Music Review - Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards by Tom Waits

Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards by Tom Waits
This 3-disc collection of unused and B-side tracks is a great introduction to the genius of Tom Waits, or for fans of old, a “bonus features” collection to his last four or five albums. I’ve decided to break this review into three sections – one for each disc – because otherwise the 54 song collection is simply to massive to discuss and remain on topic. These three discs are Tom Waits, and if you don’t know him, you are truly missing out on something special.

Brawlers – This is the more rocking of the three discs. For fans, the songs on this disc most resemble those of Mule Variations and Real Gone. Some of Waits’ more political songs – songs with messages – appear here, too. These are your upbeat – in as far as Tom Waits can be considered “upbeat” – tunes, your hardcore tracks.

Solid Tracks: “Lie To Me” – “Fish In the Jailhouse” – “Lucinda” – “Road To Peace” – “Walk Away”

Bawlers – This is the disc of ballads and love songs – love Tom Waits style: tough and tender, heartbreaking and hidden-hopeful. For those of you in the know, this disc reminded me a lot of Alice and Blood Money.

Solid Tracks: “Long Way Home” – “Widow’s Grove” – “Little Drop of Poison” – “Fannin Street” – Take Care of All My Children” – “Young At Heart”

Bastards – In what I can only describe as “hobo-transient” music, this is the disc of Tom’s story songs. It reminds me of Depression era music, to some extent. This is the disc where you stop and listen. This is the music of your great-grandpa telling you tales of tragedy and woe, outrageousness and humor. This is the weird stuff.

Solid Tracks: “What Keeps Mankind Alive” – “Children’s Story” – “ Army Ants” – “Two Sisters” – “First Kiss” – “The Promise” – [bonus track 20]