Nighthawks on the Radio

The internet is kinda like a mine.. every once in a while, after much pining about, you stumble upon a priceless archived file which would make any music fan rejoice in it’s pure unequivocal awesomeness. Yesterday I struck pure gold when I found an obscure radio interview of a drunken but lighthearted Tom Waits from 1976.  He’s stowed away in a dingy New York studio rambling on the piano with a drummer, Ralph Elber, who is cautiously following Wait’s wondering mind with a snare and high hat.  The show has the same set-up as the Dylan “Folksinger’s Choice” interview (which most of you have already heard and is something I’ll save for a later post) where Tom is answering questions and playing at the same time. The telling interview is unrehearsed, unscripted, and absolutely brilliant. It captures Tom at a very unique point… he’s just starting to be recognized as a true musical visionary.

Though road worn and weary he has yet to truly start to crumble, he seems to be in a joyful and unrelenting mood, or he may just be feeling it (the liquor mainly).. either way it’ll make any fan dance around the room.  Doesn’t get much better than live Tom Waits. Enjoy… Nighthawks on the Radio!

Waits in New York.. The two hand in hand

Media Sound Studios, New York City NY, December 14, 1976

1. Emotional Weather Report

2. A Sight For Sore Eyes

3. Step Right Up

4. Eggs And Sausage (In A Cadillac With Susan Michelson)

5. Jitterbug Boy (Sharing a Curbstone With Chuck E. Weiss, Robert Marchese, Paul Body and The Mug and Artie)

6. Diamonds On My Windshield

7. San Diego Serenade

8. Tom Traubert’s Blues (Four Sheets To The Wind In Copenhagen)

9. New Coat Of Paint

10. The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me) (An Evening With Pete King)

11. I Can’t Wait To Get Off Work (And See My Baby On Montgomery Avenue)

Waits- Ohh you know… half drunk all the time, all drunk the rest

Me- I was that nine year old hindu boy

A while back I read an interviewer’s description of Tom (can’t recall from where or who, but I remember the quote well).. “Waits always comes across like a guy who’s got the blues so bad, he’s ready to sell his soul for another glass of whiskey”.          In-fucking-deed.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.. here’s one for Tom who, at least in my book,  after Johnny Cash passed away officially became the coolest motherfucker on the planet.

Tags: tom waits