SMALL CHANGE is probably his early masterpiece.
Definitely. That's where he really mastered all his songwriting strengths. I think this is the record that most influenced the Pogues - there's a direct line between "Tom Traubert's Blues" and "Fairytale of New York." (Cait O'Riordan's pre-Pogues band Pride of the Cross did a single titled "Tommy's Blue Valentine" in tribute to TW. For those unfamiliar with the backstory, Cait's the relatively recent ex-Mrs. Elvis Costello who he ditched for Diana Krall. Oof, casting off a Pogue for Ms. Smooth Jazz. Declan, you rotter.)
"Tom Traubert's Blues"
Which I've seen him do live (Frank's tour, heh). My favorite on that is "Invitation to the Blues" (followed closely by "Step Right Up"), but, man, that is a hella good song.
Declan, you rotter
This is the kind of statement that makes me want to kiss you Hec, even though we're both straight males.
I thought he and cait were way over before DK appeared on the scene.
Swordfishtrombones and Small Change were my intro to Tom Waits. When I finally heard Closing Time (though I do love it), I couldn't believe it was the same man.
I thought Cait dumped him, actually. Don't know where I heard that.
That was my impression, too. That Cait dumped him. Not that I haven't lost a little of my respect for him for marrying DK.
I'm not a big fan of Tom Waits' earlier stuff (although I haven't revisited it and probably need to). I think Swordfishtrombones is an excellent start point. I think Rain Dogs is good too.
In truth, Rain Dogs is my favorite of his albums. I'm also inordinately fond of Bone Machine.
My condolences, Jon.
Miles & Trane with the Gil Evans Orchestra performing "So What"
Good stuff, but it's mislabeled as being from 1958. It's from an April 1959 tv special called "The Sound of Miles Davis". If you have the Ashley Kahn Kind of Blue book he covers it on pages 126-130. It was taped about a month after the album.
From the sublime to the ridiculous (but very entertaining)...
I'd hate to be the roadie for these guys.
And The Shining as feel-good heart-tugger.
I was hoping that would bring you out of the woodworks. When I finish Phil Freeman's new book Running The Voodoo Down, I'm sending it to you post-haste.
