@@Screenwriting I was a big fan of Tom because my room mate had the Small Change album. First time I heard it I was hooked, and bought a copy for myself. The Tomorrow Club was an old 2 story movie/show theater with a large stage complete with red velvet curtains, a really large area with tables up front, and a bar down stairs. The balcony was awesome too. I saw many groups there while I was in college. Sanford Townsend, Meatloaf, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Left End, Michael Stanley Band, and others. But the best concert I saw there was Pure Prairie League, The Outlaws, and The Eagles all in the same bill. I think the ticket was under $10. Other acts that played there, that I did not get to see, was Joe Walsh, Tom Petty, and many others. See the links below. The late 70's in Western PA (where I'm from) and OH were awesome. All the mills were running wide open, and everybody had money. I moved away in 1980 when I was 22. According to Wiki, TC was the first place The Ramones played outside of NYC. All the best. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Theater_(Youngstown,_Ohio) beltmag.com/youngstown-tomorrow-club-state-theater-music-rock/
Tom Waits is a pure genius in his use of words and music. I've been to many of his shows and never heard him play song the same way as before. He's like Dylan in that he is constantly reinventing himself and his words and music (sounds?). I first listened to him in 1967 and believe he is better today than he was when he was younger. If you ever get a chance go and see him. You won't regret it.
I got to see him on my birthday, years ago at the Saengre Theatre in Mobile, Alabama. Fantastic show. But yeah, as you say, the permutations of his music. The songs are constantly evolving. I really have no idea how he does that.
i've also idolized/been inspired by this guy for many years. i love the "old man" comment. i heard an interview with him on fresh air....he always dreamed of being like his friend's old man (father), in plaid jacket, etc. i saw him act live in "Demon Wine" and met him after the play. he wasn't particularly warm, but he did shake our hands cordially, growl at us, and drive off in some banged up classic car....we were well pleased and didn't wash our hands for at least a couple hours. love him.
It finds that slipper that's been at large under the chaise lounge for several weeks LOL. Waits is a true genius. He's also a great character actor. Just saw him in Seven Psychopaths. He steals the show. Make sure you don't leave the theatre when the credits come on. That's when he really nails it
What a force of nature...Is there anybody even close to this guy? The double live album "Nighthawks at the Diner" is one of the great works.... it's on Spotify!
SUCH A GREAT AUDIENCE... they stayed seated. Several years ago I was doing Tom Waits, not sure how long he can keep up the grovel, but man.. .. I need 3 days between gigs to recoup. Step right up.
I respect and love what you're saying. But I hate the "stay seated" mindset of watching live shows. People stand up because they want to dance and groove. They paid good money to see a show and they should be allowed to express how much they love the music. If you couldn't already tell I do love to dance. And love to dance at live shows.
Been a fan since I heard this song in 1983 on the stereo, in France, at the friend of a friend's house. Knocked me over. You'd be surprised how unknown he was in the USA back then. I talked about him all the time: some people knew "The Piano Has Been Drinking"; others had never heard of him. (I'm told he was pretty famous already on the West Coast though.)
This is so damn good...Any with such a stiff of an audience, and Tom's up there doing it like they're yelling and screaming...digging way inside the groove, pulling everything out. As Mickey Rourke would say, he's "bringing it". One of the best things on youtube. Well, Jonathan Winters telling his christmas story on Carson is a close second.....
This is not a song. This is not a monologue. This is not a performance piece. This is all three in one beautiful ball, ready to sell to the consumer of the world.
the one and only time i purchased a brand new car, this was specifically the first song I listened to on the "extra" CD player I purchased, as I drove out of the car lot. It seemed appropriate. Almost literally 20 years after this performance.
He did a short tour in 1977 here in Southern California. He used a streetlamp onstage and opened with the song "Standing on the Corner Watching All the Girls Go By." Then a stripper performed while he did "Pasties and a G-String."
Tom rules. The only mistake in my 45 years was not seeing him when he was stateside. If this song was a day long, it would be the best day in the history of life as we know it. Did I say Tom rules? Read the small print sucker!
I've just found the place where i would like spend my evenings, listening great deep music: a profound voice telling me smoking and take the peace of sense..
Don't be caught with your drawers down, don't be caught with your drawers down...It gives you an erection, it wins the election...just remember, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away!! One of Tom's all time best songs.
Man this is awesome, i've never seen this clip before. In the beginning didn't think I would like it too much since it has a slightly slower timing, but it works nicely. Has even more of a jazzish lounge sound than the album recording. I like how when he usually smokes a cigarette he smokes the shit out of it haha.
thanks sclogse1 missed him at the fox in st louis my friends said everybody was getting pissed cause some dredheaded siste was singing along with the the closer "innocent when you dream" out of key from the balcony. Tom told the crowd to chill out and encouraged everyone to sing along. Step right up!
Just this one song is enough become immortal in my collections. Then he comes out with album after album. Bone Machine? Head exploding. Every album he does is different. He sings to a different world. We are just lucky he decided to stop by Earth for a spell. Thanks, Tom
@Flamestrke I heard him do this at the Bardavon OPera House in Poughkeepsie NY around 30 years ago and it was the same then. The man put on some show. Like someone else said 'make me want to chain smoke and drink too much'
@Chesna121 It's probably a hipster thing to do, but I consider Tom Waits to be one of the few actual music "artists". Everyone else is just a musician but Tom Waits is actually an artist.
@ThePyjamaPirate just a small mistake : it's not a beret, it's a newsboy cap (also called "newsie", or Apple Cap, Eight Panel, Lundberg Stetson or sometime Jay Gatsby) (see the english wikipedia article on "Newsboy_cap" for more details) but I understand one could mistake it for a beret : he's wearing it on the side, something uncommon with that kind of cap but kinda frequent with berets :)
