Altough not so much in the same vain as his later albums, it's a masterpiece in heartfelt poerty.

Re: Tom Waits
 

Haha yeah. I would not say that is a typical Waits song. I really liked the Alice/Blood Money releases. I have to listen to his older stuff.

Re: Tom Waits
 

If you haven't heard anything else, check out the song Swordfish Trombone.