Aquarium Drunkard Presents: Tom Waits: Cigarettes, Scotch & Soda
The mythos surrounding Tom Waits is powerful stuff. An artist of constant reinvention, be it subtle or overt, Waits has worn many hats over the years, both literally and metaphorically. From his early days gigging on the folk scene in his native San Diego, to his LA-noir Nighthawk barfly persona, Louis Armstrong-esque carnival barker and beyond, the man is a sponge, soaking up varied influences and information, stirring it all into his own funky bouillabaisse. A living legend, Indeed.
We shared a live recording of an old Tom Waits chestnut, sans band, accompanying himself on piano and guitar, in April 1974, on Aquarium Drunkard last week. Recorded at the San Diego Folk Festival, it serves as a snapshot of where Waits was at that time in terms of following his own muse and hints of where it would soon take him.
This week's playlist is largely focused on early Waits' studio material -- much of it before the trademark nicotine growl became the aesthetic center of his performance. Also: re: vinyl - Rhino has reissued numerous Waits catalog pieces over the years.
ABOUT AQUARIUM DRUNKARD
Based in Los Angeles, Justin Gage is the founder of the long-running, eclectic music blog Aquarium Drunkard. In addition to the blog you can catch his weekly radio show, Fridays, on SIRIUS XMU satellite radio -- noon-2pm EST.
Gage is also the founder of Autumn Tone Records and works as a music consultant and supervisor.
