Yep. It's a banjo played by Tom himself and later in live shows by the genius Marc Ribot. The banjo has a tuning that is so strange, I could never figure it out maybe open G? The percussion is all floor toms, a kick drum that sounds like a cardboard box, and a snare without wires . I love the hammer on the iron bars. Tom builds soundscapes like no other artist. He somehow makes dissonance melodic and his vocal on this track is outstanding. and I love this song off Rain Dogs IMO his best album."Tied her to the tree with a skinny millionaire." Ahhhhh Tom. He said during his rock n roll hall of fame speech "They say I have no hits, and I'm difficult to work with, and they say it like it's a bad thing."
Tom makes me happy....always say he is my favourite artist because he opened my ears to the possibility of music reject genre tune is tune plus he is funny, sad, beautiful, tragic, joyous, life affirming and poignant often in the same song love it
I’ve listened to Tom Waits for decades now. I always tell people that he paints pictures in my mind. After watching your reaction to this song, I think I can safely say you get what I’m saying.
From the 1985 album, " Rain Dogs" Tom is singing and playing banjo in a tale of a love gone wrong.The ruggedness of Tom's voice is wo derfully contrasted by a soft bittersweet melody and the simplicity of the instruments adds to the enjoyability. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Adam 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Banjo, Harri. Waits is probably one of the only Beat era poets still gracing our music these days. No one paints a journey better. Please dig deeper here.
Great reaction as always! One thing I really love about Tom Waits is his ability to write lyrics that range from incoherent rumbling, to beautiful poems. If you want to experience one of his more soulful songs, I super recommend you to check out "Georgia Lee" which was inspired by a a real story about a little girl that was killed.
Harri, That is the banjo you are hearing. I remember you being stumped by that instrument before. Great review, Tom Waits is the man, Only second to HarriBest !
THANK YOU for reacting to this one. Time from this same album is, to me, maybe his most beautiful song - and he has some incredibly beautiful songs in his repertoire. He is one of the great American songwriters - truly spinning this beautiful poetry with, usually downtrodden, but hopeful people juxtaposed with the ideal of the "American Dream." I've loved him since I was a teen in the mid-1980s.
Soaking day old bread in kerosene is (or was) thought to throw tracking dogs off your scent, but apparently that's a myth. Does make sense "He's staying out of circulations 'til the dogs get tired" and "He went that-a-way boys". Great song. Since you loved the storytelling of this one can't wait until you get to Kentucky Avenue!
Tom is such a brilliant storyteller and musician, he'll always be one of my favorites. If you'd really like to shake it up with some of his later work, Hell Broke Luce is a disturbing masterpiece.
Hah, I wasn't sure I ever heard this song but to my own surprise I could practically sing along. The lyrics were long ago embedded deep in my cerebral cortex.
Listen to the ENTIRE Rain Dogs .... and Bone .... and Blue Valentine.... you're right they did make a movie off of one - or he did the sound track do it.... and it deserves SO MUCH MORE attention...... but lol - even more fun is finding him RANDOM CAMEO actor in any random movie.... including DRACULA!!!
I love.Tom waits. The Piano has been Drinking is my favorite song
Step Right Up (studio version). Every commercial you've been force-fed woven into a scat, carival-barker exposé on industrial brainwashing. Genius !!!
Dan Hicks covered that song well and impressed me. "Don't let it get to You!"
can't go wrong with Tom..he's awesome.
Highway Grove.
Yep. It's a banjo played by Tom himself and later in live shows by the genius Marc Ribot. The banjo has a tuning that is so strange, I could never figure it out maybe open G? The percussion is all floor toms, a kick drum that sounds like a cardboard box, and a snare without wires . I love the hammer on the iron bars. Tom builds soundscapes like no other artist. He somehow makes dissonance melodic and his vocal on this track is outstanding. and I love this song off Rain Dogs IMO his best album."Tied her to the tree with a skinny millionaire." Ahhhhh Tom. He said during his rock n roll hall of fame speech "They say I have no hits, and I'm difficult to work with, and they say it like it's a bad thing."
Tom makes me happy....always say he is my favourite artist because he opened my ears to the possibility of music reject genre tune is tune plus he is funny, sad, beautiful, tragic, joyous, life affirming and poignant often in the same song love it
I’ve listened to Tom Waits for decades now. I always tell people that he paints pictures in my mind.
After watching your reaction to this song, I think I can safely say you get what I’m saying.
Been a fan of Waits since the mid 70s. No one like him .
The smile spreading across your face says it all, and I agree wholeheartedly
From the 1985 album, " Rain Dogs" Tom is singing and playing banjo in a tale of a love gone wrong.The ruggedness of Tom's voice is wo derfully contrasted by a soft bittersweet melody and the simplicity of the instruments adds to the enjoyability. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Adam 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
This song says so much without saying anything. Favorite. Poetry and magic.
One of Tom's greatest songs and recordings. Can't stop myself from listening to "Rain Dogs", a masterpiece!
Simply love that song !!
Swordfishtrombone and Rain Dogs are my Tom's favourite albums.
This man is a genius and a treasure. I wish I had been able to see him live when he was still touring.
TOM WAITS DON'T CHANGED...GREAT SONG AS USUAL...TOM WAITS IS ''UNIQUE''...
Tom Waits has such a unique voice. Thanks Adam and Harri.
Thanks Adam. My friend, Mike, introduced me to Tom Waits many years ago and I have been a fan ever since. Thanks Harri 🌺✌️
Yeah.....there are many more Tom Waits songs perfect as stories for films !
Banjo, Harri.
Waits is probably one of the only Beat era poets still gracing our music these days. No one paints a journey better. Please dig deeper here.
Great reaction as always! One thing I really love about Tom Waits is his ability to write lyrics that range from incoherent rumbling, to beautiful poems. If you want to experience one of his more soulful songs, I super recommend you to check out "Georgia Lee" which was inspired by a a real story about a little girl that was killed.
Tom!
Thank you for reminding me how much I Tom Waits.
The primary instrument on this recording is a banjo.
Harri, That is the banjo you are hearing. I remember you being stumped by that instrument before. Great review, Tom Waits is the man, Only second to HarriBest !
Street stories. Remember the Nickel.🪴☕
THANK YOU for reacting to this one. Time from this same album is, to me, maybe his most beautiful song - and he has some incredibly beautiful songs in his repertoire. He is one of the great American songwriters - truly spinning this beautiful poetry with, usually downtrodden, but hopeful people juxtaposed with the ideal of the "American Dream." I've loved him since I was a teen in the mid-1980s.
What I love about the song is how minimal the instruments are as Tom waxes and wanes from clean to fry vocally. Thanks for the reaction!
Soaking day old bread in kerosene is (or was) thought to throw tracking dogs off your scent, but apparently that's a myth. Does make sense "He's staying out of circulations 'til the dogs get tired" and "He went that-a-way boys". Great song. Since you loved the storytelling of this one can't wait until you get to Kentucky Avenue!
Tom is such a brilliant storyteller and musician, he'll always be one of my favorites. If you'd really like to shake it up with some of his later work, Hell Broke Luce is a disturbing masterpiece.
Enjoy your lives people
at the beginning, photo shows TW. Scremin Jay H was across the booth!
His song from the same album, "Jockey Full of Bourbon" was used as the opening song for the Jim Jarmusch movie, "Down By Law (1986)".
And the closing credits of the film use “Tango til They’re Sore” as the backdrop!
Tom's story telling songs are legendary. For pure scene setting joy, plus live Tom, check out 'Live Circus', from the 'Glitter & Doom' album.
Hah, I wasn't sure I ever heard this song but to my own surprise I could practically sing along. The lyrics were long ago embedded deep in my cerebral cortex.
Nighthawks at the diner may be in my top ten albums of all time.
American Blues. Tom Waits is a songbird fought from a Coal mine,
Listen to the ENTIRE Rain Dogs .... and Bone .... and Blue Valentine.... you're right they did make a movie off of one - or he did the sound track do it.... and it deserves SO MUCH MORE attention...... but lol - even more fun is finding him RANDOM CAMEO actor in any random movie.... including DRACULA!!!
Keep going, start with the early ones. Try ol 55
Check out the movie Down by Law. Tom waits Co star
Try women sing Tom waits Aimee mann hold on Patty griffin ruby's arms
Norah Jones - Long Way Home is another good one and also Neko Case - Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis.
I'll give those a try
banjo
Banjo
Try nick drake,