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Though Tom Waits had spent most of the '70s establishing himself as one of America's most distinctive singer-songwriters, SWORDFISHTROMBONES found him reinventing himself and creating one of the most original sounds in popular music. Leaving behind his Kerouac-influenced lyrics and lounge-lizard piano-bar stylings for an unprecedented eclecticism that merged Brecht-Weill artsong, Captain Beefheart-style avant blues, Harry Partch-inspired junkyard percussion, along with a healthy dose of everything else but the kitchen sink.
All this sonic exoticism would be for naught where it not accompanied by equally striking, arch songwriting. SWORDFISHTROMBONES moves from the Ken Nordine-style recitative of "Frank's Wild Years" and the demented Delta blues of "Gin Soaked Boy" to the marimba-laced shaggy-dog tale "Shore Leave" and the crazed, Loony Tunes instrumental "Dave the Butcher."
The blazed a trail that Waits (and countless imitators) would follow fruitfully for years to come, and remains one of the most impressive recordings not just of Waits's career, but of anyone's.
Recorded in August 1982.
Composer: Tom Waits.
Personnel: Tom Waits (vocals, guitar, fiddle, harmonium, synthesizer); Crystal Gayle (vocals); Fred Tackett (guitar, electric guitar, banjo); Carlos Guitarlos (guitar, electric guitar); Dennis Budimir (guitar); Anthony Stewart, Anthony Clark (bagpipe); Stephen Hodges (harmonica, drums); Francis Thumm (harmonica, glass armonica, anklung); Les Thompson (harmonica); Pete Jolly (accordion, piano); Teddy Edwards (saxophone); Randall Aldcroft (baritone saxophone, trombone, horns, baritone horn); Joe Rimano, Joe Romano (trumpet, trombone); Chuck Findley, Jack Sheldon (trumpet); Dick Hyde, Richard Hyde, Bill Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Donald Waldrop (tuba); Gayle LaVant (horns); Bob Alcivar (piano); Eric Bikales (organ); Ronnie Barron (keyboards); Emil Richards (vibraphone); Victor Feldman (marimba, bass drum, snare drum, congas, tambourine, percussion); Greg Cohen, Larry Taylor (acoustic bass); Big John Thomassie, Larry Bunker, Shelly Manne (drums); Richard Gibbs (glass armonica); Jeff Porcaro (percussion); Clark Spangler (programming); John Lowe, Lanny Morgan (wind).
Personnel: Tom Waits (vocals, Hammond B-3 organ, vocal harmonium, synthesizer, harmonium, keyboards, percussion); Fred Tackett (guitar, banjo); Carlos Guitarlos (guitar); Anthony Clark Stewart (bag pipes); Francis Thumm, Richard Gibbs (glass harmonica); Joe Romano (trumpet, trombone); Randy Aldcroft, Joe Romano, Bill Reichenbach, Dick "Slyde" Hyde (trombones); Ronnie Barron (Hammond organ); Victor Feldman (Hammond B-3 organ, percussion); Larry Taylor (acoustic bass, bass); Greg Cohen (acoustic bass); Stephen Taylor, Arvizu Hodges (drums, percussions); Carl Spangler (programming).
Q (10/92, p.100) - 5 Stars - Indispensable - "...one of the pivotal albums of the '80s...an American melting-pot music such as had never been heard before..." Mojo (Publisher) (p.77) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[A]n album that shifted gloriously in mood....SWORDFISHTROMBONES continues to amaze." NME (Magazine) (9/25/93, p.19) - Ranked #16 among The 50 Greatest Albums Of The '80s.
Genius, genius genius! Tom is out of this world, genius , talented., maverick, witty, poetic , clever and rockin'.
'Shoreleave ' here as great lyrics and a great feel to it. He's way cool, man!
Buy this record. brilliant Submitted by fionarice (ireland) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
My first CD I just began listening to his music and I picked up this CD. My god, it's so unusual, but amazingly interesting and fun. I love a CD that defies everything you've ever heard. Music is boring if there isn't something like this thrown into the mix every once and awhile. Submitted by Aaron, age 17 (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Tom's Masterpiece Do yourself a favor - pick this up and grab 'Rain Dogs' also while you're at it. Submitted by Kevin (St. Louis) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
serb jungle 3 stars says you don't like a word jumble that much. Submitted by Rogo (England) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
I love a good word jumble!!!! When people jumble up three or four words into one, I think it makes the music fun to listen to. Also, Tom's voice on this one is different than anything his die hard fans are used to. He sings mainly in falsetto and rarely does he have his common 10-15 minute piano solos that he is known for. All in all, this album is a jumble, but one that makes you want to get up and dance, dance, dance; and then jog a little; then sleep. Submitted by a reviewer (Wallingford, CT, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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Genius, genius genius!
My first CD
I love a good word jumble!!!!
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