The Ultimate Poll: Tom or Bob

[sleepkyng]

Ok people, it's time to settle the age old question

master curmudgeon talented singer songwriter:

Tom Waits

or

Bob Dylan

you cannot vote if you haven't listened to at least 2 albums by both.

 

[bln]

All respect to Tom Waits, but if you think the two can be compared, you need to acquire more Dylan, sit yourself down in a room, and listen to it.

 

[sleepkyng]

Hey, I own every album by both of them.

Love them to death, but Tom gets the edge in my book.

 

[tom hankins]

Bob gets the edge in song writing (more musical) and Tom gets the the edge for story telling.(more intense) It's a draw.
Tom by himself live, is a sight to see. Like NO ONE ELSE.

 

[skr]

I give a slight nod to Waits, but I'm partial. When I was going to UCLA many years ago, I worked at the Tropicana Motel. Waits was living there at the time, so I had many occasions to talk with him. Watched the Grammy awards with him the year Rickie Lee Jones won. I still remember his comment, "I've got five albums out and I haven't got a Grammy yet."

Those were some interesting times...

 

[sleepkyng]

wow that's awesome!
was he fun to chill with?

he seems awfully skinny.

 

[SunShip]

Anyone got Tom's new album? I heard a clip on a radio interview and it sounded very good.

 

[VicAjax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunShip Anyone got Tom's new album? I heard a clip on a radio interview and it sounded very good.

i have it, 'real gone.' not a masterpiece, but it's definitely growing on me. i'm a huge fan of marc ribot, so i'm glad he's back in the lineup.

i gave my vote to tom waits. all props to dylan, who is a superior songwriter. i just happen to value experimentation more than most people, and i find waits to be much more adventurous.

and to file under "you didn't ask my opinion so i'm giving it to you": i think elvis costello is a better songwriter than dylan.

Quote:

I give a slight nod to Waits, but I'm partial. When I was going to UCLA many years ago, I worked at the Tropicana Motel. Waits was living there at the time, so I had many occasions to talk with him. Watched the Grammy awards with him the year Rickie Lee Jones won. I still remember his comment, "I've got five albums out and I haven't got a Grammy yet." Those were some interesting times...

it's very rare that i'm reduced to the phrase, "dude, that freakin' rocks."

 

[The Actual]

What are the best Tom Waits albums? Dylan has Blood on the Tracks and Blonde on Blonde as his most critically acclaimed, what does Waits have?

 

[skr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepkyng wow that's awesome! was he fun to chill with? he seems awfully skinny.

He was a great guy. Very friendly and he would spend time talking when he was around. Just before he left for a tour of Japan he asked me what I wanted him to bring back for me. And yes, he was very skinny. In keeping with the beatnik persona, of course.

 

[VicAjax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Actual What are the best Tom Waits albums? Dylan has Blood on the Tracks and Blonde on Blonde as his most critically acclaimed, what does Waits have?

This is much-debated. Waits began as a character-type, a sort of "beatnik troubadour." This sort of sums up his tenure on asylum records. from that era, my personal favorites are "small change" and "nighthawks at the diner." his first album. "closing time," is also highly regarded.

he became more experimentla once he signed with island records, scrapping his old, tired persona with a fantastic trilogy of albums: swordfishtrombones, rain dogs and frank's wild years. all three, in my opinion, are equal masterpieces, although rain dogs might be the easiest point of entry. frank's wild years is based on a musical he wrote, which ran for six weeks in chicago. big time is a great live album (and movie), very loosely based on the musical.

of his 90s/00s output, my favorites are the black rider, alice and blood money (the last two released at the same time), and mule variations is excellent, too. but i'd save this stuff for last, if you're planning on getting into him.

 

[The Actual]

Thanks VicAjax, I think that I am going to buy rain dogs after christmas. I look forward to listening to it.

 

[pspivak]

What about Leonard Cohen or John Pryne?

 

[atomd]

I'd give the nod to Waits. He really sort of connected with Rain Dogs...and has continued to do so. He's a little bit hit or miss...but when he hits he wows. Rolling Stone would disagree with me though...putting "Like a Rolling Stone" as #1 on their list. Hmmmmmmmmm......Rolling Stone naming "Like a Rolling Stone" the best song ever? I'm shocked! What a cop out! (Rolling Stone sucks anyways). Dylan wrote some pretty good lyrics but Waits has the overall style and creativity to conquer IMHO.