Verble Gherulous’s Brief Introduction to the Mad Mad World
of Tom Waits
First, one should know that there are two Tom Waits:
1)
Piano Blues Tom Waits
and
2) Pure Gravel Static Tom Waits.
Both are absolute genius.
A start with the “transitional” albums (late 70’s/early 80s)
between the two is probably the best way to get a true appreciation of the
entire oeuvre. Personally, I would
suggest listening to the following albums in order:
Album #1) Blue Valentines. My personal favourite. Pure poetry, rainslicked streets, and
whiskeysoaked vocals.
Album #2) Rain Dogs.
*THE* transitional album, although some may think that actually is . . .
Album #3) Swordfishtrombones. This album is suburbia seen through the eyes
of Picasso.
Album #4) Foreign Affairs. Tight mysteries and
midnight road movies.
Album #5) Bone Machine. Suffering madness, beautiful
delusion.
Album #6) Small Change. Punks, pimps, tramps, thieves, such beautiful
tragedy.
Album #7) Mule Variations. Picture American Gothic
drenched in sepia tones.
Album #8) Nighthawks at the Diner. An intimate
evening with a brilliant magician at a piano.
With these albums tucked under your belt, you will have the
essential Tom Waits. All the rest is
just gravy. Delicious gravy with a haunted aftertaste of blood and gin.