The Real Best Of Tom Waits
A genuine best of Tom Waits. |
| 1 | Tom Waits
Downtown Train
One of the better known ones. Transformed by many artists,but the original, verge of tears Waits version betters them all. Who else can fit "I hope they all have heart attacks" into a love song? |
| 2 | Good Old World
I mean the version at the beginning of Night On Earth, if that helps. This is lesser known, but still pretty poignant, blending his shredded almost howl with a surf guitar melody and uncertain percussion. Also brilliant lyrics, as always. |
| 3 | Jockey Full Of Bourbon
Another obvious but a classics a classic. Marc Ribot's ace guitar, his strange sinister/sexy song about a robbery, that great drumming! Also because it was ripped off by the theme tune to Black Books. I wonder if Dylan Moran's a Waits fan? |
| 4 | Earth Died Screaming
When I say this everyone thinks I'm insane, but one of the best love songs ever written. The combination of the clanging marimbas with junk folk guitars and his arsenal of vocal techniques on this one, combined with the ensuing apocalypse and the fact that the earth dies screaming (dreaming of youuu!). He's too wrapped up in his love to notice impending death. Really nice! |
| 5 | Top Of The Hill
An almost hip hop like groove from Mr Waits. Human beatboxing, liquidly funky guitar and bass and a nice repetitive chorus. Also good drumming from his son. As he assures us "He's only goin to the top of the hill". Not far away then. |
| 6 | Way Down In The Hole
The Big Time version, to add a little surprise. The studio versions grand and all, but when in the middle he starts ranting like some insane preacher on this the hairs on your neck WILL stand up. Can I get an amen? |
| 7 | Heartattack and Vine
By rights this should be used in every gangster movie ever instead of Gimme Shelter. The guitar intro conveys such barely in check menace, then suddenly he starts to howl "LIAR LIAR WITH YOUR PANTS ON FIRE!". The song has everything, sax, blues guitar and that voice at it's finest. Sinister and sexy, as I set about Jockey Full Of Bourbon |
| 8 | Gods Away On Business
With no further adieu, the Weillian cabaret funk with death metal vocals appears. The best opening line ever "I'd sell your heart to the junkman baby for a buck". This one sounds like Marilyn Manson, actually, on one of his cabaret jaunts, or even Marc Almond post carcrash pre learning to speak properly again. Ace, the demonic presence he pulls off here...wow, the charisma. |
| 9 | Shake It
Demonically funky again. Fantastic riff from Mr Ribot verging on Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus. The great "gruff nightmare clown on fire voice" checked off the list. The line "Feel like a preacher waving a gun around". More ace percussion. |
| 10 | Blue Valentines
How else to follow a burst of human beatbox aided punk-funk-skunk-metal but with a splendidly tortured love/loath song? His voice here nothing short of incredible. This song is a blues 78 dug up, digitally remastered and sold back to you at half the rate. Step right up. Blue Valentines, we got Blue Valentines, the voice at it's best. Not his best album, but sure is one of his best songs. And it's only a dollar. |
| 11 | Johnsburg Illinois
Now we've stopped off at lyrical in the Waits tour. Kathleen Brennan inspired this song, and we have to thank her as it's beautiful, his voice cracking on the falsetto parts, sparse little piano. Now I mean the original Swordfish trombones version though. |
| 12 | Lie To Me
This was also inspired and co written by Mrs Brennan, a juddering slice of country punk with steel guitars clanging against drums, vocals at the most wobbly almost sounding like Elvis with a migraine after a night drinking bourbon , absinthe and floor polish, and eating two entire lemons. |
| 13 | Temptation
This not only bears an uncommon resemblance to Supermassive Blackhole by Muse (big Waits fans), but is ace. The falsetto only spotted once so far in this list on Earth Died Screaming is on top form. The fantastic jazzy backing of bass, drums and sax is wonderful, as are the occasional outbreaks of insane wailing he partakes in. They are truly spine freezing. This song is also sinister and sexy. |
| 14 | Alice
Some more lyricism. Waits at his most obviously Louis Armstrong influenced, singing in an ice cool voice over droplets of wonderful saxes, vibes, trumpet, guitar and drums. Even what sounds like shifting ice. As he sings, I will remember this when I'm dead in my grave. |
| 15 | Franks Theme
A short break, as well as being a lovely and underrated short song. Even with just pump organ, grainy quality and that voice he can evoke such Weillian despair and joy. Pretentiousness radars all over have gone way off at that statement. |
| 16 | Jersey Girl
This is another obvious choice, but is one of the most beautiful love songs ever. The wino character who populates most of his songs is in love. When I first heard the part where taken out of himself he howls "SHA LA LA IM IN LOVE WITH A JUHZY GU-HURL!" like that tears came to my eyes. They still do. No one can better his performance of any of his songs in my book. Unless Nick Cave attempted a cover. He's probably done one but I never heard it. This song also features what sounds like steel drums and definitely strings. Steel drums are always ace. |
| 17 | Train Song
Sounding like an old gospel song, backed by piano and organ it's Frank realising he can't get back from where he is. Is he dead? I don't know, I didn't see the play. Guess there is too much Frank's Wild Years here, but it IS my favourite album. |
| 18 | Gavin Bryars and Tom Waits
Jesus Blood Never Failed Me Yet (Edit)
It has to be an edit otherwise it would need an entire disc. The song is at first just an old man singing the old song, repeating it as strings are added, and then Tom Waits voice joins it and sings in harmony with it. To me the appearance of his voice makes it more beautiful. |
| 19 | Tom Waits
Innocent When You Dream (78)
Obvious maybe to finish off the round of tearjerkers maybe, but the combination of the weary tone he sings it in with the muffled music box backing brings tears of joy to my eyes. |
| 20 | Wherever I Lay My Head
Just squalls of drunken Dixieland brass and Tom's drunk sounding vocals slurring away. The dying thoughts of that tramp in Jesus Blood. |
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