Re: The Official Tom Waits Thread
How would you justify Tom Waits getting in the R&R Hall over bands like Rush, Journey, Kiss, Deep Purple etc? I honestly know nothing about the guy, never heard any of his music. Anyone?
Well Tom got into the Rock Hall over Rush, Journey, Deep Purple, and KISS because....they weren't nominees.
Now I'm not going to get on my Rock Hall soap box or anything about a number of great groups are getting snubbed when they should inducted (those previously mentioned being front runners for that). I'm just taking solace in the fact that Alice Cooper finally got in this year.
As for Tom's actual merit and the reasons for his induction? He's a highly original musician who tells very vivid stories through the looking glass of a smoke filled barroom, the promised land of the "down and out" if you will. Rooted heavily in jazz and folk and incorporating elements of countless other genres he creates a jarring and sideways musicscape that flows perfectly under whatever often humorous and/or dark lyrics he has written for that particular song. In short, Tom Waits in a one of a kind songwriter, an instantly recognizable singer, and in my opinion of of music's most gifted lyricists and storytellers.
