The way he uses words is intoxicating and, as somebody who has always been a frustrated poet, is enough to make even the most hardened failed writer want to jack it all in when they realize that they’ll never get anywhere near the level of brilliance that Waits seems to find with such ease. Nearly every tune is littered with characters from the darker, seedier side of life and he revels in telling their tales. The one thing that has never changed though, is his ability to write some of the greatest lyrics you’ll ever hear. There are conflicting stories that it was down to years of abuse, there was a time in his life where he drank like a wino and smoked like a chimney, or that it was simply a choice to be more theatrical in the renditions of his songs but whatever the reason it was a dramatic shift from the early years. Rightly considered one of Waits’ best albums, Small Change would see a dramatic shift in singing style and would see his voice head down a path where people could make a mash-up like this featuring Cookie Monster, and you wouldn’t bat an eyelid. He started as a bar-room crooner, the guy who sat behind the piano and played for tips and this vocal style would remain with him until 1976 when he released Small Change. Tom Waits sounds like Tom Waits and nobody else. With a vast majority of musicians, you can say “Oh, they sound a bit like so-and-so” but with Tom Waits, you really can’t do that. Out of all the performers that I’ll cover for this column, Tom Waits is going to be the hardest one to explain. Last time out I took a look at Gil Scott Heron and this time around I’ll be casting my eye over the legend that is Tom Waits. Welcome one, welcome all to this week’s Music Spotlight.Įvery seven days, I take one of my favorite artists/bands and give you five songs/albums that I think can get you in at the entry-level.
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