Tag Archives: Tom Waits

Oh Tom, you cookie old thing, of course we’ll buy your album #piracyiswrong

  By Darren Byrne | August 23, 2011 - 7:56 pm | Music, The Culch
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I love Tom Waits. I adore him. His melancholic, depressing, morbid, growling, gloomy tones make me feel bouncy happy. If Misery is the River of the World, he is my boat. Or at least a dinghy (perhaps with a slow puncture). Maybe he’s a plank of wood or a barrel that I can latch hold of. Sorry, hang on, what? Yes, my metaphor drifted away from me. My point is: I love his music. And with so many years between each release, the anticipation of a new album is always high. His new album, Bad As Me, his first new studio album in seven years, will be released on October 25th and in his preview video he takes a shot at those who would dare to share his music…on the the interwebs…prior to its release date. What if I called you first and I said, ‘Betty, you know, is pregnant.’ … There’s more →

Tom Waits’ Glitter and Doom Live Album - Review

  By Darren Byrne | December 1, 2009 - 2:27 pm | Gigs, Music, The Culch
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Before August 1st 2008, I can’t think of a time I was truly starstruck. I was a bit tongue-tied when I met Gay Byrne two years ago, but apart from that, I don’t think I’ve ever come close to being starstruck. When Tom Waits stepped out on stage, he looked ten feet tall. A combination of the rapturous cheers, the perfectly targeted spotlights and Waits’ natural charisma made him the most alluring man on the planet at that moment. I was in awe. I’m not sure if I cheered - I may have just stared. Of course, I was not as overcome as the American guy behind me who screamed uncontrollably and looked close to tears. Understandable! All this, before the man sang a single note.

Tuesday Tune - Tom Traubert’s Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen)

  By Darren Byrne | March 17, 2009 - 8:00 am | Music, The Culch
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Small Change, Tom Waits’ 1976 album, is as dark and painful as they come. His alcoholism and skewed view of the world was really beginning to effect him emotionally and the sadness, boredom and fear comes bleeding through the songs on this album. Though filled with poetic imagery and dark humour (particularly on the track The Piano Has Been Drinking), it is the bleak melancholy that takes over this album. This is seen to the greatest extent in the album’s opening track, Tom Traubert’s Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen). The song is known for the inclusion of the refrain from Waltzing Matilda and was famously covered by Rod Stewart. Whatever your opinions on Rod Stewart, there is no doubt that Waits’ hoarse, harsh vocal coupled with his background, makes his rendition the most emotive and heartfelt you’ll hear. Supposedly written after booze filled night on the streets … There’s more →