Tom Waits

What's going on? Two posts in one day?
I've recently "discovered" (durrrrr) that YouTube has every song I've ever loved on it. So instead of watching the news in the morning with my tea and toast, I've been searching out records from my past that I've loved and lost.

Tom Waits is one of these artists - his voice was described as "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car"

He's also one of the best lyricists around - many of his songs have been covered by more famous artists (Rod Stewart owes him much of his solo work) with more commercial success, but to hear the originals gives a different insight to this thoughtful, honest writer. He's also steadfastly refused to allow any of his music to be used in adverts - Screamin' Jay Hawkins version of 'Heart Attack and Vine' was used by Levi's. Tom sued and won, with a payout and a full page apology in Melody Maker. Classy......

If you've not heard any of his stuff before, go play on YouTube and find a few you like. This one is one of his more melancholy songs, but spellbindingly beautiful. I've had this on about 4 times so far this morning and I suspect it may have another few goes before I leave the house.....

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XrkThaBWa5c