Ear Time: Tom Waits (singer, songwriter)

Tom Waits

Tom Waits is a singer/songwriter, containing elements of blues-rock; jazz and most importantly beat poetry.  I would consider Tom Waits to be one of the best American lyricist in the 20^th century.  Personally, I think Tom Waits has one of the best and most verse discographies of music in the past 50 years.  Tom Waits' career dates back to the 70’s and is consistently engaging through to the early 2000’s.  Heartbreak and Vine is not only my favourite album by Tom Waits, but it also kicks off the start of a decade, with its release in 1980.  Additional standout albums from the ‘80s by Tom Waits are Swordfishtrombone (1983), and Frank’s Wild Years (1987).  Wait’s most critically acclaimed album Rain Dogs also came out in the ‘80s, 1985 to be exact. Similarly, Tom Waits’ immaculate catalogue is equally full of compassionate and masterful songwriting; albums such as Closing Time (1973), Heart of Saturday Night (1974), Small Change (1976), Foreign Affairs (1977) and Blue Valentine (1978).  And let’s not forget Tom Waits’ beautiful and often comical live album Nighthawks at the Diner in 1975.  Now it might seem that I’m just listing off nearly ever album in his discography, but there is reason to, Tom Waits is a brilliant artist, and yes I whole heartily recommend the aforementioned albums.  Not to be outdone, on the cusp of the 2000’s Tom Waits released Mule Variations, which, I sound like a broken record (hopefully not a broken Tom Waits record, that would be sad) when I say Mule Variations and his early 2000’s work: Blood Money and Alice are worth some ear time.  Tom Waits sound is soaked bourbon and surrounded in a think stench of cigarettes.  Waits' nearly cut-throat and brutally honest lyricism will crush any essence of innocence you have about the world.  Tom Waits’ songs are at times visceral and heart retching and at times, lighthearted and loving however all are wonderfully composed and embody poetic exactitude.  Honestly, you cannot go wrong with Tom Waits he is a living legend and one of my favourite artists of all time.