Waits’ Greatest Tracks: A Top 15 Countdown

(Source: Barney Hoskyns "Lowside of the Road: A Life of Tom Waits", Faber And Faber, 2009)

Intro

Tom Waits – Downtown Train /Rain Dogs, Island, 1985/

Redosled

15. Tom Waits – Lowside Of The Road /Mule Variations, Anti/Epitaph, 1999/

14. Tom Waits – What Keeps Mankind Alive? /Orphans, Anti, 2006/

13. Tom Waits – Potter’s Field /Foreign Affairs, Asylum, 1977/

12. Tom Waits – Temptation /Frank’s Wild Years, Island, 1987/

11. Tom Waits – Muriel /Foreign Affairs, Asylum, 1977/

10. Tom Waits – Such A Scream /Bone Machine, Island, 1992/

  9. Tom Waits – Hoist That Rag /Real Gone, Anti, 2004/

  8. Tom Waits – Burma Shave /Foreign Affairs, Asylum, 1977/

  7. Tom Waits – Ol’ 55 /Closing Time, Asylum, 1973/

  6. Tom Waits – Kentucky Avenue /Blue Valentine, Asylum, 1978/

  5. Tom Waits – Heartattack And Vine /Heartattack And Vine. Asylum, 1980/

  4. Tom Waits – Broken Bicycles /One From The Heart, CBS, 1982/

  3. Tom Waits – Goin’ Out West /Bone Machine, Island, 1992/

  2. Tom Waits – Take It With Me /Mule Variations, Anti/Epitaph, 1999/

  1. Tom Waits – Tom Traubert’s Blues (Four Sheets To The Wind In Copenhagen) /Small Change, Asylum, 1976/

Bonus

Dave Alvin – Blind Love /West Of The West, Yep Roc, 2006/

Outro

Tom Waits – Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis /Blue Valentine, Asylum, 1978/

  

20. WILLY DeVILLE: Pistola (Eagle); pesma: So So Real


19. SHE & HIM: Volume One (Merge); p: Why Do You Let Me
Stay Here


18. THE KILLS: Midnight Boom (Domino); p: Black Balloon


17. JENNY SCHEINMAN: Jenny Scheinman (KOCH); p: Come On Down


16. A. A. BONDY: American Heart (Fat Possum); p: There’s A
Reason


15. HEATHER WATERS: Propeller (Mighty Like A Rosebud); p:
Castaway


14. SCOTT KEMPNER: Saving Grace (00:02:59); p: Passion Red


13. ROB JUNGKLAS: Gully (Madjack); p: John Doe


12. THE BLACK KEYS: Attack & Release (Nonesuch); p: I
Got Mine


11. THE DUTCHESS AND THE DUKE: She’s The Dutchess, He’s The
Duke (Hardly Art); p: Reservoir
 Park


10. GIANT SAND: proVISIONS (Yep Roc); p: Saturated Beyond
Repair


9. LUCINDA WILLIAMS: Little Honey (Lost Highway); p: Honey
Bee


8. PETE MOLINARI: A Virtual Landslide (Damaged Goods); p: I
Don’t Like The Man That I Am


7. THE RACONTEURS: Consolers Of The Lonely (XL); p: Old
Enough


6. HOWLIN RAIN: Magnificent Fiend (Birdman); p: Lord Have
Mercy


5. THE WAR ON DRUGS: Wagonwheel Blues (Secretly Canadian);
p: A Needle In Your Eye #16


4. ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO: Real Animal (Back Porch); p: Always A
Friend


3. ENDLESS BOOGIE: Focus Level (No Quarter); p: Smoking Figs
In The Yard


2. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS: Brighter Than Creation’s Dark (New
West); p: Self Destructive Zones


1. THE FELICE BROTHERS: The Felice Brothers (Team Love); p:
Frankie’s Gun

Intro
The Rolling Stones – Get Off Of My Cloud /Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass),
ABKCO, 1966/
 
10. TATTO YOU /Virgin, 1981/
          a) Waiting On A Friend
          b) Little T & A
9. THE ROLLING STONES (England’s Newest Hit Makers) /ABKCO, 1964/
          a) Tell Me
          b) Just Want To Make Love To You
8. GOATS HEAD SOUP /Virgin, 1973/
          a) Dancing With Mr. D
          b) Winter
7. SOME GIRLS /Virgin, 1978/
          a) Miss You
          b) Beast Of Burden
6. AFTERMATH /ABKCO, 1966/
          a) Under My Thumb
          b) I Am Waiting
5. THEIR SATANIC MAJESTIES REQUEST /ABKCO, 1967/
          a) Citadel
          b) She’s A Rainbow
4. STICKY FINGERS /Virgin, 1971/
          a) Dead Flowers
          b) Wild Horses
3. BEGGARS BANQUET /ABKCO, 1968/
          a) Sympathy For The Devil
          b) Street Fighting Man
2. LET IT BLEED /ABKCO, 1969/
          a) Gimme Shelter
          b) You Got The Silver
1. EXILE ON MAIN ST. /Virgin, 1972/
          a) All The Down The Line
          b) Rocks Off
          c) Soul Survivor
          d) Sweet Virginia
 
Outro
The Rolling Stones – Ruby Tuesday /Between The Buttons, ABKCO, 1967/
The Rolling Stones – As The Tears Go By /Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass),
ABKCO, 1966/

Intro

Bob Dylan – If You Ever Go To Houston /Together Through Life, Columbia, 2009/

Lista

15. P.J. Harvey – Highway 61 Revisited /Rid Of Me, Island, 1993/

14. 16 Horsepower – Nobody ‘Cept You /Secret South, Glitterhouse, 2000/

13. Jim James & Calexico – Goin’ To Acapulco /I’m Not There – Original Soundtrack, Sony, 2007/

12. Indigo Girls – Tangled Up In Blue /1200 Curfews, Epic, 1995/

11. Patti LaBelle – Forever Young /Live Aid, Rhino/WB, 2004/

10. Beck – Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat /War Child Presents Heroes, Astralwerks, 2009/

9. The White Stripes – One More Cup Of Coffee /The White Stripes, Sympathy For The Record Industry, 1999/

8. Fairport Convention – Percy’s Song /Unhalfbricking, Island, 1969/

7. Emmylou Harris – Every Grain Of Sand /Wrecking Ball, Grapevine, 1995/

6. Buddy Miller – With God On Our Side /Universal United House Of Prayer, New West, 2004/

5. Richie Havens – Just Like A Woman /Mixed Bag, Verve, 1967/

4. The Byrds – You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere /Sweetheart Of The Rodeo, Columbia, 1968/

3. Antony & The Johnsons – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door /I’m Not There – Original Soundtrack, Sony, 2007/

2. Johnny And June Carter Cash – It Ain’t Me, Babe /Carryin’ On, Columbia, 1967/

1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – All Along The Watchtower /Electric Ladyland, Polydor, 1968/

Bonus

Manfred Mann – Mighty Quinn /Mannerisms, Philips, 1976/

Jeff Beck Group – Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You /Jeff Beck Group, Epic, 1972/

Arbouretum – Tomorrow Is A Long Time /Song Of The Pearl, Thrill Jockey, 2009/

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Red House /The Ultimate Experience, MCA, 1993/
Love – She Comes In Colors /Da Capo, Elektra, 1967/
Love – Stephanie Knows Who /Da Capo, Elektra, 1967/
Love – 7 And 7 Is /Da Capo, Elektra, 1967/
The Lovin’ Spoonful – You’re A Big Boy Now /You’re A Big Boy Now, Kama Sutra, 1967/
The Lovin’ Spoonful – Lonely (Amy’s Theme) /You’re A Big Boy Now, Kama Sutra, 1967/
The Lovin’ Spoonful – Darling Be Home Soon/You’re A Big Boy Now, Kama Sutra, 1967/
The Rolling Stones – 2000 Light Years From Home /Their Satanic Majesties Request, London, 1967/
The Rolling Stones – 2000 Man /Their Satanic Majesties Request, London, 1967/
The Rolling Stones – Citadel /Their Satanic Majesties Request, London, 1967/
Simon & Garfunkel – A Hazy Shade Of Winter /Bookends, CBS, 1968/
Simon & Garfunkel – America /Bookends, CBS, 1968/
Simon & Garfunkel – Mrs. Robinson /Bookends, CBS, 1968/
Gustav Holst – Uranus – The Magician /The Planets, EMI, 1978/
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Burning Of The Midnight Lamp /The Ultimate Experience, MCA, 1993/
Bob Dylan – Absolutely Sweet Marie /Blonde On Blonde, CBS, 1966/
Bob Dylan – Vision Of Johanna /Blonde On Blonde, CBS, 1966/
Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues /At Folsom Prison, CBS, 1968/
Johnny Cash – Cocaine Blues /At Folsom Prison, CBS, 1968/
Johnny Cash – 25 Minutes To Go /At Folsom Prison, CBS, 1968/
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band - Sure Nuff 'n' Yes I Do /Safe As Milk, Buddah, 1967/
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band – Zig Zag Wanderer /Safe As Milk, Buddah, 1967/
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band – Dropout Boogie /Safe As Milk, Buddah, 1967/
Bonzo Dog Band – Humanoid Boogie /The Doughnut In Granny’s Greenhouse, Liberty, 1968/
Bonzo Dog Band – My Pink Half Of The Drainpipe /The Doughnut In Granny’s Greenhouse, Liberty, 1968/
Bonzo Dog Band – Postcard /The Doughnut In Granny’s Greenhouse, Liberty, 1968/
The Beatles – Come Together /Abbey Road, Apple, 1969/
The Beatles – Here Comes The Sun /Abbey Road, Apple, 1969/
The Beatles – Oh Darling /Abbey Road, Apple, 1969/
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Little Wing /The Ultimate Experience, MCA, 1993/

“Some songs come out of the ground just like a potato…some tunes, if you break them open…you will find eggs.”

                                                                                                   Tom Waits

Intro

Tom Waits – Blind Love /Rain Dogs, Island, 1985/

 

Thelonious Monk – Ruby, My Dear /Solo Monk, Columbia, 1965/

Vicente Fernandez – Guadalajara /Mexicanismo, Sony, 1998/

Timi Yuro – Hurt /The Very Best Of Timi Yuro, Capitol, 1992/

James Brown – It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World /The 50th Anniversary Collection, Utv, 2003/

The Brothers Four – Green Leaves Of Summer /singl, Columbia, 1960/

Alvin Cash & The Crawlers – Twine Time /An Introduction To Chicago Soul, Fuel, 2000/

The Animals – Don’t Bring Me Down /Animalisms (bonus track), Repertoire, 1999/

The Shirelles – Baby It’s You /The Look Of Love: The Burt Bacharach Collection, Rhino, 2003/

Ike And Tina Turner – A Fool In Love /River Deep – Mountain High, A&M, 1968/

Frank Sinatra – Angel Eyes /Sings For Only The Lonely, Capitol, 1988/

Jerry Butler – Moon River /The Best Of Vee-Jay Years, Charly, 2007/

Howlin’ Wolf – Spoonful /His Best, MCA, 1997/

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott – 912 Greens /Young Brigham, Reprise, 1968/

Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band – China Pig /The Dust Blows Forward (An Anthology), WB, 1999/

Tom Waits – Johnsburg, Illinois /Swordfishtrombones, Island, 1983/

Johnny Cash – Delia’s Gone /The Legend, Vol. 3, Columbia Legacy, 2005/

King Curtis – Harlem Nocturne /Night Train, Prestige, 1995/

The Box Tops – The Letter /The Letter, Sundazed, 2000/

The Staple Singers – Wade In The Water /Freedom Highway, Columbia Legacy, 2008/

The Rolling Stones – I Just Want To See His Face /Exile On Main Street, Virgin, 1972/

Alex Chilton – Bangkok /The Lost Decade, Last Call, 2004/

Harry Belafonte – Jamaica Farewell /Calypso, RCA, 1992/

Nat King Cole – Nature Boy /The World Of Nat King Cole, EMI, 2005/


Bonus

Bob Dylan – Ballad In Plain D /Another Side Of Bob Dylan, CBS, 1967/

Bobbie Gentry – Ode To Billie Joe /Ode To Billie Joe/Touch Em With Love, Raven, 2008/

? & The Mysterians – 96 Tears /The Best Of ? & The Mysterians: Cameo Parkway 1966 – 1967, ABKCO, 2005/

Peter, Paul & Mary – Whatshername /Album 1700, WB, 1967/


Outro

Tom Waits – Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis /Blue Valentine, Elektra, 1978/

“I have a hard time singing songs with ‘I’, ‘Me’ and ‘You’. It’s hard to get into the mindset to sing ballads or love songs. I’ve heard enough of them. I want to hear something else, something in a different language or a different expression.”

                                                                                                                Joey Burns, Calexico

“Calexico spin the spotlight to the Southwest and its indigenous culture, then incorporate a rich musical knowledge that takes in Gil Evans’ big band jazz, mariachi, Chicagoan post-rock, the dust-caked twang of Duane Eddy and Lee Hazlewood, Ennio Morricone’s widescreen melodrama, and even the faintest specters of California punk.” 

                                                                                                                   John Mulvey, Uncut

Calexico – Ballad Of Cable Hogue /Hot Rail, City Slang, 2000/

Friends Of Dean Martinez – All The Pretty Horses /The Shadow Of Your Smile, Sub Pop, 1995/

Friends Of Dean Martinez – Chunder /The Shadow Of Your Smile, Sub Pop, 1995/

Calexico – Spokes /Spoke, Quarterstick, 1997/

Calexico – Wash /Spoke, Quarterstick, 1997/

Calexico – The Ride (pt II) /The Black Light, Quarterstick, 1998/

Calexico – Minas De Cobre (for better metal) /The Black Light, Quarterstick, 1998/

Calexico – Bloodflow /The Black Light, Quarterstick, 1998/

Calexico – Fade /Hot Rail, City Slang, 2000/

Calexico – Crystal Frontier (widescreen version) /Even My Sure Things Fall Through, Quarterstick, 2001/

Calexico – Sonic Wind /Hot Rail, City Slang, 2000/

Calexico – Not Even Stevie Nicks… /Feast Of Wire, City Slang, 2003/

Calexico – Guero Canelo /Feast Of Wire, City Slang, 2003/

Calexico – Alone Again Or /Convict Pool, Quarterstick, 2004/

Calexico – Corona /Convict Pool, Quarterstick, 2004/

Calexico & Iron & Wine – A History Of Lovers /In The Reins, Overcoat, 2005/

Calexico & Iron & Wine – Red Dust /In The Reins, Overcoat, 2005/

Calexico – Cruel /Garden Ruin, City Slang, 2006/

Willie Nelson & Calexico – Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power) /I’m Not There – Original Soundtrack, Sony, 2007/

Calexico – Frank’s Tavern /The Man Of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute To Chris Gaffney, Yep Roc, 2009/

Calexico – Inspiracion /Carried To Dust, City Slang, 2008/

“The country music station plays soft
But there's nothing really nothing to turn of
Just Louise and her lover so entwined
And these visions of Johanna that conquer my mind.”

                                       Bob Dylan, Visions Of Johanna

Intro

Bob Dylan – 32-20 Blues /Tell Tales Signs – The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Rare And Unreleased 1989 – 2006, Columbia, 2008/

Redosled

12. Bryan Ferry: Dylanesque /Virgin, 2007/; pesma: Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

11. Steve Howe: Portraits Of Bob Dylan /Eagle, 1999/; pesma: It’s All Over Now Baby Blue (feat. Annie Haslam)

10. Maria Muldaur: Heart Of Mine – Love Songs Of Bob Dylan /Telarc, 2006/; pesma: To Be Alone With You

9. Ben Sidran: Dylan Different /Nardis, 2009/; pesma: Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35 (feat. Georgie Fame)

8. Tim O’Brien: Red On Blonde /Sugar Hill, 1996/; pesma: Farewell, Angelina

7. Robyn Hitchcock: Robyn Sings /Editions PAF!, 2002/; pesma: Visions Of Johanna

6. Mary Lee’s Corvette: Blood On The Tracks: Arlene Grocery, NYC /Bar/None, 2002/; pesma: Meet Me In The Morning

5. The Hollies: The Hollies Sing Dylan /Polydor, 1969/; pesme: a) All I Really Want To Do, b) My Back Pages 

4. Jamie Saft Trio: Trouble - The Jamie Saft Trio Plays Bob Dylan /Tzadik, 2006/; pesme; a) Ballad Of A Thin Man (feat. Mike Patton), b) Living The Blues (feat. Antony)

3. Barb Jungr: Every Grain Of Sand  /Linn, 2002/; pesme: a) Things Have Changed, b) I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight

2. Odetta: Odetta Sings Dylan /BMG, 2000/; pesme: a) Tomorrow Is A Long Time, b) Masters Of War

1. Coulson Dean McGuinness Flint: Lo And Behold /Evangeline, 2007/; pesme: a) Eternal Circle, b) Lo And Behold

Outro

Bob Dylan – Most Of The Time /Tell Tales Signs – The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Rare And Unreleased 1989 – 2006, Columbia, 2008/

“Let the music become a magic current,
a path from the holy past to the unknowable future.”
 
                                 Jim Dickinson
 
 
20. THE DIRTBOMBS: Party Store /In the Red/; pesma: Sharevari
19. NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS: Keys To The Kingdom /Song Of The South/; pesma: New
Orleans Walkin’ Dead
18. ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER: Last Summer /Merge/; pesma: Owl’s Head Park
17. THE FELICE BROTHERS: Celebration, Florida /Loose/; pesma: Honda Civic
16. AMY LAVERE: Stranger Me /Archer/; pesma: Damn Love Song
15. JERUSALEM & THE STARBASKETS: Dost /De Stijl/; pesma: First Cigarette In The Rain
14. MIDDLE BROTHER /Partisan/; pesma: Someday
13. honeyhoney: Billy Jack /Lost Highway/; pesma: Thin Line
12. GILLIAN WELCH: The Harrow & The Harvest /Acony/; pesma: The Way It Will Be
11. THE WAR ON DRUGS: Slave Ambient /Secretly Canadian/; pesma: Come To The City
10. JACK OBLIVIAN: Rat City /Fat Possum/; pesma: Mass Confusion
 9. GRAYSON CAPPS: The Last Cause Minstrels /Royal Potato Family/; pesma: Highway 42
 8. DAWES: Nothing Is Wrong /Loose/; pesma: Fire Away
 7. LUCINDA WILLIAMS: Blessed /Lost Highway/; pesma: Awakening
 6. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS: Go-Go Boots /ATO/; pesma: Used To Be A Cop
 5. STRANGE BOYS: Live Music /Rough Trade/; pesma: Over The River And Through The Woulds
 4. EMA: Past Life Martyred Saints /Souterrain Transmissions/; pesma: Grey Ship
 3. JOSH T. PEARSON: Last Of The Country Gentlemen /Mute/; pesma: Sweetheart I Ain’t Your Christ
 2. HOWE GELB & A BAND OF GYPSIES: Alegrias /Fire/; pesma: Notoriety
 1. DAVE ALVIN: Eleven Eleven /Yep Roc/; pesma: Johnny Ace Is Dead

The Dirtbombs – Leopardaman At C&A /We Have You Surrounded, In The Red, 2008/
The Dirtbombs – Wreck My Flow /We Have You Surrounded, In The Red, 2008/
The Dirtbombs – Ever Lovin’ Man /We Have You Surrounded, In The Red, 2008/
The Gories – Boogie Chillun /Houserockin’, Wanghead With Lips, 1989/
The Gories – Thunderbird ESQ /I Know You Fine (But How You Doin’), New Rose, 1990/
The Dirtbombs – Motor City Baby /Dangerous Magical Noise, In The Red, 2003/
The Dirtbombs – Don’t Break My Heart /Dangerous Magical Noise, In The Red, 2003/
The Dirtbombs – Ode To A Black Man /Ultraglide In Blue, In The Red, 2001/
The Dirtbombs – Sherlock Holmes /We Have You Surrounded, In The Red, 2008/
The Dirtbombs – Chains Of Love /Ultraglide In Blue, In The Red, 2001/
The Dirtbombs – Here Comes That Sound Again /If You Don’t Already Have A Look, In The Red, 2005/
Lorette Velvette – Highway Graveyard /White Birds, Veracity, 1993/
Andre Williams – The Car With The Star /Silky, In The Red, 1998/
The Dirtbombs – I Hear The Sirens /We Have You Surrounded, In The Red, 2008/
The Dirtbombs – Underdog /Ultraglide In Blue, In The Red, 2001/
The Dirtbombs – Candyass /If You Don’t Already Have A Look, In The Red, 2005/
Ian Siegal – Interlude No. 2: Mud Pie /Meat & Potatoes, Nugene, 2005/
Ian Siegal – Revelator (John The Apostle) /Meat & Potatoes, Nugene, 2005/
Ian Siegal – Mortal Coil Shuffle /Swagger, Nugene, 2007/

"We can fuck forever but you will never get my soul"

                                                                                Jeffrey Lee Pierce

The Byrds - You Showed Me /Flying High, A&M, 1998/

The National - About Today /Americana 2004, Uncut, 2004/

Richmond Fontaine - Allison Johnson /Post To Wire, El Cortez, 2003/

P.J. Harvey - This Mess We're In /Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea, Island, 2000/

Fleetwood Mac - Storms / Tusk, Reprise, 1979/

Peter Wolf - Growin' Pain /Sleepless, Artemis, 2002/

Sam Phillips - All Night /A Boot And A Shoe, Nonesuch, 2004/

Steve Wynn - Carry A Torch /Fluorescent, Enemy, 1993/

The Jayhawks - Waiting For The Sun /Hollywood Town Hall, Def Americana, 1992/

Dave Alvin - Plastic Rose /Blue Blvd, Hightone, 1991/

Evan Dando - Knowing Me, Knowing You /ABBA - A Tribute (The 25th Anniversary Celebration), Relativity, 1999/

Willie Nelson - A Song For You Shotgun Willie/Phases And Stages, Mobile Fidelity, 1974/

Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston - It Takes Two /The Master 1961 - 1984, Motown, 1995/