Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not for the uninitiated, June 3, 2001
If you're new to Tom Waits, skip over this CD for a while. If you've lived with Tom Waits's songs for some time you might be ready to hear this eclectic, bizarre, and energetic collection of live performances. Some of the songs are almost totally reinvented - recognizable only by the lyrics (Red Shoes, Big Black Mariah). Some are played exactly the same as the original recording with sometimes better results (Ruby's Arms) and sometimes inferior results (Johnsburg, Illinois, Train Song). There's also the delightfully strange and funny pre-song banter and story telling that he's well known for. For me, the absolute highlight of the CD is the song "Falling Down" which is the only studio track and ranks among the best songs of his entire career. It's oddly buried in the middle of the CD without fanfare, but to me it's a major selling point of the CD. Recently, I viewed the video "Big Time" (long out of print and a collectors item - check Ebay -- they go for over a hundred bucks!) and was quite surprised to find that there is very little overlap between the movie and the CD. Even some cases where the same song is on both, it is a different version. I guess that's just one more quirk in this quirky CD.
|
|
|
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Close at it gets, November 27, 2002
Being that Tom Waits doesn't like touring much anymore, this might be the closest any of us will get to experiencing him live (as the corresponding video is also out of print).This album, contrary to what other reviews have said, is most definitely an essential. It provides new insight to songs, especially "16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six" - for the first time, I felt as though I really understood the song. On this album, it takes on a very groovy shuffle feel. Ballad-wise, Waits plays the living hell out of them. Highlights - Waits' banter before going into a brilliant, moving rendition of his "Train Song." Also, "Ruby's Arms" and "Time" gain even more power in these live versions (if that's possible). However, I think it's in his more experimental works that the man really shines. The dark, brooding Yesterday is Here gains even more edge as he attacks some of the lyrics with a ferocity that is lacking on the studio version. Also, "Clap Hands" is spectacular too. All in all, there are no weak songs on this album. Some of them are good live versions that just don't add anything particularly new. And then there are some tracks that are like revelations - the songs are completely re-worked. The album is fascinating.
|
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
will you sell me one of those - if I shave my head?, March 27, 2002
By A Customer
Tom Waits challenges both the insane and those that stare down the barrel of sanity. His albums are, without a doubt, pieces of art - and this is no exception. Some highlights:1. 16 Shells ... I never really cared for the studio version but this live take gives it a new sense of energy especially with Tom's howling at the end and the excellent guitar solo. 6. Yesterday Is Here ... A song I loved off of Frank's Wild Years and a song I was pleased to see included in this live album. One of Tom's most underated tunes in my opinion. 7. Way Down in the Hole ... You can't beat Tom getting religious. 8. Falling Down ... A non-live track which is a great extra. Totally Tom. 12. Train Song ... I believe this song could sum up Waits. 14. Ruby's Arms ... Big crowd favorite here. I believe it's just Waits and his piano. Truly beautiful. 15. Telephone Call from Istanbul ... Even though it does not have the organ solo like the studio version does, this live take is truly crazy and one helluva song to drive to when 3 a.m. rolls around. 16. Clap Hands ... Another song that was re-energized. I believe that's a toy ray gun I hear ... hmmm. You could probably say something about every song on here but since there's a limit of words. I'd better stop now. Cheers to Tom Waits and his wife Kathleen Brennan - you are original and distinct. I can't wait 'til the two new Waits albums, Alice and Blood Money, are released in May. Thanks.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
is one of Tom Waits' 
