Tom Waits is God

[rockstar_josh]

I love Mule Variations... Tom Waits is good every time I hear him!

[BuildaFriend]

If I had to give one person more credit i would have to give it to beefheart BUT, thats not to put tom waits down. they are both amazing artists. beefheart grew up with zappa in the desert.. that should put him in prospective if anyone doesent know who he is.

[Blewgrass]

Here is their website with lots of photos. They spend a good deal of bandwidth tooting thier Tom Waits horn, which is totally appropriate. Before Waits, the studio was far less known, if not equally great. The folksy sound of a concrete floor room and a vintage neve console is ideal for indie rock and acoustic music.

Prairie Sun Recording Studio

The rural chicken ranch vibe is really what makes the place in my opinion. In songs like "Chocolate Jesus" you really get a feel for the place, including the sound of trucks on the nearby Highway 116.

[betamatt]

Originally Posted by Blewgrass

Wow! I live in Cotati. Recorded a demo in the "A" room on Mooka's advice... you know.. the room Tom says is dead... Oh well. I did learn tons from my first run in a world class facility, and most of all, learned that performance is the key.. don't get caught up in the gear, just do your thing. I'll probably get back there at some point. I've hung out in the Waits room for several jam sessions with local musicians. I think many musicians have passed through that room looking for some of the magic that Tom may have left in there. Probably the same reason why Springsteen hopped the fence at Graceland. We're all looking for some magic out there. Tom has certainly earned his place in rock history.

I was playing a gig with my bluegrass trio one night at Aroma's and Waits, Kathleen, kids and all came in... they were chased out pretty quick, but it was a thrill of sorts. My old band covered some of his southern porch bluesey numbers.


Most folks up here have a Tom Waits story. He's just a regular dude, and if you don't talk to him like a rock star, he'll BS with you all night.

If you work up there, we've probably met. I drive by W. Sierra on my way To Bodega Bay four times a week. If you are a tech up there, I might have met you too. I know Mooka hires interns from Sonoma State to work in there.

Quint: I bet they would take you on a tour. Just tell them you're considering giving them some business :-) No seriously, they are super chill up there. Hey man, It's all about wine, chickens and organic horticulture of varying types here in Sonoma County. I have lived up and down the West Coast, and Sonoma County is by far my favorite place. You have to visit the Coast when you are here too. Cheers

Ha funny small world. I came up to Sonoma from the east bay 4 years ago for the internship. Been a staff guy here for the last 3. Who do you play with? The music scene around here is so interconnected, if we haven't met, I'm sure I've met some of your fellows.

I don't know if Waits left any magic in the rooms, and I wasn't here when he did his work here, but I just love the Waits Room for the sound - it's an interactive space. Totally not a "studio" room. The wood panneling on the walls resonates, and acoustic instruments seem to be the right volume for the walls to act like another instrument (if that makes any sense). I especially like when I can get acoustic ensembles (ie bluegrass) to play and sing live in there with no phones. And again - so good as a small chamber for mixing.

Of course I extend the tour offer to any fellow GS studio geeks, regardless of imminent business or not. Gotta hope that when I'm travelling I can use the GS "guest pass" (it exists, right?) to see some of the rooms I'd like to visit.

Someone asked about pics? Let me take a look. Studio C has always been the most comfortable room to me to work in, but doesn't photograph well.

[RTR]

so..this is what you guy's consider singing!...A good voice?...wow, guess im not as bad as I thought

[vincentvangogo]

Originally Posted by RTR

so..this is what you guy's consider singing!...A good voice?...wow, guess im not as bad as I thought

Define 'good.'

[Quint]

Originally Posted by Blewgrass

Quint: I bet they would take you on a tour. Just tell them you're considering giving them some business :-) No seriously, they are super chill up there. Hey man, It's all about wine, chickens and organic horticulture of varying types here in Sonoma County. I have lived up and down the West Coast, and Sonoma County is by far my favorite place. You have to visit the Coast when you are here too. Cheers

I know. I miss being out there. I used to live in Reno but I made it over to the Bay area and wine country all the time since it wasn't far at all. Used to camp out at Point Reyes all the time too. Even did some hippie camping in Bolinas a few times. I miss the smell of the eucalyptus trees too.

[betamatt]

Originally Posted by hearttimes

how about posting some snaps?

As noted, you can find a lot of pics on the website, but here are some Waits Room shots I took on a session I did a while back that capture the vibe of the room. Please excuse photo quality - it's often dark in there!

[Quint]

Cool pics. That room's not even treated in any way is it? Doesn't look like it and it's only 16x16.

[Makinithappen]

Sorry to bump this old thread but I just got Heart Attacks and Vine on vinyl delivered to my doorstep today and I have to say that is is one of the most refreshing albums I have heard in a while. Not done at Prairie Sun (although I love those recordings as well).. The name of the studio escapes me at the moment. Bones was producer, though.

There's something about SwordfishTrombones that is just too freakin weird for my taste... Don't get me wrong... Rain Dogs is a bit weird too, but I feel like with Rain Dogs, the weirdness is done a bit more tastefully.

Like wise, Small Change seems too tame for what I expect when I put on a Tom record...

This Heart Attacks and Vine album seems to be a very percussive, yet musical cross between the styles and it is really a pleasure to listen to.

He just may be my favorite artist (which is saying a lot for someone who listens to mostly classic rock/classic metal.)

[Quint]

Originally Posted by Makinithappen

Sorry to bump this old thread but I just got Heart Attacks and Vine on vinyl delivered to my doorstep today and I have to say that is is one of the most refreshing albums I have heard in a while. Not done at Prairie Sun (although I love those recordings as well).. The name of the studio escapes me at the moment. Bones was producer, though.

There's something about SwordfishTrombones that is just too freakin weird for my taste... Don't get me wrong... Rain Dogs is a bit weird too, but I feel like with Rain Dogs, the weirdness is done a bit more tastefully.

Like wise, Small Change seems too tame for what I expect when I put on a Tom record...

This Heart Attacks and Vine album seems to be a very percussive, yet musical cross between the styles and it is really a pleasure to listen to.

He just may be my favorite artist (which is saying a lot for someone who listens to mostly classic rock/classic metal.)

Give it some more time. Swordfish Trombones is definitely an album that takes repeated listens before it truly begins to sink in.

[princeplanet]

Glad to see this thread still going. It's long been my view that TW is the coolest man in music. If you look at the old guard, Cohen, Dylan, Reed, Iggy Pop, (Nick Cave?), you have to acknowledge that he has had no NQR period such as the rest have had. He is as intense and relevant now as he ever was. To be cutting edge in middle age in Rock is quite an achievement cos as you age you lose that adolescent drive to be cool, dangerous, confronting etc. TW still has it! Mixing Vaudeville, Sleaze, Jazz, Folk, Avante Gard, Post Beat poetry (yes poetry!), he's a treasure. He's a beacon for the aging art/muso set that seriously need encouragement to take the lifestyle to the grave without misgivings. All the other arts have their elder statesman, we really only have Tom Waits....

[capnreverb]

Please refer to Dr. John's GRIS gris album for further referance.

[princeplanet]

Originally Posted by capnreverb

Please refer to Dr. John's GRIS gris album for further referance.

Yeah, it seems he copped some of the voodoo boogaloo from Dr John, I guess as much as he copped the "barking carny" and psycho blues from Cap'n Beefhart. He probably watched Freaks a few too many times and read too much Bukowski. You could say the same thing maybe for millions of people, but the sum total of all those influences (and more) only produced one Tom Waits. He's the "one off's" one off....

[CoteRotie]

Originally Posted by princeplanet

He's the "one off's" one off....

Perfect.

John

[sameal]

i was small. dont remeber how small. i was watching mtv back when it played music that wasnt crap, and music videos.

this dude was under a diner table on his knees playing a tiny guitar.


that was the start of an addiction. words cannot express the appreciation i have for that man and his music.

night hawks at the diner has got to be a close number one. real gone is a great album too, but then again i have never heard any tom waits i didnt immediately love. the man has never made a bad album.

[topperf]

Originally Posted by Teddy Ray

Great NPR Concert here

Glitter And Doom: Tom Waits In Concert : NPR Music

Thanks man - indeed great! (like always I guess)

[adeptusmajor]

Originally Posted by Quint

Give it some more time. Swordfish Trombones is definitely an album that takes repeated listens before it truly begins to sink in.

probably my favorite, rain dogs is not far behind it

my band used to cover "underground"


madness

[Electric Sugar]

Originally Posted by sameal

i was small. dont remeber how small. i was watching mtv back when it played music that wasnt crap, and music videos.

this dude was under a diner table on his knees playing a tiny guitar.


that was the start of an addiction. words cannot express the appreciation i have for that man and his music.

night hawks at the diner has got to be a close number one. real gone is a great album too, but then again i have never heard any tom waits i didnt immediately love. the man has never made a bad album.

I think that video is I Don't Wanna Grow Up.

Massive Waits fan here, he's just incredible. I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said.

My favourite albums, at the moment, are:

Rain Dogs
Frank's Wild Years
Small Change
Mule Variations
Nighthawks
Swordfishtrombones

There is a drumkit available for Toontrack's EZ Drummer that was put together with samples and beats from Wait's drummer around the Rain Dogs era ( I forget his name). I considered getting it, but it seems to me that it's against the whole spirit of Waits, to have it all there sampled for you already!

[roadsweeper]

Originally Posted by sameal

real gone is a great album too, but then again i have never heard any tom waits i didnt immediately love. the man has never made a bad album.

Have you ever heard Foreign Affairs? Probably the only album I'd fit in to the 'bad' album category. Other than that, every album is a masterpiece in my opinion.

I saw him in Edinburgh about this time last year. Everyone was annoyed at the cost of tickets (over £100 each) but all will agree it was worth every penny.

[sameal]

Originally Posted by roadsweeper

Have you ever heard Foreign Affairs? Probably the only album I'd fit in to the 'bad' album category. Other than that, every album is a masterpiece in my opinion.

I saw him in Edinburgh about this time last year. Everyone was annoyed at the cost of tickets (over £100 each) but all will agree it was worth every penny.

hmm. i have not heard foreign affairs. i have to get this now. i just cannot bieleve he would produce anything that i would even remotely dislike.

he came around here a ways back, couldnt afford the stub, i was living on my own and pulling overtime just to make the ends meet. i was not happy. plus it sold out and the only person selling tickets i could find was this ********* friend of a ********* friend. he was trying to sell them for above face value to me.

next time it will be done.

[sameal]

[QUOTE=Electric Sugar;4346551]I think that video is I Don't Wanna Grow Up.

Massive Waits fan here, he's just incredible. I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said.



that video indeed is i dont wanna grow up. great song too.

[Doktorfuture]

I'm more massive a fan than you!
I'm more massive a fan than you!



[QUOTE=sameal;4350868]

Originally Posted by Electric Sugar

I think that video is I Don't Wanna Grow Up.

Massive Waits fan here, he's just incredible. I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said.



that video indeed is i dont wanna grow up. great song too.

[Keire]

I agree....hes amazing!

[Berko]

Closing time

[hearttimes]

the true hardcore waits fans have gavin bryars "jesus blood never failed me yet"

tom's favorite recording. better check it out if you don't have it.

[PlugHead]

I figure this is one of the best threads to solicit opinions about TW songs, so here goes...

I've been hired to perform at an annual Tom Waits tribute show this Nov., and am still searching for material to consider for our duo.

If you were listening to a banjo and tuba play a Tom Waits cover, what song(s) would you like to hear?

I'll consider almost anything, but pref. not THE wordiest song(s) in his repertoire - neither of us are consumate singers, so the less words/more refrains the better!

Thx!

[Makinithappen]

Originally Posted by PlugHead

I figure this is one of the best threads to solicit opinions about TW songs, so here goes...

I've been hired to perform at an annual Tom Waits tribute show this Nov., and am still searching for material to consider for our duo.

If you were listening to a banjo and tuba play a Tom Waits cover, what song(s) would you like to hear?

I'll consider almost anything, but pref. not THE wordiest song(s) in his repertoire - neither of us are consumate singers, so the less words/more refrains the better!

Thx!

My vote would be Heart Attack and Vine... Kinda bluesy 12 bar riff and you can get away with singing the same 2 verses over and over...

Sounds like a fun project, though.

If you happen to get a recording of it, I know I (and would bet a a few other people here) would be curious to hear a TW song covered by banjo and tuba.....

[PlugHead]

You bet I'll have it recorded - I do that for virtually every gig...

Good call re: "Heart Attack & Vine "- I know that tune well - I've also been tumbling around some others like "You're Innocent When You Dream" and "Telephone Call from Istanbul", tho that one is a bit wordy!

thx,

Originally Posted by Makinithappen

My vote would be Heart Attack and Vine... Kinda bluesy 12 bar riff and you can get away with singing the same 2 verses over and over...

Sounds like a fun project, though.

If you happen to get a recording of it, I know I (and would bet a a few other people here) would be curious to hear a TW song covered by banjo and tuba.....

[Monobasser]

Originally Posted by hearttimes

the true hardcore waits fans have gavin bryars "jesus blood never failed me yet"

tom's favorite recording. better check it out if you don't have it.

It's good... but it doesn't come close to Bryars original... nor any of Waits best albums IMO.

On paper I thought it was a great idea to get Waits to do it, and there is nothing wrong with it.. but how can you match the magic and true sadness of the original?

To add another voice to this thread, I'm a big fan of Blood Money too.

I saw Waits in Edinburgh last year, best gig of my life... the ridiculous ticket price just melted away...