Nighthawks At The Diner

I do not understand the appeal of Tom Waits in general or this album in particular. Every track is essentially the same. Tom says, "Weeell. Mumble mumble grumble mumble, vague rhyme, mumble mumble, vague rhyme, grumble mumble. Yeah." And then the crowd applauds his pretentious, pseudo-intellectual bullshit. The real star of the show isn't Tom. It's the bass player who's working his fingers off trying to carry the whole album on his back. Jim Hughart is a beast of a player. He's the only person doing any significant amount of work and is the only reason this album got two stars from me. I almost gave the album an indifferent three stars but then Tom had a nice long monologue about masturbation and, well, he sort of lost me there. I spent the rest of the album just waiting for the damn thing to be over.

Imagine Johnny Cash's Live at Folsom/San Quentin albums. Now swap the legitimate and interesting setting of a concert in prison with a fake TV studio-esqe Jazz club set with a small group invited studio audience. Now remember Johnny's little gaffs and jokes he usually has to segue between songs? They are going to take up half the runtime of the album. Also, they aren't going to be funny. Also, instead of Johnny Cash we are going to get some mumbling dolt who is trying his hardest to sound like an old black soul musician, only to end up sounding like the love child of Chris Rock and Randy Newman. Now take that down a point or two from your expectations. The music that you can even make out over Tom's mumbling is perfectly adequate, unfortunately with how much the guy is rambling on you can't even enjoy it as simple background music. I think this was the first time in this list that I was checking to see how much longer I had to listen to this shit.

This album was recorded over the course of two nights in a studio made up like a jazz club, complete with an invitation-only crowd. Tom Waits works the room, introducing almost every number with a story, then easing into the song, sometimes singing, sometimes merely pontificating while the crowd encourages him. It's a format that might not work for any other artist, but it's perfect for Waits' neo-noir hangdog vagabond persona. There are parts of Tom Waits' discography that I don't completely get, but not this. This works. Best track: Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson)

Can someone explain why this guy has at least 5 albums on this list? It’s all garbage.

The sort of atmosphere being evoked here (smoke filled club, moody lighting, disheveled raconteur-crooner, audience tittering as glasses chink) doesn’t actually exist in the real world. It exists only in fiction. In trying to recreate the natural rambling flow of a night in a no-good joint, Waits cannot escape the artifice of his creation. He gets so caught up in evoking the mood, and creating a “reality” that he forgets to imbue it with any actual songs.

Waits pulls off as his rambler in the corner concept brilliantly as far sonic textures and plausible performance goes. The audience banter, the desultory storytelling, the 'Oh yeah, I'm supposed to actually be playing this instrument' moments, the recording quality. It's a great atmosphere. But atmosphere is only half the egg--for arguement's sake, let's say the yolk. You've still got to bind it together, and at points this is so loose you can feel the yellow goo dripping down your arm and on to the floor (does this egg metaphor even work?) Basically, the weighting is wrong and however much I love the clever phrase-making, vocabularly showboating and cute aesthetics, those things are never gonna balance it. You simply don't feel compelled to hear enougg of these songs again, a bad sign for any album but especially one with so many. Worth saying that while the songs might not lure you back in, this does deepen the longer it goes on. I guess that's atmosphere for you.

Brilliant jazz spoken word/ sung style. Relaxing and hilarious, Tom Waits nails his characterization. Would have loved to hear the recording with those in the audience.

I never want to hear this man again in my life Terrible. Absolutely terrible It was like bad stand up comedy over a jazz band. But he wasnt funny, and even his talking voice grated on me. And the audience laughing made it even worse, because his ramblings weren't even funny I was begging for this one to end 1 ⭐️

Absolutely delightful, young Tom live. Laughs, jokes, and so many jazz. Maybe all you need to listen this is a pack of cigarettes and a bourbon, maybe not.

Kind of a turning point for me within Tom Waits discography. This is the performance when he turns into the type of performer you hear from here onwards. This is as much of a mood-place as you can get. Instant smoky-jazz club. I want to live here. Every time I see a plate of eggs and sausage I think of Tom Waits now. I will say it's not an album I listen to much though, none of the songs are really best listened to in isolation, if I listen to this it's the entire album.

Not my usual thing but clearly fantastic. Like sitting with the most interesting stranger you've met in a bar of late night cafe. A collection of stories really.

If only they shut off Tom Waits' mic it'd be much better. Good musicians; terrible "singer". It's shocking that one of Waits' albums made it on the list, two is crazy, but this is now the third one! How!? 2/10.

From the heart of Saturday night (ISH). Although not a truly spontaneous live record it is a live record nonetheless and a beautiful Tom waits record. As much songwriting as theatre but buy the ticket and take the ride into the seedy underbelly of neon lit night inhibited by the wild side of life and the mundane flip side of existence. A genius 5*

I'm so horny the crack of dawn better watch out. Great album. One of my favorites

Absolute mastery of the piano and the audience. They are absolutely gagging for it and they get every bit of it and more. God it would be so great to be there. For what this is and for this perfect moment in time, for me it’s perfect. Turns out it was actually recorded in a studio, not in a real jazz club, which makes a helluva lotta sense as to why it sounds so liquid smoooth. This album has everything I love about TW within, the bukowski style turn of phrase storytelling and the soaring vocal melodies that bring a tear to my eye.

I love you Grandpa Tom. Not my favourite of his albums, but still contains enough mercurial magic to keep me delighted from start to finish. Lovely jazz-stand-up meanderings that show off his sharp mind. Still, wish it had a few more actual songs.

When I started doing these, I thought about have a "will I look for it on vinyl," as part of my ratings. This one will for sure be one that I would love have in the background while hangout out with friends. I kind of rushed the Bob Dylan review (I was really trying not to skip a day with these, but I realize I will get more of out them if I don't rush) so I didn't mention that I found his lyrics to be strange to the point of opacity. Tom's lyrics, however, manage to be both brilliant, and understandable, which to me was a lot more enjoyable. As for the music itself, I remember someone mentioned to me years ago that Tom's early recordings were "lounge singer stuff," and I see now what they meant. This isn't something I would listen to in my car, but as the cover art suggests, it's the perfect soundtrack to midnight "eggs and sausage and a side of toast." My personal enjoyment: 4/5 Did it belong on this list: 5/5

Oh my god, make it fucking stop. How about that? 1/5

Some cool, unique stuff going on. I’m sure I’d like this more if my favourite show was friends and my favourite drink was whiskey and my favourite pastime was eating cigarettes.

Well this is an annoying gimmick. I didn't really like Tom Waits to start with, but this whole world-weary jazzman in a smoky bar telling stories interspersed with the occasional song shtick... spare me. And the "audience" laughing at every little quip? please. either they're as pompous and artsy-fartsy as he is, or this is all fake. Oh, and it goes for 75min. 2/5.

Probably my favorite Tom Waits LP. A

So I remembered that I still had to listen to this at 11pm on a stormy Tuesday in October after one of the worst days I’ve had all year. I was not thrilled. The lightbulb in my kitchen blew just to be dramatic. I had no food in the house. So I listened to the whole album by candlelight with wine, whisky and a Halloween themed cupcake for dinner. It’s the perfect album for that situation. Literally perfect. I will treasure it always. I cannot imagine a person enjoying this at 10am. I cannot imagine a person enjoying this on a sunny summer’s day. I cannot imagine a person who meal preps enjoying this album. Perhaps that’s a failure of imagination on my part but I’ll leave it to those people to discuss their experiences. For me, last night, it was perfect. Tom was perfect. And I’ll treasure him always.

If a cigarette could sing it'd sound like Tom Waits. The Vibe: You went to the city to see a concert but it got cancelled last minute but you aren't going home without doing *something* so you stop into some random grungy bar with like ten other people in it and you find out that a local band is gonna be playing soon and *this* is what you hear. And honestly it's better than whoever you went into the city to see.

Very interesting listen. Almost like a commentary with blues/jazz. Loved it.

Absolutely adored this. Fantastic live concept, great sleazy Tom Waits vibes. Jazz!

Fantastic album.

This is one of my favorite Tim Waits albums, and that’s saying something. It evokes emotions that I’ve definitely felt. Even if I’ve never been in the exact types of places he sings about, I can feel myself there. Nobody is one of my all time favorites…it ran through my head daily for the last few years of my marriage. And Big Joe is just a great story. Quite a few lines have dug themselves deep into my consciousness and subconsciousness. Just this morning, before even seeing today’s album, I was thinking about being Better Off Without a Wife. Tom’s spoken word and…crooning aside, the jazz is just fantastic. It truly has the feel of a little jazz joint. I think that’s a lot of the appeal for me, also. These clubs don’t really exist anymore and I never got to go to one when they did, so this is as close as I can get. This is an album I’d give 8/5 if it would let me. Maybe more. There is just no part of it I don’t love.

Love me some Tom Waits! This is mostly his goofier side. "Nighthawk Postcards" is probably the standout track here.

Tom Waits as a quirky jazz lounge singer. What more could you ask for? The band is super tight, and Tom is at his gregarious best.

Excellent Tom Waits record. I have always loved his earlier stuff, and this is one of the weirder ones, recorded to make it sound like it's all happening in a jazz club. Great vibe for a late in the work week morning listen.

I really enjoyed these stories in their contrived pulp fiction diner stylings. I didn't like the previous Tom Waits album on this list but I was in the mood for (and had time for) lying back with my eyes shut and letting this wash over me. Dirty, gritty melodrama from the wrong end of town.

I could honestly listen to Tom Waits murdering someone and I'd still give it a 5

this album was billed as a 73 minute long Tom Waits album. while TECHNICALLY that’s what it is, it’s not a good descriptor of the actual album. it’s a beautiful mix of storytelling, comedy, and jazz over a couple nights in a controlled faux jazz club. and it captures that vibe perfectly. it’s funny and easy to listen to and just really great. it got a little tiring but i think that’s just because i didnt do it justice with my listening. it should be listened to over speakers in a dimly lit, kinda dingy room filled with people talking quietly underneath it. one of the easiest 5s i’ve given

I absolutely adore Tom Waits. I don't think this is his strongest album, but it's more than good enough. For some reason this man can distill jazz down to a format where I actually enjoy it. He seems to be able to improvise but still reign it in, and his stage persona keeps it strange and interesting where I'd have given up on other artists.

Damn. Please reserve me a table at whatever diner Tom Waits is Nighthawkin' at! The be-bop rhythms of the band are a perfect back drop for his observational lyricism, which is raw and real and true. Bravo, Tom. Bravo.

I thought that Tom was the funniest thing ever (not intentionally) when I first saw him on the Old Grey Whistle Test. Scary bendy fingers too. Fast forward a couple of years and I'm working in a record store. The manager insisted that I give Tom another chance. What a wise manager! I went back to the start and was hooked. Yes, his vocal style became more gruff on each subsequent album. But oh my, what fantastic albums. The jazz scthick definitely wore thin towards the end of the Warners albums. But not many better 3 x album runs than his first 3 on Island. The ANTI albums ain't too shabby either. So, give him another chance (particularly the Island stuff), he's worth it!

I have this on vinyl. It’s not my favorite Tom Waits record, but it’s one of my favorites for being somewhere between a stand-up album and a crooner album while falling somewhere on the vaudeville spectrum. There’s not much like it that can actually pull it off without being annoying and played out (a la Richard Cheese, for example). At least for me. I get that he’s not everyone’s thing, so I have to give this a slightly higher rating than I might otherwise to help skew the rating that much higher. But it’s still at least a 4.3/5 for me

Incredible. I've listened to lots of Tom Waits but this one was a new one for me. Not as weird or as cinematic as lots of his other music. Love the kind of live, talking to the crowd vibe - matched with, as ever, his insanely good, imagery-laden lyrics.

I recall listening to this album a lot while I was in college. Still great to hear some 40 years later.

I listened to this six times last week

I can't see myself listening to any of these songs in isolation or in a playlist. Yet together as an album they work amazingly well. It creates an atmosphere and mood that is incredible. A wonderful example where the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.

This was so immersive, felt like I was chillin' at a jazz club in the 70s. Very entertaining, less chaotic than the later Tom Waits albums I've gotten so far. While bizarre, that was some captivating story telling. I really liked the crowd, like the 70s people weren't all too different then me today. The band is incredible throughout, so top tier jazz.

Feels like being in a dive music club late at night and with a surprisingly great blues/jazz band. All of which is to say, it's a great album, if you like that sort of thing, which I do.

I didn't want this to end, and it didn't for a long time. Immersive live performance.

This was so immersive, it felt like I was in the room with him.

witty. brilliant.

It was really great jazzy and really funny. Must listen again

My first foray into the Tom Waits discography and one of my favorites. It's not very similar to much of what he's known for and it's love but it just has this dingy, smoke-filled diner story of feel to it and you can almost smell the bourbon on his breath.

really odd, based on my normal listening was def neat to hear.

I love the setup as a jazz club on this record. It really makes it all flow. The storytelling between songs is a great device. It makes the record a cohesive piece. Some of the best rap/hip hop on these lists do a good job of this as well.

Dunno if I'd listen to it again but the vibes are immaculate

Classic

Tom is really funny and the music reminds me of things long ago

My strictness against live albums was seriously challenged for the first time. Challenged? Defeated! What an amazing performance. I am not a Waits fan but I bow my head towards his great show.

I’ve never felt so conflicted about an album before. I feel like critically this album is terrible, but I just can’t help loving it.

Oh Tom waits, I love it! It feels like you are really sitting in a club.

5 Had my attention more than 100 minutes. Does not happen often on this list.

Some of the wittiest lyrics I've ever heard. A great live album that makes me wish I was there in person.

I'm a massive Tom Waits fan, so it's always nice when an album of his pops up on this list. The atmosphere created in this album is arguably better than the songs themselves, as it's not his best collection in pure music terms. No one can paint a scene quite like Tom Waits, and this holds true here.

I loved this album. I can't remember hearing a live recording that made me feel like I was actually in the room for the performance as much as this album did — I could picture the scene and smell the cigarettes. This is Tom Waits at his best — or at least I can't remember him being more endearing and captivating and funny, and damn, the track about Big Joe and Phantom 309 hit me on an emotional level I wasn't expecting. The only critical thing I can say is the crowd was sometimes overenthusiastic, but that's not Wait's fault, he had the room riled up. One of my favorite lines was almost a throwaway, when he was talking about going to Ohio or somewhere, "Maybe I'll get a tattoo. My brother-in-law lives there." That struck me as hilarious. Anyway. This was excellent.

If I had to pick a single artist to listen to it would be Mr. Waits. This, his third album, was recorded live in a club where he invited all his friends to come. He had a stripper open for him. Some absolutely classic songs on here.

Oh so good. It doesn't get better than "...get more tail than a toilet seat." Tom Waits is an underappreciated savant and the general public should really become more familiar with him.

I have been all in for Tom Waits for over 20 years, which makes me feel very old, but it is good to have an old faithful to return to so I can remember the other times.

heard before: nope! This album is weirdly comforting to me, even though I don't think I've ever heard it. Waits really understands his instrument and has an uncanny ability to draw the listener in. His way of telling his stories is captivating - Bruce Springsteen wants what Tom Waits has. Putnam County has the beginnings of Tom Traubert's Blues which made me weirdly emotional? Maybe it's the nostalgia of hearing my dad play Tom Waits in the background of my childhood, but I greatly enjoyed sitting down and listening to this all the way through. Fave songs: Better off Without a Wife, Eggs and Sausage Honorable mention: not a song, but whoever played the upright bass on this album was going OFF

That was an adventure. I could just picture that whole performance being in a dimly light room that absolutely reeked of cigarettes. I didn't think I was going to enjoy listening to that while working from the start. But then I got completely sucked in. The changing between story telling and songs was perfect

Tom Waits is an all time favorite of mine. I love his bluesy melodies, easily recognizable bass, vivid lyrics and stories. This album has pent of that.

- nice lyrics - nice lyricism - i love the creative decision to perform this in front of a live crowd - kinda simple instrumentally - love the sax tho - love the humour - feels very authentic - i understand how the vocals can throw some off but like Danny brown for some it kills the music personally it’s what makes him so great these lines probably wouldn’t be as funny with regular vocals - the storytelling is incredible - this shit is jokes lmao - I feel like when the lyrics start to lose me the record can get a little stale as it’s simple instrumentally and the songwriting is the main focus - incredible closer - what a brilliantly cohesive record one of the most album feeling albums I’ve heard - amazing record

He's such a creative song writer. Unique style, voice, and composition.

One thing I love that this list has done for me is expose me to live jazz albums, live recordings turned into albums that are full of heart, soul and everything in between, and that’s exactly what ‘Nighthawks At The Diner” is all about. There are so many great things about this album so firstly I have to say how authentic it feels. This is not trying to be a studio album, there is a lot of dialogue by Tom before and in between tracks telling the audience about how a certain song came about or giving a little story. You can immediately tell the setting is very intimate and Tom is taking his time with this set, hence the 1 hr+ run time, but it all works out to be this enjoyable set of live jazz music. You also have to recognise Waits’ unique cadence throughout, he has this somewhat gravelly voice that perfectly suits the band's style, it’s also some how quite nostalgic as the album has some certain themes such as love and storytelling but it’s an album about life, so it’s very easy to relate to. The accompanying band has this great instinct to just sit nicely in the back but jumps forward every now and again for some particularly soulful moments such as at the end of the 11 minute masterpiece that is ‘Nighthawk Postcards’. Another particular standout is ‘Warm Beer And Cold Women’ where the saxophonist makes a beautiful appearance whilst Tom sits so relaxed on the beat, it’s such a great song. As seen above there are many things I like about this album but what I really love about it is that it’s an album so effortlessly. Artists will try their best to make a concept/storytelling album in a studio setting and it can come off so artificially whereas you take this where Waits isn’t afraid to talk for 2 songs opening up the album whilst the band plays in the back because it’s how the set was, there’s no need to cut it or change it. There are songs I really like on here but as a whole this is such a fantastic listen and really makes me feel like I’ve just walked in on the show mid set. There’s nothing negative I have to say about this, go give it a listen. 5/5

Classic Tom Waits, surely America's greatest lyricist with his esophagus full of gravel and whiskey surrounded by a cloud of unfiltered nicotine. Easily one of the most important musicians of the 20th-21st centuries. I grew up to his vinyls spinning quite often, usually late at night, and usually turned up loud. He was there for the hard times and he still is. Hold On is my go to when everything comes apart at the seams. Mockin Bird was the one I sang to my babies. Those songs aren't on this album, and this album isn't one I know as well as much of his catalogue. But asking me if I want to hear a Tom Waits album is sort of like hey do you like chocolate? Well f**k yes I do! Fun fact. He uses it now, but for like FOREVER YEARS, tomwaits.com just loaded a black page with nothing. I thought that was genius and just so HIM!!!

"I'm so horny the crack of dawn better be careful around me!" 🤣🤣🤣 I used to be dismissive of Tom Waits for being a faker but after about 50 or 60 years of sticking to his guns you have to wonder if maybe it's the rest of the world that's faking It.

Just a man telling his stories and some jazz in the background. But I love it. It couldn't be bad with that voice and that jazz. A studio recorded album that tried to recreate the feel of a small jazz club and succeeded.

i only know of Tom Waits because of a TFOT song. is this a live album? his voice is so gravely. perfect for this kind of music. real jazzy intro. very much a story telling method of vocals/lyrics. exactly what you expect at a late night jazz club. tom waits is definitely a storyteller. enjoyed listening to this album, though it's probably not something i'll come back to often.

It was okay - I like to imagine me being in a little club watching and listening to this. Funny that it was kinda faked, and done in a studio. Still invokes thoughts of the way it used to be. somewhere.

Like the concept and loose feel of the album. Although I did not love this album, i respect it and admired the musicality of Waits and the jazz band. Will save for late night listens

Everybody’s got to have a hook: Frank Zappa wrote songs about toilets, the Captain and Tenneille wrote songs about rodents, Tom Waits woke up one day, decided to he wanted to be Charles Bukowski and started writing songs about being a derelict. Such is life.

No. 224/1001 Opening Intro 3/5 Emotional Weather Report 3/5 Intro To On A Foggy Night 2/5 On A Foggy Night 3/5 Intro To Eggs And Sausage 2/5 Eggs And Sausage 3/5 Intro To Better Off Without A Wife 2/5 Better Off Without A Wife 3/5 Nighthawk Postcard 2/5 (2x) Intro To Warm Beer And Cold Women NR Warm Beer And Cold Women 3/5 Intro to Putnam County NR Putnam County 2/5 Spare Parts I 2/5 Nobody 2/5 Intro To Big Joe And Phantom 309NR Big Joe And Phantom 309 2/5 Spare Parts II And Closing 2/5 Average: 2,38 Didn't really like him trying to be a comedian. Also wasn't that good musically.

Not for me but appreciate how it was viewed at the time.

The bassist is playing like rent is due, and I love me some bass. Otherwise, I have to admit this isn't my cup of tea. It's not grating; just boring, indulgent, and quite long. I'm a simple person who likes hooks I guess. I'd consider putting it on for background music while I'm working so I'd feel like I'm in a club instead of the office, so at least it's immersive. I kept checking to see how much time was left, which usually results in me slapping a one-star rating on an album; the most unforgivable thing an album can do is bore me. But again, the bass playing is so good that I can't insult it like that. Shout out to fellow Minnesotan Jim Hughart. I love to see a hometown hero winning. Highlights: On a Foggy Night, Eggs and Sausage, Better Off Without a Wife, Nobody

I normally like Tom Waits, but I like his songwriting and delivery. I don't care for this play acting nightclub lounge act. The verisimilitude is there, but it just crawls so far up its own ass, that I'm having trouble enjoying this. I liked a number of songs on the album, but the "intros" that were as long as the song they introduced? I don't like acts like that in real life. A couple of moving songs doesn't save this one for me.

I learned from this album that I really don't like Tom Waits' laugh.

He sounds like a drunken sailor

I have never hated any artist. Then I have listened 5 albums from him. I am fucking hate Tom Waits. His fucking mumbling voice, his fuking forced humor, his fucking artifical folknessness. Ahhh I fucking hate Tom Waits

If I went to this show in real life I would be bored as hell. Instead I listened to a fake show, by myself, so I was somehow even more bored than bored as hell.

Can we be fucking done with this theatre kid? Sick of gravely woe-is-me singing with look-at-how-weird-I-think-I-am clang rhythms.

I don't think I would ever hate a Tom Waits album but I do this one. Like nails on a chalkboard, every 'comedic' monologue grates, and they rarely land. I mean it's an interesting concept, and when the music starts it's generally ok, but you couldn't pay me to sit through that record again.

This was really pretty bad. The song “Warm Beer and Cold Women” didn’t live up to its title, but was the best track on the album. Still not enough to pull it from the dumpster it lives in.

I’ve always heard that Tom waits has a reputation for being divisive and I see where that comes from. I hated this album and all it had going for it was the jazz house vibe. Otherwise, all of the intros were boring and the actual songs were a slow, unenergetic version of jazz that sucks all the fun out of the genre

Absolutely love this. Huge fan of slightly later Tom Waits, but you can hear the brilliance here as well. And the drinks.

I am normally a Tom Waits hater, but this was really cool! The jazz club atmosphere worked so well with Waits' voice and delivery. The live audience really showed off his ability to work the crowd as well as his humor. The supporting jazz group was awesome too. The album cover is really cool and is reminiscent of Hopper's Nighthawks (definitely intentional).

666

This was great, I think it's the only album with skits that I've really loved.

This album is always a trip.

Frequently crude poetry in blues. Must hear.

My first Tom Waits album from this list. And kind of an odd one to start with. I know that a lot of people sort of took offense to the 'fake jazz lounge' concept of the album. I think it would have been cooler to be a real jazz bar for sure but maybe this is a little more controlled and less real life which I think was probably the intent. Tom Waits seems like he'd be an interesting guy to talk to. Especially back in 1975. Especially now, for that matter. I've always liked his music - he's got such a unique and fantastic voice. Particularly as he got older. It's definitely not for everyone. This album specifically, he sounds great as ever. I love the loose feeling of this record. The upright bass, piano, drums with brushes, sax - it all comes together and fits so well with what he's doing. I know it's a fake lounge but take it as you would a movie - you know it isn't real but you can imagine being there in person to experience it. It would have been so much fun. I think a lot of people (most?) would get a little bored with this. It plays basically like a long monologue accompanied by music. I love it. 5/5

Loved this, I’ve listened to a lot of Tom waits, but never gave this album a try. Definitely a 10/10 and will be in constant rotation for me

The first Waits album I was exposed to. I think my wife loves it even more than me (if that’s possible). Great sound, great playing, great songs and the wonder that is Tom Waits.

Well, I'd heard about Tom Waits for years but never made the effort to listen to him before. I've got catching up to do.

Brilliant

It's a vibe.