A Taste of Waits
Well, barbecue in Memphis didn't work out this weekend. Next time, better planning, on my part. A change in arrival time caused me to miss lunch with Richie. I will be back. Saturday, a drive to Little Pigs BBQ uncovered that the store was now a Quizno's. My bud, Bob and I found Topp's BBQ. We had a couple of decent pulled pork sandwiches and headed back to St. Louis.
But the concert...THAT was impressive! A fan for several years, I'd hoped to one day see Tom Waits in concert. My wish came true Friday evening. I was not disappointed.
Memphis setlist - Orpheum Theatre, August 4
(thanks to
http://eyeballkid.blogspot.com/)
Singapore
Make it Rain
Hoist That Rag
Shore Leave
Ain’t Going to the Well
Yesterday is Here
God’s Away on Business
Til’ the Money Runs Out
219 (My Baby’s Leaving on the)
Dead and Lovely
Tango Till They’re Sore
House Where Nobody Lives
The Ocean Doesn’t Want Me (Bobby Darin Remix)
Invitation to the Blues
Whistling Past the Graveyard
Heart Attack and Vine (with Spoonful by Willy Dixon)
Shake It
It Rains on Me (the Chuck E. Weiss song)
Circus
Trampled Rose
Get Behind the Mule
Murder in the Red Barn
Going out West
Encore:
Day after Tomorrow
Sins of the Father
Excellent photos from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
http://lpe.accessatlanta.com/galler...tomwaits/?cxntlid=aa-hp-rtr?cxntlid=aa-hp-rtr
The Orpheum is a world class venue. The sound was incredible and our 8th row seats were a stroke of good fortune. Tom Waits' vocal gruffness, these days, surrenders to more of a bark on occasion. Like many singers, however, he seemed to get more of his voice as the show progressed. Joking with the locals, he claimed to be disappointed in Memphis, for taking 20 minutes to sell-out the show. Fortunately, he told us he'd give them another chance to do better. Keep your fingers crossed.
An incredible band joined him for the two and a half hour set. Featuring his son, Casey Waits (drums), Duke Robillard (guitar), Larry Taylor (upright bass) and Bent Clausen (vibraphone, keyboards, banjo, and percussion). Tom did sit at the grand piano for a few numbers, but mostly gyrated about while holding his own on electric or acoustic guitars, and of course, a megaphone.
Tom Waits is not on everyone's jukebox, but those who've acquired the taste and were able to score the precious few tickets left the theatre with ear-to-ear grins and memories for a lifetime.