1986:my wife and I on climbing trip to Mt Kenya in East Africa. Alone high on the peak, camped in snow, hadn't seen another person for 10 days. Was saving the batteries for headlamps, but splurged and pulled out the walkman one day. The studio version of this song was on. It took us away. I looked in her eyes, and we both felt it. The closest thing I've ever had to a mystical or out of body experience. We had to look away - can't explain it. Like nothing I've experience since. Thanks Tom!
Just... awe-inspiring. The comments here make me so happy because everyone is so connected. This song and performance has left a profound impression on us all.
I bought a long sleeved shirt with horses on the front...and some gum and a lighter and a knife There is no better lyricist than this fellow. Forever and ever, amen.
Sei il migliore veramente, ho 30 anni e ti ascolto da 10 anni..mi fai sempre viaggiare tra i tuoi racconti. Sei semplicemente magico, e la tua magia come dire..mi incanta. Non sono riuscito mai a vederti live..spero di riuscirci anche se è dura. Sei il re per me! Questa performance ogni volta che la vedo mi lascia senza parole, solo brividi e viaggi mentali. Grazie.
No comment , maybe exept - that´s the fu....g brilliant...!!! Exeptional performer...listening to him for last 30 years.. Thank you Tom..! :)) Yurri from Prague
This guy is unbelievable Tom Waits Amazing Awesome Genius I agree with all this comments, absolutely. Specially with tehtapemonkey Thank you very much for sharing.
Sooo much passion on this version! Wouldn't have really thought much of this song if not for this performance - so glad the Big Time movie/soundtrack was what introduced me to Tom Waits back in my teens.
Always been a great fan of his, from about 18-19 yrs. old - some time ago lol. I was today year's old when I heard this version the first time and am literally blown away. One of my favorites of his, live and....better than studio? Yeah, that's Tom for ya.
This version of this song almost made me cry the first time I saw it, on a friend's TV. I did not have such a response to either the album version nor the TH-cam clip, but I am still quite happy to see this again!
One of the best Waits songs ever, but I say that about all of them. A favourite line that my wife and I use regularly comes from this song "Squeezing all the life out of a lousy two day pass". This song is as close as humans come to teleportation.
I, of course, love his music, his recording tunes; but his live versions are so damn good. His live versions of telephone call from Istanbul, On the Nickel, Chocolate Jesus, and especially Way Down In The Hole are truly amazing.
I had the good sense and fortune to catch this movie at the theater on 'the big screen'. I can only hope that it gets released on bluray ASAP. It get's better with each viewing.
i believe Tom Waits is jesus and the messiah together, preaching us all to go into a 4 week depression of drinking in a small shed with this song playing over and over on the turntable
All I have to say is MY GOD that is amazing. Tom Waits has an incredible amount of talent. This version of Shore Leave leaves me speechless. I am hunting down a copy of Big Time right this second! Great clip TombyStone! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome version of an awesome song ... And then Marc Ribot starts soloing, which brings the whole lot beyond that. What's stronger than "awesome" ? Divine ?
Sorry to react so late, but I only saw this comment now. I totally agree with you. As I am dutch and english is not my native language, I never could describe exactely what I was feeling listening to TW, but what you said comes so close, I could have said it myself...lol what you say about catching your attention every time and getting goosebumps is so true, I can easily agree with you. thanks.......
Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car." Taken from Wikipedia and absolutely spot-on lol
I'll be paying money to see Big Time in Janurary, so until then, I will do this to get by. Besides Tom bought his own bootleg on Ebay at least once... I just read an article about it last night... he uses the internet too! :P
I first thought about saying something like "buy the album" but I feel you, and this isn't on Big Time (the album) so my suggestion would be to download Tubetilla or something similar and transfer it to a mp3. this is so great I can't stop listening to it.
But you can't get this song on the album. When I was working at the AV Dept. at UW-Madison I made a tape of the VHS just to get these songs plus the little stories he tells between songs.
This is some of the most brilliant performance art of Tom Waits' career here in Big Time. That's not even an understatement.
It's also one of the best songs, from the best album. A masterful composition, absolutely gorgeous transitions and everything.
this song in that performance makes me a Tom Waits fan >30 years ago.
1986:my wife and I on climbing trip to Mt Kenya in East Africa. Alone high on the peak, camped in snow, hadn't seen another person for 10 days. Was saving the batteries for headlamps, but splurged and pulled out the walkman one day. The studio version of this song was on. It took us away. I looked in her eyes, and we both felt it. The closest thing I've ever had to a mystical or out of body experience. We had to look away - can't explain it. Like nothing I've experience since. Thanks Tom!
I'm here, looking at the comments for stories like this, 15 years later but not late. Thank you.
at the end of the song it sounds like he's crying out for his wife... absolutely raw and incredible
Some guys should live for ever....
I don't know how he hits those notes but when he does... sends chills down my back.
i saw him in 1978 at the Leroy Theatre in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
the best indivdual act i 've ever seen.
he is a genius.
thanks for posting
Just... awe-inspiring. The comments here make me so happy because everyone is so connected. This song and performance has left a profound impression on us all.
i got chills every time i listen to this song. what a voice...
The way he turns off that lamp at the end...so perfect, so smooth, so Waits.
This is miles ahead from the original version. Same with Yesterday is Here. Big Time was a fucking really good performance
I bought a long sleeved shirt with horses on the front...and some gum and a lighter and a knife
There is no better lyricist than this fellow. Forever and ever, amen.
Yeah tom waits is a genius! An innovator and too honest for ordinary narrow minded souls.
AMAZING!!!!!! Even after 25 years it steel be amazing for me!!!!
This performance just blew me away. It's so powerful and emotional and amazing. I am in awe of Tom Waits.
Tom Waits will always occupy a dark but humorous corner of my brain, chained to my soul.
So powerful. I can't think of anyone that even comes close to Tom's stage presence.
Play this, on your home entertainment system, at full blast! From start to finish! Wow!
I rather won't do that or the neibourgh start to complain. They have no taste.
Get new neighbors! :)
+Raap123 the neighbours complain? Don't give a hoot what they say.
This is one of those rare musical performances that just makes the hair on my arms stand at attention all the way through.
once you 'get' this song and Tom Waits, hopefully you will never recover!
This performance is just mesmerizing.
The saxophone in this song wraps itself around Tom's ankles like a slinky cat. This man is a genius...
Sei il migliore veramente, ho 30 anni e ti ascolto da 10 anni..mi fai sempre viaggiare tra i tuoi racconti. Sei semplicemente magico, e la tua magia come dire..mi incanta. Non sono riuscito mai a vederti live..spero di riuscirci anche se è dura. Sei il re per me! Questa performance ogni volta che la vedo mi lascia senza parole, solo brividi e viaggi mentali. Grazie.
No comment , maybe exept - that´s the fu....g brilliant...!!! Exeptional performer...listening to him for last 30 years.. Thank you Tom..! :)) Yurri from Prague
I love Tom Waits. He is such a musical and lyrical genius.
This guy is unbelievable
Tom Waits
Amazing
Awesome
Genius
I agree with all this comments, absolutely.
Specially with tehtapemonkey
Thank you very much for sharing.
Lyrically, this is off the scale. And one of my favourite ever live performances.
Sooo much passion on this version! Wouldn't have really thought much of this song if not for this performance - so glad the Big Time movie/soundtrack was what introduced me to Tom Waits back in my teens.
this is just the best, first time i heard it but im hooked, just like 16 shells a few minutes ago, this guy is such a great singer and storyteller.
Always been a great fan of his, from about 18-19 yrs. old - some time ago lol. I was today year's old when I heard this version the first time and am literally blown away. One of my favorites of his, live and....better than studio? Yeah, that's Tom for ya.
This version of this song almost made me cry the first time I saw it, on a friend's TV. I did not have such a response to either the album version nor the TH-cam clip, but I am still quite happy to see this again!
Absolute genius this man is xx
Can listen to this on repeat for hours
One of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life. I wish I was there.
WHAT IS THIS
This is something very special.
Oh the fearless drama, the dirty beauty and the pure poetry... one of a kind.
One of the best Waits songs ever, but I say that about all of them. A favourite line that my wife and I use regularly comes from this song "Squeezing all the life out of a lousy two day pass". This song is as close as humans come to teleportation.
This movie is so amazing... I had forgotten this song was on it.
I, of course, love his music, his recording tunes; but his live versions are so damn good. His live versions of telephone call from Istanbul, On the Nickel, Chocolate Jesus, and especially Way Down In The Hole are truly amazing.
Listening to this song while actually being in Hong Kong is pretty great, had a chance to do it a few years ago. Quite an experience.
I had the good sense and fortune to catch this movie at the theater on 'the big screen'. I can only hope that it gets released on bluray ASAP. It get's better with each viewing.
Jesus... I really got the emotion of the letter from this version. So powerful, and I totally didn't expect it. I felt the desperation.
i saw this 26 years ago for the first time and it blew my mind, i hope it does yours
czy to bylo w TVP? Mnie to zahipnotyzowało wtedy. Wczesniej nie wiedzialem że Tom Waits istnieje
Es increible lo que este hombre puede hacer con su voz.Magnifico
if it was on DVD i'd love to spend cash on this, it's beyond amazing.
This should be the most-viewed Tom Waits video. This shit should be taught at the university.
You know what, it EVOKES something because its so profoundly different than anything else.
i believe Tom Waits is jesus and the messiah together, preaching us all to go into a 4 week depression of drinking in a small shed with this song playing over and over on the turntable
absolutely pure genius
One of his greatest songs
Do you know anyone else who can sing whispering?
He gives me the shivers. And the blues. And the music.
This song breaks my heart.
That's the part that almost made me cry, it's so good! Feel it.
I am so very in love with Tom Waits
Thats the whole point
Tom waits is moving,if he moves you of scares you.
This performance is just hypnotic.
Watch it again its addictive
All I have to say is MY GOD that is amazing. Tom Waits has an incredible amount of talent. This version of Shore Leave leaves me speechless. I am hunting down a copy of Big Time right this second! Great clip TombyStone! Thanks for sharing.
wonderfull!!
this is INCREDIBLE.
I love his facial expressions hehe. Great performance.
sums us all up and cuts us to the bone with a lyric.
So weird, but so damn important. This is a work of genuine genius--what author, what songwriter, can evoke like Waits?
Couldn't agree more. Well said.
and I wondered how the same moon outside
over this Chinatown fair
could look down on Illinois
and find you there
and you know I love you Baby
Beautiful
Una magnifica versione dal vivo
Every time I read that line I get goosebumps
If this guy isn't a genius then none is. Fucking absolute genius. Absolute genius.
Mhhhhhhh so gooood❤❤❤❤
Fantastic!
I cant help myself - I just LOVE this song...
Hot damn! Sing it. SSSSSShhhhhhooooooorrrrreeeee lllleeeaaaavvvvvvvveeee
Awesome version of an awesome song ... And then Marc Ribot starts soloing, which brings the whole lot beyond that. What's stronger than "awesome" ? Divine ?
Sorry to react so late, but I only saw this comment now. I totally agree with you.
As I am dutch and english is not my native language, I never could describe exactely what I was feeling listening to TW, but what you said comes so close, I could have said it myself...lol
what you say about catching your attention every time and getting goosebumps is so true, I can easily agree with you. thanks.......
man, Tom Waits is amazing...
I ain't stackin nothing.
Just here to say Tom is The Man.
carry on...
THE Best Version of this song... Deep, habited and inspiring ...
Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."
Taken from Wikipedia and absolutely spot-on lol
Has anyone ever conveyed the pain of loneliness like Waits.
I can't make it by myself, I love you so!!! PERFECTION!!!!!
There is no one better
For so long I thought that his primal scream was his girl's name that he was missing so bad, Charlene!
If a better love song exists I ain't heard it.
I'm so far away from home, I miss my baby so..........
I'll be paying money to see Big Time in Janurary, so until then, I will do this to get by. Besides Tom bought his own bootleg on Ebay at least once... I just read an article about it last night... he uses the internet too! :P
This is amazing!
GENIUS!
Great song fantastic performance
I first thought about saying something like "buy the album" but I feel you, and this isn't on Big Time (the album) so my suggestion would be to download Tubetilla or something similar and transfer it to a mp3.
this is so great I can't stop listening to it.
Masterpiece, by all means.
I think thats what full artistic control means..
put out with passion!!
Best Tom Wait's song..
i wish this was on the cd!
Pure Magic / Genius
just great
Superior !
thumbs up for the random work light!
wow, amazing. gave me goose bumps. So Tom , when you coming to Australia???
he has an almost creepy husky voice...love the lyrics
Probably the greatest Artist since Hannah Hoch.......
doktorfuture: It's because there has not yet been a rating system invented that can truly convey the brilliance of Waits. ;^)
Ohhhhhhhhhh❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Another great example of Tom Waits being better live than album version :)
But you can't get this song on the album. When I was working at the AV Dept. at UW-Madison I made a tape of the VHS just to get these songs plus the little stories he tells between songs.