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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth the $$, March 19, 2001
Recorded in '71, this is the real Tom Waits, letting you hear where he came from and where he was headed. At this point, everyone knows Waits is a songwriting genius. This album is proof that he was that from the beginning, but maybe it's too subtle for some people to catch because there's more real life and fewer freaks, pharaohs, and demons. The growling vocals of the 2nd half of Waits' career conjure up agony, whiskey, and psychosis in a way that no one else can. It's easy to understand why people are drawn to it. The Early Years 2 is as mellow as that later stuff is intense, and with it you get Tom actually singing in his real, natural voice. The only other musician that gives you such amazing songwriting combined with acoustic guitar on the same albums is Dylan. They're both on a short list of my favorite musical geniuses so I won't get into that comparison other than to say that I've never met Zimmy's mom, but I'm guessing even she'd tell you that Waits is the better singer. The bottom line is, this is essential Tom Waits. With 7 of these tracks, you're getting slightly rougher versions of songs available on his first 2 albums. It's interesting to compare them to the later versions and hear the effects of production and of a young artists' development. The 6 songs that you can't get elsewhere are the polar opposite of his future howling madman persona - a folk singer singing calmly yet powerfully about things everyone can relate to. As long as you don't have a hang up about Waits having to sound like the Swordfish Trombones to Mule Variations era, I think you'll find this to be money well spent.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A new look at some classic tunes, January 1, 2007
These are mostly demo songs, some of which were never relased, from Wait's early years (no kidding). Some of the songs on here, such as "I Hope I Don't Fall In Love With You" and "Ol' 55", would go on to become classics. Some of these songs are actually better than the versions that were put on the albums, especially "Shiver Me Timbers," here turned into a piano-ballad romp, rather than the jazzy outting featured on HEART OF SATURDAY NIGHT. THE EARLY YEARS, VOLUME 2 offers a good introduction into Waits's early music (sparse arrangements, beautiful lyrics), and is also a handy addition to previously-existing Waits collections.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is one album of Tom Waits you'll love in the morning., August 9, 1999
By A Customer
Sorry, but anyone who thinks this album is horrible has no feelings towards some great love songs. His voice in this album with the beautiful lyrics get me goosebumps all over. It's something great to listen to when you're with people you love. No doubt, Tom Waits amazing talent is prooved in his later albums, but anyone who would like to hear a soft and emotional side of Mr. Waits, this is a must have! And afterall, wouldn't it be nice to have an album of Tom you could easily listen to in the early morning?
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by Tom Waits 
