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Tom Waits

OVP

OVP

Coach
Messages
11,627
Most people wouldnt have a clue who he is. If you wish to put a name to a face, he's actually the guy who played Renfield in Bram stoker's Dracula (alongside Gary Oldman ... remember him ?) Well not many would know but he's one of the most accomplished muso's out there for now and all time. He was even in the Paul Hogan Show during the height of the 70's ... but thats another story (and its a good one too ... Australia was stunned why Paul made this guy play piano on his show ... Tom was smashed off his face, and Paul didnt have much to defend him with :)) It caused a commotion... so meh.

But anyway, over the years, this guy has released some of the weirdest, some of the best sh*t out there, even today. I even secretly believe that Nick Cave "worships" this legend.

Here's a good example of some of his work

http://rapidshare.com/files/40623298/tom_waits_-_goin_out_west.mp3

So id actually like to know how many people know about him ? You dont have to like him, thats not the point.
 
Twizzle

Twizzle

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
154,199
very different,

scotch whiskey and cigars have done nothing to improve is gravel lined voice box

clever with lyrics, OK on the keyboard but no vocal gymnast
 
Steel Dragon

Steel Dragon

Bench
Messages
3,411
Waits is brilliant.

That being said - he's not the best singer, he's not the best musician and he's not the best writer - but somehow all together it works very well.

Sounds like Bob Dylan crossed with Neil Young and then marinated in a vat of Jack Daniels.
 
carcharias

carcharias

Immortal
Messages
43,120
JJJ have been playing him for years.

he seems to think he looks good without a shirt ..for some reason.

I only have the odd song from compilations ... I dont mind him at all.

Sort of reminds me of tex don and charlie....just drunker.
 
OVP

OVP

Coach
Messages
11,627
Steel Dragon said:
Waits is brilliant.

That being said - he's not the best singer, he's not the best musician and he's not the best writer - but somehow all together it works very well.

Sounds like Bob Dylan crossed with Neil Young and then marinated in a vat of Jack Daniels.
Click to expand...

Thats probably the best description ive EVER heard of him. Beautifully put Mr Steel Dragon :) :lol:

You should post that on his fan website ... his fans would love it :)
 
OVP

OVP

Coach
Messages
11,627
Twizzle said:
very different,

scotch whiskey and cigars have done nothing to improve is gravel lined voice box

clever with lyrics, OK on the keyboard but no vocal gymnast
Click to expand...

Yep pretty much spot on ... but his fans are almost as weird as him. My English teacher at Waverley College back in the 80's was probably the biggest fan ive ever known of him. Mike Brady .... i sh*t you not, that was my English Teacher's name. He played us a song one day of Tom's work, and it was called "Small Change Got Rained on, by his own 38". Im still looking for this song, but if anyone finds it ... PLEASE let me know, its rarer than hen's teeth.
 
Tommy Smith

Tommy Smith

Referee
Messages
21,344
Ive heard a few of his songs....very very unique performer.

As someone said, his vocal arent perfect etc but his performances come together brilliantly.

A true artist.
 
Tommy Smith

Tommy Smith

Referee
Messages
21,344
OVP said:
Yep pretty much spot on ... but his fans are almost as weird as him. My English teacher at Waverley College back in the 80's was probably the biggest fan ive ever known of him. Mike Brady .... i sh*t you not, that was my English Teacher's name. He played us a song one day of Tom's work, and it was called "Small Change Got Rained on, by his own 38". Im still looking for this song, but if anyone finds it ... PLEASE let me know, its rarer than hen's teeth.
Click to expand...
I have the song on my computer and uploaded it onto this site for ya. Im not sure if its worked properly but it should. Just open the link, enter the security code and save the file...hopefully it works.

http://uploadhut.com/view.php/562136.mp3
 
Glen

Glen

Bench
Messages
3,958
Tom Waits is the man. I've got most of his albums, about 15 of them I think. And his vocals can be brilliant in their own way - download The Piano's been drinking (Not Me) or Filipino Box Spring Hog and tell me the guy belt out some vocals

Favourite albums are probably Mule Variations and Rain Dogs
 
T

Tiger Hawk

Bench
Messages
2,928
He's brilliant, one of the most original artists of the last 30 years. My father was/is a huge fan so I've been listening to him for about 20 years. He's released something like 20 albums, I've got 7 or so. My favourites would be Closing Time (debut album), Rain Dogs, Swordfishtrombones & Small Change.

His experimental tendencies mark him out as one of the rare artists who is continually looking to change and improve his sounds, not just settling on the familiar/comfortable. His early albums were very much concentrated on jazz/blues style, but Rain Dogs/Swordfishtrombones saw him move into more avant-garde/vaudeville territory where he disposed of his favoured piano/string compositions and began using just about everything under the sun, culminating in Real Gone, where he uses his own type of mouth-organ/beat-box/vocal percussion.

"Small Change Got Rained on, by his own 38". Im still looking for this song, but if anyone finds it ... PLEASE let me know, its rarer than hen's teeth.
Click to expand...
It's on the aforementioned Small Change album and also on the compilation "The Asylum Years", from when he was signed to Asylum.
 
T

Tiger Hawk

Bench
Messages
2,928
OVP said:
Im only relying on memory here, but i swear to god thats the song he sung on the Paul Hogan show back in the 70s. Gees, i wish we all had vcr's back then huh :)

Great song, and thanx.
Click to expand...
Dude, if you like that song and Small Change, get the Small Change album, it's excellent.
 
OVP

OVP

Coach
Messages
11,627
Tommy Smith said:
I have the song on my computer and uploaded it onto this site for ya. Im not sure if its worked properly but it should. Just open the link, enter the security code and save the file...hopefully it works.

http://uploadhut.com/view.php/562136.mp3
Click to expand...

Tommy my friend, thou art a God. You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank YOU, THANKYOU and THANKYOU once again. Love it , and you know something ? Even though its been over 20 + years since ive heard it, it's still cooler than anything anyone today can dream of doing. Cheers mate :)

It took 20 attempts but i got the whole song. Thankyou Tommy, once again :)
 
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