December 26 (Boxing Day), 2015
I never would have guessed that it would be Tom Waits who would shake me out of my anti-essay phase (though I would like to slip back to aphorisms and stream of consciousness snippets whenever I need to). But last night (Christmas Day Eve) I caught a performance I believe Tom W. did in 1978…and was absolutely blown away by the man\’s talent!
Of course I have known of Tom Waits, and, have listened to his music periodically since 1975. Back in-the-Zoo, we undergrads tried to impress each other with our sophistication level by acquiring (and listening to) as much avante-gard and non-mainstream music as we could: so you could always find someone listening to Captain Beefheart, Kraftwerk, Dr. John, Frank Zappa, and, Tom Waits. Once you\’ve heard Tom Waits\’ voice — that bourboned gravel forever lines your ears.
Since those days, I have heard the occasional tune and seen his acting prowess in a few films I\’ve caught on cable — often thinking: That can\’t be Tom Waits?! But it was/is. Most recently, at my post-surf Mecca, Rosenthal\’s Wine Tasting Room (which incidentally was voted #37 in the Top Places to be in US), I was talking to resident musician extraordinaire, Rich Cohen, about great lyricists. I proffered my usual Top 5: Dylan, Morrison, Cohen (Leonard), Gabriel and Fish — to which Rich suggested that Tom Waits be added as #6. I replied that I had listened to Waits over-the-years, but that I never looked at him as a great poet. Rich said I needed to listen to him some more. Since I am in awe of Rich\’s craftsmanship — I logged this as something I needed to do.
Well, yesterday — after my jacuzzi and watching \”A Christmas Carol\” for the umpteenth time (and a bit gin-soaked I must confess [purely for medicinal reasons of course]), I caught a Tom Waits\’ live performance (from circa 1978) on Austin City Limits. I was blown away by the performance! Wow!!
Tom Waits was (and still is [judging by his \’Hall of Shame\’ induction]) GREAT!! (Those readers still hanging on with me know — that even though DEEP PURPLE has finally been inducted — YES and many others haven\’t been: hence the \’Shame\’!)
I immediately did my Wikipedia research on Tom W. and subsequently had to ask myself: How many lifetimes do I need to accomplish what he has accomplished (and he is still going strong!)?! I doubt I could ever catch up. The only other oeuvre that has impressed me as much was that of former mentor, Carlfred Broderick. But unlike Carlfred, Tom W. seems to have maintained his sense of humor through the decades (though readers know that I have taken full responsibility for the ruination of Carlfred\’s sense of humor).
I sincerely hope that I\’ve not pooh-poohed Tom W. and his art at any point in my life (I may have said something negative about him in my youth [to the first wife]) — because he is the real deal! And, as at least one commentator of his work suggested: perhaps our true, US poet laureate! Tom even did a song called \”Sea of Love\” (well before HG named one-of-ours thus!).
I have to thank Tom Waits, for turning this \”poet out of doors\”; and, for giving me the strength and purpose to get back to crafting words in-my-own-fashion — like he has done…and will most likely continue to do so…