Nighthawks At The Diner

Despite knowing a few songs and one album of his, I was really turned on to Tom Waits during a Discogs dive last year was a welcome listen and actually contains one of the Waits songs I knew before the Discogs dive which was Better off Without a Wife, which along with Eggs and Sausage, makes up my fave songs from this album. I really like the faux-live style of it and the introductions and banter between the songs really make it a captivating and fully immersive experience. It does give you a strong sense of being 'in the room' and of course the songs are strong too and I do very much enjoy this era of Waits.

Cool Album

I know he is not everyone’s cup of tea, but there is just something about Tom Waits that evokes the dive bar, down on your luck, hardscrabble life that yields intense of emotion from me.

This might become a vocal point of albums that just because you don't get, it doesn't inherently mean they're bad. If you scroll the reviews there are an intense amounts of 1s and 2s crying about how bad it is, without taking in any of the atmosphere this album presents. That being said I also see a lot of 5s which just comes to show, this isn't an album you think is just okay really. You either love it or you hate it. I am definitely leaning the former. If I heard this 10 years ago I certainly wouldn't get it, but now it has the vibe where I'm sitting in a small bar on a weekday night drinking a whiskey I can't really afford and thinking about things I can't control while a group of local guys soundtrack my evening. This genuinely feels like I'm sat in a bar just taking it all in. A half live album, but instead of it feeling "live" like most albums do it feels real, Tom will stop singing to chat and tell stories and anecdotes like I'm genuinely there sat at the back of a room of people. Beyond atmosphere, just considering the methods made to present this album in that fashion are insanely interesting. This will certainly be an album I do not listen to in individual pieces but rather experience once in a while front to back, but that doesn't mean the music itself isn't up to snuff. A jazzy feel but instead of the lush velvets of some jazz it feels like cigarette smoke and rainy nights which is perfect style for the album feel and, I can only assume, intention. A note about a common complaint, Tom is absolutely putting on a voice on this album. As far as his voice goes it's not anything incredible but it's certainly serviceable if not widely palatable, always a bit gravely. But for someone like me who listens to quite a bit of music it's no where near the worst I've ever heard, hell it's not even close to the worst I've come to adore. This is certainly a more "performative" sort of gravel but I'd stop thinking about it as Tom trying to sound like something specific, and more just like someone else singing entirely because it almost feels like a character. Best songs: Eggs & Sausage, Better Off Without a Wife Worst song: N/A Rank compared to everything else so far: 8/16 (above Heavy Weather below The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady)

suprisingly great

This was a lot of fun. I liked it a lot more than I remembered.

I initially hated this given the faux live set up with annoying audience tittering over every word no matter how unfunny. However the overall vibe (esp the bass) slowly worked its charm on me - i think because it was cold and dark and I was working on something a little thorny - and I ended up rather enjoying it (is it my jazz breakthrough?). A song about sausages - whats not to like..... a very surprising 4.

Tom Waits in a live setting playing a jazzy spoken word set? Sign me the fuck up! Favorite track: Warm Beer and Cold Women

Probably my top artist for "need to listen to more". I love the scenes in this record. Such a colourful pastiche of New York sleaze in the 70s. So full of details and ephemera. Truly an acolyte of Burroughs. He was in his 20s on this record! I think of him as ~50 for his whole career. Am I going to listen to it lots? No. But sometimes his talent is obscured by his weirdness. Not here.

Excellent. Mid 1970’s live concert. Intimate funny strong songs. Inimitable.

Tom Waits riffeando durante hora y pico en un club de jazz. Por momentos no sabes si está cantando o probando chistes. Pero los chistes por lo menos son graciosos y las risas del público lo demuestran. No me entró tanto como una experiencia puramente musical sino como una extraña mezcla al haber tanto hincapié en esas riffeadas entre canciones, el ambiente de jazz club y las canciones ser a veces tan poco canciones. Dicho esto me gustó bastante esa experiencia.

Great late night listening.

A pseudo live album that's a real blast, you can tell Tom is feeling the crowd assembled in his fake smoky jazz club as he tells his stories preambling into the actual song.

Good

I could see how this jazzy stand up album wouldn’t be for everyone. However, I enjoyed it.

It's funny, I got a whole series of studio albums from Tom Waits in the last couple of weeks -- at least two of them, maybe three -- and just didn't get much out of those. Conversely, I really liked this live record. It had a lot of soul and swing to it, where I felt the studio records just didn't have that much emotion, or at least, it felt more monotone. I love live music, and there are quite a few bands out there where the recorded output is fine, nothing special, but the live recordings are fantastic. Tom Waits might just fit into that category for me. We will see. I had never listened to Tom Waits before doing the 1001.

I really don't know how you can't love Tom Waits. He's so infectiously authentic and his stuff is so off the cuff and earnestly goofy it's great

More a spoken word album than a traditional album, but I really enjoyed it! Much better than the previous Tom Waits albums I’ve listened to and quite funny too.

Funny jazz!

There’s a time and a place for albums that create a time and place. In this case, my time was the bus stop skirting the three-lane overpass on Canning Bridge. The 8am gunmetal skies pound the life out of any colour that dare be anything less vibrant than bright yellow; a world as flat and affectless as a banking app. It’s possible to find things to love here – something about the cold air enriches the diesel fumes, creating a deep, peaty perfume; small moments of camaraderie on the throttled concourse as commuters and students dance into and out of each others’ way – but only if you’re trying. Nighthawks produces a warm, intimate atmosphere that’s the result of a fiction even before its songs tell their stories. It’s quite something to feel centred in my own diesel-perfumed moment while also in the crowd of a jazz club, and sitting alongside Big Joe all at once. Talk about peripatetic… Metafictions aside, this album is full to the brim with brilliant writing, compelling stories and moments of outrageous fun. The richness of detail is alone something to behold … all in all, it’s the work of a bona fide down and out Dickens. Musically, the record suffers. Nahhh I’m joking, it’s outstanding. The piano on “Eggs and Sausage…”, stood up by a bass that’s interpolating Nina Simone while the sax ducks and weaves through the melodic hyperactivity is an especially affecting melange. Waits presides over the whole thing splendidly, employing the persona of the most interesting person in the worst room you’ve ever been in and never breaking character. If I was anywhere less anonymous than the moment I was in, standing by a highway waiting for a bus to work, I don’t think I’d have managed to catch the magic of this record. But as it was, my moment’s distinct lack of intrigue was the perfect vantage for surveying Waits’ wholly charming empire of largely charmless detail. And, I suppose, by extension, mine too.

Este jazz sí me gusta. Tom Waits es increíble.

Baby Tom Waits holding court as a lounge lizard. It’s vibe. Not necessarily my favorite of his Asylum records - but lays the groundwork for Small Change.

Actually, *this" is the album that makes me want to throw on a pair of shades and chain smoke cigarettes in a dimly lit subterranean bar. Tom Waits does what he does best on this album. Genuinely funny at times and surprisingly tender in other spots. The atmosphere created throughout the album is really cool, too. Still can't believe this was recorded in a studio and not live in some tiny, hole-in-the-wall jazz club. I'm not the biggest Tom Waits fan but I won't hesitate to back to this album.

Thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling through the album

Surprisingly deep. Starts off a bit rough, but Waits is just accelerating from a cold stop.

I love Tom Waits. That gravelling voice.

Would not buy

Spoken word over jazz. I dig it.

Very Tom Waits

I love a well-executed concept album. I thought it was a live album at first so I was surprised to read that it wasn't. The theme of late night living was told in an interesting manner. Great album.

Traff godt av en eller annen grunn. Denne skal jeg sette på når jeg en dag har hjemmebibliotek med globusbar og LP spiller

Stand up Jazz and it works

This album really manages to capture the jazz club vibe extraordinarily well. It's certainly one of the more unique and interesting albums on the list, and Tom Waits always delivers good music.

3.5

Very unique and I loved his poetry style of singing. A great story teller

Tom Waits is a national treasure.

Ingen er kulere ass Kul form på albumet og, liker det svært godt men det må være litt mer dristig før det får femmeren av meg

I can’t wait to add this impression to my repertoire that I pull out after 2 beers at the bar

Strange

This was good. I wasn't convinced at first but I just had it on the background and I found myself drift in and out and by the end wished I'd drifted in more. It's pretty long, but maybe I needed that much to get into it, although I suspect if I were concentrating more I'd feel the length was annoying We'll have to see when I put it on again.

Nighthawks At The Diner is an album i really enjoyed. This is one of the few albums that isn't as good as it is due to the songs alone but rather, due to how well they connect with each other. This album was partially a studio album that was made to simulate a live album where it was recorded over 4 sessions in front of an audience to simulate the feeling of a jazz club. I think it actually captures the feeling of a jazz club very well and the music and Waits' vocals and lyrics/commentary really added to the album. I don't really know if i can single out one song as being the best/worst but i do know that this album comes together very smoothly. Best Song: Spare Parts I (A Nocturnal Emission) Worst Song: Eggs And Sausage (In A Cadillac With Susan Michelson)

Worth a listen

Someone reviewed this and complained about how this evokes a smoke-filled club atmosphere that doesn't actually exists in the real world. That may be true and Baudrillard probably has something to say regarding this critique. I, on the other hand, am content with the fact that I don’t have to sit in a nicotine-fogged room to enjoy a great voice.

Fantastic. It's like I'm at a jazz bar and just letting Waits' gruff charisma wash over me. Proof that you don't need a pop voice to be a compelling singer.

Interesting, and growing on me.

A wild concept album that conveys its concept perfectly, a small show in a night club. Sort of the moment Waits becomes Waits.

Really good.

but why does he look like jerma tho

L O V E D this, how has this not been in my regular rotation is a mystery I'm trying to solve.

I bought the record Franks Wild Years when it came out, played it once and put into my record collection where it had stayed for the last 40 odd years! I’ve tried a few times to get into Tom Waits but it’s never really happened for me. However I a loved this album! Don’t know if it’s the conceit of the jazz club, the banter or the Smokey music, probably all three to be honest. Tom I’ll be coming back to your make believe jazz club sometime very soon.

I really enjoyed this, great bassline, Tom Waits's... unique vocal style. Worth my time.

Fun, chill jazz. Like you’re in a jazz club

Vibe

Tom Waits: you hate it or you love it. En ik love het. Maar waarom dit er in staat en Closing Time niet? Geen flauw idee. Anyway, blijft een cool album met een coole stem en een coole bassist. Daarom een coole 3.5, naar boven afgerond uiteraard.

Finished about half a day

Love it

A good album, I don't listen to a lot of Jazz but I enjoyed this. I liked Eggs and Sausage and Nighthawk Postcards the most.

This is one of the '70s Waits albums that I skipped over for some reason. I was missing out, cuz this is a great way to spend an evening. Captures the vibes of hanging in a smokey club perfectly, and Waits personality, lyrics, and voice shines in a grimy type of way as always.

Tom Waits had really grown on me. I need to return to his other albums that I disliked on first hearing

Tom Waits for no common sense. On this pseudo live album, Tom gives in to soliloquies both endearing and deranged, all the while keeping the audience on their toes and hollering throughout. This is the kind of album that is deserving of the name Nitehawks; the kind of album Edward Hopper himself would have painted scenes of. Favorites: (Opening Intro), Emotional Weather Report, On a Foggy Night, Eggs and Sausage, Nitehawk Postcards, Warm Beer and Cold Women, Spare Parts I, Big Joe and Phantom 309.

Man, this is fun! Just sit back and take the ride of a lifetime.

A classic!

Eggs and Sausage // Nighthawk Postcards // Warm Beer and Cold Women // Spare Parts I // Big Joe and Phantom 309 //

That one drunk guy at the bar who is also somehow quite talented. Delightfully unhinged, weird, raw. Love his raspy voice, creative and sometimes hilarious wordplay mixed with the smooth and well played jazz in the background. Ngl it feels like a one take impro where the band starts playing and he just start shittalking and half singing, but im all here for it.

This is like a raspy voice telling blues stories at a comedy night (with the crowd laughing). I have to say This is not my thing but I am really enjoying it. The little story intros before the songs really add to the experience.

I appreciate the lyricism, delivery and musicianship of this, but it's a bit of a hard listen from end to end for me. This would probably land around a 4 for me if it were shorter.

Best Tom Waits album of the three we’ve had on this list so far.

Really cool live feel, entertaining

Really fun album, I liked pretty much every track but due to the pseudo live nature of it I’m not sure how easy it’ll be to come back to

I liked this album, I like the sound of his voice doing spoken word over jazz. It makes me feel like I’m homeless, or a loner or something. It was cool, I’d like to listen to more Tom Waits.

wasnt expecting this to be a live album. also so different than the tom waits that im use to but it was great. loved the beatnik sound, so interesting to see the beginning of his sound start to be introduced through this.

Really great idea - a kind of live concert, excelt it was plannned, by special invitation only and in a recording studio. Great performance and top class musicianship - but the songs aren't particularly memorable. I love Tom Waits, so I'm haappy listening to it, but it isn't one of his best in my view..

Felt like I was really there in a bar. I think it helped I listened to it on my Sonos speakers in my room while the sunset and I planned my week ('tis Sunday night).

Stories. Humor. Captures an atmosphere.

I liked the live show format. I was completely unfamiliar with the artist before this.

Still not the biggest Tom Waits fan, but listening to this made me feel like I was in the crowd. There's a lot of fun in this very intimate setting, listening to a wild poet share some strange stories and play the hell out of the piano.

The glasses clink, and the laughter ensues, as Waits offers a live glimpse into his wildly witty mind unraveling over smoke-swirled jazz and beat poetry confessions.

I'm disappointed by the amount of hate that this album gets from some reviewers. Sure, it's a recreation of a live show in a smoky bar, by a gruff voiced dude, but I find it an excellent change from the usual overproduced glossy carp. Tom seems to love the banter and slipping into song, and the support band are on-point. "Better Off Without a Wife" always raises a wry smile from me.

Surprised how much I enjoyed this given how long it is. I listened while at work so didn’t fully pay attention to what was said and missed some of the jokes, but it was generally pleasant to listen to and what I did pay attention to was good. I especially liked Big Joe and Phantom 309

What a vibe to listen to in the gym. I did really like it though. ‘I'm so goddamn horny the crack of dawn better be careful around me‘ Simpsons: guest star

We've had at least one Tom Waits album on this list until now, and I was not that impressed with him then. But I must say I think I'm starting to change my mind about him. This album is thematically quite dark and moody, but it's very nice to listen to. It makes me want to go to some worn down jazz club in New York and smoke and drink Whiskey (even though I do neither). Also, I now see that Tom Waits always brings something new and unexpected with every album, which is very impressive! Perhaps not a single song that I felt "wow, what a banger", but the overall tone and feel of the album was great. Weak 4!

I like Tom Waits, his albums are always interesting and even his early work is just plain good. This is one of the earlier ones where he more is a jazz singer that anything else. I've listened to quite a few of these songs like "Eggs and Sausages" and "Better off without a Wife", both great songs. The band is great, special shout-out to the bass and piano player (maybe Waits?). So listening to it I was wondering if this was going to be a 5 star. As the album when on many songs felt very formulaic. Waits talks a bit with rhymes and about staying out late, being horny etc, then the songs kind of all sounds the same. Still the sound is great "Better off without a wife" has some great talk and lyrics, but it is slightly watered down by the other songs having similar tones. A good album just a little bit disappointed, weak 4 star.

Not my favourite Tom Waits album, but always enjoyable, with some great moments along the way.

even less-good tom waits albums aren’t that bad.

An interesting one, if you can get past Waits’ voice which is as smooth broken glass soaked in gasoline and lit on fire. The quasi-live setting for the “jazz club” make you feel like this was recorded in a smoky barroom, not in the studio. Good stuff here.

It’s incredible to me that a resurrected Civil War soldier can talk and eat and drink among us in the present day., and “sing” such terrific songs. This album came out in 1975, and he YET WALKS AMONG US TO THIS DAY. Tom Waits is the Unkillable Nicotine Troubadour.

Tom Waits est certainement un interprète unique en son genre, mais on constate ici qu’il est aussi très charismatique, lui qui charme son public à chaque tournant. Un moment capté sur le vif, qui nous donne le goût d’y être

I thought this was going to be boring but boy was i wrong! I would have loved to be there

Incredible listen. I knew something like this would exist somewhere and i never expected to learn about it from here. Amazing stuff.

Smooth listening jazz and blues. Great storytelling. Raw and expressive vocals.

## In-Depth Review of *Nighthawks at the Diner* by Tom Waits Tom Waits' 1975 album *Nighthawks at the Diner* is a unique hybrid of live performance and studio recording that showcases his early jazz and beat poetry influences. It is a record that combines spoken-word interludes, humor, vivid storytelling, and atmospheric music to create an immersive experience. Below is an in-depth analysis of the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and its pros and cons. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Nighthawks at the Diner* are among Tom Waits' most evocative and imaginative works. Waits employs a variety of literary techniques—metaphor, personification, and vivid imagery—to craft a world that feels simultaneously familiar and surreal. For example: - **"Emotional Weather Report"** uses meteorological metaphors to describe the narrator's mental state: "With tornado watches issued shortly before noon Sunday / For the areas including the western region of my mental health / And the northern portion of my ability to deal rationally"[1][4]. This poetic approach turns introspection into a dramatic weather forecast. - **"Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson)"** animates diner food in a humorous way: "A veal cutlet left the plate, walked down the counter, and tried to beat the shit out of [his] cup of coffee"[1]. The absurdity of these lines underscores Waits' ability to transform mundane settings into extraordinary narratives. Waits also excels in creating characters that feel like archetypes of Americana—drunks, loners, diner patrons—while imbuing them with depth. Songs like **"Warm Beer and Cold Women"** lament heartbreak and alienation: "All these double-knit strangers with gin and vermouth / And recycled stories in the naugahyde booths"[4][5]. His lyrics are steeped in melancholy yet often punctuated with humor. --- ### **Music** Musically, *Nighthawks at the Diner* leans heavily on jazz influences, particularly swing rhythms and bluesy undertones. The album features live instrumentation from an accomplished band, including upright bass, saxophone, piano, and guitar. Highlights include: - The swinging rhythm section that propels tracks like **"Better Off Without a Wife"**, where Waits cheekily discusses bachelorhood with a mix of humor and resignation[2]. - The sultry saxophone lines and piano flourishes that create an intimate jazz club atmosphere throughout the album. While some critics have wondered whether these songs might have benefited from a traditional studio recording setup, the live setting breathes spontaneity into the performances. The interplay between Waits' growling vocals and the band's tight arrangements adds vitality to tracks like **"On a Foggy Night"**[3]. --- ### **Production** The production of *Nighthawks at the Diner* was designed to simulate a live jazz club experience. Recorded at Los Angeles Record Plant studio in front of a small invited audience, tables were set up with refreshments to recreate the ambiance of a late-night performance[6]. This approach makes the album feel intimate and conversational. Waits’ spoken-word introductions between songs are integral to its charm. These interludes blend stand-up comedy with storytelling, inspired by figures like Lenny Bruce. Lines such as “I’m so horny the crack of dawn better be careful around me” showcase his wit while deepening his persona as a bohemian raconteur[2][4]. However, some listeners might find this format polarizing; while it adds character to the album, it occasionally overshadows the music itself. --- ### **Themes** *Nighthawks at the Diner* explores themes central to Waits’ early career: 1. **Urban Nocturnal Life:** The album paints vivid scenes of late-night diners, smoky bars, and aimless wanderers. Tracks like **"Eggs and Sausage"** capture this milieu perfectly. 2. **Melancholy and Isolation:** Songs such as **"Warm Beer and Cold Women"** delve into loneliness and heartbreak. 3. **Humor Amid Despair:** Despite its somber themes, Waits injects humor into his narratives—whether through absurd imagery or witty banter. 4. **Americana:** The characters populating his songs embody distinctly American archetypes: drunks, vagabonds, diner waitresses—all inhabiting a world that feels timeless yet gritty. These themes establish *Nighthawks at the Diner* as more than just an album; it’s an immersive experience into Waits’ universe. --- ### **Influence** *Nighthawks at the Diner* was pivotal in shaping Tom Waits’ artistic persona—a drunken poet-philosopher chronicling life’s underbelly. The album marked his transition from romantic balladeer (as seen on *Closing Time*) to gritty storyteller—a persona he would refine further on subsequent albums like *Small Change*[3][5]. Its blend of spoken-word poetry with jazz influenced later artists who sought to merge music with narrative performance art. While not commercially successful upon release (peaking at #164 on Billboard), it has since been recognized as an important milestone in Waits’ career[6]. --- ### **Pros** 1. **Unique Concept:** The hybrid live/studio format creates an engaging atmosphere unlike most albums. 2. **Lyrical Brilliance:** Waits’ wordplay is masterful, blending humor with poignant observations. 3. **Atmospheric Music:** The jazz instrumentation complements his storytelling beautifully. 4. **Character Development:** Waits’ persona shines through both his songs and interludes. 5. **Immersive Themes:** The nocturnal urban setting is vividly realized. --- ### **Cons** 1. **Polarizing Format:** Spoken-word interludes may detract from musical flow for some listeners. 2. **Uneven Song Quality:** A few tracks feel less essential compared to standout moments like "Emotional Weather Report." 3. **Limited Accessibility:** Waits’ gravelly voice and unconventional style may alienate casual listeners. 4. **Underappreciated Legacy:** Despite its artistic merit, *Nighthawks* remains overlooked compared to other albums in his catalog. --- ### Conclusion *Nighthawks at the Diner* is an ambitious record that captures Tom Waits at a critical juncture in his career. Its lyrical depth, jazzy musicality, innovative production style, and richly drawn themes make it an enduring work of art—albeit one that may not appeal universally due to its idiosyncratic format. For fans of storytelling in music or those seeking an introduction to Tom Waits’ early work, this album is essential listening despite its minor flaws. It stands as both an entertaining performance piece and a testament to Waits’ ability to turn ordinary settings into extraordinary worlds filled with humor, heartbreak, and humanity.

Not as good as Rain Dogs (obviously) or Frank's Wild Year, Swordfishtrombones or some of the later efforts, but still worth hearing and entertaining for the most part, particularly in the right circumstance/mood. "Upon a Foggy Night," "Eggs and Sausage," "Warm Beer and Cold Women" and "Nobody" are the highlights. The best jokes are about the ambulatory veal chop beating up the coffee that "wasn't strong enough to defend itself" and of course the bit about " The playing is spot-on, if direct and expected in this context. This is borderline too talky / schtick-y at times and could be accused of sameyness, though one gets that talky, schtickiness and consistency of effect/vibe is sort of the point. If doing this floor show routine is what it took to revise his career, then so be it. He's a unique artist – a case could be made for sui generis – and this is a worthwhile entry in his canon.

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 and saucy best. I am not sure how much I'll put it in the rotation, as it does seem a little like a stand alone episode in a great series. Still, Tom is always engaging and an interesting listen.

I think this album helped me to understand Tom Waits a lot more and I think would probably make his studio work more accessible. He clearly has a sharp wit and intelligence.

This album definitely has a vibe!

This was an 8.5/10 for me-- it would have been higher if not for the second half of the album. I know Waits' vocal style isn't for everyone, but I had a lot of fun hearing his weirdly phrased anecdotes and strangely lyrics. It felt like being transported into old New York. The highlights for me were "Emotional Weather Report" "Eggs and Sausage" and "Better Off Without a Wife." I've heard Tom Waits a bit before, but this encouraged me to go deeper into his catalog!

really enjoyed this, love his voice and how he interacts with the crowd, works really well over some intricate musicianship, really good album

I guess no matter how far you get in this project there's always some more Tom Waits coming. I've rated previous albums 5, 4, 4, 2. This is straight ahead Waits, jazzy and fun but doesn't really need to be on this list, doesn't add much to my understanding of his work. Plus one star, though, for rhyming "typsy hacks" with "insomniacs".

Here's another Tom Waits album that is not in my regular rotation, but which I thoroughly enjoyed.

This album is a feeling. Jazzy nightclub vibe with Waits crooning over the top. Unique. Very cool 1001 album worthy: Yes - 51/92

incredible record, i can smell the smoke through the speakers. definitely not an album for all occasions. 7/10

How do I experience this album live this shit was so funny

Jag gillade det här. Lite oväntat. Tom Waits röst är väldigt behaglig att lyssna på. Kommer lyssna igen.

Vrlo specifičan i simpatičan album ali mi spada u red slabijih waitsova

Another artist I had heard the name but knew nothing about, this was quite the pleasant mix of jazz and comedy. I did know the Red Sovine version of Fantom 309 (my dad played a lot of Red Sovine). Very fun album.

Tom Waits is weird but I always like it. Enjoyed this one more than expected.

This is definitely not my favorite Waits album by far, but I still loved it and want to give him four stars for the few great songs on here.

Although I ended up enjoying this album for the most part, the beginning filled me with dread, with the extended monologues. I would have much preferred a shorter album with the majority of the jokes and spoken introductions removed. I imagine that they would grow tiring on repeat listens. I'm still going with 4 stars, because the atmosphere was compelling.

8.5/10. Wow, THAT is entertaining. After trying to gather some information about this album, it appears that it is a faux live album, or a studio album that was recorded with audience ambience. The concept is really interesting, and Tom Waits is quite fun to listen to. It's awesome!!! :)

Now that’s a good use of a live album. Feels like I’m at the fake jazz club in LA, enjoying his charisma, and vibey jazz band, and everyday lyricism.

had not previously heard tom waits' earlier stuff. stylistically, the differences from his 80s output is striking. this seems a tom waits who had not yet subsumed the ethos of trout mask replica. here, waits is content to play the part of eccentric blues man. normally not crazy about live albums; broadly, my issue is that live albums despite the purported intention of immersing the listener—making them feel as if they were actually there—tend to fall flat by artificially refining the setlist and "flow" of the performance. what we typically end up with is compilations of inferior—albeit sometimes rawer—recordings of already released tracks. at that point, the live album merely draws attention to the fact that you are not in fact there. nighthawks at the diner transcends that trope. this is the live album executed to its prophesied intention. the recordings feel very much alive, delicately maintaining a nocturnal jazz-club intimacy. the intros are mostly great (and funny). lyrically, exactly what i'd want from tom waits. imagery is wonderfully evocative, verging on poetry. does not fully justify the 80 minute runtime, so could benefit from tighter tracklist. also can't help but crave the oddball affectations and beefheart-esque production that define his later works. at its best, feels like listening in on the ramblings of a sage drunk. sidenote: tom waits has an elite face, oddly congruent with his music (physiognomic determinism?). a face like that is not capable of making sanitized pop music. a face like that can only make music for sickos.

Definitely captures jazz club atmosphere. Burger and fries, hashbrowns with that swinging piano, crezy. I love the atmosphere this creates, but seems full enjoyment of this album requires time to listen to what Tom is saying, and like him as a person. 3.5

This album is a delight. Tom Waits is in late-night drunken poet mode and he has an excellent jazz band backing his spoken word stories and wordy one-liners. There are too many good lines here to write them all down but I jotted down two in the moment. One is right at the top: “I’m so goddamn horny, the crack of dawn better be careful around me.” And later, describing himself walking down the street drunk, he says he’s “using parking meters as walking sticks.” Puts the image right in your mind. The story behind this album is interesting and the Wikipedia write-up is worth a quick read. It's technically a studio album but to recreate the live feeling of a jazz club, they invited audience members to drink and sit at tables in studio and recorded a total of four performances across two days. They even had a burlesque dancer as the opener. Such a cool idea. The energy of the live recording is perfect.

Classic

Love.

Love me some Tom Wait - especially live and intimate!

Am more of a fan of his later works but this is still great

listened to again this is poetry at its finest

Tom can sing a weather report (albeit an emotional one) and I dig it.

Sort of hard-boiled, noir-ish comedy as much as music (albeit the band are brilliant). Amazing storytelling; sad, grimy, lonesome yet richly compelling. Nocturnal melodrama indeed. This might have baffled me a bit as a youngster but Tom Waits seems to sneak up on me with age. Like.

“Okay, so how did you imagine getting that live sound on your upcoming album?” “Hear me out. We will all play at the same time - in front of an audience!” “Oh, so it is a live album then?” “WHAT?! No! I must be explaining it badly … You see … “

Thought I hated Tom Waits, but got proved completely wrong.

Great story telling; a special live album.

Tom Waits is so good, this is maybe not his best work but it’s still a great record.

Mein erstes Tom Waits Album! Hat viel Spaß gemacht beim hören, sehr athmosphärisch, wenn ich jetzt nur noch verstehen würde, was es da zu lachen gibt!!?

Tom Waits. Always recognized. This is the perfect diner experience.

This is the kind of Jazz I like! Loved having this on in the background while I worked. Made me feel very cozy!

Die Musik gefällt mir ja recht gut, interessante Stimme. Die Texte scheinen recht lustig zu sein, jedenfalls lachen die Zuschauer öfter. Aber ich verstehe kein Wort, auch nicht, wenn ich mir den Text anzeigen lasse.

Especially for an over an hour album, I really enjoyed this rambling over jazz playing lol.

vibes

The weirdest Tom Waits album I've heard to date I think, and I doubt I'll listen to it much. The jokes are kind of sometimes hard to understand, but hey, it's Tom Waits.

The great Tom Waits improvising live jazz with great jazz musicians. What could go wrong with it?

I’m not a massive fan of Tom Waits in general, based on my previous exposure to his music, but I gotta say, I liked this. It was recorded in front of a small, invited audience at Record Plant LA studios over two days (nights?) in July of 1975, so it has a nice live and loose feel to it, with a touch of the Jack Kerouac’s in Waits’ delivery of the material, and backed by an excellent jazz band. In fact, they probably steal the show and are the unsung heroes of the album. These guys are first rate musicians and deserve their own record. So, overall then, sure ‘Nighthawks At The Diner’ is probably a bit of a slog to listen to in one hit, but there’s a lot to like here, and it certainly, unexpectedly won me over.

Working mans jazz. Strips away any pretentiousness. They songs all flow seamlessly. A good listen. It can run a bit long, but a good time overall.

I like Tom Waits' storytelling approach to his music, and the recording of this album in front of a small audience to simulate a jazz club is a pretty cool concept, it definitely hits that vibe. Its not exactly my jam, but I can appreciate it. I have a hard time picking out one or two songs to focus on, the nature of the way it was recorded translates into listening to it the same way, as a whole. Pretty cool concept.

Tom Waits seems like a charming, affable low life and I it’s very endearing. This is a fun album. I couldn’t imagine listening to individual songs on it as it plays better as a whole. Good stuff!

One's a fan but this is a bit too talky and floor-showy for one's tastes, but glad it helped revive/sustain his career. Certainly it feels authentic and seems like the crowd was into it. "Upon a Foggy Night" and "Warm Beer and Cold Women" and "Phantom 309" are the highlights. Piano and sax playing are here and there inspired. This is a full notch below Rain Dogs and Swordfishtrombones and even Frank's Wild Years. Still, rounding up for its uniqueness; few, if any, other artists coulda pulled this off.

I mean, it's Tom Waits. Even when it's goofy, it's alway entertaining.

I like almost everything that Tom Waits has done. No exception here. I already own this album and spin it a fair bit, and doubtless will continue to do so

Best wel chill

basically a stand up comedy set with a jazz-y blues backing. pretty fun, definitely a bit long though

This is the best fake live album ever made.

ljómandi skemmtilegt. er hrifnari af síðari biðstöð. 4.

While I would personally choose Small Change to represent early Tom Waits jazz club singer phase, this album does probably most encapsulate it as a concept. It also really shows off his character and illustrates why he's so appealing as a person. Lots of daft rough around the edges witticisms, "sleeping til the crack of noon". His little infectious laughs. The band are clearly fabulous. "A pressure and a plivelege to work with". Also, some people are going to really hate this, I almost don't dare open the reviews. In terms of albums that are "a whole vibe" this is definitely right up there. Other records have more brilliant songs, but that almost isn't the point here, and oddly it seems to work and not matter. Really enjoyable, but it is a prerequisite to completely surrender to the conceit, or you are in for a raggedy time. It's definitely too long, and I'm ready for it to end when it does (or before it does) but it's still getting a low 4.

Tom Waits & jazz - two things I don't usually get combine for an enjoyable album. Makes me think he'd be better live.

4.25

I loved this. Even though it's a staged live show, and spoken-work jazz can come off as super cheesy or cliche, there's just something about Tom's delivery that totally clicks for me. And the backing musicians are fantastic!

Don't have to ask permission if I wanna go out fishin

Was not aware that this was a live album, but it has all the soul, wit, and dry humor that makes Waits such a treasure.

I've been avoiding this album. I stopped mid-way through the first song on my first attempt. I was not mentally ready for a spoken album. The idea of a semi-stand-up routine with the occasional jazzy ensemble was not appealing to me (especially for 1 hr and 13 min). I stuck it out for the second attempt (and some encouraging words from friends). I'm glad that I did. I enjoyed the caricature of it all - the voice, the content, the lounge/bar setup (not to mention the Large Marge-esque ghost trucker story!). It was a little long, and many of the jokes went over my 27 year-old self, but overall, a memorable album. That's all for now. I gotta make like a hockey player and get the puck outta here.

The intersection of the Venn diagram of "Me" and "Liking Tom Waits." This is a depiction of Waits as both a comedian and a musician; it's ridiculously entertaining and the songs are bitingly funny. Not sure what happened with his later work, it's like he spent two years alone in a padded cell with some percussive instruments.

Previously liked

It is unclear exactly how much of this is meant to be a joke, but it was enjoyable and there were some real standout tunes sprinkled through it.

September 29, 2024 Spent half of this album frustrated that I wasn't in on the jokes like Tom Waits & his audience were, and the other half going ‘"get the puck outta here", aha hockey I understood that reference’ 🤓 A pleasant enough time, I’d like to come back to this album on a cold day in winter, since the faux live setting is undeniably cozy n’ immersive. This is probably the least essential Waits on this list, but has tons of character & spontaneity even for a Waits album. Still a bit mad at how long it was, but the good far overweighs the not-so-good this time.

Я не уверен насчет всего контента и Тома Вэйтса в целом, но этот альбом меня удивил. Во-первых, это звучит только отчасти как Том Вэйтс, которого я знаю. Но главное, это просто интересный альбом, очень смешной и прямой как будто? Хороший альбом. Лучшая песня - Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac With Susan Michelson) (с интро).

So was von cooler Atmosphäre, lockeren Sprüchen und schnoddriger Anbiederung: man muss es lieben, denn es ist nicht nur Jazz, sondern dazu auch von Tom Waits, dem erzählenden Sänger.

I kind of want to like this. There is a really pressing friction where the fantasy of the club, singer, audience interaction is so polished that you can't really help but be taken along with it, and the reality that it is curated, honed, re-recorded and edited to the point where one can no longer suspend one's disbelief. It is no secret that I'm not a fan of live recordings; audience noises contribute nothing of value, and almost universally the sound production and performance cannot match what can be achieved within a studio. I can think of perhaps three or four live sessions where the talent overcomes the limitations of "live". This is not a live album, and that is evident by the silkiness of the production that surpasses even the likes of Ellington at Newport, Jerry Lee Lewis at the Star Club, Hamburg or Muddy Waters live at Newport, 1960. However skilled the artifice though - it's a jarring disconnect from the fantasy it portrays. This might be the intention - I don't know, I'm not clever enough to know these things - but if it is, it would make the exercise one of ridiculous ponciness, and that makes it more difficult to suffer. Ultimately, I want to like it. I just don't feel I can switch off enough to actually really like it.

From a technical perspective, Tom Waits is not good. He sounds like a bumbling drunk. But from an entertainment perspective? This is excellent. The music was outstanding. The comedic timing was brilliant. I really felt like I was in a boozy jazz club in 1970s LA.

One hour and thirteen minutes of Tom Waits doing his best impression of a sleazy nightclub piano man. I can see why some people would REALLY hate this album because it basically sounds like 73 minutes of drunken rambling over a bluesy jazz band and piped in audience noises. HOWEVER I massively enjoyed listening to this album. The whole time I was just wishing I was in some dimly lit club where you can smoke indoors, plastered on cheap whiskey with several women who are definitely on amphetamines (diet pills). I have a bad habit of sort of tuning out what’s actually being said in music a lot of the time and more focus on the sound and rhythm of the vocals over the lyrical content, and I enjoy Tom Waits gravelly voice crooning along to that smooth ass instrumental. When I did tune into the vocals they were kinda funny. My bitch wife type content. In summary if I were Tom Waits I would have named all my albums things like “for the bus” so the album read Tom Waits for the bus.

The first song on this album sounded almost like a comical take on a jazz musician on SNL. I can imagine some comedian wearing super dark glasses with a cigar doing a bit and just spouting random nonsense like being a "swingin' cat". That said, I can definitely imagine sitting in a club, listening to this and just being fucking entertained. I've never really listened to "spoken word" music before like this, but the jazzy blues ilicited visons of a seedy, underbelly club from the 70s thick with ciggerette smoke and dinner tables with dim bankers lamps infront of the stage. I don't know who was playing the piano but my god, it shines with that sax. Im writing this still in the introduction song, and it's very good. The further I listened, the more it reminded me of a small Jazz band I stumbled onto playing live in this dingy bar in Wellington (Taylor probably knows the one). They were fantastic, noone was really talking, they just stood absolutely attuned to the talent of these artists. This provides the same sort of experience, everyone just drinking and watching. I do really enjoy the crowd sounds on the track, I believe it really adds to this feeling. I enjoyed just about all the tracks on the album. I found On A Foggy Night and Better Of Without A Wife to be not as much my style, but still incredibly well performed or the story telling was great. Tom Waits has an incredible voice with such character. Most interestingly, a lot of the intros with large talking portions with just piano and the bass playing in the background were my favourite. I feel you wouldn't get the full experience without these intros, they are integral to the feeling of the album. I most definitely listen to this album again, and I feel like I have been introduced to a completely new to me genre that I'm excited to explore.

My first listen I thought I was listening to one of my new all time favourites, this album captures a range of emotions so well, it's surprisingly funny, but also melancholic and introspective. Waits has a way with words that can't be understated. On further listens the recency bias wore of a bit and I saw it for what it was, a little rough around the edges but a still astonishing piece of spoken word poetry, delivered by one of the best voices in music over the top of remarkable jazz. I have no doubt for those who saw this live it was life changing. I also can't see why you could dislike this album, think it's just good or alright maybe but the jazz is so good and the delivery so capturing it couldn't possibly get a bad review... right? Right? Low 9/10 for now but definitely something I'm going to return to regularly , really awesome to capture a live performance of a GOAT before his prime. A really magical and important album. 1001 - 26 (24 Was Kid A btw hence no review) Tom Waits - Nighthawks at the Diner (1975) Genre - Spoken Word, Jazz added to the music list. 🐍 9/10 Fav tracks - Opening Intro, Emotional Weather Report, Eggs and Sausage, Better of Without a Wife, Nighthawk Postcard (Free Easy Street), Warm Beer and Cold Women, Putnam County, Spare Parts I (A Nocturnal Emmission), Big Joe and Phantom 309, Spare Parts II and closing Least Fav - None really

This one was I think the first album that doesn't feel like you're traditional album. Closer to a set from a comedian that was recorded, in this case none of the jokes were landing. THAT SAID I really liked this, felt like I was in a smoky bar listening to this guy sing about his week, In terms of music itself it fit the tone, little Jazzy but mostly Blues kinda vibe, it fit well. Tom does a good job pulling me in and making me feel like I am there soaking up his stories in a bar full of people, staff running drinks around and listening to his story about not wanting a wife because she won't let him go fishing with the fellas. 4/5

Best Song: Eggs and Sausage. A perfect example of what is possible in this genre of music. An elevation of ordinary materials to something that feels, lyrically, like more than the sum of its part. Worst Song: Nobody. Far too sleepy and repetitive this late in the game. Overall: The jazz-club motif is so strong here that the album feels like it has the intensity and energy of a live recording, while maintaining the production of a studio setting. This is also a sweet spot for Waits in his career, where maintains some of his soft-boy aesthetic from earlier in his career but he hasn't fully dived into the grit-and-gravel voice that dominates his later records. The album also has a pleasant sense of humor that is really difficult to capture in a record like this. Really my only complaint is that it gets a bit long in the end

My favourite kind of bonkers album. Nothing individually great, but the whole thing is a riot of mad fun.

while initially i wasn't feeling this spoken word live performance, the more i listened the more i honestly liked it. waits just has this voice like no other, he croaks every line and a lot of the lyrics he recites really resonate. the jazzy accompaniments also are nice to listen to... like with other albums on this list, this one isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if you treat it with the respect it deserves, it's a artistic live performance. kick up a chair and smoke a cig, you dig?

“I’ve been standing on the corner of 5th and Vermouth.” That was the best Beat poetry slam I’ve ever attended.

Unlike yesterday’s unfortunate album, Tom Waits is an artist that I will gladly spend time with again. Swordfishtrombones still remains one of the most interesting albums I’ve ever heard, and Waits himself is a very enigmatic person. So being able to dive into more of his music is great. Because I’d love to become familiar with as much of it as I can. Believe it or not, there was a time where his music could sort of be considered “normal”. The release of Swordfishtrombones seems to have been the turning point. This record comes quite a few years before that. And even before you can get into the music, you have to understand the set up. This is like a live album, but not. It was performed in front of a live audience, across four days. But at a recording studio, that was set up to feel like a jazz club. People didn’t pay for tickets to see this. At least I don’t think so. And you know what, all things considered they nailed the vibe and energy. This has a super relaxed atmosphere. The crowd also loves him. Maybe too much at some points. They laugh at damn near every remark and joke he makes. But this does a really good job at giving a much clearer view into who Waits is as a person, and as a character. And what a character he is. If that wasn’t clear from any one of his songs. His music is filled to the brim with a slightly twisted and dark adult sense of humor. It’s what makes him such a remarkable lyricist. This album in particular has some of the weirdest writing I’ve ever heard. But this fact probably contributes to the accessibility, or lack thereof, in his music. It’s something you have to be able to get behind. The idea of saying so much with so little is not at all present here. It’s the opposite, in fact. I’m aware this is almost entirely drunken rambling. But there is a part of me that could listen to him talk about anything. Thankfully, beyond all of that, this is a solid chill jazz album. And Tom just happens to have a fantastic band backing him up. That bass player? Good shit right there. If you are a fan of him, I believe there is reason to give this a chance. Even if it’s a little too long. Just think of it as Bedtime Stories with Tom Waits. Except you are more likely to get some pretty vivid nightmares from this. Rating: 7/10

Perhaps his best record of his early era! The secret ingredient is the live atmosphere, it adds a sense of authenticity to Waits’ performing that lets the music flourish

What I've enjoyed about previous Tom Waits albums that the generator spewed up has usually been the gritty, grimy, shambolic and raw instrumentation - coupled with his inimitable voice, of course. This time round the music is completely different - smooth as silk and sophisticated in a way I wouldn't expect to enjoy. Somehow though, when coupled with that same voice, the atmosphere of drunken urban sleaze created is much like those other albums. Perhaps it's because the emphasis on lyrics is so much heavier here. At first it feels like he's sending up jazz-club banter in a cartoonish fashion, but then I realised no - this is actually funny! He'd make a decent stand-up, as well as a masterful storyteller. Will I return to this album? Probably not often. But I certainly enjoyed it, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how engaging and effective the whole thing was, as well as how unique it is among the ranks of the 1001.

Brilliant jazz spoken word/ sung style. Relaxing and hilarious, Tom Waits nails his characterization.

I've avidly disliked Tom Waits, his voice sounds like he's in a meat grinder and as a singer myself it gives me anxiety. However, this album, I get. It's super charming, there's really high quality to the musicianship, his stories are funny, and it's unique. Cool stuff.

Fantastic early Waits. I thought it was actually a live album, but it’s actually a studio album with people invited to make it sound like a jazz club. I thought it was, so it’s effective enough to fool me! The stories here are great. Warm Beer and Cold Women is a great song with one of the best titles ever.

Pretty good, and interesting

I definitely wasn't able to give this the level of attention it deserved, given I was driving at the time. The story of this album's production is pretty interesting and helped give it some context. However, I admit I liked imagining it at a jazz bar more than I like knowing it was actually just a recording studio, albeit set up like a jazz bar. The intro to "Better Off Without a Wife" was the highlight for me. The outro with the band introductions was also pretty funny. I'm not super into this spoken word kinda thing but even still, I was entertained.

Hadn't listened to the album before. I wasn't expecting that this would be so accessible. Really great songs, and a great recording for a live album. "She's been married so many times she got rice marks all over her face."

Enjoyed this one a lot. Never heard this album before, but I used to have his follow-up (Small Change) on vinyl back in the day. I think Nighthawks is better.

First time hearing Tom Waits. I remember my brother talking about how he had a Cookie Monster voice, so I wasn't looking forward to this. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the album. Nice jazz, fun lyrics, good atmosphere, and his vocals reminded me of George Thorogood more than Cookie Monster.

This is sheer brilliance. The original rapper. Tom's ease of communicating in this style of whatever you want to call it is impeccable proof of a true artistic genius at work. Not sure why I don't want to give him 5 stars, maybe because I can only handle listening to it once every few years.

I'm enjoying learning more about Tom Waits, as I don't know much about him to be fair. I like this gravelly voice. I was surprised to here he was 25 when he recorded this, I would have guessed 40 or something given the voice. I thought the show was quite entertaining and told stories I was interested in. Tom Waits also had the crowd's attention and was quite funny! Big Joe and Phantom 309 stood out most to me.

I'd not played this before despite having quite a few Tom Waits albums in my collection. The album has a rather nice ambience with the invited crowd in the studio. Waits' voice is characteristically cracked sounding. The odd thing is that because his vocal style verges on speaking, the intro sections between songs and the songs themselves seem to merge together. On the whole I like this album and I've added it to my Qobuz favourites. Not up there with Rain Dogs and later albums, maybe, but it could be a grower.

Tom Waits has a rugged wisdom that really makes him feel genuine. This album is fun, thought provoking and hilarious. What else could you ask for in a spoken word jazz album?

I did not care for this record at the start... It isn't so much of a music record. Not a typical one at least. But this one grew on me the more I listened. I'm happy I kept going. This album is live in an intimate setting. It sounds like he is playing in front of maybe 50 people in an old diner, or old comedy hall. This album is part live music, part story telling, part stand up comedy. I have not heard a record like this before. I am pretty sure it was an ambitious and gutsy decision to release such a non traditional type of live album. Musically, it's very jazzy: saxophone, piano, stand up bass, drums, and Tom Waits' "gravel-filled-mouth" vocal style. He sounds like he lives off cigarettes and whiskey. There's almost an improvisational feel to what Tom Waits is saying. Again, this album feels very Jazzy. I knew a guy who reminded me of Tom Waits. As he sounded very similar to him and even had similar eccentricities. He was the lead singer of a local band called Rye N' the Vats. Unfortunately he passed away suddenly and then a few years later, one of the percussionist's passed away too. Both great dudes. Both talented people. You can youtube theit name and watch a lot of their live stuff. Great stuff! Anyways, this record started off meh, but when it ended, I wanted more. There is only one Tom Waits.

Oh man what a trip. "I'm so goddamn horny the crack of dawn has to be careful around me". Brilliant album.

I love this album, 4 star rating is because I think Tom has done better (Raindogs, Swordfishtrombones, Franks Wild years). The bass player is amazing and does need to be chained up

Waits recreated a small jazz club, complete with audience, inside the recording studio for this album. That may sounds gimmicky but it definitely works exactly as planned. If you didn't know any better, you'd swear it was live. Waits' crude, humorous, and growly spoken word is always likeable and is made all the more accessible by the accompanying jazz band. There's no sign of his later avant garde style here. This is something you might take a date to, as long as they had a good sense of humor and weren't easily offended. This is a great showcase of his early work. I'm not sure it needed to be a double album though. Enjoyable as it was, I was ready to change albums by the middle of side 3.

I really like this actually. It sounds great, it’s entertaining and flows well. It’s funny. Solid 4

Prob waits most jazz and bluesy beatnik and least song oriented effort from his early days. It's not peak Waits but I still love it.

3.5

Beautiful, melodic, dirty and sweet. 8.3/10 Best Track: "Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson)"

my exposure to tom waits is fairly limited - i've listened to his first two albums on my own, but haven't explored him much further. i know his album gets a little more avant garde and challenging to listen to, but i found this one to be a fun listen. it's a fun jazz record with a live audience environment, it really gets the 'jazz club' aesthetic down. the musicianship is great but not very showy. waits' songs are fun and very off-kilter and wacky. probably not everyone's bag, but i appreciate the sort of sleazy vibe he was going for. definitely one i think i could appreciate more with additional listens.

Rough voice always takes a bit to get used to but always love the weird stories. The jazz club vibe is interesting, I like it

good music plus funny as fuck

Bastante rollo, pero canta bien y el estilo jazz me gusta.

What a weird album, but I didnt hate it. Not at all.

Great!

It's not for everyone, but it's got a charm that pulls you in. It's both "other" and classically cool.

Ну а что прикольно. Блюзовый хриплый мужик рассказывает на концерте своё видение жизни, очень душевно, аудитория мега урчит. Я в принципе тоже с удовольствием послушал

Great “live” album. Fun listen

I’ve really enjoyed the Tom Waits songs I’ve had so far, so I’m excited to hear today’s album. He’s got a voice from another planet and I can’t get enough. Let’s listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Better Off Without A Wife This was a really pleasant experience. It felt very much like sitting in a smoky jazz bar - something I’ve never done in my life but definitely feels like a cool thing to do. There is a lovely banter with the crowd, but once the music starts the crowd is silent and you can hear how focused they become. It’s hard not to, as Tom Waits’ music and voice is spectacular. I’m not usually a fan of jazz, but this was really pleasant.

This album was described as giving the feeling of a night in a jazz club and delivered that excellently

4.25

Tom Waits rules. Super unique voice and style. I love the conceptual nature of this album. It's goofy and weird in his very distinct way.

Great personality, wonderful band, but I just don't like his endless droning.

Turns out Tom Waits does jazz and blues way better than pop

Could've listened to him going on all day. (I wrote the above after 45 minutes, a half hour later I'd just about had my fill...)

Would like to revisit.

Really unique, funny and enjoyable for the most part, got a bit repetitive near the end though

I'd tried to listen to Rain Dogs a number of times before and I could never get into the Tom Waits character on that album. Maybe it's that the clean studio recording didn't match the character? Whatever the reason, I have never taken it seriously. I was initially disappointed when I saw this album as my album of the day because of this preconceived notion. I must say, the live nature if this album gave validity to the TW character, and I really enjoyed the music and stories. I feel that time hasn't smiled too kindly on the references etc. as many went over my head. But all in all, I'll probably listen to this again. 4/5

It’s hard not to smile when finished with this album. I think this is something to be enjoyed in its entirety. Tom is gravely and an entrancing story teller. The music is simple but delightful for a whiskey drinking hang out. The music sounds like a dive bar.

It’s divisive for some. There are those who don’t love the gruff voice and boxy piano-ish thing here. But for me? I love it. Speaks to a place in my head and heart. Happier to listen to this than Bob Dylan. I said what I said.

I really like this album. I own two of Tom’s later Asylum years albums, inherited from my Dad. I can just imagine sitting in a smoky basement club, listening to this band, slowly getting stoned and thinking life cannot get better.

I’m so horny, the crack of dawn isn’t safe around me.

groooooohvvy I'm right there in the smoke filled room and thinking about slipping the bass player my number

An intimate live, I feel right there listening to the stories.

What can I say...it is Tom Waits! Love these "intro" stories and his gravelly voice.

Wonderful - just a pity I don't understand lots of the words

The rich and immersive sound production, the excellence of the backing band, the hilarity of the banter with the audience (along with their responses), and the clever wordplay and vibrant lyrical imagery, make this album a diamond in the rough that is Tom Waits' discography.

Enjoyed it more than I thought it would. “Eggs and sausage” raised it from 3 stars to 4, it was that great.

I liked it. Felt relevant depsute being 49 years old. Didn't feel samey despite the vocal/spoken word style. Really enjoyed the lyrics. It feels like a film about a cast of grimy characters.

Funky but fun.

This is a weird one. Is it technically a live album or technically a studio album? It's both. Kinda. They wanted to do a live album because that's where Waits thrived. Got him in that rare jazz mood where he can rattle off the coolest one-liners you'll ever hear. But the venues around town were "toilets" in the 70s, so they decided to just invite some people into the studio for two nights to do a live show--but they recorded it using studio equipment in a studio environment. So some people criticize this recording for being fake. Bohemian coffeehouse cool oozes from this album, Waits standing there with a drink in one hand, a cigarette in the other, as he swaggers and stumbles around the microphone, doing what he does best: lowering the temperature of the room with the coolest anecdotes around. Some real laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled here.

Nice!

Oh, this is great. I know I overly romanticize jazz clubs and I know this was recorded in a studio with a small invited audience to give it a jazz-club feel, but I don’t care because I’m a sucker for this style and I love it. Tom Waits is very cool.

Alsof je in een bar zit met livemuziek, en dan wel een van meer dan 50 jaar geleden natuurlijk, waar het blauw staat van de rook. Voor zover je het podium kan zien, staat er een jazzbandje en zit een gast achter de piano schijtlollige verhalen te vertellen. Als je goed op de teksten let, dan is het buitengewoon vermakelijk. Maar ik let natuurlijk niet op de tekst, ik zit gewoon aan de bar en ga de taplijst af op zoek naar nieuwe ticks. In die tijd viel dat niet mee waarschijnlijk, de keuze was tussen 5 soorten lager en misschien een verdwaalde stout. Maar ik let dus amper op de muziek, het is een beetje achtergrondgeluid om je bezig te houden in de kroeg. Zoals in een Engelse pub een televisie aanstaat met een Engelse soapserie met het geluid uit (bij gebrek aan live sport). Het trekt op een of andere manier toch je aandacht, maar op het moment dat je kijkt, dan vraag je je af waarom. Ergens wil ik dit dus soort van afkraken, maar je wordt toch gedwongen om de teksten erbij te pakken. En het zijn wel echt toffe of grappige verhalen. Of dit nu in de 1001 hoort, dat valt te betwisten. Maar het is wel een unieke luisterervaring. Ik had er stiekem toch best bij willen zijn een keer in zo'n kroeg.

Bastante rollo, pero canta bien y el estilo jazz me gusta.

Different, vocal-heavy, decent story and atmosphere, no catchiness, more a vibe

very funny, not something I could listen to often though

Like being at a jazz club

unique with the jazz club feel, enjoyed it. listened 2x 3.8/5

It's a drunk hard scrabble lounge singer album and I love it.

4.5

Tom Waits is gin. An acquired taste that I'm not often prepared to put in the time or effort for. My favorite album of his remains "Closing Time" and that might have something to do with the fact his vocals aren't as, how you say, loud, on the album. And this one works for the most part. It's probably the best of the too many Tom Waits albums on this list (which for some reason, doesn't include the aforementioned Closing Time). This was still when Waits was younger and hungry and had the sense to listen to the opinions of those who knew better than he.

Þetta er svo klikkaðslega gott concept. Tom reytir af sér brandarana og jazzbandið er sturlað. Elsk!

This is going to be one big contradiction, as on one hand I really really enjoyed it but on the other hand I felt I was listening to the same track over and over. I think I really enjoyed it though. I think I’ll listen to this a lot more. I dont think I entirely ‘get it’ but I’m fine with that.

I knew of Tom Waits and had been meaning to listen to him. I enjoyed this, but not sure yes really music, as much as entertainment with music. was good though. Would be great entertainment if you were drinking in a bar. 3.5 In spare parts 1, he mentions Stan getz records.... Which was our next album in this list!

It's a fun album

What a fucking cool album. After his masterbation monologue I was hooked. Only complaint was he used the word Jackknife 67 times.

There is a level of cool that none of us will ever obtain. That’s the Tom Waits level. It would have been really cool to see this live. Just a musical poet with a piano and some scotch.

8.0 First all, is Tom Waits doing black face? Nevermind. Anyway this live album is certainly a mood. Literary in the from the gutter, bukowski drunk, ways. He spins long vivid scenes and metaphors and lines and routines that call to mind nothing less than a high minded comedy routine over an ambling, tinkling jazz soundtrack replete with the occasional toss off scatted line.This is an urban album (what ever the opposite of pastoral would be) that feels like it's romanticing a lost LA of a distant-but not too distant past, and Tom Waits portrays the down and out jazzman pinballing through late night scenes to morning regrets and cycling on an on. Its a schtick, but a pretty good one and the late night, gin soaked, gutter-poetic mood is here from the start to the end.

Wonderfully weird. I would have liked to be at one of those recording sessions. During one of his monologues he talked about saving coupons from packs of cigarettes to redeem for lawn furniture and I had a flashback of my mother doing that exact thing.

Not sure I will listen to this again, but I appreciated this album for how real it felt. I think I would enjoy seeing this man live.

I don’t Belive it but it seems I like jazz

This is highly entertaining and distinctive. I will undoubtedly come back to this album.

Ég held þetta hljóti að vera plata sem græði á því að hlustendur taki eftir textunum í mun meira mæli en ég gerði, svo miðað við hlátrasköllin í áheyrendum. En svo er þetta líka notalegur atmospheric jazz og stendur alveg fyrir sínu. Ég kaupi þetta.

Ihan nasta tää studiolive. Kiva pubitunnelma johon Tompan Island-aikakauden ääni kieltämättä sopii hyvin. Diggailen kyllä vaikkei lemppari Waitsin tuotannosta olekaan. 4/5

Tom Waitsia ei oo turhaan näin paljon listalla. Nää live-hommat toimii erinomaisesti tällä levyllä myös! 4/5

Good

Heard before: yes The definition of riz. He wrote so many better individual songs before and after this record, but nothing captures the Tom Waits-ness of Tom Waits better. Should not be played before midnight. Top tracks: Better Off Without A Wife (and Intro), Big Joe And Phantom 309, Warm Beer And Cold Women

Pretty hefty looking album: 18 songs over a 73 minute runtime. Album cover looks a bit like Bryan from another timeline. Opening Intro sets some sort of mood with some smooth jazz with spoken word erring on stand-up comedy delivered to a small room. This bleeds seamlessly into Emotional Weather Report, which continues the exact same bass progression with a different set of subject matter. This is so far a weird, jazz-comedy album, but On A Foggy Night feels like the first earnest song and I'm into it. The live-feeling album approach is an interesting choice, with comedy intros preceding each actual song. I will say, weird as it is, it is very effectively done; it feels natural as if we are actually sitting in the jazz parlor with him and the rest of the audience. Eggs And Sausage is the most popular song on the record, and I can see why. Sparkly keys paired with luxurious bass and Waits crooning above. It works well. Very pretty song; man behind the keys earns his keep. I had this running in the background while working an obnoxious problem, so took little note of individual songs. That said, I actually enjoyed this album way more than I would have expected. The format is sort of strange, but it is effectively done and fits the generally laid back jazz music that forms the central element of the album. I enjoy the looseness and find Wait's vocals and comedic interchange to be effective. He has a poetic delivery that calls to the common experience. 4 / 5.

Love this jazz. An interesting live album where he's having some conversation with the audience. Some story telling, some straight comedy. An enjoyable listen, and would be cool to be there in person. We're on a bit of a hot streak lately, not too many misses.

Love Tom Waits and I want to be in the imaginary jazz club where all these nonsense happened

This was really good! I’m not mad for Tom Waits. Tried the usual two, Rain Dogs and Swordfishtrombone or whatever it’s called and they did nothing for me. This, however, was thoroughly enjoyable. Like listening to some drunk dude tell you stories with lovely musical accompaniment behind him. Really loved the feel of the album!

Very atmospheric.

This is my second Tom Waits album that I've reviewed so far. The first was Heartattack and Vine. Having very little familiarity with Tom before this exercise, I expected this album to be sludgy blues/folk, similar to the other album I'd reviewed. Boy was I wrong! Today's album was more of a jazz number than blues. For this record, he opened his recording studio up to a small group of people, and set the studio up like a seedy jazz bar, so it is super polished, but has that live feel to it. He has hilarious preambles before most songs. His preamble before the song Better Off Without a Wife is about masturbation of all things. Although being very different, it was equally as powerful as his other stuff. Tom Waits is a musical genius, this album is fucking great!! His rendition of Red Sovine's song Phantom 309 was awesome! That is such a powerful song! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this album. I've been very surprised by Tom Waits so far, having not known him before this exercise, and discovering that I love his stuff. The man is a poet! The way he weaves a story through his lyrics that places you in that seedy dive bar, or on the dirty streets of New York, he takes you on a hell of a ride! You can almost smell the whiskey and cigar smoke! Favourite songs: Spare Parts I (A Nocturnal Emission), Better Off Without a Wife, Big Joe and Phantom 309, Warm Beer and Cold Women, Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac With Susan Michelson), Putnam County Least favourite songs: On a Foggy Night 4/5

Jazzy, enjoyable listen. Some funny parts with the live conversations with audiences. Enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Listen again gladly

I wanna drink whiskey and smoke cigarettes

The fact that this album was recorded with an in-studio audience to create the atmosphere of a jazz club live performance is very effective.

Fet stemning!

Really liked the album concept. Definitely felt like I was listening to live jazz performance. My favorite Waits album, solid 4!

Enjoyed this album quite a bit. Excellent job by the Record Plant to setup and recreate a jazz club environment Waits storytelling and between song interludes are funny and interesting. Better Off Without a Wife is a fantastic song that's both funny and melancholy. I'm becoming more of a Tom Waits fan the more I listen to him.

What a voice! Album is perhaps a bit longer than it needs to be, but I'm not sure what I would drop. His songs and patter are so funny, when he chooses, but also really musically engaging. The idea of a 'live' album in a studio (read the wiki page) is such simple genius, I am going to rip it off for future recording projects.

Took me a while to get used to this album, since overall it's more talking and telling stories rather than music. The music is very pristine though and near the end I started to enjoy it more and more, so it would feel offensive to give it any less than a 4.

I really like Tom Waits and many of the songs here, but not this album as a whole experience. As one of the greatest storytellers in song Tom's not worried though, and you shouldn't be either. Hang onto that dime!

This one definitely depends on the listening setting but I love what Tom Waits did with the story telling, fun to listen to and such an unusual sounds. Definitely not one for every/any occasion though and perhaps a bit of a marmite situation.

Like Heart of Saturday Night but live, with some funny commentary between songs. Good but doesn’t top HoSN on my list.

Might be good to listen to in a restaurant while dining. Don't find half the jokes funny tho.

superclassic Waits, I don't listen to but I'm happy he is there.

Very unique. Feels like actually being in a Jazz club. The combination of Waits' way of being and the amazing band creates a great experience.

The whole vibe of this album is super cool. It feels like some drunk dude rambling in a dim lit Smokey bar. The type of album that my parents parents wouldn’t let them listen to but would secretly listen to while they were asleep. Paints a vivid picture that I can attempt to describe in my crappy little thesis

A really fun spoken word jazz album. 4/5. Favorite Track: Nighthawk Postcards (From Easy Street)

Pour me a cup of mud, friend. The perfect album to listen to if the world has turned black and white and you are alone, solving the mystery of why your ex left you, why you drink alone, and what's for breakfast. Tom's gravel and silk voice carries on - not near as serious as the previous album of his that was generated. I don't think I'll listen to this one as much but I did like "better off", "warm beer", "big joe" and a couple others.

I feel like this is an album that I would love in the right setting. Seeing this done live in a smoky dive bar with a cheap beer in my hand would be a five-star experience. Listening in my earbuds while I did house work felt more three-star, but I want to give it four for that potential.

Just such damn great writing, and I love the live participation

tom waits is like a less vulgar version of our own Nigel Spackman. thought i'd be sick to death of tom by now and live albums usually boil my piss, but this was by far the most enjoyable one of his seven millions albums on this list we've had and that's in spite of all the cool daddios whooping and clicking their fingers that you frequently hear.

A bin bag full of knickers of the victims spilled out as the carriage doors opened. Tom and I locked eyes, he showed no panic, no fear. I was terrified. I could see that the other passengers were watching, but Tom just picked up the soiled underwear and stuffed it back in the bag. I wanted to make a break for it, the open door was beckoning me towards it, but Tom gave me a look as if to say "you're going nowhere". I sat back in my seat and tried to gain my composure, sweat was dripping from my brow and my heart was pounding. Had we just been caught on camera? Will any of the witnesses call the police? Will Tom Waits deliver the same fate to me, as he had all these poor women?

Love the way this feels like a live album. Funny and poignant at times. Wish there was a little more musically going on, but at the same time I think this works well.

Tom Waits is a true one of a kind.

A wonderful and relaxing album with a live audience that provides a complimentary atmospheric backdrop. Some of the spoken word phrasing reminds me of Kendrick Lamar and I wonder if Tom Waits is one of his influences. 4+/5

I saw this and thought fucking christ another fucking Tom Waits album? I just got another one a few days and I hated it and I saw this was an 76 minutes long and felt fuck me. But you know what? it wasn't utter shit! His voice isn't grating and the jazz atmosphere is something I really dig. I've been to enough jazz clubs to appreciate what was done here and his voice was actually pleasant to listen to. I really, really enjoyed this album. Given how much I've hated him in the past this was a very welcome change.

4.4 - A convincing send up of an intimate jazz lounge performance with droll storytelling and impressive piano playing. The Bukowski-Waits connection is most apparent here with plenty of LA-based references, very similar to Bukowski's semi-autobiographical "Hollywood."

Normally, I don't like background noise on a studio album, and although the laughter was a little much from time to time, it just works well in this "jazz club" setting. I did enjoy the whole jazz feel of the album and I can picture myself listening to this with a nice peated whisky on a cold sunday afternoon. Love the bass and the saxophone sounds! In the end of the album, when the nice jazz sound was lost a bit, I did get bored. Last song did get me enthousiastic again.

Came in expecting to hate the jazz club gimmick but I quite liked this.

It is more a comedy show, the jazzy vibes take you on a journey. Not really suitable during the study or on the background. Very oldschool bar vibes, very enjoyable when you are doing activities that do not require attention

This is a pretty charming album, learned to love the raspy voice. I wouldn’t say I quite felt the atmosphere it was going for, but enjoyed it. 4/5 Favourite tracks: On a foggy night, Eggs and sausage, Warm beer and cold women, Spare parts I

There's something really alluring, but also freewheeling and unsettled about this album. It's like wandering into a really great conversation where it takes you a minute to figure out the joke. But once you get there, it's so much fun. The musicianship is on point, and Tom Waits leans into his world weary persona with humor and heart. His vocal quality is really excellent here as well, and he probably never sounded more personable on record. What a blast. Fave Songs: Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson), Better Off Without a Wife, Warm Beer and Cold Women, Nobody, Spare Parts I (A Nocturnal Emission), Nighthawk Postcards (From Easy Street)

no idea. 3? 4? i love jazz

I like the idea of the album – of Tom playing in a “club”, telling stories at the piano and drifting seamlessly into the song without missing a beat. It seemed a bit contrived to me, so I looked up a few YouTube live performances from that time and he delivered some of the same songs with different lead-in rambles and even tweaks to the lyrics. His signature gravelly voice can be arduous to listen to when he goes for the high notes but the jazzy backdrop, especially the sax and piano, is a nice contrast. I found that even when the songs didn’t grab me, the endings made it feel like I’d listened to something epic.

It’s part spoken word genius part excellent improv jazz. This works for me more often than it misses. It’s an odd, but satisfying journey through the mind of a mad man. One that works well as a live album.

I actually like the sound of this better than the last Tom Waits album I listened to, but it doesn't evoke the same visceral reaction. Fantastic, 4.5.

5 without talking

Crusty drunken romance by the dark master of street storytelling. It's either a live recording pretending to be a studio album or maybe the other way around, but it's all an act. A little overlong, but really riveting most of the time.

Assez weird, mais bon la signature de tom waits est là et la musique est tres bonne. Il y a des momemts tres puissanrs dans cet album. 4

I'm not usually one for spoken word, but Tom adds a fun flair to this jazzy album.

Food... Water... Atmosphere...

Tom Waits is a visionary and a poet. I don't always "get" him, but I appreciate his uniqueness. I really enjoyed this album for the loose, jazz-lounge feel. 4 stars.

Wholly unexpected. I was thoroughly entertained throughout the whole thing almost only based on Tom’s witty jokes and stories. He plays the jazz-cat character so well. The songs are kinda decent as well. 7/10

Blues klinkt goed. Minder irritant live album

My last Waits review is erroneously abridged; Nighthawks, thankfully, is not. Two notes: The painting is great and there are much, much better examples of this kind of music out there. On that latter point, I was prepared to be highly annoyed: This is not even close to the best statement in the spoken word plus jazz idiom. I found the playing largely serviceable. But the package is funnier by far and more compelling than Sinatra, the liveness-but-not adding something. So Nighthawks at the Diner ends up threading some kind of needle. Listen to it; Listen to more jazz; Listen to more poetry. It'll turn out possibly.

Bem legal, relaxante. Você se sente no show. Melhor música: Eggs and Sausage

Tom Waits is one of my favourite artists of all time but this is not one of my favourite albums I'm afraid. I like this as the semi-live showcase for Tom's showmanship it is. His banter is amazingly funny and the jazz quartet he took in the studio with him are incredible. You can quote hundreds of lines from this album. Still, in the end, it's the music that counts and Waits has made better than the ones on this album. Bad? No, it's still Tom Waits. Just a little lower tier than most of his other work.