Tom Waits - Orphans [Fold-out Digipak with 24-page booklet]
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Free Music Notes for Orphans [Fold-out Digipak with 24-page booklet]
Free Music Review: So much talent its obscene
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been a Waits fan since I discovered Swordfishtrombones in the mid-80s. I've bought pretty much everything he's done since then with the exception of Real Gone, which I missed for some reason. That said I think if I was to recommend something to a total Waits noob it would be this box set. Its simply a magnificent sampler of his unique talents. Even without the extra Orphans disc it would be worth the asking price. Brawlers is simply brilliant. I have had it on heavy rotation in the car the last few days and I can't get enough of it. It's actually bordering on obscene how one man can have so much talent. Its like looking at a picture of Marilyn Monroe - too much beauty! The stand-out track among many fine offerings has to The Road to Peace. At first I couldnt believe I was hearing right. Waits doing a political song? But of course its brilliant. Sums up that crazy situation with total dead-nuts accuracy. Sad as hell too in true Waits style. He needs to do more 'protest' stuff. He could be the new Dylan! haha. The real surprise for me was Bawlers. I usually dont take to his maudlin stuff all that well but the tracks here are really quite beautiful, so tender and handled with a lovely delicate touch. Of course, musically it's impeccable. I don't think people appreciate just how musically accomplished Waits is as a composer and conductor. Never a note out of place. The production is impeccable too. Like I said, obscene! The two discs together represent the yin and yang of Waits' personality perfectly. Not since Alice and Blood Money have we been so blessed with an abundance of Waits. Simply glorious.Free Music Review: something for the fans, and something for Tom's own creative needs
Hit: 5 Stars
I admire Tom Waits for his continuous pushing of the envelope. He always challenges his listeners in complex ways. At the same time, I will admit that his innovations can become excessive and abrasive. He continues to produce great work amidst those cuts bordering on mere noise, but sometimes I miss his Asylum years personae. I am happy to say that he returns in top form(s) here, and the sheer range of these three discs gives a little gift to every kind of Waits fan--including those, like myself, who hold a special place in their hearts for the Waits of the early years.
Disc 1 is more rock and blues influenced stylings, and it's my favorite of the three. Particularly interesting is one long track on the Israel-Palestine conflict that manages to be insightful and message-filled without sounding preachy and while carrying a quite catchy tune. Disc 2 gives us great ballad work, especially on Down There by the Train (which, with no disrespect intended, Johnny Cash never did justice to). Disc 3 is all the avant-garde stuff, including a few spoken word pieces. Waits creates two very different songs here with the same lyrics, and a story he tells near the end about a mother who lost her son is just . . . well, classic Waits.
This album above all shows how much Waits gets his fans. He returns to many styles we haven't heard from him in a while, but with the creative sensibility and viewpoint of the Waits he's become--a little crazier, and with far more pack-years in him.
Free Music Review: Could easily pass for a career retrospective...
Hit: 5 Stars
...not so much because the music reflects every single phase of Tom Waits' distinguished history (it doesn't really have anything that sounds like his first few albums), but because it's very hard to believe that such a massive and diverse collection of songs could simply be Waits' latest release. Sure, some of these tracks are reissued from the last ten years (soundtracks and other compilations), but for the most part this three-disc collection shows that Tom Waits has apparently got an inexhaustable muse.
"Orphans" is an ideal purchase for both the long-term, diehard Waits fan AND the curious newcomer looking to find out about him. There are so many great songs it's pointless to discuss them all, but I think "Tell It To Me" might be the prettiest tune Waits has ever written. Meanwhile, "Lie To Me," "2:19" and his cover of "The Return of Jackie and Judy" (one of two Ramones covers here) rock as hard as anything he ever did. And for your more wigged-out moods, try "First Kiss" or "The Pontiac" on for size. There's something for everyone!
Special mention goes to "Sea of Love" - Waits turns the original (a fairly formulaic love song fit for high-school dances c. 1962) into a spooky, bluesy moaner, with a brilliant lyrical twist in the chorus.
For an artist to come up with this much new and worthwhile music 35 years into his career is an absolute inspiration.
Free Music Review: The voice that tells the songs
Hit: 5 Stars
There was a lot of hype about this 3-disc release. I have to say it lives up to its hype. If you are familiar with Wait's work, you will treasure this collection. If you aren't, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you hear or you may go ughh! If you don't like a true songwriting master who uses his voice as the "true" instrument in so many different ways to TELL THE STORY, then this is not for you.
My personal favorite(and worth the price for the whole package) is disc 1 "Brawlers". It's like having Jack London sitting down with you and telling you frontier tales. IT'S THAT GOOD. The other 2 "Bawlers" & "Bastards", are exceptional in their own way, but they don't have the punch of that opening disc.
All in all, if you like Tom's style and songwriting, dont hesitate and just buy this. Highly recommended.
Free Music Review: Eclectic Mix of Tom Waits Best Music Yet
Hit: 5 Stars
Wow, this caught me by surprise. Some really great ballads, some remakes of old tunes like Good Night Irene and some of the most funky stuff I have ever heard. Waits has hit the mark with this one. A lot of great political commentary with more material on three cd's than I could ever imagine. He must have gone on a (writing) binge. Some of it sounds like the Salvation Army Band and others are so mellow and beautiful. I suspect Walt Disney is rolling over in his grave if he has heard Heigh Ho. However, it is a faithful rendition, at least as far as the words being there. Over all a big thumbs up. I lost the [...] CD when I gave my player away and forgot to remove it. Oh well, I will just have to skrimp and buy another copy as I liked it better than anything I have ever heard Waits do.