I love Tom Waits. Have since the first time I heard Nighthawks at the Diner in 1994. It was almost 20 years old at that point, but I'll be damned if it didn't make me want to go out and get the man's entire catalog.
One thing has always bugged me about him though, and to this day I get very conflicted listening to him. How the f'uck does a guy with that little vocal talent have such an enduring and prolific (though cult followed) career?
Not that I mind, mind you. I'll continue to pick it up if he puts it out.
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Tom Waits Makes Me ConflictedFollow
Prevailing wisdom on music says that it's all about the sound, not so much the sense (ref. David Byrne in a recent interview). And for the most part, I'd say that's true. There are many, many artists whose lyrics I don't know, but whose songs I happily sing along with anyway, typically coming in hard on the refrain.
There are a few artists, though, whose lyrics are the message. They're musicians only in the sense that they can write and play music competently. The music is a framework. Their genius is in the words.
Waits is one of those. I like his voice, and I tend to think he uses it well; but it's not a great voice. Dylan is another obvious example. Leonard Cohen is another - hell, he was a poet for decades before he put his poetry to music.
So I don't know about you, but I respond to the poetry and accept the framework in which it's presented as being no more than that.
There are a few artists, though, whose lyrics are the message. They're musicians only in the sense that they can write and play music competently. The music is a framework. Their genius is in the words.
Waits is one of those. I like his voice, and I tend to think he uses it well; but it's not a great voice. Dylan is another obvious example. Leonard Cohen is another - hell, he was a poet for decades before he put his poetry to music.
So I don't know about you, but I respond to the poetry and accept the framework in which it's presented as being no more than that.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
What Sammy said - I was going to throw Van Morrison in as another example.
"I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left" - Seasick Steve
Samira wrote:
Prevailing wisdom on music says that it's all about the sound, not so much the sense (ref. David Byrne in a recent interview). And for the most part, I'd say that's true. There are many, many artists whose lyrics I don't know, but whose songs I happily sing along with anyway, typically coming in hard on the refrain.
There are a few artists, though, whose lyrics are the message. They're musicians only in the sense that they can write and play music competently. The music is a framework. Their genius is in the words.
Waits is one of those. I like his voice, and I tend to think he uses it well; but it's not a great voice. Dylan is another obvious example. Leonard Cohen is another - hell, he was a poet for decades before he put his poetry to music.
So I don't know about you, but I respond to the poetry and accept the framework in which it's presented as being no more than that.
There are a few artists, though, whose lyrics are the message. They're musicians only in the sense that they can write and play music competently. The music is a framework. Their genius is in the words.
Waits is one of those. I like his voice, and I tend to think he uses it well; but it's not a great voice. Dylan is another obvious example. Leonard Cohen is another - hell, he was a poet for decades before he put his poetry to music.
So I don't know about you, but I respond to the poetry and accept the framework in which it's presented as being no more than that.
I don't disagree with any of that. I love the poetry of the lyric and can tolerate a lot of sh;tty music if the lyric is right.
That being said, at least once any time I listen to Tom Waits, I get the "how the f'uck..." thought.
Lord Nobby wrote:
What Sammy said - I was going to throw Van Morrison in as another example.
You know, I was going to as well but I really like his singing.
Jon Carroll wrote an interesting piece about Morrison yesterday. I may have to dig up some old CDs while I put my computer together tomorrow.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
Samira wrote:
Lord Nobby wrote:
What Sammy said - I was going to throw Van Morrison in as another example.
You know, I was going to as well but I really like his singing.
Jon Carroll wrote an interesting piece about Morrison yesterday. I may have to dig up some old CDs while I put my computer together tomorrow.
I have been lazy on The Doors. I have all of their old records since my uncle gave me his vinyl collection so I haven't gotten a single one on disc. There's only 3 or 4 songs from them on my iPhone. Something I mean to rectify, but all of my classic rock stuff is a bit lacking digitally since I have so much of it on LP.
You know, I accept that what I'm about to say is sacrilege - but I could always take or leave The Doors.
I always felt like they were trying to force profundity on me, and I prefer the kind that slips in when I'm not expecting it.
I always felt like they were trying to force profundity on me, and I prefer the kind that slips in when I'm not expecting it.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
I don't know from sacrilege, I just have fond memories of tripping out in Joshua Tree.
See, for me Tom Waits IS all about the sound of his voice. That low basso profundo that growls up from the bedrock at the edge of infrasound. It might not be pretty, it might not be melodic. Hell, it might not be in tune, I don't know and I don't care. The changing rumbles and wails of his vocals make my hair stand up, my skin flush and my nethers tingle. Listening to him is like riding a Hog. (Which I've done once, despite swearing off all motorcycles after doing physics.)
His Excellency MoebiusLord wrote:
hat being said, at least once any time I listen to Tom Waits, I get the "how the f'uck..." thought.
Lots of whiskey and cigarettes. Demi Moore thought it was a good sound, too.
publiusvarus wrote:
we all know liberals are well adjusted american citizens who only want what's best for society. While conservatives are evil money grubbing scum who only want to sh*t on the little man and rob the world of its resources.
A song of Tom Waits reminds me of a painting, framed with instrumental accompaniment and a melody that pushes the lyrics into just the right place. I think his voice, while gruff is very musical. Unlike Cohen, he can carry a tune, and unlike Dylan you can understand his words.
Another epic-voiced musical poet that fits into this category is Johnny Cash. He be most the sensuous;)
What mostly grabbed me with the music linked in my sig, is the guys voice. I like his lyrics too.
Another epic-voiced musical poet that fits into this category is Johnny Cash. He be most the sensuous;)
What mostly grabbed me with the music linked in my sig, is the guys voice. I like his lyrics too.
Alma wrote:
I lost my post
Oddly I have never really put Cash in to that category because there is a lot of his music that is more accessible from a commercial perspective. GREAT story teller, though. I remember the first time I heard One Piece at a Time being able to envision in my head exactly what that Cadillac would look like and laughing.
Yeah, I tend to feel the same about, for example, Springsteen and Neil Young. Their lyrics are more important than their music, but it's a much narrower margin. Of course that's in large part because they both work on their musical arrangements obsessively.
Another artist I'd put in the poet category is Joni Mitchell. Love her songs, but I can only listen to her voice in small doses.
Another artist I'd put in the poet category is Joni Mitchell. Love her songs, but I can only listen to her voice in small doses.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
I think you guys are really just talking about rap music for white folks who are too old to wear baggy jeans. Also, Van Morrison wasn't a member of The Doors, Moe.
Barkingturtle wrote:
I think you guys are really just talking about rap music for white folks who are too old to wear baggy jeans. Also, Van Morrison wasn't a member of The Doors, Moe.
Oh, man, that would have been so worth it just to be able to read epic tales of the Morrison boys (no relation) duking it out in a savage drunken frenzy.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
Barkingturtle wrote:
I think you guys are really just talking about rap music for white folks who are too old to wear baggy jeans. Also, Van Morrison wasn't a member of The Doors, Moe.
Got that eventually when I read the entire post in context. Samira just said Morrison, though, and much as I'd like to claim clever non sequiter I simply missed the entire Noddy quote.
Oh, wow. Here I was giving you the benefit of the doubt, assuming some free-association going on instead of, you know, nothing. 
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
Probably just the PTSD, Moe. It'll pass.
His Excellency MoebiusLord wrote:
I love Tom Waits.
Try John Prine. He had the same effect on me.
Deathwysh wrote:
His Excellency MoebiusLord wrote:
I love Tom Waits.
Try John Prine. He had the same effect on me.
I almost have to be drunk to listen to John Prine. That way I have an excuse for the maudlin tears.
God DAMN that man writes some sad songs.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
Samira wrote:
Deathwysh wrote:
His Excellency MoebiusLord wrote:
I love Tom Waits.
Try John Prine. He had the same effect on me.
I almost have to be drunk to listen to John Prine. That way I have an excuse for the maudlin tears.
God DAMN that man writes some sad songs.
True enough. But he's written a more than a few playful, funny ones as well. I'm just upset that I never heard of him until I was well over 30. 'Course, I might have been too young and stupid to appreciate him before that.
Edit: Here's a Happy Enchilada Song for ya!
Edited, Apr 16th 2010 7:38pm by Deathwysh
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