Don't think we've had one of these since the last Crisis on Infinate Message Boards, so I've decided to throw one out.


It's pretty amazing that this guy has been putting out consistently great music for over 30 years now, and it seems very few people actually know he exists. I've been doing my part to change that, of course: I've loaned Rain Dogs and Swrodfishtrombones to more people than I can count.

I know there are quite a few fans here, so let's play a bit of a game: What was your first Tom Waits album?


me? Heartattack and Vine. Got it about a year and a half ago, haven't looked back since. Mr. Seigal may be just about the seediest song ever. It's sorta shocking that you aren't required to take a shower after hearing it.

All I have of Tom's is Alice. I love it.

Where should I go next? Rain Dogs and Swordfishtrombones seem to be the most common answer..

if you have alice you might as well get blood money next. blood money actually may be my favorite waits album, at least at the moment. i wouldn't go for those two next though, they are what i started with and they almost put me off him right away. i would really recommend going chronologically and then you'll be able to see how he got to the sound he started with swordfishtrombones and appreciate it rather than be put off by it, imo.

I like that this is version '6.12'
But not as much as I like the username 'Plastic Soul'

Rain Dogs is the finest record ever made.

My first Tom Waits album was Mule Variations, not long after it came out. I agree about Mr. Seigel, although...

I've always had this theory that Black Rider causes cancer. Recently I've been forced to wonder what, then, must Real Gone do? Probably feeds children to the bone machine....

been listening since the mid 70s....Have all the albums...My favorite is probably Small Change..The first tune, Tom Trauberts Blues is a classic.

I bought Rain Dogs last week and I've been blown away. Where would you reccomend me going next?

Right after Rain Dogs? I'd say Swordfishtrombones would be right up your alley. It's alot like RD's, but it has the increadible '16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought-Six' on it, which is what pushes it to #1 on my list.

After that, you can go for Modern Era Waits in Mule Variations, Bluesy Waits in Heartattack and Vine, Hipster Waits on Blue Valentine (my #3) and Small Change, or go back to the beginning with Pianoman Waits in the Closing time era. His rasp isn't around yet, but the songs are still among the best ever written.

If you loved Rain dogs, though, i'm sure you'll love Swordfishtrombones equally, if not even more.

the first record i got was Rain dogs... a friend lent it to me 6 years ago. i feel in love with his music so i got all his records.. i was really impressed with his voice. i mean, we all know it's a bit different from most of vocalists!
anyway, his music is oustanding! he's so cool..

What album has Jitterbug Boy on it?

Small Change, if I remember correctly.

Thanks

I listened to my dad's Blue Valentines album when I was about four years old. Tom's voice scared the crap out of me at the time. About twelve years later, I got my dad a couple Tom Waits CD's for Christmas. I listened to them, and thought they were really cool, and now he's one of my favorite artists.