Tom flippin' Waits.
If you are a fan of the newer Tom Waits, the Island Years and up, then this album may or may not be for you, but if you are a fan of the earlier stuff, the jazzier stuff, then you must have this. There is not much more to say than Tom Waits.
Overall, if you are a Tom Waits fan, an actual fan, then you will buy this album and support one of the most creative, honest, and principled musicians to still be alive today. .
Another gem
They weren't Crystal Gayle or Tom Waits fans, but this music transcends both individuals to create something greater than the parts. This CD is so hard to describe, but everyone in my office that heard it wanted to buy it. Crystal doesn't sound like a country singer and Tom. . well Tom still is unmistakenly Tom which, to a fan is all you can ask.
Since his songs are written very often with him as a character, as a duet, it is really effective to hear him sing the "male" part with the emotion that only he in his unique way can capture. You would never think of Crystal Gayle with him, but her voice is so pure and innocent, yet edgy when it needs to be that I and anyone who hears this CD falls in love with it. "Old Boyfriends" will tug at your heart and was the highlight of their duets if not of the CD.
fabulous
But Crystal Gayle isn't bad either - her vocal talent just isn't celebrated enough. Tom Waits is, of course, unique. But it's certainly shown to perfection here where her clarity and range works beautifully with Wait's gruffness. They are perfect together, and Wait's original and poignant soundtrack comes to life.
A wonderful collaboration
This album is most certainly a Tom Waits record. . he wrote the tracks, and is the obvious creative force behind the music. However, Waits reigns it in some, allowing room for Crystal Gayle to sashay her way in and croon alongside him. The result in an album of love--a realistic album of a realistic love-story.
Gayle's vocals are a welcome addition; she can croon with the best of them, and knows how to perfectly pronounce Waits's nuanced lyrics. Waits himself takes his turn at the mike frequently (including a handful of beautiful duets), adding his emerging macabre presence here and there, creating an artistic album that is both commercial and beautiful. I won't go so far as to say that this is one of Waits's best, but it has to be right up there.
Six Stars Would Be More Appropriate.
This has the word genius all over it. . with sublime rich melodies that only Mr. Waits, and others before him like Harold Arlen and Hoagy Carchimael are capable of. The arrangements that go with these songs are some of the best you will ever hear, and the choice of Crystal Gale as Tom's foil is a stunner. I never bought an album of her's before, but what a voice and what an interpreter. . . no just another country pretty face here. . . a real pro. So, the combo of all these elements becomes larger than each of them in the most attractive, sublime soundtrack I own. This is smooth Waits over super lush scoring. . . a match made in heaven. The inclusion of the last cut (really a suite) on this edition has the great missing song of Tom's. . . . Empty Pockets. . . which I saw him sing in a video of a London show around 1980. I almost fell over. . . . a song that classic. . . and nobody ever heard it. This song finally released with this score is easily the best song of the year. . . but no one will ever nominate it. Everything on this album is classic. . . way beyond the drivel of pop material that surrounds us now. Makes me think of when I found the then rare soundtrack of Elevator To The Scaffold, with the Miles Davis score. Like finding a diamond in your pocket. As soon as the first track starts, it's so different than any other Miles, and so moody and evocative. . . you know you've been on the right track all along. I should mention. . . get the Elevator soundtrack that has the original reverb. . . some reissues have none. . .
See you back here after the Orphans 3 CD set from Tom comes out.
You can see a complete list of all Tom Waits discography, or go back to the Tom Waits tabs
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