Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith revels in the beauty and mania of experimental musician Tom Waits' flawless album Rain Dogs. They discuss the impact of 'Rain Dogs' and its fusion of different genres. They delve into Tom Waits' unique vocal style and the authenticity of his recordings. They also reflect on their own experiences as musicians and share stories of unforgettable gigs and strange performances.
Tom Waits' album Rain Dogs takes listeners on a journey through a pirate world with its unique storytelling and Richard Burton-inspired vocals.
The album showcases a wide range of musical styles, reflecting the diverse characters and stories of New York City.
Tom Waits' unconventional songwriting methods, such as not rehearsing the songs and providing peculiar directions, result in emotionally powerful and memorable tracks.
The album concludes with the uplifting and gospel-like sound of 'Anywhere I Lay My Head,' leaving a lasting impact with Tom Waits' passionate vocals and blues runs.
Deep dives
Singapore
The song creates a pirate world and takes the listener on a journey. It is based on a kids jump rope rhyme and features Richard Burton-inspired vocals.
Clap Hands
This song combines elements of Gypsy and hip-hop music. It includes lyrics that discuss contradictions and features Marco Pirrone's angular guitar playing.
Cemetery Polka
This song introduces Tom's dark family history and features unconventional musical elements, including percussion created using a two-by-four banging on a chest of drawers.
Jockey Full of Bourbon
This track showcases Tom's gravelly vocals and includes Keith Richards' guitar playing. It has a bluesy and infectious sound.
The album features diverse musical styles and characters
The album showcases a wide range of musical styles, from blues and rock to gospel and country, reflecting the diverse characters and stories of New York City. Tom Waits describes the city as an amalgamation of contrasting experiences, like a guy going to the bathroom on a car tire while a woman in expensive shoes steps on blood, piss, and beer left by someone who recently died. The album captures the essence of these down-on-their-luck characters and their struggles in the city.
Tom Waits explores unique songwriting approaches
Tom Waits approaches songwriting with unconventional methods. He doesn't rehearse the songs before recording, playing them for the musicians on an old acoustic guitar and providing creative and peculiar directions. His distinctive storytelling ability is highlighted in songs like 'Ninth and Hennepin,' where he paints vivid imagery of prostitutes with donut-inspired names. Waits' unique choices, such as incorporating accordion in the album's opening track or using one-chord progressions in 'Gun Street Girl,' make the songs emotionally powerful and memorable.
The album ends with an uplifting and soulful track
The album concludes with 'Anywhere I Lay My Head,' a song that starts with a New Orleans-style funeral dirge and transitions to an uplifting second line with the Uptown Horns, providing a joyous and gospel-like sound. Tom Waits' passionate singing and blues runs, accompanied by a bed of horns, create a deeply emotional and beautiful experience. The song serves as a fitting end to the album, with Waits' powerful vocals and the gospel-influenced music leaving a lasting impact on listeners.
Check out Dawes' outdoor drive-in concert Saturday, October 17th at the City National Grove of Anaheim with 88.5 FM. Tickets are available at 885fm.org and AXS.com!
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