382]

February 15, 2023

Having dealt with all the Brawlers, Sam and Martin dig into the bonus disc of Orphans with a Fats Waller cover, music first performed by Johnny Cash, and a synopsis of King Kong. We discuss Waits’s capability as a pianist, his treatment of history’s villains, and consider his cover of an iconic outsider-artist musician.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Crazy 'Bout My Baby, Orphans: Brawlers Bawlers & Bastards, Tom Waits (2006)

I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby, Ain't Misbehavin', Fats Waller (1943/1931?)

American Heart, dir. Martin Bell (1992) - Crazy 'Bout My Baby featured in the opening 2 minutes

Down There By The Train, Orphans: Brawlers Bawlers & Bastards, Tom Waits (2006)

Down There By The Train, American Recordings, Johnny Cash (1994)

King Kong, Orphans: Brawlers Bawlers & Bastards, Tom Waits (2006)

King Kong, Yip Jump Music, Daniel Johnston (1983)

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Romeo Is Bleeding - Blue Valentine [059]

December 7, 2016

For the final week of Elizabeth and Caspar's hosting of Song by Song, we hear Tom Waits describe the blood-soaked story of Romeo's death as well as Johnny Cash's version of a cowboy's funeral march through the Streets of Laredo. As Blue Valentine reaches its mid-point, echoes and resonances start to make themselves known through the album, and the variety of musical styles becomes more and more evident. So... y'know, that's what we talk about.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Romeo Is Bleeding, Blue Valentine, Tom Waits (1978)

The Streets Of Laredo, American IV: The Man Comes Around, Johnny Cash (2002)

St. James Hospital, Traditional, Benjamin Luxon (via YouTube)

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