Tom Waits - Akron, Ohio 2006

This is Tom Waits performing live at The Civic Centre, Akron, Ohio, back on Sunday, August 13th 2006. I am not certain if the source of this recording is taken directly from an FM broadcast, however it is a probable assumption as the final track ends without a smooth fade suggesting the radio announcer may have been cut off in their prime.

Whatever the recordings history, this is a very fine quality recording of Tom Waits in concert in a tour that showcased some of the songs from the forthcoming November 2006 album release 'Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards', that said this edited recording only featured one song 'Bottom of the World' from that album.

Although the NPR broadcast was only part of the show, I have read elsewhere that the featured tracks were by far the best performed ones at this gig.

At the beginning of 'Tom Trauberts Blues' Tom Waits remarks about a man and a shirt which was apparently a reference to somebody getting on stage and throwing a shirt at Tom or his piano. The crowd were also described by somebody at the concert as 'the worst they had been amongst' with even a fight in the audience at one point. All of which makes sitting at home and listening to the edited version of the performance kinda rewarding in some ways.

Interestingly the tracks broadcast from the whole concert did not all run in order, as performed in the show, actually that's quite a boring point, to much detail, no need to become obsessive, "and now back to the music".

Source: NPR FM Broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps.

Genre: Rock, avant-garde, experimental, folk, blues, jazz.

Set: Edited Broadcast.

Broadcast Set List:

Make It Rain
Shore Leave
Falling Down
Tango Until They're Sore
Tom Traubert's Blues
Eyeball Kid
Murder in the Red Barn
Trampled Rose
Bottom Of The World
Til the Money Runs Out
Get Behind De Mule

Band Line Up:

Tom Waits, Bent Clausen, Duke Robillard, Larry Taylor, Casey Waits

Full Setlist: 

Make It Rain 
Hoist That Rag 
Shore Leave 
Dead and Lovely 
God's Away on Business 
Falling Down 
Tango Till They're Sore 
Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis 
Tom Traubert's Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen) 
'Til the Money Runs Out 
What's He Building? 
Eyeball Kid 
Trampled Rose 
Murder in the Red Barn 
Bottom of the World 
Shake It 
Encore:
Day After Tomorrow 
Lie to Me 
Get Behind the Mule 
Encore 2:
Clap Hands 
Sins of My Father / Wade in the Water

Tom Waits website HERE.

Download link in comments below.

Tom Waits - My Fathers Place - 1977

This is Tom Waits live at Club Roslyn, Long Island, New York, USA, or as the venue is more affectionately remembered 'the homely and homey music club - My Fathers Place' (at 19 Bryant Avenue in Roslyn).

Indeed it is easier to talk about the venue than to know where to start with Tom Waits.

I know I often use this as a get out clause, and I will unashamedly do so again now.

For fans this is a must have recording, for those not familiar with Thomas Alan Waits, this captures said gentleman some 32 years ago, with the 'bourbon soaked' voice, on fine form at a wonderful venue.

Source: Pre FM copy of WLIR recording.

Sound Quality: Extremely good stereo MP3 @192kbps.

Genre: Should be a personal genre called Tom Waits, however he ranges across, Jazz, Rock, Blues, Folk, Experimental, and we can throw in Vaudeville for good measure.

Set: Possibly full set, cannot confirm (track numbered from 2 CD version).

Set List:

01 Standin' On The Corner
02 I Never Talk To Strangers
03 Pasties And A G-String
04 Invitation To The Blues - Eggs And Sausage
05 Depot, Depot
06 Jitterbug Boy
07 Step Right Up

01 I wish I Was In New Orleans - Small Change
02 The Piano Has Been Drinking
03 Emotional Weather Report
04 Muriel
05 Medley: Jack & Neil - California, Here I Come Set II
06 Tom Traubert's Blues

Concert Band Line Up:

Tom Waits: vocals, acoustic guitar, piano.
Frank Vicari: tenor saxophone.
Danny Trifan: upright bass.
Chip White: drums, percussion & vibes.

Links: Official site HERE. Excellent fan site HERE. Comprehensive Wikipedia content HERE.

Comments: I know there are a number of good quality live recordings for Tom Waits in circulation, to my knowledge this has not been freely circulated on the web, its good material and does the artist justice.

I was listening to a Tom Wait's concert from last year a couple of days back (will share another time), its great that he has sorted out the bar room image, from his actual lifestyle, and he can still create that unique sound, atmosphere, and overall mood.

I was late getting in on the music of Tom Waits, that's my loss, still it remains great catching up.

Download link in comments below (Replaced 15 September 2011).

Purchase: MP3's (DRM free) from Amazon.co.uk - Tom Waits