Photo Credit: Michael O’Brien
I must admit, before meeting Tom, I had heard so many rumors and so much gossip that I was afraid. Frankly, his gambling debts, his animal magnetism, coupled with his disregard for the feelings of others… His elaborate gun collection, his mad shopping sprees, the face lifts, the ski trips, the drug busts and the hundreds of rooms in his home. The tax shelters, the public urination…I was nervous to meet the real man himself. Baggage and all. But I found him to be gentle, intelligent, open, bright, helpful, humorous, brave, audacious, loquacious, clean, and reverent. A Boy Scout, really (and a giant of a man). Join me now for a rare glimpse into the heart of Tom Waits. Remove your shoes and no smoking, please.
Q: What’s the most curious record in your collection?
A: In the seventies a record company in LA issued a record called “The best of Marcel Marceau.” It had forty minutes of silence followed by applause and it sold really well. I like to put it on for company. It really bothers me, though, when people talk through it.
Q: What are some unusual things that have been left behind in a cloakroom?
A: Well, Winston Churchill was born in a ladies cloakroom and was one sixteenth Iroquois.
Q: You’ve always enjoyed the connection between fashion and history…talk to us about that.
A: Ok let’s take the two-piece bathing suit, produced in 1947 by a French fashion designer. The sight of the first woman in the minimal two piece was as explosive as the detonation of the atomic bomb by the U.S. at Bikini Island in the Marshall Isles, hence the naming of the bikini.
Q: List some artists who have shaped your creative life.
A: Okay, here are a few that just come to me for now: Kerouac, Dylan, Bukowski, Rod Serling, Don Van Vliet, Cantinflas, James Brown, Harry Belafonte, Ma Rainey, Big Mama Thornton, Howlin’ Wolf, Lead Belly, Lord Buckley, Mabel Mercer, Lee Marvin, Thelonius Monk, John Ford, Fellini, Weegee, Jagger, Richards, Willie Dixion, John McCormick, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Robert Johnson, Hoagy Carmichael, Eurico Caruso.
Q: List some songs that were beacons for you.
A: Again, for now… but if you ask me tomorrow the list would change, of course. Gershwin’s second prelude, “Pathatique Sonata”, “El Paso”, “You’ve Really Got Me”, “Soldier Boy”, “Lean Back” , “Night Train”, “Come In My Kitchen”, “Sad Eyed Lady”, “Rite of Spring”, “Ode to Billy Joe”, “Louie Louie”, “Just a Fool”, “Prisoner of Love”, “Wang Dang Doodle (all night long)”, “Ringo” , “Ball and Chain”, “Deportee”, “Strange Fruit”, “Sophisticated Lady”, “Georgia On My Mind”, “Can’t Stop Loving You”, “Just Like A Woman”, “So Lonesome I Could Cry”, “Who’ll Stop The Rain?”, “Moon River”, “Autumn Leaves”, “Danny Boy”, “Dirty Ol’ Town”, “Waltzing Matilda”, “Train Keeps a Rollin”, “Boris the Spider”, “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me”, “Red Right Hand”, “All Shook Up”, “Cause of It All”, “Shenandoah”, “China Pig”, “Summertime”,
“Without a Song”, “Auld Ang Syne”, “This is a Man’s World”, “Crawlin’ King Snake”, “Nassun Dorma”, “Bring it on Home to Me”, “Hound Dog”, “Hello Walls”, “You Win Again”, “Sunday Morn’ Coming Down”, “Almost Blue”, “Pump It Up”, “Greensleeves”, “Just Wanna See His Face”, “Restless Farewell”, “Fairytale of NY”, “Bring Me A Little Water Sylvie”, “Raglan Road”, “96 Tears”, “In Dreams”, “Substitute”, “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues”, “Theme from Rawhide”, “Same Thing”, “Walk Away Rene”, “For What it’s Worth”, theme from “Once Upon A Time In America”, “Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing”, “Oh Holy Night”, “Mass in E Minor”, “Harlem Shuffle”, “Trouble Man”, “Wade in The Water”, “Empty Bed Blues”, “Hava Nagila”
Q: What’s heaven for you?
A: Me and my wife on Rte. 66 with a pot of coffee, a cheap guitar, pawnshop tape recorder in a Motel 6, and a car that runs good parked right by the door.
Q: What’s hard for you?
A: Mostly I straddle reality and the imagination. My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane. Math is hard. Reading a map. Following orders. Carpentry. Electronics. Plumbing. Remembering things correctly. Straight lines. Sheet rock. Finding a safety pin. Patience with others. Ordering in Chinese. Stereo instructions in German.
Q: What’s wrong with the world?
A: We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness. Leona Helmsley’s dog made 12 million last year… and Dean McLaine, a farmer in Ohio made $30,000. It’s just a gigantic version of the madness that grows in every one of our brains. We are monkeys with money and guns.
Q: Favorite scenes in movies?
A: R. De Niro in the ring in Raging Bull. Julie Christie’s face in Heaven Can Wait when she said, “Would you like to get a cup of coffee?” James Dean in East of Eden telling the nurse to get out when his dad has had a stroke and he’s sitting by his bed. Marlene Dietrich in Touch of Evil saying “He was some kind of man.” Scout saying “Hey Mr. Cunningham” in the scene in To Kill A Mockingbird. Nic Cage falling apart in the drug store in Matchstick Men…and eating a cockroach in Vampire’s Kiss. The last scene in Chinatown.
Q: Can you describe a few other scenes from movies that have always stayed with you?
A: Rod Steiger in The Pawnbroker explaining to the Puerto Rican all about gold. Brando in The Godfather dying in the tomatoes with scary orange teeth. Lee Marvin in Emperor of The North riding under the box car, Borgnine bouncing steel off his ass. Dennis Weaver at the motel saying “I am just the night man,” holding onto a small tree in, Touch of Evil. The hanging in Oxbow Incident. The speech by Rutger Hauer in Blade Runner as he’s dying. Anthony Quinn dancing on the beach in Zorba. Nicholson in Witches of Eastwick covered in feathers in the church as the ladies stick needles in the voodoo doll. When Mel Gibson’s Blue Healer gets shot with an arrow in Road Warrior. When Rachel in The Exorcist says “could you help an old altar boy father?” The blind guy in the tavern in Treasure Island. Frankenstein after he strangles the young girl by the river.
Q: Can you tell me an odd thing that happened in an odd place? Any thoughts?
A: A Japanese freighter had been torpedoed during WWII and it’s at the bottom of Tokyo Harbor with a large hole in her hull. A team of engineers was called together to solve the problem of raising the wounded vessel to the surface. One of the engineers tackling this puzzle said he remembered seeing a Donald Duck cartoon when he was a boy where there was a boat at the bottom of the ocean with a hole in its hull, and they injected it with ping-pong balls and it floated up. The skeptical group laughed but one of the experts was willing to give it a try. Of course, where in the world would you find twenty million ping-pong balls but in Tokyo? It turned out to be the perfect solution. The balls were injected into the hull and it floated to the surface, the engineer was elated. Moral solutions to problems are always found at an entirely different level; also, believe in yourself in the face of impossible odds.
Q: Most interesting recording you own?
A: It’s a mysteriously beautiful recording from, I am told, Robbie Robertson’s label. It’s of crickets. That’s right, crickets, the first time I heard it… I swore I was listening to the Vienna Boys Choir, or the Mormon Tabernacle choir. It has a four-part harmony it is a swaying choral panorama. Then a voice comes in on the tape and says, “What you are listening to is the sound of crickets. The only thing that has been manipulated is that they slowed down the tape.” No effects have been added of any kind except that they changed the speed of the tape. The sound is so haunting. I played it for Charlie Musselwhite and he looked at me as if I pulled a Leprechaun out of my pocket.
Q: You are fascinated with irony, what is irony?
A: Chevrolet was puzzled when they discovered that their sales for the Chevy Nova were off the charts everywhere but in Latin America. They finally realized that “Nova” in Spanish translates to “no go.” Not the best name for a car… anywhere “no va”.
Q: Do you have words to live by?
A: Jim Jarmusch once told me “Fast, Cheap, and Good… pick two. If it’s fast and cheap it wont be good. If it’s cheap and good it won’t be fast. If it’s fast and good it wont be cheap.” Fast, cheap and good… pick (2) words to live by.
Q: What is on Hemmingway’s gravestone?
A: “Pardon me for not getting up.”
Q: How would you compare guitarists Marc Ribot and Smokey Hormel?
A: Octopus have eight and squid have ten tentacles,
each with hundreds of suction cups and each have the power to burst a man’s artery. They have small birdlike beaks used to inject venom into a victim. Some gigantic squid and octopus with one hundred foot tentacles have been reported. Squids have been known to pull down entire boats to feed on the disoriented sailors in the water. Many believe unexplained, sunken deep-sea vessels, and entire boat disappearances are the handiwork of giant squid.
Q: What have you learned from parenthood?
A: “Never loan your car to anyone to whom you’ve given birth.” - Erma Bombeck
Q: Now Tom, for the grand prize… who said, “He’s the kind of man a woman would have to marry to get rid of”?
A: Mae West
Q: Who said, “Half the people in America are just faking it”?
A: Robert Mitchum (who actually died in his sleep). I think he was being generous and kind when he said that.
Q: What remarkable things have you found in unexpected places?
A:
1. Real beauty: oil stains left by cars in a parking lot.
2. Shoe shine stands that looked like thrones in Brazil made of scrap wood.
3. False teeth in pawnshop windows- Reno, NV.
4. Great acoustics: in jail.
5. Best food: Airport in Tulsa Oklahoma.
6. Most gift shops: Fatima, Portugal.
8. Most unlikely location for a Chicano crowd:
A Morrissey concert.
9. Most poverty: Washington D.C.
10. A homeless man with a beautiful operatic voice singing the word “Bacteria” in an empty dumpster in Chinatown.
11. A Chinese man with a Texan accent in Scotland.
12. Best nights sleep-in a dry riverbed in Arizona.
13. Most people who wear red pants- St. Louis.
14. Most beautiful horses, N.Y.C.
15. A judge in Baltimore MD1890 presided over a trial where a man who was accused of murder and was guilty, and convicted by a jury of his peers… and was let go- when the judge said to him at the end of the trial “You are guilty sir… but I cannot put in jail an innocent man.” You see - the murderer was a Siamese twin.
16. Largest penis (in proportion to its body) - The Barnacle.
Q: Tom, you love words and their origins. For $2,000…what is the origin of the word bedlam?
A: It’s a contraction of the word Bethlehem. It comes from the hospital of Saint Mary of Bethlehem outside London. The hospital began admitting mental patients in the late fourteenth century. In the sixteenth century it became a lunatic asylum. The word bedlam came to be used for any madhouse- and by extension, for any scene of noisy confusion.
Q: What is up with your ears?
A: I have an audio stigmatism where by I hear things wrong- I have audio illusions. I guess now they say ADD. I have a scrambler in my brain and it takes what is said and turns it into pig Latin and feeds it back to me.
Q: Most thrilling musical experience?
A: My most thrilling musical experience was in Time Square, over thirty years ago. There was a rehearsal hall around the Brill Building where all the rooms were divided into tiny spaces with just enough room to open the door. Inside was a spinet piano - cigarette burns, missing keys, old paint and no pedals. You go in and close the door and it’s so loud from other rehearsals you can’t really work- so you stop and listen and the goulash of music was thrilling. Scales on a clarinet, tango, light opera, sour string quartet, voice lessons, someone belting out “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, garage bands, and piano lessons. The floor was pulsing, the walls were thin. As if ten radios were on at the same time, in the same room. It was a train station of music with all the sounds milling around… for me it was heavenly.
Q: What would you have liked to see but were born too late for?
A: Vaudeville. So much mashing of cultures and bizarre hybrids. Delta Blues guitarists and Hawaiian artists thrown together resulting in the adoption of the slide guitar as a language we all take for granted as African American. But it was a cross pollination, like most culture. Like all cultures. George Burns was a vaudeville performer I particularly loved. Dry and unflappable, curious, and funny – no matter what he said. He could dance too. He said, “Too bad the only people that know how to run the country are busy driving cabs and cutting hair.”
Q: What is a gentleman?
A: A man who can play the accordion, but doesn’t.
Q: Favorite Bucky Fuller quote?
A: “Fire is the sun unwinding itself from the wood”.
Q: What do you wonder about?
A:
1. Do bullets know whom they are intended for?
2. Is there a plug in the bottom of the ocean?
3. What do jockeys say to their horses?
4. How does a newspaper feel about winding up papier-mâché?
5. How does it feel to be a tree by a freeway?
6. Sometimes a violin sounds like a Siamese cat; the first violin strings were made from cat gut- any connection?
7. When is the world going to rear up and scrape us off its back.
8. Will we humans eventually intermarry with robots?
9. Is a diamond just a piece of coal with patience?
10. Did Ella Fitzgerald really break that wine glass with her voice?
Q: What are some sounds you like?
A:
1. An asymmetrical airline carousel created a high pitched haunted voice brought on by the friction of rubbing and it sounded like a big wet finger circling the rim of a gigantic wine glass.
2. Street corner evangelists
3. Pile drivers in Manhattan
4. My wife’s singing voice
5. Horses coming/trains coming
6. Children when school’s out
7. Hungry crows
8. Orchestra tuning up
9. Saloon pianos in old westerns
10. Rollercoaster
11. Headlights hit by a shotgun
12. Ice melting
13. Printing presses
14. Ball game on a transistor radio
15. Piano lessons coming from an apartment window
16. Old cash registers/Ca Ching
17. Muscle cars
18. Tap dancers
19. Soccer crowds in Argentina
20. Beatboxing
21. Fog horns
22. A busy restaurant kitchen
23. Newsrooms in old movies
24. Elephants stampeding
25. Bacon frying
26. Marching bands
27. Clarinet lessons
28. Victrola
29. A fight bell
30. Chinese arguments
31. Pinball machines
32. Children’s orchestras
33. Trolley bell
34. Firecrackers
35. A Zippo lighter
36. Calliopes
37. Bass steel drums
38. Tractors
39. Stroh Violin
40. Muted trumpet
41. Tobacco Auctioneers
42. Musical Saw
43. Theremin
44. Pigeons
45. Seagulls
46. Owls
47. Mockingbirds
48. Doves
The world’s making music all the time.
Q: What’s scary to you?
A:
1. A dead man in the backseat of a car with a fly crawling on his eyeball.
2. Turbulence on any airline.
3. Sirens and search lights combined.
4. Gunfire at night in bad neighborhoods.
5. Car motor turning over but not starting, its getting dark and starting to rain.
6. Jail door closing.
7. Going around a sharp curve on the Pacific Coast Highway and the driver of your car has had a heart attack and died, and you’re in the back seat.
8. You are delivering mail and you are confronted with a Doberman with rabies growling low and showing teeth…you have no dog bones and he wants to bite your ass off.
9. In a movie…which wire do you cut to stop the time bomb, the green or the blue.
10. Mc Cain will win.
11. Germans with submachine guns.
12. Officers, in offices, being official.
13. You fell through the ice in the creek and it carried you down stream, and now as you surface you realize there’s a roof of ice.
Q: Tell me about working with Terry Gilliam.
A: I am the Devil in the Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus– not a devil… The Devil. I don’t know why he thought of me. I was raised in the church. Gilliam and I met on Fisher King. He is a giant among men and I am in awe of his films. Munchausen I’ve seen a hundred times. Brazil is a crowning achievement. Brothers Grimm was my favorite film last year. I had most of my scenes with Christopher Plummer (He’s Dr. Parnassus). Plummer is one of the greatest actors on earth! Mostly I watch and learn. He’s a real movie star and a gentleman. Gilliam is an impresario, captain, magician, a dictator (a nice one), a genius, and a man you’d want in the boat with you at the end of the world.
Q: Give me some fresh song titles you two are working on.
A: “Ghetto Buddha”, “Waiting For My Good Luck To Come”, “I’ll Be an Oak Tree Some Day”, “In the Cage”, “Hell Broke Loose”, “Spin The Bottle”, “High and Lonesome.”
Q: You’re going on the road soon, right?
A: We’re going to PEHDTSCKJMBA (Phoenix, El Paso, Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, St. Louis, Columbus, Knoxville, Jacksonville, Mobile, Birmingham, Atlanta). I have a stellar band: Larry Taylor (upright bass), Patrick Warren (keyboards), Omar Torrez (guitars), Vincent Henry (woodwinds) and Casey Waits (drums and percussion). They play with racecar precision and they are all true conjurers. I’m doing songs with them I’ve never attempted outside the studio. They are all multi-instrumentalists and they polka like real men. We are the Borman Six and as Putney says, “The Borman Six have got to have soul.”
522 responses so far ↓
1 Chris // May 20, 2008 at 11:58 am
I can’t wait to see the first setlist…..
2 Chris // May 20, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Hopefully St. Louis will get one that covers a little bit of everything. I figure I’ll only get to see him once, I have to get the most out of it.
3 Sue // May 20, 2008 at 3:10 pm
That was really cool.
“Fast, Cheap, and Good… pick two. If it’s fast and cheap it wont be good. If it’s cheap and good it won’t be fast. If it’s fast and good it wont be cheap.” - TRUE
4 Lewis Cash // May 20, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Great and funny post. An awesome read. Loved the story about the boat and the ping-pong balls.
5 Tim B. // May 20, 2008 at 4:13 pm
He should interview himself more often.
6 Claudia Drake // May 20, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Love this! He’s always such an inspiration,
his stories, his music, his MIND. :]
7 Ryborg // May 20, 2008 at 4:29 pm
8 Ryborg // May 20, 2008 at 4:31 pm
yep…speechless
9 The Old Cobbler // May 20, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I met this young fellow once, at the Prarie Sun studio in Cotati. I was (and am) a big fan of his music and naturally assumed he’d be a grumpy unfriendly grouch. Was I wrong! A very nice man, and it was a real thrill when he started noodling on a piano and singing - it was like a private concert!
The possibility that McCain will win, however small, is indeed a scary thought.
10 Uncle Vernon // May 20, 2008 at 5:04 pm
you just gotta love him!
11 MadAmImAdaM // May 20, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Ah, Tom Waits … the man and his music have been growing on me for the past couple of decades. Love the auto-interview!
12 joseph // May 20, 2008 at 6:49 pm
fucking great. it’s so hard to garner little truths from real interviews (concerning waits, anyway). so, i think there was a lot of honesty that surfaced. an insightful look. i’ve read two books on waits and learned more, i think, about him in that one piece.
13 Todd // May 20, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Any remote chance of a privileged few sitting in on a rehearsal prior to the tour departure? Like a dress rehearsal kind of thing?
14 Todd // May 20, 2008 at 11:18 pm
P.S. I live in Ventura County, CA
15 Pump House Charlie // May 21, 2008 at 1:18 am
In a world of mediocrity how refreshing to take a peek into the great mans wisdom… long may he rant…
16 Toni W // May 21, 2008 at 2:49 am
Thank you Tom Waits for a warm, funny and life-enhancing blog. It added more magic to my day, as I am sure it has done for other people. Your list of world music is an unassuming and pertinent reminder to pay attention to ordinary things and not let them get lost.
17 Björn E // May 21, 2008 at 5:13 am
The opposite of timeless music in a good sense. Thanks for that. I really hope you go to Sweden or some place close some time soon. If I could just see you once live, then I’d die a happier man. Thanks again.
18 Antonio // May 21, 2008 at 5:28 am
absolutely fantastic
loved the imagination and reality part
19 Kurt // May 21, 2008 at 5:29 am
More on the ping pong story here (apparently it was a Dane): http://www.iusmentis.com/patents/priorart/donaldduck/
20 larry // May 21, 2008 at 5:32 am
Tom is a very funny and creative man, and I look forward to seeing him in St. Louis next month. I noticed in his list of mostly now dead musicians of the past, is another great American talent: Hoagy Carmichael; he’s in the same class, historically and musically, and it’s not so ironic that both were in film quite often portraying musicians.
21 David H // May 21, 2008 at 5:33 am
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why Tom Waits is the always The Coolest Guy in the Room.
22 Henri LaMooch // May 21, 2008 at 6:09 am
is it true that you have a bowling ball garden for a front lawn?
23 Ricky P // May 21, 2008 at 6:19 am
Can’t wait to see him in Houston town.
24 Sinéad // May 21, 2008 at 6:52 am
U Restore faith in mankind !
25 Max // May 21, 2008 at 6:53 am
haha great stuff!!!…how the hell I’m gonna get around to checking out all those songs and sounds though I don’t know!
26 Rob // May 21, 2008 at 7:44 am
wonder if anyone will ever attempt to put all those sounds he listed into one recording…. I think I’d give up and forget after a few days
27 JY // May 21, 2008 at 7:52 am
Atlanta twice in two years this is a real treat. I am also curious to see the frist set list. Atlanta was frist last tour and last this tour. The frist shall be last and the last shall be frist. Thanks for the love TW
from a son of the south
28 Ryan // May 21, 2008 at 8:06 am
I’m driving to Dallas from Los Angeles to see him. It will be well worth it.
29 Tanner // May 21, 2008 at 8:34 am
As its been said, this is an incredible interview. Tom certainly knows how to live life.
30 Nikki // May 21, 2008 at 8:40 am
I just got goosebumps and have a smile that wont wash away. This makes me want to give my boyfriend the biggest kiss ever for introducing me to Waits. One of the best gifts I have ever received from another human being was his introduction.
I am in great anticipation on his live performance.
31 cgb // May 21, 2008 at 8:41 am
“8. Most unlikely location for a Chicano crowd: A Morrissey concert.”
Yeah. That sounds about right.
32 Jack // May 21, 2008 at 9:35 am
I’m driving from Pennsylvania to St. Louis. I’ve seen him four times in four decades. After the Orphans show in Nashville two years ago, this will be twice in ONE decade. It IS well worth it!
33 Christian // May 21, 2008 at 10:06 am
A true genius…!
34 DCompose // May 21, 2008 at 10:34 am
That’s one HELL of an interview.
35 mike // May 21, 2008 at 10:52 am
I always thought Churchill was 1/8th Iroquois
36 yaya // May 21, 2008 at 11:17 am
Hey, Tom - thanx for this and everything! And for anyone who liked the Tobacco Auctioneers ref, you might check out Werner Herzog’s brilliant “How much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck”
37 millard // May 21, 2008 at 1:31 pm
life is cruel….and keeps TW concert venues just slightly, and forever, beyond my reach…and has for decades. I do envy those of you who are so fortunate to have seen him live.
It’s silly I suppose, but I have a video tape copy of Big Time that will have to suffice…..trouble is, I’m afraid to play it for fear of wearing it out.
I do hope some of these shows are recorded for us poor saps who aren’t able to attend.
38 casey lee // May 21, 2008 at 3:17 pm
i crack at my sides…. great fun
i have heard interviews with Mr. Waits on the radio and wanted to stuff the interviewer with a mouth full of peanut butter to make them stop their retarded quazi-intellectual bullshit questions. We can use the word retarded again right?, now that we don’t call people that ,it’s back in the mix, that was the whole point of PC, right?
39 jaydeee // May 21, 2008 at 4:19 pm
a schizophrenic read, very interesting but the interviewer was pretty insulting on the ears but i guess when you interview yourself, honesty is best policy.
40 JipMan // May 21, 2008 at 4:40 pm
The only reason I am upset by the ticket policy is because I want an actual hard ticket to include in my albumn of favorite concert ticket stubs. Do you think the receipt we get at the door will be similar to a hard ticket? Houston. 12th row center. Looking for a person to go with.
41 Tugboat // May 21, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Hey!
I’ve got a fart in a jar!
Sniff it!
42 Sarah // May 21, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Enjoyed the whole enchillda. Yes can I have one of those empty seats when you’re practicing. Please come to Washington State - we are part of a wonderful constellation. SPBE Special People Being Earnest Sarah
43 Cail // May 21, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Makes me want to drink lemonade and sit in airports more often. Wish I lived in the South, if only for a month to make it to a show.
44 Matt Strawbridge // May 21, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Ahh! This was great! I can’t wait to see him in St. Louis. I think the only thing that would’ve made this better would be if we could watch him answering. The inflections he puts on words are the best.
45 Slobodan Chutzpah // May 22, 2008 at 1:36 am
In this age of inanity, celebrity and banality (all related), thank the gods for someone like Tom Waits. Dope sh*t, as they say.
46 Joe // May 22, 2008 at 2:37 am
I used to enjoy the smell and glow of tree leaves being burned at night during the fall season
You have a lot of stuff going on TW
Nice blog ..thanks
47 camtosh // May 22, 2008 at 3:49 am
>Eurico Caruso.
Is that Enrico’s brother? was his sister called Eurika?
48 Mark // May 22, 2008 at 4:33 am
I am really courios about the crickets record. Could you tell us where to hear it or get it, or maybe upload it yourself for0 a listen.
49 The Dude // May 22, 2008 at 5:01 am
If his music carear ever goes belly up (which it wont) He would make a great comedian.
The man knoes how to joke
50 JC from Paris // May 22, 2008 at 6:47 am
Stop pretending you’re touring all by yourself with a record player making the applause and that you’ve found no one to interview you. I don’t fall for it. Yes, there must be a trick somehow. Magicians always have tricks.
51 Iain in Scotland // May 22, 2008 at 8:35 am
95 quid to see him in edinburgh…. SOLD !
52 humanmarionette // May 22, 2008 at 8:52 am
i would of killed to hear that homeless opera singer sing about bacteria……..
but id settle for tom waits singing his own version which im sure has come out in many ways since the incident…….
i love what is heaven for you…….its the best way to write live and love………from la to Arizona next month you better believe there will be a tape recorder some stops at antique stores and my concertina i am proud and happy you arent stopping in la …….thank you for this
53 Kevin Gerald Burns // May 22, 2008 at 9:33 am
Seeing the first two shows in Phoenix and then Columbus. Cannot fucking wait. He could sit on stage and fall asleep. I just hope no one talks through it.
54 Braingels // May 22, 2008 at 9:57 am
Something happens when I delve into Toms words and world…I get extremely creative all-of-a-sudden!
I just built a big box out of scrap wood and a box of knots that I collected from trees and I am gonna use it to put my collection of boxes in…
use what you’ve got around, it tells a story down the line!
55 jeff // May 22, 2008 at 9:57 am
The only thing that wrong with the whole ticket thing is for sods like us that don’t have platinum,gold,silver.or plutonium cards…but hey I gotta 1930’s busted guitar that sounds great in boiler rooms and a wonderlust for the summer road…ya gotta love the smell after the rain…PEHDTSCKJUMBA…HERE I COME…only travel at night so not to lose sight of the road…
56 NY Brad // May 22, 2008 at 10:51 am
Too bad he’s not coming to NYC this time around. I’ve been listening to him since 1973 and have never seen him live.
57 rampster // May 22, 2008 at 11:22 am
Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I fish.
58 Kristian // May 22, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Thanks for coming to san sebastian, Tom, really. GREAT CHOICE (Pretty nice town and very good auditorium (Kursaal).
I ‘ve been there twice and the acoustic is great. Hope i’m lucky and get the tickets. Won’t be easy. I’ll be praying til 2nd of june. 20 years waiting for this….
59 Taryn // May 22, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Since T.W. loves the sound of tap dancing, I highly recommend a viewing of Dancing Outlaw, which is the story of Jesco White, a tap dancer in the Appalachians. It’s a jarring yet beautiful documentary and I think Tom could write an entire album about Jesco and his “hillbilly” family in West Viginia.
So sad TW isn’t coming to DC on this tour…we do indeed have a great deal of poverty here (#9 on the list of remarkable things in unexpected location), but it’s still worth a stop…I’ve had to go as far as Detroit and NYC to see him before. Maybe a surprise last stop on this tour to celebrate the end of 8 years of Dubya in the White House??
60 Under the Mooch // May 22, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Best Food in an Airport in Tulsa? Either this was before my time, or you, sir, are a liar. Although Norman, OK has a great airport diner named Ozzie’s. And while you are in Tulsa, you should ask to be fed from Murphy’s Diner in Bartlesville. You’re probably not even reading these comments, are you?
61 Liam // May 22, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Is there any way to find that recording of crickets?
62 Johnny Boi // May 22, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Liam, Yes: http://thepiratebay.org/tor/3660378/Robbie_Robertson_-_Music_for_the_Native_Americans
63 Ruby Jo // May 22, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Good Lord, Taryn, someone else has seen the documentary about Jesco White, the hillbilly tapdancer??? My son and his girlfriend turned me on to it a few years ago. Truly mind-boggling.
I can imagine TW getting a big kick out of it too. Nice.
Ruby Jo in H., impatiently waiting for June 22 to get here!
64 Deb // May 23, 2008 at 12:14 am
Taryn, Ruby Jo, I too loved the Dancing Outlaw, I found it to be sadly hilarious, & yes, I agree Jesco & Tom would be a very interesting combo.
Ruby Jo I’m also in H, waiting right along with you!
Woohoo!
65 Jose Broto // May 23, 2008 at 12:45 am
What an interesting way to understand sound Mr. Waits has. I would like to experience his performance in Milan. Are there any seats for and where are they sold at face value? I live in Geneva.
66 Mr T // May 23, 2008 at 1:54 am
Hey,
All the songs mentioned in the songs that were beacons? have been compiled into a collection on .mp3
check it out:
http://linkmap.blogspot.com/2008/05/tom-waits-true-confessions-on-mp3.html
67 digio // May 23, 2008 at 7:59 am
PLEASE COME ALSO TO THE NETHERLANDS!!!!!!!!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!!!
68 zenpunk // May 23, 2008 at 8:18 am
Where is New York on that tour lists? NEW YORK!!!1!
69 paul // May 23, 2008 at 10:31 am
see you in barcelona mr waits
70 Tommy // May 23, 2008 at 10:55 am
“We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness”
At least Tom will be a bit wealthier after these tours if not happier… I have never been so excited to hear someone was coming to Scotland, and will be trying my upmost to get a ticket but $200 a ticket is ridiculous. I will pay it, but a lot of people will miss out who cant afford these crazy prices. Its a shame, but Mr Waits might not want to moan about people being money orientated when you see how much the UK and Irish ticket prices are for this gig.
71 Jen // May 23, 2008 at 11:01 am
I was adopted and the only connection I have with my father is smoky bars, drunks falling over chairs, musty pool tables….and the song “Heart Attack and Vine,” playing on a dusty jukebox. My father had a rough life, a lot of drugs and depression. Now everytime I want to remember the good times with him, ironically, even as gritty as it is, I play “Heart Attack and Vine.”. Thank you for this lifetime contribution Mr. Waits. You have reached more people than you know.
72 JayneyMack // May 23, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Great to see Tom playing Dublin but the venue is awful - a tent - still comforting to know that Leona Helmsley’s dog will be able to afford a ticket.
73 dinsdale // May 23, 2008 at 7:56 pm
The recording of crickets is called “Twisted Hair” and is available on itunes. Search for “Robbie Robertson” and look for “Music for the Native Americans”.
74 Dynomoose // May 24, 2008 at 12:35 am
Another great skipping New Orleans. Sigh.
75 mmw // May 24, 2008 at 2:04 am
“65 Jose Broto // May 23, 2008 at 12:45 am
What an interesting way to understand sound Mr. Waits has. I would like to experience his performance in Milan. Are there any seats for and where are they sold at face value? I live in Geneva.”
Jose, you can buy tickets for Milan concerts from http://www.ticketone.it.
Since yesterday I’m the lucky owner of two tickets on Row 16. I just can’t wait!
Greetings from Bucharest, Romania!
76 chris // May 24, 2008 at 7:48 am
Cant wait to breather the sanme air as him. tickets goon sale for Dublin tuesday. He’s playing the Ratcellar Phoenix park. I will be gutted if I cant tickets.
77 M. Vogel // May 24, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Thank You !
78 jimmy // May 24, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I heard that the price for the ticket is 75-95 Pounds (in UK); if that’s true, I am really disappointed by Mr. Waits; may be I could afford this price, but I wouldn’t.
I thought Mr. Waits is so proud of “being recognized at the dump”, and he considers himself, so empathetically, as the singer of the blue working class. But of course, he shouldn’t expect any working class man in his high class 95 pounds show; he should expect people in habit of white wine and caviar, and indeed he shall sing them the “train song” or “invitation to the blues”…ah such a fancy show!…. Have fun Mr. Waits!
79 craig // May 24, 2008 at 9:35 pm
dear mr. waits,
i can not express my deepest regard for you as a musician and a songwriter. however, i can not be all “cherries and roses”. like every other blog ever blogged, mine also has an opinion, and unfortunately opinions are a lot like assholes: everyones got one, and they all stink like shit. but i digress…
i can not understand why you can not bring yourself to canada to play a show. granted there is a big imaginary line dividing detroit and santa claus, but everybody loves your music up here, and it is here where you should be playing on your upcoming tour.
I understand that you can hardly control where your booking agents book you, but i’m sure you can put some word in somewhere in order to get your way. I have faith in your abilities to control a booking agent.
Yours truly,
Craig.
80 mmw // May 24, 2008 at 11:19 pm
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
jimmy // May 24, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I heard that the price for the ticket is 75-95 Pounds (in UK); if that’s true, I am really disappointed by Mr. Waits; may be I could afford this price, but I wouldn’t.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Good choice Jimmy!
Wait for Scarlett Johansson’s tour to listen Tom Waits’ songs. I’m sure she won’t dissapoint you with her “brilliant” covers and the show tickets shouldn’t cost more than one euro …
Live you life, man!
81 Altino // May 25, 2008 at 12:57 am
Mr. Tom, i wonder see you singing in my country, Portugal. So please don’t force me to go, once again, to Spain. Please, start your European Tour oin the country of Alfredo Marceneiro.
82 jimmy // May 25, 2008 at 10:06 am
Dear mmv,
to me, Scarlett Johnsson covering Tom Waits, is like George Bush giving a philosophy speech! lol It doesnt make much sense to me!
But I just think none of the people who Tom Waits make his music and write his lyrics about, can afford 95 pounds to go to his concert. I think he’s gonna have the wrong set of audience; he’s selling some nostalgic feeling of misery to some people who are rich enough to be outside “that” misery….
cheers!
83 Steven Chatt // May 25, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I’m just a little guy, you’re the best Tommy Boy
84 Charlie boy Williams // May 25, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Tom…I just fell into my bowler hat and woke up in an ice cave with a mime, a sea-monkey and a fly that will only devour eyeballs! They all have a handful’s of glitter and are hitching a ride to Phoenix. See you at the Orpheum!
85 Anand // May 25, 2008 at 11:17 pm
hey, Tom
i wish the internet never existed. it’s taken all the romance out of life.
Thank you for bringing romance to life over the years.
Anand
86 Matthew // May 26, 2008 at 3:08 am
My future wife fell in love with me while I was singing and dancing to “Table Top Joe”. While waiting for her to get divorced, we will finally have our ‘first date’-flying from Seattle to El Paso to see Mr. Waits.
87 Lyle // May 26, 2008 at 6:35 am
COME TO CANADA, I gots to see TW. You can sleep on my couch if you want, but only for a few days. My girlfriend will be mad if it is any more. See you soon Tom
88 JipMan // May 26, 2008 at 7:22 am
Still no interest in my companion ticket to the Houston show. I may need to fall back on a real fan out there somewhere to go with. I won’t waste a ticket nor scalp it. 12th row center at Jones Hall. It will become available as soon as I have exhausted a short list here in town. I’ll let you know.
89 PETER // May 26, 2008 at 11:19 am
Its so good tohear that my formal chief is coming around. ihave been singing TOM s lyrik through out of germany austria scotland and had such a great time,still iam sorry that I came late at the Grand Rex at the last Tour,there was a 2nd Mike there standing(komme nie zu spät) Its been hard to leav his musik ,but was a must still I am influenced ,on my own way right know. I do not know which city ,but may be Edhinburg,I again get the chance to catch up with TOM,thats a real heartshipdesire. Lovely greetings, PETER!
90 Chloé // May 26, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Any chance you come to Montréal, or Québec, or Canada soon? Southern USA is far and quite disappointing when you are 19 but used to majority. And Europe is a bit expensive…
I admire you for everything I think you are. And you are probably even more..
You inspire me as an artist and also as a human being.
I’ve just started to discover your character and your work and it seems boundless. So then even though I never see you on stage, feel your presence or meet you, I know your work can keep me amazed for years.
91 TALLON MACY // May 26, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Tom Waits you are a true musician, i admire you greatly.
92 Cathie // May 27, 2008 at 2:18 am
We couldn’t afford to go and see Tom Waits in London so delighted we managed to get tickets for Edinburgh - although I did think the handling charge was a bit excessive. A once in a lifetime experience.
Canny wait.
93 Simon // May 27, 2008 at 3:28 am
Why hasn’t Tom released any DVD’s of his more recent shows?
94 Tommy // May 27, 2008 at 4:58 am
You got my tickets for Edinburgh.. cant wait!
At £85 a pop for the cheap seats after handling, I hope its good, but im sure it will be. Its a shame on those who cant afford such prices though
95 julie // May 27, 2008 at 5:01 am
me too!!!! cant believe going to see tom waits!!!!!!!
so exciting!!!
96 koen bogaert // May 27, 2008 at 5:10 am
Q: What’s heaven for you?
A: Me and my wife on Rte. 66 with a pot of coffee, a cheap guitar, pawnshop tape recorder in a Motel 6, and a car that runs good parked right by the door.
Indeed, just finished the 14 day drive from Chicago & LA. Tom Waits in the iPod gave this trip a surreal touch when driving through abandoned villages. If Rt. 66 is heaven, let Tom be God
97 Retardo Montalban! // May 27, 2008 at 6:00 am
Last time Tom came to Edinburgh in the 1980’s and I bumped into him coming down some stairs in a hotel which led to the bar and he said “Why hi, cutie pie” as he took off his hat, and gestured for me to pass him, squeezing himself against the wall in a tight staircase to let me through. I thought how polite and said “thanks” and we both smiled and looked at each other. I was not in the slightest aware of who he was but remembered his name as other people made a big deal of it saying “do you know who that was” to which I said “no” and then was told but it still didn’t mean anything as I had not heard his music, etc (I have of course since!). A few years later on meeting my now husband, I told my him of this story (he was a big fan) and he couldn’t believe I had not known who he was. My husband introduced me to Tom (not obviously in person), and I now just love his songs. I will now be seeing him play on his return to Edinburgh, and cannot wait. My reason for sharing, I thought it was a funny story - or at least me and my husband think so!
98 Graveyard John // May 27, 2008 at 6:53 am
Dublin sold out
99 Tommy // May 27, 2008 at 8:12 am
Ediburgh is sold out as well- both nights
100 (different) Tommy // May 27, 2008 at 8:58 am
Good job i got tickets then!!
101 scalpers friend // May 27, 2008 at 9:33 am
some swindler on ebay.co.uk listing tickets for 750.
what a spluttering swine
102 T // May 27, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I´m from Norway, got tickets for Edinburgh, are there any hotels to recomend? Preferably the one Tom is staying at….And please stop complaining about the prices.
A ticket for Dolly Parton cost 70 £ here i Norway, non seated.
My total cost is probably round 700£, I´m glad to use my childrens holydaymoney, they just have to stay at their grandmothers this year.
We only go around once, I think…
103 Amy // May 27, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I have just discovered your music. I love the way you evolved. The sound has such atmosphere. Its something I can walk through. Thanks oh….if anyone wants to make a trade for some Waits tickets and gas money for a painting let me know:)
104 Matt G // May 27, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Love to hear whatever Tom has to say… but I must admit that interviewer gots ta go!
105 Horse Face Ethel // May 27, 2008 at 11:13 pm
I just got tickets for the “Tent” in Dublin (I live in Enbland), and yes I had to pay the £100 + for a ticket, I saw him on his last European tour in Amsterdam and paid over £500 for 2 tickets (including being ripped off for tickets that never appeared) from touts. I am not rich and am not even currently working, however, I would be prepared to pay double that to see this man, this will be the third time that I have seen him perform and there is not an artist that can touch him. I save up my money between tours to see him and usually have to travel a long way too. I hope that the Album (presumably with the songs he says hes been working on) lands soon I cant wait.
106 Alegiust // May 28, 2008 at 5:06 am
Tom you are a hero but 125/90 euri for the Milano concerts are just too much………i would like to know if you know that……….€125 to € 90 € ???????
107 Cate // May 28, 2008 at 5:54 am
mayday! mayday! psychic ship sinking! clevelanders distressed. needed: tom waits treatment. please add cleveland date. (& minneapolis. & nyc. &. &. &.)
108 Dany // May 28, 2008 at 5:57 am
Tom, come to Argentina and sing here, we have a lot of fans in this land.
109 craig // May 28, 2008 at 7:19 am
very good of you to come to entertain us in Dublin and (tremendously) in Edinburgh. Got tickets for both venues despite cash required. Never seen the great man perform…can’t wait…bring on the new tunes they will undoubtedly float boats. Planes suck, buses take a while and trains justify their place with glorious smells as they slow.
110 Ingrid // May 28, 2008 at 8:36 am
please come to Vienna, too !!!
111 Gilbert C // May 28, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Can any one tell me the prices of ticket in Europe? Thanks,
GC
UltimateTomWaits.com
112 ching // May 28, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Re Glitter and Doom tour.
Hi
What’s wrong with England?
113 Scott // May 28, 2008 at 2:05 pm
To all the people moaning about no dates in England. Yes it sucks, yes you’ll have to travel, yes it all adds to the cost. But it’s something we have to deal with all the time up here. I have to travel down to England to see tons of acts, and a lot I miss cause they’re only playing in London and I can’t afford it or get the time off work. For once it’s the other way round, so you get to experience what it’s like for the rest of the country.
Edinburgh is beautiful city, the Playhouse is a good venue for live music. Come out of your comfort zone and have some fun!
114 tev // May 28, 2008 at 3:42 pm
hi tom
Its been 30 years since you’ve played Philadelphia. I’m getting old! so are you! How about a visit?
115 Gavin // May 28, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Methinks Tom will be Running with the bulls pre-San Sebastian date (Im right there with him) and holidaying in Kerry somewhere (thats a county not a girl) .. hope te fuck I get a ticket for one of the Spanish dates! Maybe he’ll play Walking Spanish?
Quit bitching about ticket prices.. what’d you expect?
116 Elizabeth R. // May 28, 2008 at 5:22 pm
All these dates.. What about New York?
117 Masuharu // May 28, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Shit Tom
Forget New York…
I live in Rakkestad(smal town) Norway.
You newer playd here, why is that?
118 Bren // May 29, 2008 at 2:08 am
I scream,you scream,we all scream for ice cream…..Mr Waits awaits x
119 MissPrivate // May 29, 2008 at 7:43 am
Q: Most thrilling musical experience?
A: My most thrilling musical experience was in Time Square, over thirty years ago. There was a rehearsal hall around the Brill Building where all the rooms were divided into tiny spaces with just enough room to open the door. Inside was a spinet piano- cigarette burns, missing keys, old paint and no pedals. You go in and close the door and it’s so loud from other rehearsals you can’t really work- so you stop and listen and the goulash of music was thrilling. Scales on a clarinet, tango, light opera, sour string quartet, voice lessons, someone belting out “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, garage bands, and piano lessons. The floor was pulsing, the walls were thin. As if ten radios were on at the same time, in the same room. It was a train station of music with all the sounds milling around… for me it was heavenly.
- I know this feeling. i felt it the first time i walked down a hallway of rehersal rooms at the Cleveland Institue of Music, and it changed somthing for me. Like a small switch to a part of my that went on, and every sound, even the bad ones, are beutiful inside of the noise of the collective.
120 MissPrivate // May 29, 2008 at 7:47 am
the world is full of amazing and wonderful abnormalities that all too often go unnoticed because people are too wrapped up in themselves to actually take a good look around.
121 Big Head Ed // May 29, 2008 at 11:04 am
why was my post deleted?
122 Kieran // May 29, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Tom, when you are in Ireland do as you do in the US. forget the capital city and come to the deep south of Ireland to Cork or Kerry, where we would welcome you in Red trousers.
123 Boris // May 30, 2008 at 1:15 am
Me an my love will be in Prague, tue on row 13 !
124 ALXIII // May 30, 2008 at 5:50 am
can’t wait to see the show in Milan, Italy in July…last show here was in ‘99!
125 Stephanie Chance // May 30, 2008 at 9:18 am
Mr. Waits,
Thank you so much for coming back to the south. I was so disappointed when I missed out on the Orphans tour. My dearest husband is taking me to the Mobile concert. I just have to sit through Jimmy Buffett in Atlanta with him next month. If you have time before heading to B’ham, we’ll buy you a beer at the Pink Pony in Gulf Shores. Then head on down to the FloraBama. Or pass through Montgomery after the Atlanta show. Have you seen the cross garden in Prattville? I’d love to show you around Alabama. I cannot wait to see the show. Thanks again!
126 Stephanie Chance // May 30, 2008 at 10:27 am
Please consider playing Montgomery some time. We have a brand new performing arts center that B. B. King played last month. Willie Nelson played the Riverfront Amphitheater last year. We have the Hank Williams Museum, and you can visit his grave at Oakwood Cemetary. Unfortunately, Jr. has been banned from Montgomery after pissing in a potted plant of former Mayor Folmar. We would be honored to have you. Red pants and all. Just maybe be mindful of the public urination.
127 noemando spengler // May 30, 2008 at 10:49 am
I´m from brazil, and i´m waiting tom wais here.
I hope for this day…
Nmd spnglr
128 Church Rat // May 30, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I performed “Picture in a Frame” for my now wife 5 years ago. She got goosebumps and I got ****. I owe you Tom. We’ll be at the Dallas show. I just got my tickets today! My son borrowed my copy of Mule Variations and never gave it back. I’m a proud Daddy. I didn’t even know about the tour until today. I happened to look at a Ticketmaster spam e-mail cuz I was bored. Down in the calendar section with no promotion was “Tom Waits”. Made my F’ing year!
129 beth // May 30, 2008 at 1:28 pm
wish i could be there for the st louis concert. i am transplanted to new mexico and will miss it. are ther any waits fans in new mexico?
130 johnny cook // May 30, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hello Mr. Waits,
Will you have breakfast with me and a few of my colleagues on June 18th, 2008 at the University Club in Phoenix Arizona? The University Club is host to a series of Paintings I’ve created in the spirit of the abstract Universe. The series: “Life without Pluto” goes right along side of your constellation mapped itinerary for the summer. The concept: Using ones awareness of the planet Pluto being disbarred from our 9 planets as a benchmark to a better life. With hopes of a new awareness spreading to sentient beings to project a conspiracy for all to do good.
I would be extremely honored and grateful to host you for breakfast and am excited to hear from you soon.
Artist
Johnny Cook
johnnycreates.com
131 Ken Smith // May 30, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Tom,
Got tickets for the Thursday night show in Dublin. Such fear and then relief on Tuesday morning when they went on sale.
This is a once in a lifetime deal, make no mistake. Cannot understand the compliants about pricing. People pay for loads of crazy junk that they don’t need (or want) all the time…look around your house…look at the massive plasma screen that you won’t get paid off till Christmas 2010, look at the fake fireplace plugged into the hole in your wall under the mantlepiece that is no more than a glorified hair dryer, look at all the toys your children have that they will never play with for more than a day and will, eventually, end up stacked with all the rest of the plastic junk that has invaded your home.
How the Hell did I get here so soon?
Tom, you are a genius, a poet, a truthsayer, a heartbreaker, an angel amongst men.
Been crying all week listening to your work in the knowledge I will finally get to hear you sing some of it. Any of it.
In the end though, I always come back to the same record.
Bone Machine. The most chilling songs I have ever heard, they live inside of me and have become part of my very being. These songs are priceless as is the man who wrote them.
People buy shit all the time. No more of that. As for me, my wife Paula and friends Bernard, Mark, Paddy, Siobhan, Niamh, Richie, Alan, and Gerry…well, we are looking forward to the nights of our lives…
Thank you, Tom, for everything.
132 catriona // May 30, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I thought the interview was a bit rubbish.
Tom Waits’ writing and observations are better than this, I dont think it’s his work.
cat
133 Jangel in Japan // May 30, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Raised my kids on Tom’s songs, and one of them is heading down to Knoxville from Canada to catch his concert there. Makes me both proud and envious. Me? Sadly, I’m in Japan. Hey, Tom, you’re big in Japan, right? Come on over sometime soon!
134 nyc vagabonds // May 31, 2008 at 6:59 pm
wayward sisters heading to saigon on june 24th, never had a need to roll into the lone star state but making a detour to dallas the night before..
might not be easy as pie, but will be sweet as molasses..
did you know you’re big in the nam?
as the good doctor said: buy the ticket & take the ride
135 Mr. Secki // Jun 1, 2008 at 3:22 am
I have to admit…I’m in awe of this man. I really can’t think of anything else I know that solicits the same kind of feelings in me other than Tom Waits’ music. Randy Newman and Frank Zappa are tied for second. But Tom is, without question or hesitation, at the top of the list.
The story regarding my connection to Waits has enough irony to possibly turn into one of his songs. I grew up in Southern California. We moved there when I was 8 years old. It was 1970. Grew up in Anaheim which is not all that far from Tom’s boyhood home of Whittier. The first irony is that I never heard of Tom Waits until I went to college in Perryville, MO and was introduced to him via “Nighthawks at the Diner” and they guy who had the album was from Chicago. I listened to that record over and over again. Perryville, MO doesn’t have a wide variety of music available for purchase. They only got both kinds…”Country AND Western.” So, the summer after my freshman year in college I was in Chicago for summer school at DePaul University and I spent every free hour roaming the used record stores downtown and in Lincoln Park and bought every Tom Waits album I could find.
Fate (coupled with an extradition order) summoned me once again to Southern California in the mid 80’s where I eventually settled in (of all places) Whittier. Now I didn’t move to Whittier just because Tom grew up there but it always made me feel great that I was treading the same streets and sidewalks that he must have tread as a boy.
In 1987 Tom came to Los Angeles to the Wiltern Theater (corner of Wilsher and Western…hence the name). My two younger sisters got tickets for me for my birthday and since I didn’t have a female companion at the time, they joined me for the concert. I was spellbound, mesmerized and overwhelmed with pure unbounded joy just being there and soaking the experience up like a sponge.
That year (1987) the Rolling Stone Critics voted Tom #1 live act and based on what I saw, there was no recount in THAT election. It was superb.
And now, it’s 2008 and where am I? St. Louis, Missouri, and I have tickets for the show at the Fox later this month. This time, my wife of 20 years and I will be going to the show and both of us simply cannot wait. I made some CD’s of all our favorite Waits songs to listen to in the car over the next few weeks (6 CD’s in all) to whet our appetites for the show.
The feeling I have now is one of simple gratitude to be in the right place at the right time and to have tickets to an event that will be all the religion I’ll ever need!
Mr. Secki
136 Tom Stolzoff // Jun 1, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Tom
Whe nare you coming home again, San Diego misses you, “Never saw the white lines, till I wa leaving you behind…..”
137 Tom Stolzoff // Jun 1, 2008 at 12:33 pm
TOM
When are you coming home? San Diego misses you. The last time I saw you here was at the Backdoor at SDSU. Come on back!!
138 ABRIL // Jun 1, 2008 at 1:15 pm
THAN YOU FOR COMIG TO BARCELONA, YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A FESTIVAL IN MENORCA WHICH IS CALLED ” WAITING FOR TOM WAITS, WELL…FINALY WE WILL BE THE OPORTUNITY TO SEE YOU IN PERSON, IF WE HAVE THE LUKY TOMORROU AND WE GOT A TIKET .
139 Brian Scott Miller // Jun 1, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I feel more at home, buried under 130 some-odd quotes with you guys, than I do walking the streets of my Native New York.
We are moths drawn to Mr. Waits million watt persona.
But beware, the bug zappers, they despise our
way of life?
140 Mazikeen // Jun 1, 2008 at 6:52 pm
When reading his answers to ‘what are some sounds you like?’ I could hear almost all the sounds in my head as I read, and it made me smile.
What, however, is a victrola?
141 ivan // Jun 2, 2008 at 12:22 am
i don’t care about ticket prices i just wish the phone operators pick my call so i can buy the tckets, been trying for over an hour now and no luck.
142 Gavin // Jun 2, 2008 at 1:29 am
me too
143 ivan // Jun 2, 2008 at 2:37 am
its been three and a half hours now, and its imposible to get through to the operators in barcelona, i’m going mad!!!!!!!
144 ivan // Jun 2, 2008 at 3:23 am
yes yes yes i’m going to see tom waits, after 4 hours of waiting, tom waits for no man
145 jevi matil // Jun 2, 2008 at 5:09 am
hey ivan, és més facil al 933262946, és l’internacional i el pillen.
jaja, per cert, ets un capullo!saps qui soc?
146 Klaus // Jun 2, 2008 at 6:00 am
Still no luck to get tickets for Barcelona
147 Kumiko // Jun 2, 2008 at 6:51 am
No he podido conseguir entradas para ir a San Sebastian. Toda la mañana colgada al telefono. Confiaba en mí. Volví a equivocarme.
Tom: ¿me regalas una? Soy Marta
148 ALBERT // Jun 2, 2008 at 6:57 am
I spent the 11% of my salary to see you in Barcelona. Don’t forget this fact.
Albert
149 Jess The Mess // Jun 2, 2008 at 11:04 am
Man, me and my guitarist are flying down to Alabama to see you this year!! you outta come to michigan sometime…i wouldn’t have to be spending my very last cent on seeing you! Anyway i was wondering…i see your taking the 4th of july off…will you be spending it in Birmingham? maybe we could get together and jam…
150 john velcich // Jun 2, 2008 at 1:32 pm
forgive me if i get it a little wrong the sun came screaming yellow out of a manhole at the foot of 21st street is the greatest lyric i have heard followed closely by i wish coke was still cola and a joint is a bad place to be [haggard]
151 ABRIL // Jun 3, 2008 at 12:44 am
I´M GOING MADDDDD IT,S IMPOSIBLE TO HAVE A TICKETTTTTTTTT
152 ABRIL // Jun 3, 2008 at 1:05 am
LAS TENGO!!!!!!!!!! JEVI METIL, ESTES DONDE ESTES, HAS TERMINADO CON EL CALVARIO DE UN DIA Y UNA NOCHE LLAMANDO POR TELEFONO.
VOY A VER ATOM WAITSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
DIOS EXISTE
153 Helia // Jun 3, 2008 at 1:10 am
TOMMMMMM, the telephone has been drinking (not me?…crazy…!) HELP !
154 Ramón // Jun 3, 2008 at 2:54 am
A los que queráis conseguir entradas para España (San Sebastián y Barcelona): no os molestés en llamar al 902, conseguiréis enseguida llamando al 933 262 945 ( es el tf. fijo asociado al 902, + barato además).
Yo ya la tengo. Tom, nos vemos en Donosti
155 Klaus // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:30 am
yes i got tickets for barcelona
156 walter // Jun 3, 2008 at 6:15 am
he tom if you got nothing to do call me i am from holland and my name is walter my birth day is on 4-6-66 it would be a nice serprise 0615115688 in the netherlands
157 Lois // Jun 3, 2008 at 8:26 am
Come to Albuquerque,NM soon, please.
158 Helia // Jun 3, 2008 at 9:58 am
Tom, 15-07-08 (rank 29 center)
PEHDTSCKJMBA!
159 BOC GURU // Jun 3, 2008 at 11:31 am
BREAK THE BEAT !!! TOM
“yesterday is here” from BOC GURU SPECIAL
ENERGY SOUNDS for YOU !!! My friend
see you in barcelona !!! 15-07.2008
160 Artist Jane // Jun 3, 2008 at 5:39 pm
New Orleans girl, taking her man to Biloxi to see Tom. We’ve both been waiting half our lives for this moment, and count the hours until then…
161 Artist Jane // Jun 3, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Sorry, I meant Mobile, not Biloxi. A little farther below the Bible belt.
162 jeremy // Jun 3, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I love you
163 Kristian // Jun 3, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Conseguí las entradas tras horas y horas de infierno telefónico. SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIÍ.
MY DREAM COMES TRUE. SEE YOU IN SAN SEBASTIAN, TOM.
164 fiodor // Jun 4, 2008 at 4:03 am
excuse for my english, i will do for the concert in Barcelona a t-shirt with the image of a dollar with the face of Tom and the phrase “IN TOM WE TRUST”, see you in BCN.
165 Jamie // Jun 4, 2008 at 5:10 am
Tom, it’s time to come to Australia and give back Matilda, she has been kind to you, be kind to us and pay a visit. The town with no cheer will be cheering and the jumbuck will be cooking.
166 Etain in Belfast // Jun 4, 2008 at 6:19 am
131 Euro ($200) for ONE ticket on Ticketmaster to see Tom Waits in Dublin!?
So much for celebrating the working- and the under- classes…obviously this tour isn’t for us, but for the filthy rich.
Shame Shame Shame. I’m so disappointed…
167 Ramone666 // Jun 4, 2008 at 10:09 am
Just got my Barcelona ticket. Expensive, Tom! But if you´re just as good as last time (The Hague ´99) I won´t complain no mo´.
168 bill // Jun 4, 2008 at 12:57 pm
While I sincerely doubt that Mr. Waits or anyone with a claim to his ear reads these posts, I hope I am wrong. If the St. Louis set list includes “When All the World Was Green” I can die a happy man. In a manner of speaking.
169 deliverhomeh // Jun 4, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Street When I confessed a job in many in the caught it crown. that the
170 elephantjuic // Jun 4, 2008 at 8:11 pm
and one day, had the forests to ramble up to sour,
171 Ciara Raleigh // Jun 5, 2008 at 9:13 am
Hey, I am HUUUUGE fan and I just bought tickets to your concert in Dublin August 1st. HOWEVER, on the day the tickets went on sale I had to go to work before 9a.m. so a friend of mine kindly offered to phone ticketmaster and buy two tickets on my behalf. The friendly ticketmaster merchant put my friend’s name on the two tickets. I have just found out that only the person whose name appears on the tickets can go. My friend never intended going to the concert. But now I have been told that I cannot go and I cannot change the name on the ticket either, despite having paid 262 euro for them. You might like to know that ticketmaster have distanced themselves from all blame and their line is that ‘this is being done under Tom Waits instructions’. I have two tickets, paid for and I can’t go, so there will be two empty seats at the concert. Is this really your intention?????
Please help!!!!!
172 ab // Jun 5, 2008 at 10:10 am
you need to seek legal advice over this. i seem to remember a problem with not being able to resell led zeppelin tickets and they had to give in and offer a refund to people who couldn’t go.
i don’t really understand why this is never available?
173 anthony // Jun 5, 2008 at 1:54 pm
just go with your friend who bought the tickets.problem solved
174 doodoohead // Jun 5, 2008 at 3:32 pm
not a genius. if being a tom waits fan didnt give you the image of being “elite” he’d be a bartender somewhere.
175 Mary // Jun 5, 2008 at 6:54 pm
That was a funny video! When are you coming to NYC?
176 oompah // Jun 6, 2008 at 1:35 am
australia has been waiting a long time for you to get back here. like you run away from your family and we kind of have a general idea of where you are. the shame! bring gavin bryars with you.
177 Vera // Jun 6, 2008 at 3:45 am
Tom, if you know our diva Amália Rodrigues (and I know you do, unless you’re senile), you know why you should have scheduled a concert for Portugal. We are nostalgic millions, dressed in black, tears in our eyes, waiting for you to come one night on a quiet boat.
178 credit starters // Jun 6, 2008 at 10:12 am
Nice Site!
http://google.com
179 Gitte Høeg // Jun 6, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Hi. I will just say that i enjoy your music so much. I cant understand Walzing Matilda is from the seventes - to me it is still a mega song. i am 43 years now and i love lisenting to your music.
Gitte
180 KG Wingaling // Jun 7, 2008 at 4:59 am
The sound of crickets that TW mentioned can be foundon a recording by Robbie Robertson & the Red Road Ensemble entitled “Music For ‘The Native Americans.’” The last track, “Twisted Hair,” features this hauntingly beautiful sound. Enjoy!
181 cialis20mg12 // Jun 7, 2008 at 8:42 am
could reach. caught it I was my first from beechnuts I noticed every these trees plants
182 Bill P // Jun 7, 2008 at 9:20 am
It is my birthday today and my oldest and dearest friend e-mailed me to say he has two tickets for the Edinburgh gig, one with my name on it. I really don’t know what to say, I’m going to see Tam. I’ve been listening to the big man for so many years now and can’t believe I’m getting to see him live. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. |The icecream man is coming!
183 bruno // Jun 7, 2008 at 12:21 pm
last time I saw Mr Waits was the Dominion in London in nineteen eighty something. I bumped into the man himself as I entered early in the day to collect my tickets, he was leaving and doffed his hat to bid good day. The evening was spoiled by my then girlfriend suffering agoraphobia. We left mid set, myself, somewhat reluctantly, if unsympathetically, mid panic attack.
Before that I attended a Palladium gig, must have been 1979. We got standing tickets, relatively late on. The person I was with was on crutches having lost his knee caps in a scooter accident two weeks earlier. Doctors advised him to rest as much as possible, however the usher was unsympathetic and spent most of the evening prodding him to move over in the aisle, as we constituted a serious fire risk.
This time, thirty years on, I travel to Paris, with my best man. It will be my stag night. My wife to be seemed unimpressed that I was planning to leave the country the night before our wedding so to ease her fears I’ve booked the night earlier. Have to say, with, as we speak, neither mental or physical problems affecting anyone in this equation it should make for a memorable few days!
184 ab // Jun 7, 2008 at 5:43 pm
er.. chance of any dvd a?
185 mark // Jun 8, 2008 at 3:12 am
My wife walked down the aisle to ‘ Picture In A Frame’ on April 16th, the next thing Tom’s coming to Europe, then I hear he’s coming to Dublin, then I manage to get tickets for the Thursday night. If this is what married life is going to be like then bring it on. Nice One Tommy!
PS. Who gives a shit about the price? It’s Tom for gods sake
186 Timothy // Jun 8, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Dear Tom,
Please come to Toronto, if you can.
I know you’re busy. But we love you.
t
187 gabec // Jun 9, 2008 at 6:43 am
Tom. You in music are the same as Lama Ole Nydahl in buddhism.
188 Church Rat // Jun 9, 2008 at 7:05 am
STAY AWAY FROM THE BROWN ACID PEOPLE…..
189 Anyone a spare ticket to sell for Dublin concert // Jun 9, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Hi to all in Ireland. I have been trying in vain to get a ticket for Toms Dublin concert . i would really love to see him.If anyone has a spare one to sell please let me know
190 tw // Jun 10, 2008 at 5:06 am
“Fast, cheap and good… pick (2) words to live by.” - haha…
I like it… best line in this interview
Thanks!
191 Gavin // Jun 10, 2008 at 7:50 am
Can anyone tell me where exactly is the the Auditorium forum in Barcelona and how to get there? Is it this place..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forum_Building
??
Much appreciated
Gav
192 Bobby 'Champ' Payne // Jun 10, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Did you answer Henry Rollins’ question in regards to a story he told you about an EMT falling in love with a naked female accident victim (who subsequently died), by saying, “Forget her. She’ll haunt you from the grave. She did the same thing to me.”
193 evista // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:39 am
the vast The hollow for the neighborhood I grew for the
194 famvir // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:39 am
and saw friends else magnificent When It is plants the vast neighborhood we watched were told every a real
195 flomax // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:39 am
stretching as proud I’d surprise pretty just their every
196 freeviagra // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:39 am
home caught it were the best, sweet, rich flavor. and dream. with box stretching then did then. chunk a scientist. and we and climb probably
197 genericambie // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:39 am
knew stretching places competing cutting off let it go. bellowed for a while,
198 annemarie // Jun 11, 2008 at 9:54 am
hi tommy just wanted to let u know the sullivans will be out on a limb and swinging out wide in Jacksonville all the way from philly cant wait to see you down south jukin were bringin the whole irish clan love the sullivan’s
cya at the show!
199 Mariano "owl eyes" mazza // Jun 11, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Here, roaming, south of this ball
called planet, insanity, home.
Whistlin `Invitation to the blues´ as the girl
talks to the stud, and the only sound in the bar
is filled by a bottle hittin the wet table of my silver heart.
-Tom- i say to an empty chair on my left,
-all we can do is pray
for a sadness in a clarinet or a piano note, for sweet revenge,
to stay in shadow
far away from jail-
and he spills as he goes - `I can never wash the guilt
Or get these bloodstains off my hand
And it takes a lot of whiskey
To take this nightmares go away´-
I know, as I make the only noise and the girl doesnt
turn, i know. After all, we´re just men,
lonly men.
From Argentina, South of the south.
200 Downsouth // Jun 12, 2008 at 11:38 am
Can’t wait for the tour ender in ATL. thanks for coming back so soon, twice in two years!!! the first shall be last!!!!! bring some gritty guitar playing too!!
201 ab // Jun 12, 2008 at 12:10 pm
dublin tickets back on sale
202 Marcus Tee // Jun 12, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Finally, an interviewer who asked the right questions.
203 bobby // Jun 12, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Am i missing something?
204 bobby // Jun 12, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I don’t know what that stuff above is, but it reminds me of how my head felt the first time i saw Eraserhead.
205 Keith // Jun 12, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Damn right about the poverty in DC. It’s pretty disgusting that a city that is held up to be such a beacon of liberty and equality with all its courts and marble monuments is a damn police state, and one that obviously couldn’t care less about anybody living in the violence and hopelessness that so many live in here.
on that cheerful note, yes, please mr. waits, stop on by our grand old city for a show or two.
206 buyxenical // Jun 13, 2008 at 5:56 am
Years later, returned all what up to managed snapping I don’t know
207 Mark Leary // Jun 13, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Wow what a mind, I’m an Aussie and met Tom back in
the early-mid 80’s in Fitzroy st St Kilda where I was doing buisness in my favourite haunt the ” St Kilda Cafe “, a well known haunt, if you get my drift, I was sitting at the counter of this really grubby little
hamburger joint and suddenly a couple heavy looking
dudes walked in, checked the place out then walked out. No one knew what was happening so with a sense of urgency everyone in the place was ramming
whatever they might have on them down their
pants or just get trying to rid of it. Then in walks
one of the coolest yet strangest dudes I’d ever seen
you guest it Mr Tom Waits!! He kind of floated past
the booths on one side of the cafe’ oppisite the counter
and stopped at the only vacant bar stool and took a
seat. This stool happened to be next to me, he casually ordered a coffee then after about 30 seconds
turned to me with his hatted head resting on his hand and after a couple of “yeah wells” said, “So this
is where all the action is in Melbourne” not knowing
who he was at the time I said”I guess that depends
on what your after”. We talked for about 15 min’,
then got up and left in this black limo. About a 2-3
days later I saw him being interviewed on T.V.
The first Album I bought was nighthawks and now have his full catalogue. Though many years ago
I had vynal copy of ” Bounced Checks” which has got
the best version The Piano Has Been Drinking, live.
I’ve looked and looked but cannot get that on CD, can
anyone help with this?
P.S Tom,If you read these posts you’ll remember that cold night cause I know I”ll never forget it. I thank you for allowing me to get to sleep at night listening
to your Gems of feelings,love,heartbreak good times
and some not so good. and humour.
Cheer from greatest fan/admirer downunder.
Mark/learoid
night in the St Kilda Cafe
208 Zoe // Jun 14, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I feel sooo blessed that I will once again get to see him. HELL YES!! His music is a constant rythm that accompanies my husband and I in love, life and all the inbetweens. Nothing like lying on the floor late at night with my husband singing along to Tom by candle light. Whoopie! See ya in Houston.
209 dave // Jun 15, 2008 at 3:07 pm
GINA, PLEASE CLEAR ALL THAT CRAP OFF THIS THREAD.
210 John // Jun 16, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Is there a meetup before the Phoenix shows? It seems the other message board about ticket sales has crapped out.
211 guy // Jun 17, 2008 at 2:33 am
This needs a soundtrack of all those noises.
Inspiring, thought provoking
212 dave // Jun 17, 2008 at 12:18 pm
thanks, gina. anyone got any plans to meet up before the knoxville show?
213 DominicRosa // Jun 17, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Just wanted to comment on how awful it is not to be able to see your performances due to ticketmaster disaster.
We haven’t been able to purchase concert tickets for months…Best available-more like “not available.”
The latest bs scam is the ticket auctions. Latest bid is $360 a ticket.
Who can afford it??? We are spending that much a week on gasoline!
Gotta go to work-gotta buy gas to get to work-gotta work to buy gas-gotta go to work…
Will work for Tom Waits Ohio Tickets!
214 Alex // Jun 17, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Mr. Waits,
You have lost a fan, and I would like to tell you why, because it should concern you. I received as a college graduation gift one ticket to see your show in Columbus, OH. My mother purchased it for me, using her credit card. Today, I find out that because my ID will not match the name on her credit card (which I was going to bring with me), that I was not allowed to attend your show, only my mother could. This was so ridiculous, to the point where I called ticketmaster and had them speak with your representative, who confirmed that this was the case. I then asked if I brought my mother’s ID, my ID, and the original credit card, and the fact that my mother and I have the same address and same last name on our IDs, if I would be permitted entrance. I was told no. Mr. Waits, I understand wanting to curtail scalping and other undesirable phenomena, but I cannot believe that this was your intended effect–to stop my mother from buying me a gift, the best gift she could give, since I have always, as long as I can remember, wanted to see you live in concert. I was told the only option was a refund, which I accepted reluctantly. You should care when your fans are unfairly impeded from attending your concert, when they have fairly and honestly purchased a ticket. She spent a large amount of money on that ticket, and waited till just two minutes after they went on sale to purchase it for me, and it was all for naught. As I said, you have lost a fan.
215 mauro spinelli // Jun 17, 2008 at 1:35 pm
bye dear tom, i’ve ne ver seen u in my life, and i don’t wanna see u now in Milan!!
I don’t give to no one 100 euro for his show!!
u are all slaves of money!!
sorry but i think that this isn’t art my friend!!
bye dear tom….
216 Doug Nahrebeski // Jun 17, 2008 at 2:34 pm
My song “Come on Martha” is directly,
fully, completely inspired by your thought,
idea, and impetus. I have come down off the cross,
I know we could use the wood. God bless and good luck.
217 Steve // Jun 18, 2008 at 7:02 am
I sure hope he changes his set list around, he said he was going to do songs that he had not done out side of the studio, the first knight that was not the case.
218 Steve // Jun 18, 2008 at 7:06 am
I sure hope that he changes his set list around , he said that he was going to play songs that he had not done out side the studio, the first knight that was not the case.
219 matt // Jun 18, 2008 at 7:53 am
I love that he’s touring again…but why can’t he come to Boston?
220 DICK SCRATCHER // Jun 18, 2008 at 1:05 pm
HELLO TOM DEAR BOY, I AM A LONDON TAXI DRIVER WHO HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO GROOVE (IS THAT THE CORRECT MODERN VERNACULAR) TO BLUE VALENTINE WHEN IT CAME OUT IN 78…I HAVE BEEN A COMMITTED FAN SINCE…THIS IS A SEVERE WARNING…IF YOU DO NOT PLAY “WALK AWAY” AT 24/07- PARIS OR 31/07-DUBLIN…YOUR CHANCES OF EVER HAILING A CAB IN LONDON WILL BE SORELY LIMITED…JUST A POLITE WARNING OLD CHAP
AL THE BEST…..DICKY
221 Abraham Morales // Jun 18, 2008 at 1:06 pm
In two days from now, I’ll see Tom live for the very first time. For me, this a dream come true. Mr. Waits is the very best human race has to offer as a species.
From Mexico City.
222 Perro Triste // Jun 18, 2008 at 1:08 pm
And I am a Rain Dog too.
223 Douglas // Jun 18, 2008 at 9:56 pm
when did this supposed music loving eclectic site become pharmacology sales central? I guess all that money you make selling cut rate foreign made elicit drugs gave you enough money to actually go see a show…
224 Gina // Jun 19, 2008 at 7:42 am
“when did this supposed music loving eclectic site become pharmacology sales central?”
douglas - yes, this is totally annoying spam, and we try to keep on top of deleting them, but there are seriously hundreds and hundreds a day!
225 DaveW- // Jun 19, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I saw Tom Waits in Akron.
Two years Ago.
Three Day Vacation.
He Operates Independently of His Shadow.
I Gotta go Back to Ohio.
Wonderful.
DW-
226 Patricia Provencio // Jun 19, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Mr. Waits, …. Tom….
I am SO HAPPY you are coming to my home–El Paso, TX.
Alas, I cannot attend your concert. I have to work–I am the pianist and music director for a dinner theatre and we’ve got a show that night (’Ain’t Misbehavin’).
I TRULY wish I could be there but I do love my job and my job is to make music.
Welcome to my home. I will miss you!!!
227 ron (gene) // Jun 19, 2008 at 8:38 pm
christmas card from a greasy spoon operator in tulsa ok.
first cd: blue valentine
first waits concert: L.A. wiltern theater ‘91?
first song that night: “16 shells”
favorite waits song: shit, i dont know: romeo is bleeding, red shoes, georgia lee…
next concert: tulsa, june 25th
let me feed you & the borman 6 with our award winning route 66 burgers & chili. each bite will remind you of a dream you could’t quite remember.
rons hamburgers & chili @ the farm. and don’t forget “bowtie tuesday”. everyone wearing a bowtie gets extra cheese !with captain beefheart spilling out about the place.
you know Tom me boy.you’re a paranoic in reverse: deep down , you suspect people are plotting to make you happy …
228 ron (gene) // Jun 19, 2008 at 8:53 pm
farm shopping center 664-5688
229 whatismethad // Jun 20, 2008 at 6:14 am
juicy tom you tom ugly
230 Terribly disappointed // Jun 20, 2008 at 7:28 am
Just seen your tour dates and ticket prices. Jesus Tom, is your pension low? Do you really need to fleece us for £100 a ticket? Three words spring to mind, ‘you’, ‘robbing’ and ‘bastard’.
I feel that it is terrible that you feel you need to rob the fans like this.
231 viagrabillig // Jun 20, 2008 at 8:12 pm
night england jhon stay green stay key stone me night site girl
232 cialisohnere // Jun 20, 2008 at 8:12 pm
woman joke tom mail juicy ibm deliver bag
233 alternativen // Jun 20, 2008 at 8:12 pm
joke house english water
234 cialisambill // Jun 20, 2008 at 8:12 pm
america speed home head pets red microsoft jhon boy busy
235 Art in Dallas // Jun 21, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Although I live two miles from the Paladin… but I’m making my first trip to Tulsa next week and can’t wait to hit the road. My only regret is not having red pants to wear and this hole in my that pocket that won’t let me do anything about it.
Anyone know who began the pronunciation of the english word TO as taa?
236 Mr Fish // Jun 21, 2008 at 2:09 pm
You know some of these last posts are a little wacky but have got an internal logic all of their own..the machine made me do it…
237 big willie style // Jun 22, 2008 at 2:48 am
Hello Mr. Waits,
Welcome to the Dirty South! I really enjoyed your Q and A. It was a riot. The ansers were most entertaining. I thought I was the only human on the planet that watched Ernest Borgnine in Emperor.
Have great tour and thanks for sharing.
Will
ps. if you can tell Alex with the ticket problem in Columbus I have a couple of tickets to Knoxville if he wants to go with me.
238 Tami waits for Tom // Jun 22, 2008 at 5:21 am
Got my h-town benjamin air ticket and it is a melting chocolate jesus sort of morning and the golden time keeper ticks a bit too slow with hot orange chocolat coffee. Just waitin for the grapefruit moon to shine tonight on the halls of Jones so I can see my blues valentine before I kick this pink popsicle stand.
239 piotr // Jun 22, 2008 at 5:28 pm
“Fast, Cheap, and Good… pick two …”
Depends on how slow is slow.
Any chance of you touring Australia? It’s been ages since you were here. your work fascinates me Mr Waits
240 scott // Jun 22, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Mr. Waits,
with all respect, you have been a profound inspiration.
I think maybe you hold a key to a hidden door in space/time….. or something like that. Thanks a million for the Southern Tour. I missed the last one.
I hope to be with you at the Fox in Atlanta.
241 mommiedearest // Jun 23, 2008 at 10:32 am
shitpissfuckcuntcocksuckermotherfuckertits!
Just a quick tourette’s like tribute to the great George Carlin.
Can’t wait to see the show here in big D this evening.
Let’s hope this crazy method of ticket sales works & let’s hope to god there are seats in this place!
Now, if i can only get up the nerve to leave the house in the UGLIEST!!! pair of red, plaid thrift-store pants on the planet. Hmmmm….what kind of top would one wear with pants like that anyway?
242 Stacy Sullivan-Nipstad // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:05 pm
How profoundly refreshing to be in such awe of someone who reminds me of well, everyone I’ve ever encountered. Someone who can’t help but hear and experirence every moment of life is an inspiration. I look forward to sharing the same sqare footage with one of my favorite people. Also, thanks for “Coney Island Baby”. I danced to it at my wedding, and I”ll be seeing your show on my anniversary. Irony? I expect nothing less.
243 fan? // Jun 23, 2008 at 9:53 pm
what the fuck 100$ ticket go in a warehouse in dallas ,sweat my fuckin ass off , im thirsty ,no the bars closed ????? this, the demand of the mothrfuckn godamm artist ? fuck you tom waits ,youve got a lotta nerve treatin fans like this ,, fuck you sonofafuckin BITCH
244 tom // Jun 23, 2008 at 10:55 pm
worst show preentation ever = Palladium in Dallas. no fucking a/c in near 100 degree weather. 30 minute wait to get a drink and not a clear line of sight in the house since the whole place is standing room only?!? thanks for the great show, Tom. thanks for the heat stroke Palladium. i’ll never go to another show in your dump! Condemn the Palladium! the Titanic was better organized than this show!
245 buytramadolo // Jun 23, 2008 at 11:44 pm
keyboard see right water ibm man england america
246 Mr. Secki // Jun 24, 2008 at 7:34 am
Only 2 more sleeps until the concert in St. Louis! It will be awesome to see him again after so long!
247 Joe Thomas // Jun 24, 2008 at 8:05 am
Dallas Texas was a spiritual event for all of us. Tom Waits is the messiah, and if he isn’t…he’ll speak for whomever may be. Genius. Amazing set. AMAZING BAND. And a moving experience for any fan of music and soul.
248 Bill P // Jun 24, 2008 at 10:04 am
Bunch of whingeing f***ers, I don’t care , I get to see big Tam after 30 years of quiet, sideline listening. My own little secret, swapped with various dudes in various places over the years., I am so chuffed, cheers Gordon. See you all at the Playhouse.
PS can someone give me a clue as to what he will be playing, with that much of a back catalogue I can only hope for “ice-cream man”, Blue Valentine, Heart of Sat night and road to peace. Oh God this could be extraordinary!
249 Marat // Jun 24, 2008 at 10:29 am
Россия ждет!
250 Scott // Jun 24, 2008 at 11:48 am
Saw Tom in Houston Sunday at the beautiful theater where the Houston Sympony plays. Beaufiful sound, nice surroundings, great show. Went to see Tom again Monday night in Dallas at a place called the Palladium. It was a hot summer day, around 95 degrees. Got into the Palladium and it was at least 100 degrees inside. All standing room only. People packed in like sardines. No air circulation at all. No windows to open. Like being locked inside a railroad car. I heard one woman telling a cop that she’s about to faint from the heat. I heard that again from several others. I heard a cop say, “Some people are gonna die in here tonight.” I went over to the bar only to find that it was closed. There was an employee nearby. I said, “What’s the deal with the air? Don’t you guys have air conditioning? And why’s the bar closed?” And he said, “We had the air on but “the artist” told us to turn it off. And “the artist” told us to shut the bars down, too.” So, 3000 people locked inside a small unventilated warehouse with no air on and no drinks to be had, on a day when the temperature outside was in the upper 90’s. Fantastic! On top of that, you couldn’t get anywhere near the stage so I ended up barely being able to see the show. The sound was strange, too. On one side of the room you could barely hear the music. On the other side, you could barely hear Tom. I finally found a spot where I could hear okay and stood there for two hours losing five pounds in sweat. On the plus side, the setlist in Dallas was about 50% different from the show in Houston so if you’re going to see Tom this time around, go to two shows back-to-back. You’ll get two pretty different shows.
There was a sign on the door at the Palladium that said, “This show is being recorded.” Seems like Tom was having it filmed and/or recorded for later release. Maybe that’s why the air was off. Maybe he thought it was making too much noise. Probably why the bars were shut down, too–too much noise. Still, not pleasant. For $100.00, you expect to have a nice time. You shouldn’t have to spend your evening thinking, “I wonder if I’m gonna die here tonight.”
Oh, and when I got back to my car after the show, it had been vandalized. Broken glass everywhere, window missing. Nothing stolen because there was nothing to steal. Still, now I have to replace the window. So overall, a really fun evening!
251 zentrxtr // Jun 24, 2008 at 2:21 pm
gonna see mr waits in jacksonville because i can’t imagine ever being able to see him again and don’t care what the show is “like”, just to hear that voice sing even one song fucking awesome
252 Can // Jun 25, 2008 at 2:56 am
What About a Turkey concert this year?
253 iguanaviagra // Jun 25, 2008 at 6:42 am
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254 Mr. Secki // Jun 25, 2008 at 6:52 am
What’s with all these Viagra posts here? We’re Tom Waits Fans! We don’t need no stinking Viagra!! Why don’t you assholes try Golf Digest Online or Cigar Afficiando Online or your mom’s website? Get the fuck off of here…please.
255 jacked nuts // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:47 am
KINGTOMCAT*********************
I tell you Tom, best thing I did was buy a Tom Waits tape long time ago.Over the years I’ve listened to you mad,sad,drunk and happy and it always enhances my mood.I live in Brooklyn CT now,I grew up in Prague and now you’re playing Prague but not the US NorthEast coast.Crap.Crap,Crap!!! Let me know how you liked Prague,my old home town!!!
256 Tom // Jun 25, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Got 2 reserved tickets last nite on the web for the Tulsa Ok Tom Waits show, it will be my first time to ever see him live, I’m not sure what to expect, I will probably be very surprised , and I’m on the 3rd row !
257 Elvis Nicolay // Jun 25, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I read today that the manager of the Norwegian Operahouse told Mr. Waits “NO”, when asked to play here this summer.
I have never been more ashamed of being Norwegian. Never!
But I can assure you; this is not over!!
Protests against this horrible mistake are washing ashore, like a tsunami……..
258 Andre Hunt // Jun 25, 2008 at 5:10 pm
You might like the website. It has my collection of sideshow imagery from the late twenties into the thirties, scanned from a collection of original photo albums I have. Saw the Phoenix 18 show…first row…and will never be the same.
I tried to get everybody else to row, but maybe next time.
I was thrilled and awed by the set. For me, Lost in The Harbour was a real standout. A devastating piece. I’d like to say, though, that we’ve all become accustomed to hearing the same big three oldies. What ever happened to Barbershop, Empty Pockets, or if you really are hip, “Playin’ Hooky.” Or, Foreign Affairs. Ton’s of wonderful things…I remember Tom using kettle drums in Europe for Pasties and a G-String. That was amazing. YOu wouldn’t have to tour with them…just rent them for the evening….anyway, the Mosses newspaper text turned out wonderfully in the Orphans Limited Edition. (Mosses the title of the photo album that had the original newsprint glued in it). I hope you got that package from Jimmy The Lock….he’s real sorry about ripping off the half pint of Bay Rum, Lucky Tiger, and those Field and Stream magazines. I have a Sho-Bud double Ten string Pedal Guitar with additional knee pedal mods that I’d like to donate to the new studio. I’m not using it these days…mia carpal. Andre in san francisco
259 Andre Hunt // Jun 25, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I’d like to know what make and year that electric is that Tom is using these days. thanks…
260 domthegriff // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Mr Waits,
From a profound and grateful fan, who went from being a Tom Waits virgin to weeping uncontrollably the first time he heard Tom Traubert’s Blues, who wonders what strange forces kept him from your music until now, who is ordering Bukowski, re-reading On the Road, whose wife is considering abandoning her PhD on Julian of Norwich and writing instead on Metaphor and Meaning in the Music of Tom Waits, who can’t look at blue trench coats in the same way again, who wonders if you’ve read Saramago’s Gospel According to Jesus Christ, who hates it when people gush, and who respectfully asks that if time and chance allow you would consider coming to New Zealand, the farside of the world to perform a concert.
P.S. My wife reckons you don’t even read this stuff, but it feels good to type it. Godspeed.
261 levitrakauf // Jun 25, 2008 at 11:44 pm
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262 JYokom // Jun 26, 2008 at 6:45 am
Saw Tom last night in Tulsa. All I can say is that a lot of current pop groups have a lot to learn from him! What a great show! I drove in from Wichita, Ks and am now fighting to stay awake here at work but am feeling fully satisfied for doing so. Tom has truely come through on this tour. Thanks to his choice in looking to the stars in picking the tour locations so that I couls have the experience that we all did! Anyone that is reading this who is wondering if they should go to one of his next shows, by all means, do so! To all that are going, enjoy one of the best shows to come along for many years!
263 caroline // Jun 26, 2008 at 9:18 am
Tom: you’re my personal heroe … OK OK, blabla.
Please, come and play in MEXICO !!! We are waiting for you.
264 dennis // Jun 26, 2008 at 11:54 am
anybody from Nashville going to the Knoxville show this sunday? my friend and i have tickets, but need a ride. don’t want to pay for the Greyhound and have to sleep at the station overnight. we’ll help with the gas money.
265 Palladium // Jun 26, 2008 at 8:39 pm
DAllas & Palladium & Tom = great.
I was drinking, sweating and loving the music.
Thank you Tom.
I will never forget.
Thank you Tom.
266 Gunnar Poe // Jun 26, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Dear Tom,
Thank you for being such a kind and considerate host yesterday in Tulsa. I hope we meet again in the future.
Best wishes,
gp
267 Bette // Jun 26, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Awesome show in Dallas Tom. Yes it was hotter than two rats square dancing in a wool sock but I would not have missed it for the world.
268 susy watling // Jun 27, 2008 at 5:07 am
Can someone tell Tom Waits about Marlango, the Spanish band that used the name of a girl he knew who always wore Angora!
269 Malibu // Jun 27, 2008 at 6:10 am
Why is Canada always left in the cold?
270 Mr. Secki // Jun 27, 2008 at 8:07 am
Last night’s show in St. Louis at the Fox…such a gift!
Thanks Tom (& the Band!)… Innocent When You Dream, the last Encore and what a song! Thank you for everything but mostly for sharing your talents with all of us! WE LOVE YOU!
Mr. Secki
271 sal // Jun 27, 2008 at 9:03 am
i cannot believe i didn’t know about this tour until after it left houston. i never thought i’d ever have the chance to see him perform live, and i’m sick (sick!) inside knowing that the opportunity came and went, and i blew it.
is there any way to get on an email list to find out about his tours, releases and anything else new?
sal
272 Jerry Bagrowski // Jun 27, 2008 at 9:44 am
I saw Tom W in concert at Harvard SQ Theater Cambridge Mass… late seventies early eighties. Remember the stage presence and great showmanship. Take Care
273 TW Fan #9820398675 // Jun 27, 2008 at 11:49 am
My husband and I are going to Knoxville this weekend for our first ever TW concert. It’s a birthday gift to me for a milestone birthday. I won’t give the exact number but it’s VERY close to Tom’s own age! We live in Denver and are both THRILLED to get to see him in person. Hope you all in Columbus don’t wear him out too badly
274 count bulldog // Jun 27, 2008 at 12:21 pm
YO! I GOTS DOS FREE TICKETS TO DA’ KNOXVILLE SHOW. i CAN’T MAKE THE SHOW.
contact me by myspace ‘countbulldog’. I’ll need your name to leave at will call. You could pick up the tickets there.
275 Molly // Jun 27, 2008 at 2:45 pm
going to see TW in Dublin. Can’t wait.
276 Michael L. Bailey // Jun 27, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I tried to reach a friend tonight to make arrangments for Sunday 6/29/08 , in Knoxville,TN…
couldn’t reach him…will not go but always will regreat it as I only saw Tom once in Philly,Pa in the 80’s …just lucked into this listing but will keep it close…we & Tom are from the same time & space…
thanks to you all…excuse my not careing for correct spelling of form…there are bigger things in life…respond as you will…I think Tom does look @ us as we are him…
277 MESSAGE FOR ALEX @ COLUMBUS // Jun 27, 2008 at 11:31 pm
YOU CAN GO TO THE SHOW!!!
Just ask your mom to meet you there so they can scan the card she paid with. Someone else bought my ticket to the show in Big D Monday night. He just waited in line with me, let them scan his card, then he left & I walked right in. No problems whatshoever.
They didn’t even ask to see his ID so I could have just brought his card myself to get in but that may or may not happen in Colombus.
So really….Please go to the show. You will not be disappointed. And BTW…Congrats on your Graduation.
278 MESSAGE FOR ALEX @ COLUMBUS // Jun 27, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Forgot to add…the show here in Dallas was so good we bought tix for the Atlanta show. We decided we’d do our part for the economy and use our stimulus gift from Mr. Bush. I guess we can’t say he NEVER did anything for us now, can we?
Anyway, I really do hope you see my previous message because you do not want to miss Tom. The staging alone is worth the $$$
279 shady T // Jun 28, 2008 at 2:25 pm
don’t follow green with bells
280 slinky // Jun 28, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Marty,s after the show in the ‘ham on 7/3. Be there!
281 raindogg // Jun 28, 2008 at 6:36 pm
You don”t need a credit card, you can use your back card as long as it has the VISA logo on it.
Come on people, WAKE UP!!!!
282 raindogg // Jun 28, 2008 at 6:39 pm
On another note, I just saw him in Houston, GREAT SHOW. It’s been 9 years since I’ve seen him last which was at the Beacon in NYC. That night Elvis Costello and Keith Richards were in the audience. Houston wasn’t as exciting as that but it was just as good.
I wish he’d play more.
283 Johnny // Jun 28, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Just another recipient of gift tickets that can’t be used or refunded.
Thanks Ticketmaster!
284 Bill // Jun 28, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Saw Mr. Waits in Houston and it was such a wonderful show. The stage setup and the sound was fantastic. I have finally had the chance to see the great man play, and I shall never forget it. A truly memorable evening.
285 slinky // Jun 28, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Bender, will i see you at Marty’s before the show. you know the buses will run to and from the Alabama. no need to get that DUI ruining your perfect evening with Tomcat.
Hey Joy! You Out There. I Know This Is Your Dream Show. Call Your Case Manager.
286 Michael L. Bailey // Jun 29, 2008 at 6:12 pm
yeh…hope you’re there…but most of us are not…
can’t let this go by … without…a little heart felt…
after all isn’t that what it is…couldn’t let it go to say lightn’t guy’s are about…
tell youre kids…that’s what life is about…
I’m not the poet as Tom is but what is it all about…
I remmber Larry Taylor, Allen Wilson, Bob Hite,Henry Vestine…
they shaped my life…John Lee Hooker…
Too many forget…but the real love of music & the
real meaning of life…are those who aren’t afraid
to sing it’s best…breaking your heart….& hopeing
for the best…so here I’m hopeing to see Tom
again….but we all need something to keep us
trying again…we all Love Tom because He Has
struck in our hearts…
the very feelings we couldn’t put in sound or
thought with so much honesty to our closest
part…
I’m just an old man with nothing but family ,
but that’s all you can hope for. nothing to regret
haven’t learned to spell , couldn’t give a shit yet…
work’d hard all my life , but no-one need’s me now
as I won’t kiss ass or cut my hair & beard any
more…
“so when your don’t with CYA …we don’t need you
any more”…
Tom , we love you in Southern New Jersey…
we have for ever…don’t let your booking agent
tell you different…
Come to the Bogata in Atlantic City,NJ
Bob Dyan has…
see you then…
stay @ my house , it’s free & I like old music…
everyone welcome…BYOB….
287 Michael L. Bailey // Jun 29, 2008 at 6:35 pm
most of us aren’t there…but wish we were…
come to South Jersey( Bogata Atlantic City)
we love you here, don’t listen to your booking
agent…what does he know any way…
South Jersey isn’t the North…we’re still fighting
the Yank’s…
stay @ my place BYOB…
Long Live…
Bob Hite, Allen Wilson,Larry Taylor,Henry
Vestine…
288 Michael L. Bailey // Jun 29, 2008 at 7:01 pm
couldn’t make tonight’s show…
stop in South Jersey ( Bogata Atlantic City ) as we
are still fighting the yankee’s & this ain’t the
North…
stay @ my house BYOB….
Long Live…
Bob Hite, Allen Wilson,Larry Taylor,
Henry Vestine, John Lee Hooker…
mike @come en get it…
Mike
289 DaveW- // Jun 29, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I saw Tom Waits in Columbus.
Three Day Vacation.
The Performance, Sound and Theatre.
Thank You Ohio.
Beautiful.
DaveW-
290 John // Jun 29, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Is anyone driving from Nashville to the Birmingham show ? I’ll split the gas for a ride.
e-mail me at jferriswheel@bellsouth.net
291 sherrinorburley // Jun 30, 2008 at 9:07 am
Great read.
Please tour Australia.
292 ONE MORE TIME...GIFT TIX CAN BE USED!!! // Jun 30, 2008 at 10:33 am
To all you recipients of gift tix…YOU CAN USE THEM!!!
Your options are:
1) See if the purchaser can meet you at the venue and wait in line with you til the card is scanned
or
2)Try to borrow the card used for purchase just for the evening. If someone thought highly enough of you to buy tickets for you, they will probably trust you for one evening with their credit card. Here in Dallas ID’s were not requested, just the card used to purchase the tix.
Can’t promise they won’t ask for ID’s in other cities but in the interest of keeping the line moving they probably will not.
Good Luck! Hope you all make it.
I too was a recipient of gift tickets & had no trouble getting in. Unfortunately, the venue we attended was a honky-tonk dancehall (formerly known as Gilley’s) with no seating and almost no air-conditioning but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
If for some reason the purchaser of your tickets cannot meet you at the venue or loan you their card I suggest you call TicketMaster to see if some kind of provisions could be made.
293 ripdotcom // Jul 1, 2008 at 4:49 am
Jacksonville tonight!!! Cant wait
294 Miss Private // Jul 1, 2008 at 6:46 am
Mr. Waits, you have far too many fans here in Ohio to only be here one day. I missed your c oncert, it’s written huge and bold on my mental list of regrets.
Hoping to see you soon
295 diona // Jul 1, 2008 at 7:50 am
Saw you at the Fox in St. Louis last week. Couldn’t believe all I had to do for that was pay money. Thankyouthankyouthankyou etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum, etc. etc.
If I bought polytheism, you would be my God of Sound, Altered Consciousness, and Orgasm.
Bless your crooked little heart.
296 Smokey Riptide // Jul 1, 2008 at 9:13 am
Anyone know what happened to Larry Taylor?? He wasn’t on bass Sunday in Knoxville.
297 Mitch V // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:51 am
Tom, thank you for the St. Louis show, you rival God in creativity. Hope you come to Chicago again soon. I’ll be here wating for “when the world is going to rear up and scrape us off its back.” You’re a humble genius sir.
298 Brooks Vandergraf // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:16 am
What! No San Diego date? . . . PLEASE TOM!! For all that stands for good and decent .. please come to San Diego!! (please) hmm.
299 RHYS LADIPO // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:36 am
………..beautiful/A poets poet!
300 skunk // Jul 1, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Knoxville show was awesome. Came out to substantially less than a dollar a minute.
301 IanB // Jul 2, 2008 at 2:48 am
Tom actually bought “Henry Ford’s dying breath”
on eBay. It came in a Coke bottle with a really tight cork. He said he might have paid too much for it.
302 IanB // Jul 2, 2008 at 2:49 am
The Columbus show was a religious experience.
I’m glad I got the chance to be baptised at the Church of Tom Waits.
A born again Raindog I am.
303 Cramped // Jul 2, 2008 at 5:16 am
Up there with one of the best nights of my LIFE!!!!
Tom was Awesome in Jacksonville!!!
Thank you Tom for blessing us that way…
Hope it happens again!
xoxo
304 Mya // Jul 2, 2008 at 8:12 am
Cada día estoy mas ronca y eso me hace muy feliz! pero aun me hace falta para igualar la voz de Tom
305 Nancy and Gregory // Jul 2, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Once more to state that Seth Ford-Young has been and is on Bass. Larry has a family emergency.
Relatives of Seth
306 eMc // Jul 2, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I just saw this tour in Jacksonville, Fl. - July 1, 2008
This man TRIES to put on an amazing, entertaining,
show, but alas, the crowd loves him TOO MUCH -
and like impulsive, loudmouth, poorly raised children
(college-dork/ameture drunks, actually) spend the
evening attempting to be the center of attention by
blabbering diectly to the performer - and shouting
“freebird” in between songs. . .
gimmie a fuckin’ BREAK! What an insult!
After last evenings show, I wondered why Waits even
bothers to DO tours - I loved every move that band
played, but felt sympathy for Waits having to tolerate
that ridiculous shit! TW was TRYING to build an
atmosphere throughout the evening and for alot of
us, he made it happen, but the one-encore ending
says it all. A BRILLIANT show and absolute killer
set list, the back-lit boot dust was a great touch
but you could see the pain on the man’s face as he
tried to work. The schmucks should be ejected at first
offense . I bet that kind of rude crap isn’t tolerated
by the European crowds - y’ give’m a face full o’ fives, eh?
307 Vacamalhada // Jul 3, 2008 at 3:15 am
eMc: I really hope that the European crowds know how to behave, but I am now regreting that I bought tickets to see Tom in Barcelona…
(because spanish are not European in the mater of behaving…)
Please Spanish Tom Waits fans, on 14th try to be quiet!
308 ab // Jul 3, 2008 at 4:44 am
the one off in london 2004 was exceptional and as such the audience was really well behaved. please have some respect for the performer on stage and the people sat around you.
and don’t forget to go before the show or put your nappies/diapers on!
309 JM & EM // Jul 3, 2008 at 8:04 am
Saw the show in Mobile - wow! Audiences in the Saenger are notoriously rowdy ex frat-boys and junior leaguers walking on the wild side, but everyone (for the most part) behaved well. There were comments called out but Tom brushed them away with quick-witted answers and kept going. Of course there was the Freebird idiot (does he go to every show?) and people bellowing for New Orleans (my ears quite literally rang from the guy behind me). It was the 1st time I’ve been to the Saenger and people haven’t spent the entire show running back and forth to the bar. Tom’s show is mesmerizing - like a homeless camp carnival from hell - you just can’t look away. My only wish is that he had done just a couple more of the early years stuff. Money well spent. Thanks Tom.
310 ken // Jul 3, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Get a drink, find your seat,sit down and shut up. Enjoy the show we are not here to listen to some hick blurt out every song that he or she would like to hear. Let the man decide what he would like to offer you as far as songs go. He’s a professional. Let him take you on the musical journey for the short time you have at whatever venue you may be at. It would be much more enjoyable without the distraction of some idiots trying to be heard when we came to listen to the artist and not billy joe free bird….
All in all it was a fabulous show in Mobile. So for those of you who will be fortunate enough to see Waits in the future to really enjoy the show just remember. GET A DRINK… FIND YOUR SEAT… SIT DOWN AND PLEASE SHUT -UP
I promise it will be much more enjoyable for everyone….
311 graveyard motel // Jul 4, 2008 at 4:27 am
the world is full off crab,with only a few fital things
1 coffee
2 smokes
3 empty bars
4 breeding
5 malt wiskey
6 lunatics like TW
All other things do not matter,realy
312 Wedge Martin // Jul 6, 2008 at 11:39 am
Saw the show in Atlanta last night. Have been waiting to see the old man live since I was 16. Thanks for the tunes, Tom. You truly are amazing.
wedge
313 Linda // Jul 6, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I had never seen Tom Waits before his July 5th concert in Atlanta, GA. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen and if I had no kids and no job I would fly to wherever he was playing next and watch it again and again.
The band was absolutely exquisite and the sound was the best I have ever experienced.
I would say I am a Tom Waits groupie-wanna-be now.
314 findthesun // Jul 7, 2008 at 6:19 am
I saw Tom Waits for the first time in Atlanta and it was such an amzing show. Does anyone have a setlist of the show? I didn’t recognize many of the songs but loved every one of them - awesome stuff!!
315 sugarplm9 // Jul 7, 2008 at 9:14 pm
My son, now 24, has been a Tom Waits fan for years and years. His 24th birthday was July6th and my husband bought tickets for him and his girlfriend to attend the show in Atlanta. My son’s had a run of bad luck lately….lost his job, lost his house to foreclosure, and ended up having to move to NC from Florida so his parents and grandparents could help him get a fresh start. Well, we (his parents) moved to Tampa, Florida, for a fresh start of our own. My husband bought the tickets on line with our credit card. Of course, my son nor his girlfriend have a credit card. When my son got to Atlanta, after a four hour drive there - he was so excited and happy to be seeing his favorite person in concert - NOT. He even had his dad’s credit card, the one we reserved his tickets with….He has the same last name as we have, but not the same address on his driver’s license that the credit card is billed to. He was brokenhearted..told there was no way he was getting in and there were to be no refunds of any kind. He had no money to stay at a motel, so he had to turn around and drive the four-hour trip back, spending over $100 on gas. I feel really badly, since basically we spent about $200 on tickets that were a big waste of money that he could have used elsewhere; but his one wish was to see Tom Waits in concert. He wanted that “more than anything else in the world.” How could we refuse that, especially after all he’s been through in the past few months.
I totally agree with your firm stance on scalpers. I despise the low-life theives that buy up all the tickets when they first go on sale and then list them on eBay within minutes for ungodly prices. I just don’t know how the kids afford to pay those prices - I guess they either have very rich families or else they get the money by illegal means - by stealing someone’s credit card and ID so they can get into the concert. If we had been aware of the situation in advance, I would have gladly driven to Atlanta from Tampa to get him in. He definitely was in need of a little happiness.
The no refund policy bothers me. Obviously, if these were reserved seats held by a credit card, it could be easily figured out that those two seats would have remained empty the entire night - but of course, I’m sure someone got some use out of them.
I just wonder if there is a forum or a place that I could write and explain the situation so that at least we could get a refund. I have read other posts stating that they did receive a refund. I am going to contact Ticketmaster and complain that they did not explain the procedure properly to my husband when he purchased the tickets. He is college-educated and would have easily understood the way the tickets worked had it been explained to him properly.
Is there anyplace to voice a grievance? If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it. I guess we will just dispute the charge on our credit card. That seems to be the only recourse, rather than suing someone.
Thanks for letting me rant and ramble. I’m just feeling very badly for my son who was so looking forward to this concert.
316 Jaydee // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:38 am
Is this whats on the chapbook? I couldnt fit through the crowd of people at the table in Columbus. What a great show by the way. 25 freaking songs. thanks Tom, youre a very giving man.
317 Cagee // Jul 8, 2008 at 7:57 pm
My husband and I saw the July 5 Atlanta show. Our third Tom Waits show and they just get better and better. Our first show was at a little “hole-in-the-wall” venue 30 years ago called Alex Cooley’s Ballroom. Anyone remember that blast from the past? Tom was on keyboards, guitar, and that fabulous voice that could only come out of Tom Waits. There was one other guitar player and a drummer (his kids weren’t even thought of then so they weren’t playing drums). On stage was half of an old Chevrolet, a gas pump and a recliner. Alex Cooley’s was right across the street from the Fox where we saw him for this show. He was a showman then and has evolved ten-fold. I can’t call the show we saw at the Fox a concert. I have to call it a “performance” in the greatest sense of the word. It was like being at a carnival. The music was fantastic. Tom’s voice and showmanship just keeps getting better and he has put together the best band I have heard. I would hate to be in any one of their places, trying to keep up with where he was going - he was all over the place - but they were all unbelievable. My husband and I both came out and said at the same time, “that was the best show we have ever seen”. Keep doing what you are doing Tom and don’t make us wait so long to see you. Atlanta loves you and will go to any venue you decide to play. The Tabernacle show we saw 2 years ago here in Atlanta was really good and we were pleased about the relatively short wait to see you again. After this performance, I can’t come up with a number of miles that would put you “out of range” for us to make it out to see all of you again. I would give anything to have this last performance on DVD. What a treasure that would be to have in our collection.
318 thracer // Jul 9, 2008 at 7:09 am
Wow - Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom. What a blast from the past - I remember it and the Agora as well.
You are so right that it was more a performance than a concert. He was part crazed Vaudeville showman, part insane circus sideshow master, part piano cocktail lounge crooner, and part comedian channeling George Carlin from the dead. The bit about the lost luggage was hysterical, and the eyeball throwing antics were genius.
I’ve been to a ton of concerts in the Fox, and I have to say the sound at this one was flawless, and I told the sound guys so afterwards. Despite the costs, the ticket hassles, and the delayed start, it was way more than worth it.
One of the most remarkable things was how many people there had traveled from long distances to attend the show. At dinner, the three tables around us consisted of people who had traveled from New York, Pittsburgh, and (get this) Liverpool, England. Speaks volumes about the man.
319 Demain Osborn // Jul 9, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I Just heard your touring AUSTRALIA NEEDS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please PLEASE please PLEASE!
320 Oceanstarr // Jul 10, 2008 at 2:52 am
The July 3rd Birmingham show was the best concert I have ever been to. A high point in the hardest year of my life.
Thank you, Mr. Waits, for your sense of humor and for bringing light into the darkness around us without pretending the darkness isn’t there.
You are an inspiration.
321 rui veloso // Jul 10, 2008 at 3:30 am
I did a song inspired by some song of tom i don t remember which.I know it s from mule variations i was listening in the car.It turned out to be a big hit here in portugal some 5 years ago and still is.I m finally going to see tom in barcelona but i ve been waiting since 76 so..Hope the sound is good .cheers
322 m.kay // Jul 11, 2008 at 11:29 am
“Moral solutions to problems are always found at an entirely different level; also, believe in yourself in the face of impossible odds.”
You truly are an inspiration..
Sound student from Lebanon..
323 hesam // Jul 12, 2008 at 12:43 pm
hi tom
i`m 21 years old . i live in iran . i just wanna say i like u verry much . in iran u have a lot of fan. i hope one day i can see u and take a picture with u . it`s all i want in my life. tom u show me a diffrent view in my life with your songs.tnx for everythings. i hope one day i can see u . bye
324 cawpa // Jul 13, 2008 at 5:25 am
Tom
I saw you at the Fab. Fox in Atlanta. I loved the show and the energy. All of you guys on stage looked to be having as much fun as we were in the crowd. I loved the playlist too. One question though…you left me curious. During the show you said you would tell us about a purchase or investment you’d made. You said this about the time you showed us that great cvs watch! dont leave us hanging buddy…you have to finish.
One more thing…. Eyeball Kid kicked ass live! What a show!!
325 Roc // Jul 13, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Dear Tom, band, crew and friends!
Benvinguts a Barcelona! Barcelona welcomes You!
I’ll be there tomorrow night vibrating with your music and I know it will be a great experience. I invite you to listen this local band called Manel. Enjoy!
326 Roc // Jul 13, 2008 at 3:20 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5bBZ5ZbOWE
327 peter // Jul 14, 2008 at 11:44 am
Hi Tom,
Sorry for my English first. I’m afraid that You don’t want to come here, to Poland, because we speak Your language poor… Maybe You’re right. Most important in Your music are lyrics. I think that I can feel it, even I can’t understand text good. Now I’m 40 years old and I’m afraid that I’ll never meet You in my live… But I’d love to. Maybe, if not with concerts, You could come here privately…? It could be very big thing in my live, to invite You. Maybe You’ll be kind to see our country and take some rest and spend some nice time here? We have some nice places to see here. For me it’ll be great honour. Best regards - Peter Battke.
328 larry // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Dear Tom :
Saw you in St. Louis several weeks ago. Great show, though I was hoping for one of your songs from the mid to late 70’s. So I’m wondering when you might play in California again, as it would be great to catch you in a concert close to home (I’m in Santa Cruz, where you last played in 1977, and somehow I missed that concert where you opened for the late Jon Stewart). I imagine you won’t be at the next Bridge School concert, so I will just keep my eyes and ears open for your next California venue, whether it’s a benefit concert, or one of your own shows. I was really far in the back in St. Louis, and learned from some of the locals that they bought their orchestra tickets near to the concert date, and got great seats in the first few rows behind the orchestra pit section.
They seemed to be onto the fact that the Fox sold tickets back to front, unless one knew how to order a seat in a certain section on the MetroTix site. So I went for the best seat available some three minutes after the tickets went on sale, and I get a seat two rows in from the lobby! Another $15 bucks on May 16 and I probably would have got orchestra pit seats. The Fox was one huge place to see a show, and I did have the buffet dinner, so I’m not complaining in the least. It is a beautiful building! I’ve read in this blog comments from a few other people who are probably around my age (mid-fifties) who also waited some thirty years to finally see you live on this tour.
329 Alex // Jul 15, 2008 at 6:58 am
GRACIAS, TOM. LAS ENTRADAS (TICKETS) PARA TUS CONCIERTOS EN ESPAÑA ESTÁN A UNOS PRECIOS SOLO PARA TUS AMIGOS LOS RICOS: 100 € LA ENTRADA MAS BARATA EN BARCELONA!!!
SOIS UNOS CABRONES…
330 sami // Jul 15, 2008 at 2:11 pm
howling out at the shattering moon
as the atoms round your soul
explode the night
and the fury at this world
and all the ways it can break and blast
goodness and light
Before the soft soothing reminders that
beauty is always with us
that it never left
We got distracted is all
by the rage
and the lies of the lost
But there is forever a better way.
God bless you, Tom
and see you in Dublin
331 Tara // Jul 16, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Hi Tom (or Tom representative…whatever):
I caught the Birmingham show on July 3rd…it was out of this world. The auditorium may as well have been its very own planet. What would one name such a planet? The Waitsland, perhaps?
The two high points for me were you on piano singing “Innocent When You Dream” and immediately following with “Jockey Full of Bourbon.” To top it off, I’d just been in New Orleans the week before and had the opening of “Down By Law” and images of New Orleans running through my head.
Thanks for doing what you do.
332 the ox // Jul 17, 2008 at 2:09 am
normal show in Barcelona, but bad feeling, the guards in the hall are fuckin’ nazis (you are Britney Spears or what?) And the price of the ticket are for richmen, Tom, you don’t know in Barcelona are people like me, working class survivors who listen good music and can`t pay the excessive price, but if you need more money, take it of the richmen not mine, deception. you are on the system, like madonna. bye & good luck. The poetry is for the people.
333 Dove Negron // Jul 17, 2008 at 4:18 am
Sat next to Tom at a George Carlin show at Club Benet.
We laughed so much! Tom kept saying “Yowza, yowza, yowza” Then later he bought us drinks at another bar.
Cool dude. Awesome musician! Love ya Tom.
334 kelly // Jul 18, 2008 at 7:13 am
This is to Tom and Kathleen,
Have you ever concidered making a broadway musical from one or all of your records. You music is soo bueatiful it’s like i’m watching what you say in my mind. I think that it would be a bueatiful gift to all of us to be able to embrace all that is Tom when we can’t see you live. When you sing songs like small change or rain dogs all I can see are posiblities. More people need to know your collective genius.
335 Andy G // Jul 20, 2008 at 9:37 am
In the right place at the right time. ……….Edinburgh 2th July 2008. Just geeting a ticket this week, a week before show, kinda suggests that my karma is pretty good at the moment.
You can not take the smile away from my wrinkled chubby face.
For sure, since 1979, Tom`s music has made up the sound track of my life……….good times, not so good times and pretty crappy times, the music has been with me.
Tom, give me a shout if you want someone to show you the sites (much more to see than the castle!). If you like indian food I am your man!!
Look forward to seeing you next week
Andy
336 vicki // Jul 21, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Dallas was harsh. I was standing 9 bodies from the stage until I went down with Heat Exhaustion! Was dragged unconscious away from my good spot by medics who revived me with ice packs. We had to watch the rest of it from the floor right of stage. BUT… Loved the concert. Tom was amazing! could anyone email me a photo taken with your camera-phones? What a wonderful night, the best concert EVER and worth every damn moment and every damn nickel.
337 ELINA // Jul 22, 2008 at 2:47 am
Cooooooome to Greece!!!!!!why you don’t?
338 c // Jul 22, 2008 at 10:54 am
Tom
is there any chance of photographing you in Dublin?
i am a great fan and a keen photographer who has captured some of the worlds most famous faces. i am going through a particularily hard time at the minute and am getting by only in Rubys arms. fast, cheap, good. two words, please help.
339 Renske // Jul 23, 2008 at 8:33 am
@ sugarplm9, I really feel for you and your son. That’s a terrible thing to happen. I’m a fan since I was very young, and would have been devastated. I don’t know who you could write to, but i would definitely write it in an official letter to Anti. The thing is: Waits writes songs about the street, the no-money circuit, beggars, etc. I don’t want to compare your creditcard-less son with a beggar (although nothing is wrong with beggars), but it’s extra painful that situations as these, that Waits would understand (as his songs show), happen exactly at his concerts. They should definitely built in a way to avoid this - people without creditcard NEED to have a way to get in to his concerts too. I really hope your son will get more lucky in the future. I’m also quite poor, and I know how desperate it can make you at times.
If Anti had some character, they would invite your son as a special guest on Waits’ next tour.
340 cory grafstein // Jul 24, 2008 at 8:14 am
tom waits for prez he has the pulse of the nation in his mind. wish you could come to Toronto again missed you the last time . good luck with the new cd. be well
341 Wendy Lewis // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:02 am
Your my hero!
342 Wendy Lewis // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:55 am
Just heard about Tom & Terry’s new movie & can’t wait to see Tom’s devil in action!! Terry is also a favourite of ours (Kev & Wen) he’s a strange & beautiful character; as is Tom (& as are we ! )
We’ve enjoyed them both so, over the years. We have much of there stuff (both) to continue to enjoy over & over. And we do Mystery Men, Baron M, of course the list goes on & on. What creative minds!!
We love it, keep it comin’ !! We share the same humour. You both have helped tremendously in squashing out those little bad days that come along from time - time, and 10 Q for that!
The world is a better place with people like you on it.!!
Much luck & success on the new CD & Tour & movie.
As Cory above says ” wish you could come to Toronto again missed you the last time”.
“kisses”
Wen oxox
343 Wendy Lewis // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Tom just broke for lunch, you & Kathleen gotta try the organic nectarines that are out there right now, they’re fantastic !!
Love you guys
Later
W
344 janet // Jul 24, 2008 at 8:58 pm
For the past few weeks there have been two listings on the web saying that Tom will be at the Detroit Opera House on Monday, August 11 (Google “Tom Waits Detroit” and you’ll find them). I’ve called the opera house and have been told that they can’t confirm it. In my first call to Ticketmaster I was told that it was definitely scheduled for that date but they couldn’t say when tickets will go on sale. In several subsequent calls I was told they knew nothing about it.
Does anyone know anything about this? I know I’m spoiled rotten because I saw him here two years ago, but the suspense is killing me. I really hope it’s true.
345 mitchel // Jul 25, 2008 at 7:55 am
“. . . and they polka like real men.” hell yeah.
346 jason "tom" crook // Jul 29, 2008 at 12:42 pm
why dont you do a full english tour you have so menny fans yet you only do scotland and charge top money make us feel (the uk )like you give a fuck about people how have followed you years dont forget us tom the piano has been drinking tonite !!!
347 orangeman // Jul 29, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Tom & Kathleen,
I’m marrying my own Kerry rose this Saturday and there’s a rumour going around (started by me) that you might be in Ireland for a bit. If you’d like to join the party, you’re all more than welcome. , just give us a bell and I’ll send you some directions.
348 c. // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I caught the last date in Edinburgh. Came up from Exeter on the train [8 hours!] just to see it. On my own.
Worth every minute, worth every penny. It was profoundly moving/exciting - insert overblown expletive here ______.
The best concert I’ve ever seen. Stunning, thank you.
349 owen // Jul 31, 2008 at 12:37 am
TOM we love and miss you, im from melbourne australia and play blues, we’d be blessed if youd consider coming down under, mucho respeto….
350 Dónall Mac Ruairí // Jul 31, 2008 at 7:52 am
Fáilte chun na tíre. Tá mé ag fanacht leis an seans a fháil tú a fheiceáil i rith mo shaoil agus níl le fanacht ach ceithre uaire fichid eile. Bhfuil sé fíor go bhfuil tú ag cleachtadh an tsean nós. Is cinnte go gcuireadh oireachtas na Gaeilge fáilte ó chroí romhat. Mise le meas Dónall Na Smuige…
351 pod // Jul 31, 2008 at 8:13 am
Tom Waits in the Rat Cellar, Pheonix Park, Dublin. . .A Stunning performance , a real showman. To be able to reproduce the authentic sounds of his huge record collection with ease on stage, and then add some . Beautiful . 3,000 worshippers knew he was worth every cent/penny, worth all the stress racebooking the seats and more than worth all the hassle which meant bringing along your passport to get in . Passport control for a gig? What a brilliant idea..I only wish I could reside in such a nation where artistry, picture painting ,lyrics, showmanship, harmonies and great humour were everyday. Taking a pinch of the stage mannerisms of Ian Drury and applying it to a back catalogue of such depth presented us with a spectacle it is simply too hard to describe here. New songs or old Tom Waits continues to amaze us all and maybe even himself
352 Carola // Jul 31, 2008 at 9:41 am
Thank you so much for your concert in BCN
We had “waiting for Waits” so long but at least…..
————————————————————————
Gracias por todos los buenos ratos que me has hecho pasar.
353 Johnny Rodgers // Jul 31, 2008 at 1:18 pm
It really did rain after the show last night!!!!
But the show is Awesome
Thanks a mil to the lovely couple who gave Kiwi and I the lift to Pearse st.
354 Caroline Brady // Aug 2, 2008 at 12:25 am
Tom is the first artist I’ve ever seen who gets a standing ovation at the start of the show. Last night @ The Ratcellar in Dublin was the best performance I’ve ever seen, by any artist. It was the last night of the tour and he put everything into the performance, he had us eating out of his hands. The man is a magician. The band were amazing. I loved every second of it. The last song he sang was \Lucky Day\. I hope he meant it and that he will be back and soon.
355 Mrs. Polly // Aug 2, 2008 at 9:47 am
I had a friend, Eugene, who introduced me to Mr. Waits. Gene was Irish, and Mr. Waits’ ballads spoke to him. Gene was also hopelessly alchoholic, and died of it at only 44, his several starts at macabre, funny, whiskey-laced novels left in a drawer somewhere, twenty years ago.
I remember Gene whenever I hear Mr. Waits. Improvising dialogue for pigeons, singing into the open end of a rubber truncheon.
Thank you to Mr. Waits, and especially to Kathleen Brennan for the songs that Gene understood and that understood Gene. And gratitude that your work wasn’t left, truncated and forgotten, in a drawer.
356 miguel antonio soto // Aug 2, 2008 at 11:40 pm
argentine waitin egen…
357 Mr Smylie // Aug 3, 2008 at 2:59 am
Discovered Tom in 75. Saw him in Dublin in the Olympia Theatre in the early eighties and again on the 1st of August at the Rat Cellar. We are the same age . Thank you Tom for keeping me of the straight and narrow.
358 michael from Dublin // Aug 6, 2008 at 5:29 am
It must be thirty years or more since I first heard Tom sing ‘invitation to the blues’ late one night in my teenage bedroom on a crackly radio while I was sneaking a cigarette in my bedroom at 2 in the morning. It shook me to my roots. I will never forget it. Last week I took my ten year old boy to see him in the park in Dublin. How are feet are turned?!
359 AllyB // Aug 6, 2008 at 7:58 am
Lucky enough to be at last Dublin concert. Amazing!
Thanks a million Tom and all.
Please, please, pretty please could you put out a dvd showing the best bits/bits and pieces from each of the shows?? It would be genuinely lovely to have a momento.
Bought my first TW record more than 25 years ago (I’m 38 now) after seeing him do “The piano has been drinking” on the Irish version of Johnny Carson.
Nice to be able to explain to my 4/6yr old daughters last week that I was going to see the funny man who sings “Little drop of poison” in Shrek.
Liked the idea of the “scalping for charity” too. Does Tom ever make anything signed available for fans (to buy for charity)?I’d imagine if there was a reputable outlet to buy say signed posters (where the money goes to charity) it would be a great money making opportunity.
360 Jesse // Aug 13, 2008 at 10:59 am
Open letter to Tom Waits;
Dear Tom;
I know it’s a cold country, and considering your more or less preferred type of enviroment it’s understandable that you wouldn’t want to visit, but please, please reconsider. I’ve seen people here wearing red pants with pride, it’s not a phenomenon that is exclusive to the deep south - people in Canada mostly prefer to wear ‘em!! Hell, some of these people might even come to your show!!
I know you’ve been to Canada before, many times, and not just to grab a connecting flight or lay down some tracks in northern Quebec. I know a man with your varied tastes must have a soft spot in his heart for a greasy fry up at a Husky station. You’ve probably (at least I hope you have) been in Halifax, Nova Scotia or in St. Johns Newfoundland - walked into some dark pub where maybe nobody even knew who you were and still insisted on buying you a drink for just one more story. Or maybe you’ve been driving the rockies, broke down, and managed to thumb a ride across a distance equivalent to that of the entire midwest, and probably been offered at least one joint or a road beer along the way. I know, I know, tastes change with time - what appealed to you then might not appeal to you now - consider then a place like Montreal, where you can climb the mountain and hear the echoes of an entire city flying and drifting off the concrete canyons swirling together in a cacophony that the wind carries up to you. Or Vancouver, where long tall allys that go on for blocks at a time will send you an amplified idea of what’s happening six blocks away if you just stand at one end of ‘em and listen. How about the fact that no matter where you go in the country, you can walk into any gas station, hotel, corner store, music shop and even if people there know who you are, or don’t you’ll get treated with respect … except for the 7 11’s, stay clear of those.
I beg you, please, please, please consider adding some Canadian dates to your tour. At least come to Montreal!!!
yours,
J
361 Kjell Iver // Aug 17, 2008 at 6:31 am
Thank you Tom, for your great concerts in Prague and in Paris!You have a huge amount of fans in Norway, and many of us visited your shows in Europe. I hope you’ll be able to come to Oslo some day, maybe next year? You have a great fanbase here, and the new opera should be perfect for your show. Just a pity they did’nt take you this year!
I also hope that yoy have a DVD out soon, with extracts from some of your shows. Would be great if you did.
Regards Kjell Iver
362 Rachel // Aug 17, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Re: Wondering, #6
When I was young, I was told that the orphaned baby kittens lived inside the hollow part of the violin - that since the strings were made out of their parents’ guts, they yowled when the strings were played, and that’s what makes the sound.
363 oliver // Aug 19, 2008 at 12:46 pm
i’m a german with a submachine gun.
i got right into my cradle, played with it in my pram and now i love to keep it in my mouth while singing tom’s songs.
i’m sure he would count this to his favourite sounds…
364 Graveyard John // Aug 20, 2008 at 5:36 pm
loved the part of my life when i got to see tom at three nights in dublin christ hes good
365 Peter Palmer // Aug 22, 2008 at 1:18 am
Geez there are people here who actually think Mr Waits is going to read their comments and stop by there town for a concert and coffee and wave to them personally from the stage.
Ah well , I guess god can do whatever he likes.
So If he don’t stop by your house, it must be because he doesn’t like you - that’ll be cos he asked Tom about you and Tom said ” hey, the guy didn’t even write a sycophantic comment…
366 Edith Di Angelo // Aug 23, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I sang and played “Chocolate Jesus” in a train in Germany.
The video can be seen on http://www.youtube.de next week.
I dedicate the video of Tom Waits, because his texts and interpretation make my life very richt.
Edith
367 Edith Di Angelo // Aug 24, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Hello from Germany
the video can already be seen
love
Edith
368 massa damnata // Aug 26, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Re: Jesse
Canada…an elephant in its own room.
/I just can’t figure out if St. John’s is the trunk or the ass.
369 Phil // Sep 1, 2008 at 2:06 am
What a guy, I was front row at the Palais in St Kilda in 79, what a show.
Come on down under and go waltzing matilda with us again Tom
370 Tristan // Sep 2, 2008 at 9:23 am
Would it be possible to have Tom here in Argentina some day? Please?
371 Jazzbo // Sep 12, 2008 at 9:21 am
I sure like dem chicken wings and watermelon..Master let me have a 1 hour break from pickin cotten.. I like to sing Toms songs when I be slaven in the cotton patch..
372 rowdy // Sep 13, 2008 at 4:03 pm
come on up to our house in oztralia, pleeze
373 Patricia // Sep 16, 2008 at 7:43 am
Tom Waits makes me happier than anything - that is so true. The rest of the world and most people can go so wierd on you, but Tom is a totally reliable joy-maker. Thank you, Tom.
374 Serge // Sep 18, 2008 at 2:44 pm
du hust
375 Serge // Sep 18, 2008 at 2:46 pm
du hust again
376 Serge // Sep 18, 2008 at 2:48 pm
it is me again
down bu the law
377 Serge // Sep 18, 2008 at 2:50 pm
drunken piano
378 Pati Ann // Sep 19, 2008 at 5:04 am
I know in my heart that I am connected to this man, but since my life is a commitment to the dramatic role of “serving as a warning to others”, I know that I will never ever meet him….which really sucks….I lose my breath whenever I see him, like we were sibs in another lifetime….I don’t have a clue as to why he affects me so, but I am to be forever disappointed by this fact….I live so close to him geographically, but realistically (which I have been dealt a HARSH SLAP in many, many other ways!!) I know that our paths will never cross, and I feel this to be a tradigy in the most profound sense. Just know, Tom, that I have you near me when things are near the breaking point, and you turn my frown upside down. Thanks, my distant friend.
379 Pati Ann // Sep 19, 2008 at 5:06 am
I made spelling errors just now, and that adds to the tragedy of my role to serve others as a warning…it’s very, very late, and I have to go to my little sister’s wedding now….
380 Pati Ann // Sep 19, 2008 at 5:10 am
Oh yeah…one more thing…when I had a radio show on KCSM in San Mateo between the hours of 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. (which the last hour was dedicated to the BBC news, and I STILL had to be awake), I tried slipping Tom’s tunes in even tho they weren’t on the “approved play list”, and I got in trubble…heh heh…I didn’t care…fuck ‘em….he made me smile in the wee hours…
381 Sierramompty // Sep 25, 2008 at 7:39 am
Nice!
382 Chris Roberts // Sep 27, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Dear Tom…
Firstly, thank you for your shows in Columbus, Knoxville, and Birmingham. I saw all three. No words for all the goodness.
I was wondering if you recieved the fabric, sewn, stitched, framed piece of art that I made for you called, “If I Had A Monkey”? I dropped it off before the Knoxville show with someone who said he was your manager… It’s ok if you didn’t, it was a risky thing to do.
Anyhow, I wish that dust would fly up every time I stomp MY feet. You’re really lucky. Thanks for filling most of my waking hours with your music.
Your Pal,
Chris
(I’m a girl . You can’t see me, so you don’t know.)
383 Leon // Sep 28, 2008 at 7:23 am
Recently, I have been playing over and over again COME ON UP TO THE HOUSE. Can’t get enough of it, but then Tom Waits touches so much of us in so many different ways.
Have you heard of the band, O’Death? They have a sound that make some comparisons, but in a “punky” way.
Loved the interview.
384 Nick // Sep 29, 2008 at 5:26 am
I’ve been playing ‘Alice’ - we listened as we drove around Skye recently… My five year-old can sing ‘Poor Edward’, and ‘No One Knows I’m Gone’ makes me want to cry. Bless you, Tom Waits!
385 xleb // Sep 29, 2008 at 9:34 am
i wanted to leave some comment,… but i realize that there are something i always wanted to tell personally… ‘m suppose he would never read so much comments, i have rather slim chance to be heard. so to write just to be part of worldwide tomwaits funclub too boring…
386 george // Oct 1, 2008 at 2:57 am
just want to say tom, if you read this stuff - i want to paint your portrait.
why? something happens when i hear your music which hasn’t happened since i first heard peggy sue by buddy holly when i was 11 years old.
neil young calls it ‘the spook’
thanks
387 Ivan // Oct 2, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hello boys. Im in love with waits music. I don’t know what america is but I love America thru Tom’s music.
388 Matt-V // Oct 9, 2008 at 8:48 pm
“Well go ahead and call the cops, You don’t meet nice girls in coffee shops” -Tom Waits
I’m glad I listened Tom. I met my fiance outside of a coffee shop. One of our first nights together was spent listening to your Florence Italy ‘99 show. We missed seeing you live on this tour, but thanks for the NPR show…………Pure Magic!
389 Noel // Oct 9, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Hello Dirty Duck,
Just want to have a glass of whisky some time, listin to some Hank and shut up.
Your truly,
Smiley
390 MoWaid // Oct 20, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Tom,
My husband Michael was introduced 5 years ago to your music, there is nothing more he loves than “Closing Time”.I’m not sure how it got past me not to know that you were just 50 miles away 0n July 3rd…….Michael was very quite when I told him and I could see the DISSAPOINTMENT !. You came to the South on tour in Birmingham, Al and Atlanta. I didn’t know that you were com’in to the USA for a tour. I’m sure that there are MANY other people that didn’t get to see the concert and feel the same that it wouldn’t be fair not to come back soon.
Are you planning another tour next year ? I hope that the answer is yes if you or your staff can reply.
think really hard about this….it woudln’t be a bad thing to do.
thanks for all the great music and happiness you bring>>>>>>Mowaid
391 W // Oct 20, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Tom, if you can read this, thanks for always being there.
w
392 Flick, // Oct 21, 2008 at 1:29 pm
56,Just got my first lipperty lopperty laptop, just found this websight,Glitter and Doom is playing, think I will be late for work in the mornind,
Goodnight, it is nearly closing time
393 Flick, // Oct 21, 2008 at 1:37 pm
ps
This is from wensleydale, England, and its 10 :40pm,just time for one or two more
394 Kevin // Oct 22, 2008 at 2:28 am
can’t feed a monkey cigarettes. Can’t get a fish drunk. I was really lookin forward to that
395 finn // Oct 22, 2008 at 7:39 pm
to whom it may concern,
is it at all possible to have mr waits come and tour australia, personally i would sell my first born for the tickets. thevideo of rain dogs live has long bit the dust. pattersons curse is still in bloom from melbourne to adelaide, the town has more cheer, the don lane show was axed twenty years ago,nothing to fear !
396 finn // Oct 22, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I wouldn’t really sell my first born
397 poppy // Oct 25, 2008 at 7:44 am
simplemente gracias por estar,me gustaria tenerlo de tio,para matarlo a preguntas,capo total !!!!!!
398 poppy // Oct 25, 2008 at 7:46 am
gracias por estar,me gustaria tenerlo de tio,para matarlo a preguntas….capo total !!!!!
399 Zachary // Oct 28, 2008 at 4:20 pm
My car broke down in the rain in brooklyn last night, and I got some cops to help my drunken ass push it to a parking spot, then I had to walk the 30 blocks back to queens in this fucking torrential downpour. I have to walk back and call triple a or something, I hate calling triple a. I hate dealing with mechanics too. The reason I’m complaining about it here is, it could be the distributor or it could be the coil, and I had the ghost of saturday night on the stereo when I lost power, because while for the rest of the world it was another rainy monday evening, I just finished one hell of a week, because you know that us ambulance drivers just want to get off work. Anyways, the point of my visit to the official Tom Waits site, is would you please, Mr. Waits, buy me another car? This is more likely to work than me getting a return on my investment in the new york state lottery.
400 Jeff // Oct 28, 2008 at 5:27 pm
i have a tough life…
tom wait’s music has always stuck with me
im 16
and play piano
if only i could thank him…
but all i can do is listen and play
jeffy-
401 David // Nov 7, 2008 at 10:25 am
I was 14 and broke when u came in Paris in 1986,
In Taiwan when you came back in 2001,
In Beijing in july this year when u showed up in the Grand Rex,
and now i’m in Hongkong !
Any chance to see u around ?
“The captain is a one armed dwarf…”
sounds like in here…
White man can have the blues !
Thank you anyway
402 Mike J // Nov 7, 2008 at 12:01 pm
The next time I’m looking for a woman, I’ll just ask one question, “Do you like Tom Waits”? Should save me a lot of time later….
Can’t wait for the next tour, I’ll fly to the show if I have too, I missed this one.
Thanks for all the great music!
403 CT Draper // Nov 10, 2008 at 5:49 pm
several monthes ago i read an article about the album closing time and i was interested in hearing it. last week i bought a copy and was blown away. after listening to the first few tracks i decided to turn the car around and head to cd exchange and purchased small change and the heart of saturday night. when i was able to sit at home and listen and read the lyrics i realized i was listening to a genius.
404 pierre // Nov 13, 2008 at 6:26 am
Emilies’ trying to make a go of it with her music. She loves yours. She lent me Down by Law and I understand better now. Where does it all come from?????
405 Frank // Nov 21, 2008 at 8:47 am
The best thing I ever did as a parent was to introduce tom to my children.
406 Booger // Nov 22, 2008 at 10:40 am
Yo, Tee Dub-ya — wazzat you that I shared a storm drain with under the Great Salt Desert (skedaddlin’ outta Salt Lick Seedy) back in 1981? You looked like a werewolf and coughed like the cancer ward. We traded some sheets of writing paper for some sheets of rolling paper. We stayed at opposite ends of the tunnel while the rising flow made us stand with legs wider & wider. I’m purdy sure it was you but you weren’t so ugly then. Me either. Is’m glad you got the writing paper & I got the rolling paper. Love your racket, man. I’m a slam poet in Fort Collins these days. Hah. I got some good shtick if you’re payin’. Don’ lettem dangle too low — bro.
407 Tom Holzinger // Nov 23, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Perhaps next time we could find someone smart enough to interview Tom Waits. Maybe its her first interview or is just used to interviewing idiots?
Ask Good Questions!
408 Gina // Nov 24, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Tom H - I think you might have missed the gist of this piece. It is Tom interviewing himself…but if you’d like, i’ll suggest to Tom that next time he interview himself, he try to find someone smarter, more experienced, who asks better questions
409 Mike Bunn // Nov 29, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Read the book of interviews.
410 Matteo Luzzeri // Dec 3, 2008 at 7:58 pm
My hero…
411 Arsalan Zeimaran // Dec 3, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Long Live Tom Waits…
412 Linden Bowman "the turd" // Dec 6, 2008 at 1:12 am
i have found not a person that shares the same admiration and enjoyment that i get from this mans music where im from, a glass and bottle, smokes, not a soul in sight just Mr. Waits and i…just the way i like it…..also comes in handy to play when you want to clear the room of fakers. dont know if you ever read these comments tom but thanks for the help….
413 Graveyard John // Dec 7, 2008 at 3:32 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM
414 michael // Dec 7, 2008 at 9:31 pm
please resurrect the tom waits library.
i know it does not originate from this site but it should.
can you help?
has no one else missed it?
thanks.
415 Christian Lauridsen // Dec 8, 2008 at 12:50 am
Come back soon and tour Europe again Tom!
416 Jerry // Dec 8, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I first saw Tom at “The Grand Ole Opry” in Nashville TN in 1974. Then I was fortunate enough to see him in a small bar called “The Exit Inn” in 1975.
He has shaped my life in so many ways with his truly amazing ability to paint pictures with words. Happy Birthday, Tom (yesterday) I went to Napoleones Pizza Parlour in National City , CA to celebrate…..it was closed…..go figure…If it were raining soup, I’d only have a fork!!!
417 mark bower // Dec 11, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I just want to somehow make sure Tom knows that there is a band called the Woodbox Gang that is the best thing to happen to music in forever.They are huge fans of his and wrote a song in his honor called”the Shadow of Tom”.He should check it and them out!
418 sues // Dec 14, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Please let me no when you’ll be in Chicago! We have a hole in the wall bar full of people who want to see you! Shot and a beer for you too!
419 PAUL SMITH // Dec 15, 2008 at 4:07 pm
TOM,MY BEST FREIND BRENDAN AND I WERE AT YOUR 2ND CONCERT IN EDINBURGH,AND,I’M NOT KIDDING,WE ARE STILL(5 MONTHS LATER) TALKING,REMINISING ABOUT THE WHOLE EVENT,AND THE UNDENIABLE FACT THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY ARTIST WE HAVE SEEN TO GET A STANDING OVATION BEFORE THE GIG EVEN STARTS!!!A TRUE POET!! THANK YOU!! ..P.S ANY CHANCE OF A DVD??…GO ON,SEE IF YOU CAN TOP “BIG TIME”!…I DARE YOU!
420 Doug // Dec 17, 2008 at 4:07 pm
When he told the one about being in the back seat when the driver dies, I entered the realm in which you don’t know whether you’re laughing or crying, and it occurred to me that that is the essence of many of his songs.
421 Esteban Páez // Dec 18, 2008 at 9:09 am
A dead man in the backseat of a car with a fly crawling on his eyeball…
I had two nightmares about that. I should not read…
Love your songs Tom!
saludos desde Argentina
422 cath c // Dec 19, 2008 at 8:10 am
tom waits, you live in my head with a shoebox full of clanking pieces and butterfly wings’ dust. your fav music and movies parts are remarkably similar to my own, sublime, silly and the sound of the escalator schuff-schuffing between the green and red lines at park st station in boston just before the last train out and its winter and my breath is wet and warm finally on my scarf, tucked in my coat. i haven’t stood there in years.
423 Zeew // Dec 20, 2008 at 1:37 am
Love your songs Tom!
Solom from Israel,from Russian-speeking Duch gay
Спасибо за песни,на моём флаге свободы у тебя достойное место!
Zeew Itkis
424 Pablo Cafe // Dec 22, 2008 at 7:06 am
At a quarter past two
on a tuesday afternoon
the world was declared
dead…
just discovered you existed man. keep it coming.
425 Karoliina // Dec 23, 2008 at 10:58 am
I know plenty of people who would love to see the word “Helsinki” on the list of the last answer.. Including myself too. An amazing man, amazing music! Thanks for it.
426 Sabrina // Dec 27, 2008 at 6:00 am
good ol’ tom. I am madly in love with this music and the man behind it. Which amuses me greatly…seeing as i am a tiny blond 20 year old girl from utah and to look at me you would never think that a raving tom addicted fool resides in my body..maybe i am possessed?
“chasing dangerous girls across the dirty sheets”
427 elissa benguerel // Dec 27, 2008 at 3:12 pm
just wanted to write to you to make sure that i did not offend you at byron’s jewelry store. i am byrons sister in law and i am new and i dont know anyone!
i especially dont know names of musicians really. i have been married to someone who didnt like music in the house or in the car!!! weird i know and i am a musician too!!! so who people are is not something i know much about.
but the funny thing is is that today on my xm radio i heard a song by you that i have heard a fair amount called, i hope i dont fall in love with you. that is one of my favorite songs and it occurred to me that its a good thing i didnt know who you were or i would have talked your ear off!!!!!
what a trip. so i am guessing that happens from time to time and you probaby understand. but i had to write when i heard the song and laughed about it!!
i hope you are well and had a great xmas . i hope the jewelry worked out great for your wife and the bonus points for you!!!!
see you in the store sometime.
take care,
elissa
the dark haired girl talking about the chamber music party i went to who asked if you were a musician!!!! shit.
428 vladimir // Dec 28, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Hello, mr. Waits,
Greetings from quite a lot of your fans in Russia. Have a merry Chirstmas and New Year celebration. Surprizingly it is something in your music that comes very close to the Russian mentality and soul attitude.
Have you ever considered a chance of touring across Russia? Sometimes you are visiting East Europe, why forgetting about us in Russia and especially Siberia where I am from?
If someone tells you “don’t go into that barn”, don’t believe them.
Hoping to see you onstage in Novosibirsk one time (all necessary facilities for that are available in the city having a population of more than one million and a half). Please meet the expectations of those looking forward to see a real genius.
Yours very truly,
Vladimir, Novosibirsk, Russia
429 molly michaels // Dec 29, 2008 at 1:50 am
I came here to find out about the art on Orphan’s cover, and fell in love with you again. This read caused me to miss two ex lovers as well, a poet who disappeared first in Thailand and then in Utah, and a bass player who was the best lay and worst conversationalist I’ve ever had. I imagined you living alone and I’m glad you have a woman although, I wish I’d met you first. Reading your words helps me to appreciate those who also live on the rich and effervescent edge, including myself. Big hugs to you and your voice and whiskers. It’s nice to address a bird of my flock, it makes the million wings beat closer to my heart.
430 Bart Derks // Dec 29, 2008 at 6:53 am
Hi Tom,
Christmas is hell to me, but somehow your music helps me every year !
Thank you !
Bart.
431 MonkaEmBee // Dec 30, 2008 at 12:16 am
Just saw your movie 1986 movie “Down by Law”, and just had to find out more about you. Love the interview. Blown away by your knowledge and comments like “We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness.” How true now in these noughties! This is a far cry from the man I saw perform on a TV Show Sydney, Australia. Glad you have so moved on from then.Went looking for your tape “Heartache and Vine” in my collection and played it. I am a 67yo Great Grandma who has always admired your individuality. I’m so glad I found you website. MM
432 Jason C // Dec 31, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I have such tremendous respect for not only your music, but also your integrity as an artist (ie. not shamelessly shilling yourself to corporate interests, etc.)
Thank God people like you still exist in the music industry.
Have a great 2009, Tom.
J.
p.s. Please come to Canada soon!
433 Shell // Jan 3, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Have you been to Australia since 1978?( When I was 15 & too young to get into the nightclub in Sydney you played in,it’s gone now but I’m still here waiting, dreaming).
434 Lee Charles // Jan 4, 2009 at 11:40 am
I took so much comfort this…comfort that I’m not alone………..
Don’t go changin !!
Now my security question in the little box is asking me to repeat the following “throws Jesuits”….sound advice I say….
435 frank henry lisborg // Jan 4, 2009 at 2:23 pm
say tom…wouldn’t you consider singing “on the road to mandalay” …i can´t think of a cleverer fellow doing it……..
cheers
Frank
436 Joao Henriques // Jan 9, 2009 at 7:36 am
When do you come to Portugal you nasty MF**** ???? I tried to go to spain, but after 2 days all tickets gone… buáaaaa…
437 fernando // Jan 19, 2009 at 3:02 am
Greetings Mr Waits, i send you a greeting from spain,sincerely i listen you,re music why your lirics are realist i,m a writer of poems and i like the good culture like you,thank you by read this.
438 Claartje // Jan 21, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Thanks so much for this. I was feeling really shitty and then I read this and it made my entire being just tingle in excitement and glee. The things that are said and the way they are penned down is just pure magic to me.
439 DANIELA // Jan 24, 2009 at 11:49 pm
La puta madre ¡qué encantador es bailar tom W!!
440 Henning // Jan 31, 2009 at 11:23 am
Ich hab’ Sie leib! Kommen Sie nach Seattle bitte!!!
441 ton // Feb 1, 2009 at 8:41 am
Marcel marceau was a mime artist from france.
He died in 2007,so this must be the first mime reccord.
What a brilliant idea.
442 sleepy // Feb 2, 2009 at 1:44 pm
What a loard of BS. If Waits didn’t write all these setup questions and all the carefully crafted responses designed to make him look clever then I am a skunks uncle. I don’t mind witty repartee but don’t try to pass this off as a spontaneous interview.
443 zeppo // Feb 2, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Indeed, talk about faking it!
444 Jim Fugtard // Feb 4, 2009 at 8:38 am
UR A STUPID TWAT WITH A HUGE COCK
you know what we like tommy boy Xx
445 Colin B // Feb 5, 2009 at 5:00 am
Tom PLEASE,PLEASE come back to AUSTRALIA
446 Anthony Pittarelli // Feb 9, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Mr. Waits is awsome. Hope to see in in concert one of these days.
Anthony Pittarelli
447 Albert Ellis // Feb 10, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I am Homeless in San Rafael California and I just heard Cold Water for the first time (played by a young man Travis Lathrop at the National Guard Armory - Thanks Travis) and it turned me on to Tom’s music. I met Tom Waits parents a few years back up by Timbercove California at my Rock Garden (Heart of The Archers Bowl)… I am 55 where have I been? Well it’s never to late to appreciate…..
448 Andy Average // Feb 12, 2009 at 8:21 am
Old story from 76-77?. A friend and I went to see Mr. Waits in Palo Alto,CA once and we arrived too late to grab the best seats except the ones in the back end of his piano. We dressed in our finest attire (looking like bums) and suddenly his road crew moved his piano around, we ended up sitting right in front of him. He and the band entered, he sat down on his bench, started looking at us, kept shaking his head and about 20 mins. into the show, he turned to us and said “Ahhhh, imitation is the best form of flattery boys!”. We were in heaven at 17 years old. Seen him many times since and all I can say is, he is simply the worlds best.
449 Ben Willey // Feb 14, 2009 at 10:06 pm
So it’s 2008, and I am walking out of the Post Office Theatre in San Franciso; Billy Connolly has ust performed another mind-blowing show; everyone seemed to be in a good mood.
There, next to me, I see this man all dressed in black, and I just couldn’t look away. I began to get my focus, and quickly realised, here next to me, was Tom Waits. I have spent so many hours listening to his songs; Down there by the Train always somewhere there in my head.
Oh hell, just leave the man alone I told myself. I promised I would never loose cool, so to prove that I wouldn’t loose my cool I threw out my hand and asked if I could shake his hand. Cool my arse, I must have creeped the man out, and unsurprisingly his hand never made it’s way in my direction.
So I was pretty cut, but I realise why it would be so damn awful to have some stranger asking to shake his hand and whatever. But, I promised myself, I’ll never do any yard work for him; he’s blown it.
450 John // Feb 23, 2009 at 1:32 am
лодл
451 Stas // Feb 23, 2009 at 1:41 am
You really dont know how happy you are! Im from Russia (sounds fun, yeah? :)) and i understand that i’ll never see Tom Waits in concert :(((((
P.S. Sorry for my engl.
452 Shlo // Mar 2, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I always liked the guy but his anti - Israel (Road to Peace) has turned me off his music.
453 Dianne Brandson // Mar 7, 2009 at 9:53 am
Wow what an extrodinary man I hope i get to see a live show some day!!
454 Kaori Otani // Mar 7, 2009 at 11:54 am
Hello,I’m Tom’s fan of 20 years long,since I got his tape first time soon after I spend 1 month at San Diego to learn English.The tape includes “San Diego Serenede”of cource.Here in Japan,hard to hear his words now,and even Japanese fans hoping to have his live here emthusiastically,It’s so hard now,maybe.
It’s great I could read his words full of wits and good taste of peppers.Thanks!
(I didn’t know about ping-pong ball…I’ll reserch.)
>>Stas
Me too
455 tim // Mar 8, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Q: What’s wrong with the world?
A: We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness. Leona Helmsley’s dog made 12 million last year… and Dean McLaine, a farmer in Ohio made $30,000. It’s just a gigantic version of the madness that grows in every one of our brains. We are monkeys with money and guns.
… too true
456 Bob Hansler // Mar 14, 2009 at 5:07 am
Never met Tom so don’t know him. Sounds an ok bloke though. He seems to see through the crap by talking a lot of crap. My kind of person. By talking about it the listener can then see through it too. Thanks Tom
Bob
457 Yves CHISS // Mar 14, 2009 at 10:03 am
Un fan à PARIS
cher Tom
‘ai eu la chance de te voir sur la scene du theatre de CHICAGO et du REX à PARIS il y a qq années maintenant et ça me manque Bravo pour le bonheur que tu nous donnes .
458 Janet // Mar 14, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I am amazed and delighted beyond words, and appreciative to finally learn what was on that Marcel Marceau record which I couldn’t afford to buy. Bless you for solving this.
As there was no scheduled Maine, that I knew of (1977, maybe?), i made a pilgramage to the Paladium Theater (in NY, spent $17 well worth it bucks).
Tom is lovable in music, lyric, face and dance style.
459 RINAT // Mar 16, 2009 at 10:07 am
DEAR TOM , I LOVE YOUR ART VERE MACH.
I HOPE TO SEE YOU ONE DAY, PLAY GUITAR WITH YOU, MAKE YOUR PORTRAIT AND HAVE A DRINK ALL NIGHT TOGETHER.
I DON’T THINK IS POSSIBLE IN THIS LIFE BECAUSE YOU SO BUSY.
LIVE LONG , BE HAPPY, ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
RINAT
460 RINAT // Mar 16, 2009 at 10:14 am
HA HA HA…
461 RINAT // Mar 16, 2009 at 10:27 am
DEAR TOM , I LOVE YOUR ART VERE MACH.
I HOPE TO SEE YOU ONE DAY, PLAY GUITAR WITH YOU, MAKE YOUR PORTRAIT AND HAVE A DRINK ALL NIGHT TOGETHER.
I DON’T THINK IT IS POSSIBLE IN THIS LIFE BECAUSE YOU SO BUSY.
LIVE LONG , BE HAPPY, ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
RINAT
462 Memphis Slim // Mar 16, 2009 at 9:18 pm
In response to Shlo - “Road to Peace is not anti-Israel, it’s anti-violence, anti-madness. It’s equally critical of both sides and makes a reasoned plea for an end to the heart-breaking cycle of retaliation.
Having said that, I’m just hoping Tom comes back to Canada or at least the north-east U.S.
463 Big Larry // Mar 19, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Sorry, but “pardon me for not getting up” is not written on Hemingway’s tombstone. Here’s a photo of it: http://www.svguide.com/hemphotos.htm
However, that was funny to read.
Tom, I have been listening to your 1976 - 1978 works — what I call your Nighthawks at the Diner period — over and over ever since then. I’m not in love with your earlier works, nor your later ones. But I have listened to tunes like Emotional Weather Report, Putnam County, The Heart of Saturday Night and Small Change literally thousands of times, and they take me to a place that no other music ever has. I wish you would return to that atmosphere.
464 Lynn Ritchie // Mar 26, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I have everthing you have ever recorded (as far as I know) and I love it all. Always watching for a film you are in and waiting for you to return to Minneapolis. My dad turns 80 this year and he is your biggest fan. The guy deserves to see you again so please comback back…..soon. “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” is MAGIC.
465 Music And Lies // Apr 6, 2009 at 7:11 pm
The things this guy comes up with!!!! - MusicAndLies.com
466 Yellow prom dress girl // Apr 8, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Tom,
Some might say in life, we go full circle. If that be the case, maybe we could see you return to Chula for a grand performance. Hmm, a small gathering also would be just as welcomed. Better hurry before we all loose our footing, eye sight, memory and what ever else we might be loosing. -
467 Mathieu // Apr 10, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I really like your music for many years now. Never had the chance to see you perform though. Please come in Montreal Quebec and give me a heads up so I’ll be able to actually buy tickets before it’s to late.
take care old man
468 Mathieu // Apr 10, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Really like your stuff. Please come in Montreal and give me a heads up so I can actually buy tickets before it’s sold out.
thanks for every songs (i feel kinda stupid for loving them that much…)
take care old man
469 Linda West // Apr 14, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Thanks for staying real…true and committed to being you! Unique and above the NORM!! You inspire, refresh and encourage me my friend! God continue to Bless and keep you uniquely YOU!!
Caio Ami!
470 Karen Abbot // Apr 15, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Hi! I have a request - I am a painter and I would love to paint Tom. However, it seems almost impossible to be able to ask him if I could. I would need a colour photograph of him, but it is extremely important that it be a shot of him that he feels shows him as he feels and the way he would like to be portrayed - I gather that he is the archetypal tortured artist - something that I understand well - and I would like to capture that. In this world which advertises that one can get just about everything/organise anything - I am having difficulty being able to ask him a simple question. I am hoping that you can help me to get into contact with him -
regards
Karen
471 uncle stevie // Apr 18, 2009 at 7:53 am
re: You fell through the ice in the creek and it carried you down stream, and now as you surface you realize there’s a roof of ice.
so much of this interview i can relate to. and that “fear” sticks out. as youths at this time of the year Chipewa creek would be raging, the ice still clung to the banks. we boys would jump on it to break of big chunks which would then be carried off in the current…often to disapear UNDER the ice which still covered the whole dark creek further downstream. how well i recal the flows butting up against the solid ice, bouncing and fighting against the current, then surging under and disapearing, as any of us would have had we slipped in, a miracle indeed it never hapenned.
472 uncle stevie // Apr 18, 2009 at 7:56 am
altho, i suppose it has hapenned often enough in time and space…an odds game. indeed, it may be hapenning somewhere as i type this.
473 Tom Stolzoff // Apr 25, 2009 at 4:11 pm
One last time, come home …. back to San Diego. I’ll buy you a pizza from Napolean’s Pizza. I turn on so many people to your music, it puts a sparkle in their eye. I met you once in 1974 at the Gulf Gas Station at H and Broadway in CV around midnight, you needed to break a 50, I heard your voice and I knew it was you. I told you I had your record, and you said, Nah you must know my sister Cynthia… I remember that night as if it were yesterday. I melted a few hearts playing your songs as I know you have captured millions. Come back South. We miss you.
474 sedat // Apr 25, 2009 at 5:16 pm
someone please kill the tom waits.
475 Ben // Apr 27, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Ever been to the tourist attraction, \Wreck of the Steamboat Arabia\ in Kansas City, Missouri? There you will find a fresh, ready-to-eat bottle of ketchup from 1853. You can get a really weird feeling by standing in front of the cooler where it is kept, just staring at it, realizing that Samuel Clemens probably ate ketchup from the same batch while he was a riverboat pilot during that time.
476 Iain // May 1, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I really wish Mr. Waits would play Toronto, Canada. He’s got fans in the Great White North eh!
477 Marcel Hulst // May 3, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Dear Sir Waits,
When will I get the chance to see you in Amsterdam again?
Dying to see you, have loved your songs for so long, haven’t been able to see you since 2000 and it’s been long enough now.
Best regards,
Marcel
478 brian // May 9, 2009 at 6:00 pm
y ou interviewed yourself dident you oh well thats ok
I quit drinking and Idont like you any more youre bad association. just jokeing preach on tom normal people are killing humanity
479 Sharon Brown // May 11, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Great interview. Do you have a date/location in St. Louis?
Thanks!
480 Sharon Brown // May 11, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Do you have a date/location for St. Louis?
481 Joe the Okie // May 16, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Tom is the greatest artist of my lifetime…And I’m 437 years old.
482 Emory // May 16, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I’m to drunk to get off this chair.
I’m going to try to cover “Jockey full of bourbon” at Bradstock this year. Sometimes I pretend you are riding with me in the lumber truck and we talk about music and philosophy. I’d like it if you came to my small town some time but it’s good that you make music I can buy from anti. The last time I saw you was in the movie ” Mystery Men”. Sometimes I imagine you will find me busking one of your tunes and if you would join in or just smile.
483 joe // May 17, 2009 at 9:31 pm
ladies and gentlemen….tom waits.
“daggers and moolight, murder in the sheets, and the stink of a four dollar room…”
-Tom Waits, Bronx Lullaby
one of the best songs ever…
484 Patricia // May 18, 2009 at 11:11 am
GREAT stuff! Love the music…loved this “interview” and…Can’t wait to see The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.
Now I have to type in these two words: “drown” “lice”..to send my message. Too funny!
485 zanskar // May 22, 2009 at 11:55 pm
i saw tom waits do hey big spender and instantly fell in love with him.the most entertaining man alive:)..i gotta admit when im under the weather all i need is a doobie some whisky and tom waits…a true performing artist:)
486 Gerrit // May 27, 2009 at 10:09 am
World need more like Tom Waits
487 maryjane // May 30, 2009 at 12:53 am
Wow..
488 Gmo // May 31, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I found Tom on an FM radio station out of Raleigh, NC in December 1973. I was in the 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg. It was my first Hi-Fi FM radio. A Sansui 1000a tube job. I paid a commo man to install a clandestine antenna. The damn thing was sure temper mental. Scratchy and would blow speakers (and your ear drums) if you tuned it with the volume up. I had a pair of headphones as manditory lights out silenced all but those of us with sleeping disorders. I have most of Tom’s works. My family tolerates it now. I guess its my failing health. They still clear out. I felt real bad for Tom on Springsteen’s Black and White tribute to Roy Orbison (another of my lifelong favorite artists). It was like he froze because he couldn’t get his thoughts together. Roy seemed to get a good laugh out of it. I’ve broken up with seven gals because of their intolerance to Tom’s works. His duet with Springsteen on “Jersy Girl” makes me shed tears to this day for one gal (from Jersy) that made me chose.
489 iceboxx // Jun 2, 2009 at 4:26 am
Discovered a beautiful tribute dedicated to mr. tom waits on http://www.iceboxguru.com/
song called sad and beautiful town to find under the section blues
490 Marnix Vos // Jun 5, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Hey Tom, or anti Tom, or whatever the fuck you get called nowadays. Get to europe again, will ya?
You are the only glue that hold me and my father together, so… I wish you all the adeshive qualities on dude can wish a man within common decency…
Best of luck, many years, a lot of bottles and lot of lines.
Marnix from the Netherlands
491 Joan // Jun 9, 2009 at 9:49 am
Tom you’re rıght about goıng on route 66, gettıng a pot of coffee wıth your wıfe, and have a good car parked ın front of a motel 6 !
492 ANDRE HUNT // Jun 9, 2009 at 6:20 pm
My feet are going numb. Must be that Indian food.
493 Eileen // Jun 13, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Thank you Tom for your songs. Especially \Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night\. Thank you for letting Diana Krall sing it. My favorite. God bless! Eileen age 54
494 Eileen // Jun 13, 2009 at 5:08 pm
And by the way, that Ben Willey’s post was funny. Much respect to you,Tom Waits!
495 rob davenport // Jun 22, 2009 at 2:11 pm
about sounds. years ago when i worked construction, or more exactly in existing plants, i spent many weeks at a potash mine. the ore is granulated by ball mills. huge inclined steel cylinders with tons of loose steel balls whithin the rotating thing. the sound was ungodly, but eventually with familiarity and abstraction of the harmonics, i told myself that it was the children,s choir in hell. it stuck.
496 Silva // Jun 23, 2009 at 5:57 am
I’d rather listen to a cat being castrated sans anesthesia than listen to a single Tom Waits song.
497 Lasse Stener Hansen // Jun 24, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I am waiting for a chance to get tickets to a Waits consert..as a matter of fact it’s probably my highest wish (besides my daughter getting well) in this world…but the conserts are rare and I am allways to late…last time..too late in Barcelona..We are two devoted fans living on the top of the world at Spitsbergen…can somebody help ?
498 earthman // Jul 13, 2009 at 7:16 am
legend, nuff said
499 Shannon Walker // Jul 13, 2009 at 9:27 pm
I didn’t even know you exsisted until tonight, I looked you up after hearing a song of yours, it was your voice that was so captivating. Then to read this interview you sound like someone I’d love to meet. So many parallel emotions towards the worlrd, love your idea of heaven. I can’t wait to look up some of your inspiratonal artists. Hope I get to see you in concert one day.
500 John Metcalf // Jul 14, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Good eye
501 Pedro Piaf // Jul 17, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Dear Tom,
I’m a portuguese fan of your work.
Unfortunately I haven’t got yet the oportunity to see you in a live show!
Will you came to Portugal someday, perhaps to buy some gifts in Fátima!
It’s nice that you know Portugal, because the majority of foreign people think we belong to Spain… but we fight for our nation independence for 900 years ago… and we got it! See you soon!
502 Olli // Jul 20, 2009 at 3:10 pm
It’s the crazy people that make the beauty of the world…
And yet I still know many folks that can’t let go and get carried away with Waits.
The ping-pong balls story has been told in a early show once (or maybe more) I think.
I gotto explore the music references here… What a source… And man what a mind of stories he got there, I got a lot in my head, but I cannot be half as entertaining… It must be his job alowing free mindspace or so, so much factual stuff feeds the imagination for real!
But where do you got this elephant brain from, Waits? Are you good at chess too, and do you cook nice food, and are you sharp-minded in practical matters, and do you speak like 5 languages, and can you understand plants and care for them, do you like speed as well as slowlyness? What’s esthetics spelled like? Well, I wonder…
503 matt // Aug 1, 2009 at 12:37 am
I thank you.
504 Kate // Aug 4, 2009 at 1:37 pm
How about a show in Marin, Sonoma or SF area??
505 Don Donnelly // Aug 8, 2009 at 7:21 pm
An old girlfriend turned me on to you years ago. She’s long gone, but I still can’t get enough of you. I hope to get my hands on some tickets next time you’re in Columbus.
506 Cindy // Aug 9, 2009 at 11:25 am
Listening to Waits’ music changes the world for me - ‘cos, we’re innocent when we dream, but, then again, the earth could die screaming while we lay dreaming, so,hey, come on along with the black rider (hang on St. Christopher) and we’ll have a gay old time!
Oh,yeah, nice interview!
507 jess // Aug 10, 2009 at 7:30 am
waits = car riding music. and late night drinking music. and loving music. and cant find the right thing to say music. and finding the perfect thing to say music. and drug binge music. and…well…
i suppose you get the general point
shows in the southeasthern US anybody?!
508 wekajohn // Aug 18, 2009 at 6:08 am
Glad I found you again Mr Waits - my guess you don’t like that, but I gotta show respect when I feel it. I started listening to your music in New Zealand 1982; Canadian pal played it and I thought “what’s this shit? ‘ol Kim lost his touch”. Then little more I start be drawn in. Recent I think of find some of your music - old recs lost on the trail - light come on WEB. Hell, I thought you must be dead by now! Damn, you’re not the best ’cause there is no-one in the competition Mr, ‘cept you. Keep making that music - dead bodies can’t sing and even live ones never did like you. I’m a re-awkened Tom Waits fan checking my wallet.
509 Andrew // Aug 19, 2009 at 12:25 am
Hey, where the hell are the real people out there? Does anyone care? Do I just have to continue to talk to myself in here? What the hell do you care? Hey, give me a break, don’t tell anyone I said that. I really don’t caree anyway. Keep your fuckin money! I don’t need it. I just want to go to sleep and forget the whole damn thing. So, whoever cares can forget I said it.
510 embarrassed too old // Aug 26, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Thank you for music, Can’t believe I missed you all these past years. Finally saw you in Tiger/Snow. Went out and bought all CD’s I could.
Finally another soul who has soul.
V
511 Cacau // Aug 30, 2009 at 7:20 am
I love this guy! Please come to Brazil!
512 maurice // Sep 1, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Tom, When are coming to England
You are the only artiste on the planet i would pay £100.00. plus to see.
Hope it happens soon..
513 Lee // Sep 21, 2009 at 7:08 am
So much he’s said before.
So little that is new.
Time to tour outside of America.
514 evilCozPoetry // Sep 24, 2009 at 8:22 am
Well, whether or not good ole Tom Waits actually reads this or not is a mystery. Many people here seem to talk to him as if he does.
So… I will too!
Dear Tom,
I was walking to the bar to buy a pack of cigarettes last night, and on the way, I thought of, and wrote, this:
Jack Kerouac was like an aphrodisiac
For a little bit, of my libido
I went On the Road with the Dharma Bums
All the way, Incognito.
I thought you might like it, Tom, (Or maybe Tom’s people) then contact me, to publish some of my work. I have heinous shit like that coming out of my ass all the time. It’s like perpetual diarrhea man.
Thank You.
515 tw // Sep 24, 2009 at 8:20 pm
a beautiful mind indeed
516 Edith Di Angelo // Oct 2, 2009 at 10:59 am
Hello from Germany
I love the songs of Tom Waits so much. I cannot stop covering him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfjhuOpNWKM
Edith
517 Rick Schmidlin // Oct 2, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I produced the re-edit of Touch of Evil in 1998 and hung out with Tom in 1978 at the Tropacana on Santa Moninca Blvd. in West Hollywood. How cool is that!
518 Jose // Oct 5, 2009 at 9:47 am
You are the poet at the end of the world.
519 cindy // Oct 11, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Was, by chance, your grandmother a concert pianist?
I’m wondering if it could have been a brother of yours named Vic who I spoke to recently on the phone, and quite by accident he called me, after quite by accident I dialed his number. We ended up in conversation, where he spoke of a brother who was a musician, but I sadly realized that I hadn’t asked for his brother’s first name. Then, of course, it haunted me, and I had to wonder if it was possibly you?
520 nicholas barron // Oct 16, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I love Tom Waits the way i need to love myself.
521 Jas // Nov 13, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I’am sad and I like it.
It’s time to get drunk.
522 BH // Jan 17, 2010 at 3:54 am
Great interview! Also very funny…
“What is a gentleman?”
A man who can play the accordion, but doesn’t.
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