Nighthawks At The Diner

Love Tom Waits but NOT this album. haha

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

Spätabends in einer Bar nach einem anstrengenden Tag mit einem Glas Rotwein, kein Gespräch, einfach mit sich, den Gedanken und Tom Waits sein...

Amazing live performance that encompasses every bit of talent Tom Waits has. His players are amazing too.

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.

It does feel like I'm in the diner with them, but I think it's safe to say that it gets quite boring. Also, it's not my music taste at all. Maybe it's the lyrics that should make this shine but I'm generally not a very lyric-oriented person. Sorry for such a low rating, it's just straight up sluggish.

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...)

Cool album. Funny crowd interaction. Jazzy and easy listening.

Would like to revisit.

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

Are those the nighthawks at the diner

My thoughts: - Why does he talk so much? - Wanking jokes. Lol. - Better off Without a Wife = Good 3 stars

i caant his voicee just gross. i need a shower. misogynist scum i want to turn myself inside out this album would be saved simply if it was just instrumentals doesnt feel authentic either. laughtrack why???

I've never heard of this guy before, but apparently he had a song in the Shrek 2 soundtrack, so I trust that this guy has enough cultural significance to be on this list. However, I don't like this album. I've never really understood what people mean when they say that certain music is "pretentious". I get it now. This is pretentious. Maybe I just don't get it. I'm sure this has value to some people. I'm not one of those people. I think the background music works. If this was just instrumentals, it would be a decent background noise album but nothing more than that. Possibly high 2 or light 3. However, things change once this guy starts talking. Not singing, talking. Well, okay. He does actually sing a few times in this album. His voice is weird. It's not the worst voice I've ever heard, but it's not great. He could probably sing, maybe. It's very racially ambiguous. That's not important, I just felt like mentioning it because I don't know what else to say. The things he says don't really make sense. I'm tired. This album drags for way too long. I can't wait to listen to the other 4 albums this guy has. Yippee! I'll give it a light 2 because there's a semblance of something valuable here.

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

I'v always had a problem distinguishing Tom Waits from the British actor Tom Watt. So I always think I'm getting Lofty from Eastenders. First off, this is more than just about the bass. The drums are lovely and the sax is just right. The piano is pretty solid as well and most of the guitar works. So, more than the bass player. The slightly rambling intros remind me of Springsteen intros from about this time. The differences are that a) the music that followed the intro was generally pure rock and roll with Springsteen rather than a bit more rambling; b) Bruce is funnier in an everyman sort of way; c) Springsteen didn't put out a live album for more than 10 years, and even then the intros were generally pretty short. I'm not sure it was a good idea to inflict this level of wankfest on the world. I mean, it's OK as far as wankfest goes, but it's not really my thing.

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.

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.

Interessante, ma not worth

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.

Not my kind of humor... great vibe, but the lyrics/jokes.... I dont' find funny

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.

Ok

There are 5 goddam Tom Waits albums on this list? And 5 Nick Cave’s too? Whoever contributed to the 1001 albums book needs to explore some different types of music.

Didn’t really get it.

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

This was certainly an interesting listen, and while I can appreciate Jazz music, it's just not really my thing. I laughed at "I'm so horny the crack of dawn better be careful around me"

Was this album really by the ghost of duke wellington?

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

Another album that if you don't like you are not cool.....I am not cool!

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.

Not the kind of music I would seek out and listen to, but had a long morning drive on a rainy, cloudy day when I listened to this and it perfectly fit the mood and was a real enjoyable listen. Not necessarily something I’m going to listen to often, but nice to know it’s there and to know I’ve heard it. 3/5 or 63/100

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

Probably fun live, but I got really bored just listening to it.

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

no thanks, not my style at all. Would be better as instrumental

Es como un contry-jazz, más recitado que cantado. No es una mierda pero no es algo que me guste particularmente.

witty. brilliant.

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

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

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.

Cool pero demasiado tranquilo...

Rating: 6/10

01) Opening Intro - 5,0 02) Emotional Weather Report - 5,0 03) Intro - 1,0 04) On A Foggy Night - 4,0 05) Intro - 1,0 06) Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson) - 4,0 07) Intro - 1,0 08) Better Off Without a Wife - 4,5 09) Nighthawk Postcards (From Easy Street) - 2,0 10) Intro - 1,0 11) Warm Beer and Cold Women - 5,0 12) Intro - 1,0 13) Putnam County - 5,0 14) Spare Parts I (A Nocturnal Emission) - 3,5 15) Nobody - 4,5 16) Intro - 1,0 17) Big Joe and Phantom 309 - 3,0 18) Spare Parts II and Closing - 2,0 TOTAL: 2,97 (30/100) What the hell... Is this stand up comedy? Jazz? The hell is this? If stand up, I don't understand him, he's mumbling. If jazz, I don't like jazz. There are probably 1001 album that didn't get to this list but would rather listen to before I die.

Mmmm. Like most TW I can't decide if its genius or just terrible. I'm certainly not in the mood for the cod drunken rambles in some pseudo jazz club. Maybe if I was bleary eyed I would appreciate it. 10am on a bright Saturday morning doesn't work.

uskomaton runoilija. istukaa pikkulapset alas ja kuunnelkaa, voitte jotain ehkäpä oppia. kohta 50 vuotta vanha albumi ja vieläkin erittäin relevantti. tom waits ennusti tulevaisuuden aika hyvin tällä.. yleisö tietää kuuntele. kokoajan tulee aplodeja lähes koko ajan tunnin aikana, tietää milloin taputtaa ja huutaa ''WOO'' näin.. ja hauska äijä. perkeleen hauska. tämmönen komedia nykyaikana oikeen menisi läpi.. ehkä hauskin elävä mies spare parts 1

Maybe some fun stories, and I love piano music, but I didn't like listening to this.

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.

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.

Slam poetry jazz that's what would sum up this album, cleverly recorded in front of a "live" audience in the studio. Wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it on the regular but it was an ok for a once off listen. Best: Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson) Worst: Big Joe And Phantom 309 2.5 Stars

🥺

Too much talking

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.

Funny introductions. Good music.

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.

I think he did what he wanted to do on this album, but unfortunately it was not what I wanted. Is it stand up comedy or some kind of jazz backed speaking thing?

It pains me to give Tom Waits a 2, but this album is a slog to get through. There are some great songs and funny moments sprinkled in, with hypnotic jazz instrumentation backing it all, but the majority of this is just a spoken word thing leading up to something else that doesn’t really pay off.

Tom Waits is much more than just a singer. He is truly one of a kind. I think he does create the vibe he was looking for with Nighthawks At The Diner, even it’s a bit over the top. The live audience works. This would obviously be much more enjoyable in a dark bar with pints and friends, but it’s a good effort and deserves to be on this list 6.1/10

Hahaha, dit is niet eens in een echt theater opgenomen, maar toch echt in een studio (dank Eric en Wikipedia dat jullie me deze illusie hebben afgenomen). Want het album zet dat verlopen jazzclub-in-een-keldertje-sfeertje steengoed neer. In feite is het meer een cabaretplaat dan pure jazz of pop. Vandaar dat ik hem meermalen geluisterd heb om zoveel mogelijk tekstuele vondsten te kunnen volgen. Waar Waits debuutplaat Closing time nog erg verstild was, worden hier alle gekte-registers opengetrokken. Een soort kruising tussen Maarten van Roozendaal en Jules Deelder, om in cabaret-termen te blijven. Muziek uit de randen van de nacht, ik heb me er prima mee vermaakt.

Een te dominante, te rauwe, te vertellende stem. De intro's van de laatste intro's zeggen genoeg. - I'l tell you a story - It's storytime again Aan het eind van dit album wil ik dat echt niet meer horen. Het heeft lang genoeg geduurd. Wiki meldt dat de waardering voor dit album met name een waardering is voor het creëren van de sfeer van een Jazzclub. Eerlijk is eerlijk. Dat is heel knap gedaan. En daarmee is het interessant om eens te horen. Maar ik zet het geen tweede keer meer op.

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.

WOULD YOU STOP YOUR DAMN MUMBLING I CANT UNDERSTAND YOUR LYRICS IF I CANT HEAR THEM. I couldnt even bring myself to finish the album 1/5

Not my wheelhouse. Funny lyrics, but not enough music. Reminds me of Zappa a teensy bit, but without the musical genius. 3 for the words tho.

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

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

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

Weird one. It's like a live spoken music album that doesn't necessarily carry that much music. I'm glad I didn't have money to buy this album.

I find this to be a pretty interesting listen. Tom Waits has a club vibe, beat poet delivery on top of a pretty cool jazz section. It is word-heavy and feels like a bit of an event. Unfortunately the audience laughter and feedback sounds more like a laugh-track than just an audience recording. It is too prounounced and turns me off a bit. However, I think the overall attempt here is pretty interesting (though I don't expect to revisit it).

I wasnt really in the mood for a night out so I didnt finish listening to this.

Is this a joke? If i could i would have given it -1

Influenced Dylan

very funny, not something I could listen to often though

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.

The jazz club vibe is really unique. It makes you feel like you are in the room with Tom and company, and the experience deepens as the album progresses. The bass line is truly excellent in this, really carries the album. Overall however, I don't think the monologues are for me. Maybe it is that I know too many men who are trying to emulate Tom's energy in this, or maybe I just don't connect with his stories.

3/5

He’d probably be a blast to see live. But yet more music that doesn’t resonate with me. I see how it could appeal to someone else.

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

Yeah I'm not having this as music, fuck off.

I really enjoyed the mood of this - all felt very positive, light-hearted, like everyone involved was having tonnes of fun. Is the music that good? Not really, it's lots of little riffs from other things, plus mostly spoken word, his usual film noir ramblings. 3/5.

I love the late night jazz club feel of this album, the crowd interactions, the intros to each track along with with songwriting and sound of this record are great. It has a unique feel, with the theatrical side of things. I personally think Closing Time is a stronger early Tom Waits albums, I think the tracklist is much stronger than the one on this.

How far can your tounge go into your cheek? He's a poet, he's NYC, it's live and it's cool. There really is a Bukowski diner feel. It's soaked in gin and grease rolling throguh the gutter. But damn you gotta be in the mood for this one, he grabs you by both ears with his wobbling feel and yells bus drunk soliloquy into your face.

Like being at a jazz club

“Ya like jazz?” No

Rauchige Stimme, es ist nicht so richtig Gesang sondern eher melodisch gesprochen :D ich weiß nicht genau wie ich es finde. 2.5 Sterne für mich Ich fand es lustig und coole Atmosphäre. Dann sind wir richtig gnädig und geben 3

To be completely honest, I didn't know that this kind of performance was recorded and sold as an album. Jazz, spoken word, and scatting; I imagine this would be a small venue, intimate, live performance. Snaps for Ton Waits but I hope I never hear this again.

Bad

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

Bad jazz Guy made me mad

Not good jazz album, not very entertaining

I don't like simple musicality, I have a major focus on music over lyrics and I tend to get bored with jazz. This album never had a chance

Tom Waits is able to write astonishingly beautiful songs. But for the running time of 1 hour and 13 minutes, there is a surprisingly low amount of songs on this album. Much is spend with talking to the fake audience in this fake concert. The rest isn't anything to write home about. Waits serves his usual schtick of low life lyrics, here mixed with a jazz band. But that doesn't make for a good album and comes across as pretentious. 2/5

Classic

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

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.

Music is good but the voice isn’t for me

I didn't like his voice so I gave up on it very quickly. Shame because I liked the song titles

Can critics pls stop recommending me white dudes from the 60s and 70s. I can see how other people may like this but I don't. It feels like the entire point of the album is to recreate a jazz bar setting atmosphere with a live studio audience. But that's a gimmick that I get tired of 1.5 songs in. Why don't people just listen to live recordings of jazz musicians? Or go to a jazz bar? Both options offer more enjoyable music. Why listen to a dude recite a script about how horny he is or how sad this random pretty woman's life is.

Disfrutable, divertido, satisfactorio, lo volvería a escuchar. Pero repetitivo y demasiado largo. La voz es un poco molesta

4.5

liked the music, not so much the lyrics

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.

Nope. Can't stand just grumbly talking

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

This album was recorded in front of a small audience set up to recreate the atmosphere of a jazz club. However, to me it comes across as a parody and more akin to a stand-up set in a comedy club. I'm not sure if this was deliberate or if it's an unintentional facet of the comedic lyrics and extreme huskiness of Waits' vocal giving it a caricature-like quality. Either way, it doesn't sit well and makes for an uneasy listen. Rating: 1.5/5 Playlist track: Nighthawk Postcards (From Easy Street) Date listened: 06/11/23

CD

Kinda funny but barely music

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.

Jazz lounge by a guy who sounds like he breathes in cigarette smoke 24/7! What more could you ask for in an album! The intros are usually too long, but I do love Wait's lyricism and his voice is so interesting to listen to. Even though it's very rough, you just want to hear what this guy has to say, and you fucking believe it too even though each story is about a different unrelated thing.

Hearing the intros and story telling between songs really made this album.

Kept waiting for the bit to end but then the album did...

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.

Quite like the sort of love vibe, tom has a nice gravelly voice, first track or two I quite liked as an intro. Then it basically continued for an hour and bit. More spoken word/stand up routine with a backing track than an actual album, cant remember any specific songs, was mostly a double bass going up and down the jazz scales. I could see the appeal if it was built around some actual songs but as it was, not good.

I'm afraid I didn't really "get" it. It was a bit of a difficult listen. His voice is grating. Love the jazzy live vibe, but can't fully get behind his singing, and the lyrics are mostly daft. I know that he is a decent artist - I really like Way Down in the Hole from another album, but I struggled here. I don't know what to think. Hated the intros. Love the painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper. Saw it in Chicago in 2017, and it lived up to my expectations. +1 art bonus.

Did not enjoy this at all, could not finish all 73 mins of his gravely voice mumbling the lyrics of his songs. Half the album is skits or as he calls them "Intros", which felt like he was wasting my time. The bass player is working overtime carrying this album while Tom just fucks about on the microphone.

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!

Not my thing

It's a fun album

very shitty

It’s never a good sign when you check how long an album will be during the first song. The jazz was enjoyable, I just couldn’t get into his voice and found it grating.

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

Dreadful

I could sit in a blues bar and listen and enjoy…but not to this guy specifically

Bar the couple of times when an actual song broke out I didn't like this at all. The whole conceit of rambling intros to every track wore very thin with me.

I was gonna give this a 2 because i'm not a huge fan of Toms voice. But i think this album really accomplishes to make you feel like you are sitting at that bar. So I rate the experience of the album more than the songs.

No es un género tan de mi agrado el spoken words, aunque dentro de las canciones cantadas puedo decir sin dudar que son excelentes canciones. Musicalmente, a punto, música ejecutada a la perfección y con gran gusto. Pero lamentablemente no es de mi agrado el género. Los chistes me quedan demasiado lejos, esperaba más música que alguien hablando de su vida. No se puede ser tajante y decir que es un buen o mal álbum porque no es de mi estilo.

😴

It was very fun and was a whole adventure listening to the album

2.75

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

Jazz mientras Waits habla. No me ha hecho mucho. Ni fu ni fa.

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

not my vibe

Remember in father Ted when they stop singing my lovely horse and father jack pulls out his shotgun and blasts the guitar to smithereens. That

stop doing standup and sing us a song

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.

classic Waits

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

What a strange album with the attempted comedy routine between songs and would have done much better by just playing the music. I will say, I enjoyed this Tom Waits album way more than any of the other ones we have been subjected to so far on list. The actual jazz/lounge music was pretty good and enjoyable. His gravelly voice fits in this scenario but Im not sure where else it would.

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.

I like Tom Waits generally, and this has his undeniable weirdo charm. It's not my favorite of his extensive catalog - I think the faux-live jazz club setting is an interesting conceit but hurts its relistenability. Overall, I think Tom Waits is an important figure in music history, and this album is a good example of his early period for anyone interested in cultural edification.

interesting, but i dont like jazz

Middle of the road album for me. This kind of music can be good, but it’s good live. When I’m at home listening on my headphones, it’s not something I want to listen to for over an hour. For what it is, it’s probably great, but it’s not something I want to listen to outside of a jazz bar or something. Tom has a fun sense of humour, and he’s clearly talented, but I got so tired of his voice. It’s perfect for the genre, but it’s just so hard to listen to for this long. Especially his little chuckle he does all the time, that started to annoy me after a while. Not exactly for me but for what it is it’s perfectly fine. 5/10 Top 3: 1. Warm Beer And Cold Women 2. Intro To Better Off Without A Wife 3. Opening Intro

I think I understood the vibe and the jazz band was nice but it’s not for me

Great background instruments throughout. The comedic and storytelling lyrics were fun at first, but start to drag as it goes on. Regardless still a fun record. Feels like a snapshot into history.

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.

I wanted to hate it and I didn’t think I was going to have to try very hard, but it won me over quite easily. Damn you, Tom.

I usually love Tom Waits but I was not in the right headspace for this today.

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.

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.

I'm of two minds about this one. On the one hand, this schtick wears thin pretty quickly, and his verbal mugging for the handpicked crowd is cringey. On the other hand, though, he's damn funny and his lyrics are evocative. Also, the musicians are on point. But overall, it's not my jam. I prefer the Swordfishtrombones-and-beyond version of Tom Waits. 2.5 rounding down just 'cause.

What a ride! Love Tom Waits (and his wife who is the George Martin to his career).

More of Tom’s same weirdo offbeat stuff, I dig. Very cool album cover, love the vibes it projects. I wish that was my life was nighthawking it at the diner. Looks like a fun bunch.

Moments of this actually work but as a complete package it really frags, and I'm left wondering which bits are supposed to be tongue and cheek and which might be serious.

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.

sorry but not a fan

3.5/5

No way

cool

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.

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

I doubt someone could make a record like this today it's very interesting to hear and feels a bit escapist and nostalgic, oddly current... which may be all of its strengths. I like some later works more but if I could do 3.5 I would

Vad har jag sagt om liveplattor? Nu kanske inte det här en renodlad liveplatta, mer live i studio. Ganska skön ändå.

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.

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

Definitely feels like something best appreciated by paying attention to it, rather than having it play in the background while working (which is how I consume most of these). He's got some good lines, and I'm sure I missed a bunch. I wasn't familiar with Tom Waits so the vocals definitely took some getting used to, but they grew on me over the course of the album. I'll be interested to see if I like any of his non-live stuff more.

This was fun for a while. The comedy routine in rhythm with a backing track is impressive. His voice is great. I did get bored with it about halfway through. Not something I want more of necessarily, but it definitely has some genius to it.

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.

You can smell and see the smoke of the jazz bar on this album, really cool concept and live jazz bar vibes. But Tom does go on a bit for some of the songs, hence I prefer his earlier albums or his more experimental later stuff. Deserves to be on the list though.

Not a fan of Waits, not really heard a lot, but this album has a lot going for it. At times you feel you're in the bar with him. Some great jazz feel tunes, and top musicians, but i can't really go for it. Toms vocals make Dylan sound like Pavarotti, he talks his way through the tunes and sounds like he's being interrogated.. Hes hard to listen to. Even so, this had a lot going for it.

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.

Occasionaly amusing.

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

Ihan jees, en kyllä ole varma välitänkö Waitsin lyriikoista. Menee tämä taustalla mukavasti, vaikka vähän tuo "feikkilive" meinaa ärsyttää. Armollinen 3.

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

It was okay, listened to it while making dinner. I do have a few of his songs saved. This one was too talky. The jazz was nice but no real singing.

A really cosy and intimate live album - Waits’ banter between songs flows so naturally and the prominence of audience reactions really makes you feel involved even when some of the locale-specific jokes fly over your head. The only downside is the quality of the songwriting: there’s good stuff in here, especially Eggs and Sausage, but it just doesn’t hold up to hits like Martha, Diamonds on My Windshield and Tom Traubert’s Blues from his studio albums around this era

I don't give many ones but good Lord....

Good

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

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.

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

Ooooo some yazzzzzz. Never listened to Tom Waits really but the setting of this album is pretty cool and love the spoken word when I usually don't. Think it's all the background jazz helping out. It did go on entirely too long for me and started to lose interest around the 50 minute mark. Still good stuff.

This is weird. Imagining Tom as Oscar the Grouch with a beret and a cigarette helped me get through this easier.

The soundtrack to some movie I don’t intend to watch

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

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.

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!

I'm sorry...a 4th Tom Waits album?! It's not even being a hater at this point--it is objectively true that you can write about the history of music production without including FOUR GODDAMN TOM WAITS ALBUMS. When you realize you really don't give a shit about what Waits is talking about in any of his songs, the whole thing comes apart. Because it sure as hell isn't anything musically that draws you in. It's the jazz equivalent of somebody sitting on a single stool behind a microphone strumming the most basic chords possible while singing. And I'm saying this as a massive jazz fan! Please, for the love of God, no more Tom Waits albums.

Very atmospheric.

- 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

Third Tom Waits album on the list and third surprise. Apparently, he didn't like to keep consistency between his albums. I should give him extra credit for trying to be such an innovator in this way. For this album itself, I enjoyed listening to it, but it's not so great. The long conversational records are clearly an attempt to sound like a bar record, but I'm not in a bar, so it's just lost my attention.

It's pretty fun but it's still a smug pisstake

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

Cool mood.

good god this man. cool idea, god awful execution into the ground. horrible terrible.

...I guess I can give some points for trying something different and unique. But it's still Tom Waits. Is any middle ground possible with this guy? I'm not sure how anyone could voluntarily put this album on and listen to it. It's not as much a slam as that sounds (... although....) just that it's so distracting. A really good jazz band playing behind what is essentially a one man soliloquy on drunkenness, loneliness, and ...ehh god knows what else he rambled on about. Step aside and let the music play although that's not really possible. I'll save it from a 1 even though I'll never listen to this again just for the creative aspect of the recording. And because it's SO damn niche I suppose I can see some people liking it. Not here, tho. 3/10 2 stars. Also please no more Tom Waits. 3 is about 2.9 too many.

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

i dont really like his voice. sounds like he smocked too many cigs. but it was in some way refreshing and different. tom waits has a entertaining delivery but i dont really gonna revisit this album unless from 1,2 songs tbh

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 will not Wait to listen to it again.

Fine I guess. Didn’t like the vocals

I wanna drink whiskey and smoke cigarettes

Tom Waits has made many strong 4*-5* albums, but this one is just plainly boring even after 5 minutes let alone 75. score: 3/10

Excellent live recording of a wonderful performance from Waits and his jazz combo.

The live jazz club atmosphere really comes across on this record. The Tom Waits qualities are obviously there, although I prefer some of his later albums (hopefully on the list as well).

альбомам стоит исключить Тома Уэйтса как несовпадающий со мной жанр)) хотя теперь понимаю, откуда растут ноги у Shady Rachel

diner theme

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!

Interesting concept. Started off quite into it but then quickly got bored. Maybe one to revisit again when I'm in a particular mood. Can see why it made the list at least.

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.

jesus, all these little comedic interludes are annoying as fuck. This album is somewhat interesting but his "Intros" make it really hard for me to listen. He seems way too convinced he's really clever and funny. But by the end, even with skipping the intros, his mumbly grumbly voice and delivery had me ready to skip to the end.

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.

I just do not like his voice at all. It grates me. This is the first album I’ve come across so far that I couldn’t finish.

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.

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

This is an album that I really didn't connect with. Possibly one of the worst I listened to. 1/5

3/5. Honestly a much better album than I was anticipating. It is a little long and boring at times, but the jazzy aspects give it that twist of surprise. Best song: Better Off without a wife, warm beer and cold women

Rambling, though not without charm

This album is the audio equivalent of ranch dressing. It's a unique flavor and I completely understand why some people would dig it, but I can't imagine a single food where some other topping wouldn't fit way better.

I thought I liked Tom Waits. Fake night club, fake audience, fake drunk singing. Tiresome. Bass player kicks though.

Hated it

Rambling meh

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

The live setting recording is an interesting gimmick which seems to work out. It gives the album character, yet, production still sounds great, as compared to regular live albums. That said, I don't enjoy the music. It just sounds like a Disney movie gruffian rambling on and on and on with some light jazz accompaniment. Definitely not the worst on here, but also definitely not something I would listen to on my own.

👍

It's a raw, great sound but it's a bit of a dull offer. OK for the once through but I don't think I'd ever listen again. Bit of a novelty record.

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!

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

Fuck me, that was grim!

3/10 - I cannot finish this I hate this dude's voice

Nah. My 3rd Tom Waits album so far on this list. I just don't like his voice. I found this samey and pretentious. I honestly didn't think I would get through it. Only giving it 2 stars because of the quality of the band.

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!!!

Makin' a scene with a magazine ... filled with pics of Tom Waits. ... When I say 'I Love this album,' it takes on a new meaning. I saw Short Cuts before I knew who Tom Waits even was and then I discovered him and realized Altman wrote that role based on TW, the musician. They are one-in-the same, (tho I do feel the need to throw in a little Ron Pearlman and Bukowski for good measure). There's something poetic about the loneliness that drips out of this album as he performs in front of a live audience. Tom Waits is an average musician, subpar comedian and slightly above average lyricist which is why it's so easy to appreciate and relate to him. Great album to listen to while riding a bike on the dark, dimly lit streets at the edge of town in the middle of the night.

Again, it was a mistake to try to review 4 of the 5 Tom Waits albums in one day. But a fascinating one to save for last. I don’t like “Nighthawks at the Diner,” but I am intrigued by it. Waits’ vocals early in his career are not as over-the-top gravelly as on other albums we listened to, but that doesn’t mean I like it. It’s a concept album of a sort? It was recorded live, so it’s kind of a live album? I’ve lamented concept albums, flip-flopped on live albums, but “Nighthawks at the Diner” is unique and challenges my views about both of those things. Half stand-up, half lounge performance, it delivered on a concept. Recording a faux live performance live scrambles any notions of how a record should be made.

I can see how his voice works better for fronting a more pure jazz album like this than it does for Bone Machine. I just can't handle that this album is more like a live reading of a collection of short stories.

This album is an amazing fit for Tom Wait’s voice. After the first two albums we had of his, I had minuscule hope. Boy oy boy was I surprised. Tom’s growling, low voice is fantastic with the underground, seedy jazz club feel. The jazz players are great. And Tom is fucking hilarious with his joking banter. Home run!

Waits ability to drill down to the most excruciating detail is what takes this from artifice to a painting with sound that comes alive. Putnam County kills. Thoroughly great beat proto rap jazz club quintessential Tom.

tom waits is an artist who has created such drastically different music throughout his career! nighthawks at the diner is no exception. i've heard his jazz origins, and his later change to rock and experimentation. this is a jazz album but with an audience component. jazz music is perfect for intimate, live settings, so this combination makes sense. this album is full of waits' personality. he is charismatic and funny. the humor can be bawdy at times, or even contain terrible puns. with nearly every song written by tom waits, his usual wit is present, too. "emotional weather report" is clever when waits recounts his mental health difficulties in terms of weather terminology. in that sense, this album can be rather personal, and it does indeed feel like he's talking directly to the listener. of course i must give credit where credit is due. waits is only on the piano and guitar in addition to his vocals. his backing jazz band is absolutely fantastic throughout!

Third Tom Waits album on this project, and he's still not my jam. I really liked the concept behind the album, though. The "jazz club" motif recreated in the studio was convincing and well done by everyone involved on this album. Tom Waits uses the opportunity to parody the jazz club scene, at least to a certain degree; the topics and lyrics of the songs are often funny and have intentionally ridiculous delivery. I also like the "Nighthawks" painting that this album seems to be inspired by, so it was cool to discover that! All that said, this just wasn't my thing. I really do appreciate how Tom Waits pushes the envelope, though!

Great storytelling. Enjoyed!

Eggs and Sausage started to grow on me.

I don't think Tom Waits has a bad album. I also do not think he has an easily digested album, that you can appreciate without actually paying attention. Nighthawks is certainly not easy to get into, and i would argue that the effort isn't compensated as highly as it would with later albums of Waits' career. Not bad by any means, but a little too pretentious for it's own good.

Oh wow, Tom Waits story time. This album makes me wish I was in that club (with a cigar and a whiskey?). This is the third Tom Waits album I've heard through this site and a quick search shows there's at least two more. All have been vastly different and very enjoyable. Favourites would be Emotional Weather Report and Eggs and Sausage (In A Cadillac With Susan Michelson)

A tough one to listen to while working as, like hip-hop, much of the appeal lies with paying close attention to what's being said. I prefer Waits' later, weirder stuff, on the whole, but this banter heavy nightclub replication is awesome. I want to go to there. Fave track - "Spare Parts I (A Nocturnal Emission)" made me laugh out loud!

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.

Naturally my heart sank a bit as despite persistence I have never really 'got' Tom Waits. But actually much to my surprise I quite liked this when I focussed on the storytelling rather than the vocal style.. lots of humour in there and enjoyed learning the characters he felt compelled to write about. I.e. drunk losers!

Quite good but felt like the whole thing was just on one theme, Tom Waits talking over moody cafe music.

Wow, I am truly growing to love this artist. This is my third album of his and each one that comes I rate it a lil higher. Tom really set the atmospheric mood on this one. 1975, but I felt like I was there at that diner with him and other people. Laughing at the jokes moving my head, just feeling relaxed and chill. Sets up his stories and built interest. Comedic relief and great jazzy blues. This album was a FUN experience. As a whole it was amazing. Don’t really have a top banger list, but I am gonna add “Eggs And Sausage” to my playlist as a token of a perfect listen. Easy 5!

I like Tom Waits, but this is just a record of him talking.

I did not like this experience hahah. This was not my vibe for the work day. I’m sure his wit and banter would be fantastic and so great in person at a small bar when you’re a lil tipsy….buuuuttt yea not for me rn. I really don’t like the intro and song format. I’m also ngl i didn’t finish this and have no intention to sorry

Wasn’t for me :/

One of my lighter threes, I think. I would consider a two because of the length, but I enjoyed the album despite it being around 75 minutes long. I think it's a pretty cool concept for an album. My favourite part of the album was when he made car noises, but my favourite song was Spart Parts I.

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.

I didn’t finish it and I’m not going to. I just can’t. Please no more Tom Waits.

Amazing blues by the genius Tom Waits

Love it! This is like going to a dive bar and seeing the greatest show you've ever seen and wondering how this is happening here and why can't I stay here for the rest of my life! Witty poetry from a master of words I can't get enough of these stories and songs!

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.

Its an interesting sound, but the whole thing falls a bit flat for me.

Nope

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

Shit

If you make me listen to another album by the man who sounds like he smokes 12 packs of cigarettes a day and reminds me of the crazies on the Philadelphia bus system I am going to cry.

What the fuck is this shit lmao. This is ass. Might be ok live tho

Interesting album. Tom Waits is a person I’ve heard a lot about but don’t know a thing about his music. This album is supposed to sound like it’s recorded in a jazz club, complete with song intros, stories, jokes and audience laughter. Cool concert, but it didn’t strike a chord with me musically.

Love it

Absolutely not.

Not for me

Yawn.

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

In general, I think I want to like Tom Waits more than I do. In this particular case, I get the vibe he’s going for but it falls flat. I was fine with it in the background but know I won’t be able to get through it on a focused listen.

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

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

I absolutely love this. I can smell the smoke, taste the whiskey, and feel the dank air in the dingy basement lounge. His charisma is palpable. Love the jazzy arrangements, and the players on this are impeccable. The stories and jokes make it feel like he is the resident musician at this divey jazz club. I don't really have any criticisms of this album, but it's still not a perfect 10 for me. 9/10 rounded to 5 stars.

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.

This is the album that got me into Tom Waits. And I love Tom Waits. 50% sleazy jazz, 50% musical stand up comedy. If this doesn't tickle and intrigue you I don't know what you get out of life, honestly. It's not his best album - ask any different fan and you'll get a different answer (the correct answers are Small Change and Swordfishtrombones) but still well worth five stars.

I actually like this one OK. It was entertaining. But I feel like the whole "live" conceit might not work as well on subsequent listens?

I enjoyed this in that it was very different- I'd not really heard anything like it before. The background jazz was pleasant, but the album got pretty boring and samey after a couple of tracks. There seems great rapport between Waits and the audience - making me feel like I'm missing out on an in joke. Glad I listened, probably won't bother again.

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.

What the hell is this

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?

We've had this one before, surely

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.

Got into this less than I hoped. It's a long album without much change in style so for me it probably would've worked better split up into two sittings. The vibe I get is a grimy hobo put on a stage in a seedy back alley jazz club. Lyricism is creative and entertaining. His voice is weirdly pleasant.

Not sure if I was in the wrong mood for this but it irritated me from the get go. The 'atmosphere' that others loved so much felt false, overplayed, hammy. I will give it another listen but for now it's a disappointed 2/5.

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