Tom Waits is one of those musicians that wasn't incredibly famous but other people got incredibly famous covering his songs. I think my favorite CD he put out is "The Heart Of Saturday Night" followed by "Nighthawks At The Diner". He's got a real gruff singing voice (I think he does it on purpose) and he's one of those guys who can make your life feel so much better because his is apparently just that bad. Sometimes his songs don't make sense - as in the music is absolutely insane and the lyrics don't mean a damn thing. Check him out.
I love him (very partial to his later stuff, mainly Alice, Real Gone and Mule Variations). But I do remember a thread in the old site that followed a live performance of him (singing the day after tomorrow) in which people thought it was a joke and it was hilarious. So I guess what I am saying is it is not for everyone.
Yeah he's definitely not for everyone, that's for sure. Real Gone is a good album. Have you heard Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards?
actually havent... i never found a good copy to download, and was not going to dish out the money for a four cd album (it was like 4 cd's right?)
