Nighthawks at the Diner

Even though this is not a live album in a traditional sense, it still has all the traits I love in a live album. Seamless flow, banter, and all that jazz. Not to mention the intricacies and perpetual charisma of the character of Tom Waits.

The only downside is that it can feel a bit tedious to get through. The meat of the songs is great, but the intros sometimes go meandering into situations that they barely manage to get themselves out of. It's hard to keep interest, but when you do, its a really nice listen.

Today's listen is *Nighthawks at the Diner*, my fifth Tom Waits album in this challenge, and I can't say I was particularly looking forward to it! I've really struggled with his music so far, especially his grating voice and the lack of melody. *Rain Dogs* was probably the best of the four I'd heard, but even that didn't do much for me. I know he's highly regarded, but I've never really understood the appeal. Maybe today would finally be the day Tom Waits won me over, although I wasn't holding my breath!

Well, what a surprise! *Nighthawks at the Diner* is by far the best Tom Waits album I've heard. I actually really enjoyed this, which is something I never thought I'd say about one of his records!

Musically, it's excellent. There's some lovely piano playing, great jazz arrangements and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere throughout. The lyrics are clever and genuinely funny in places, and I particularly enjoyed the spoken introductions between songs. They give the album plenty of character and make it feel like you're sitting in a small club watching Waits perform.

Even his voice, which I've found almost unbearable on previous albums, didn't bother me quite as much here. It's still rough and certainly not something I'd describe as pleasant, but somehow it works with this style of music. The combination of storytelling, humour and musicianship makes this a surprisingly easy and entertaining listen.

Overall, *Nighthawks at the Diner* has completely surprised me. I still wouldn't call myself a Tom Waits fan, and I doubt I'll ever love his voice, but this is the first album of his that I've genuinely enjoyed from start to finish. It's funny, atmospheric and full of great music. After four difficult listens, I've finally found a Tom Waits album I'd happily play again!

Favourite tracks: "Better Off Without a Wife" and "On a Foggy Night". Both really enjoyable tunes, with great piano playing and some entertaining lyrics.

Least favourite track: Nothing was horrific, which is certainly not something I've ever said about a Tom Waits album before!

Album artwork: A really cool cover. I love the atmosphere of it, and it suits the music perfectly.

I truly do get the hype... I just can't sell it as music. It's poetry - and great topical interesting stuff. I'm sure the style and feel and words have inspired millions. Just not really music to me. 2.

I thought I knew what my bar was for a 1 star album, but there's always something to push it lower.

People keep giving me Tom’s albums but I have never been overwhelmed by his work. This changed that view. It is gorgeous, with beautiful stories, his incredible gravely emotive voice and the audience participation. Gosh I wish I’d been there.

wird mir unsympathischer 2 tage hintereinander

I love dystopian funfair narrator Tom Waits and I love brandy-soaked jazz raconteur Tom Waits.

My favorite cigarette smoking and whiskey drinking uncle rambles his way into an entertaining "live" show, evoking the smoky jazz bars of the past. This is my kinda album.

I'm going to let this sneak in as a 5 star. Felt very genuine and warm

yeah i would hate jazz too if it sounded like this

Fun concept worked great. It was a good idea to hear it on speakers with good imaging.

Man, I love Tom Waits. But 5 albums?!

I thought the last Tom Waits album I had was good, so I hope this one is too. Unfortunately, I don't really care for this one. Here, Tom doesn't sound like he's trying to sing, more just telling stories over somewhat jazzy instrumentals. It's pretty obvious what he's going for here; a shady club jazz-type deal. Adding crowd noise onto your studio record, however, is just asinine even within the context of this album, and this album lacks memorable songs. So, essentially, all this record has is its shtick(whereas Heartattack and Vine had some genuinely good songs).

This album is ranked #20 of 22 albums for 1975. Other 1975 albums rated by me:
Wish You Were Here(1/22)-5
A Night At The Opera(2/22)-5
Physical Graffiti(3/22)-4
Blood on the Tracks(4/22)-3
Mothership Connection(7/22)-4
That's the Way of the World(8/22)-5
Red Headed Stranger(11/22)-5
Pieces of the Sky(16/22)-4

Deze trekt me wat minder dan Heartattack and Vine. De live setting is cool, maar het is flink wat eentoniger en druileriger dan voorgenoemde. Leuk om een keer te luisteren, maar ga ik niet naar terug keren.

Weird one, even for Tom Waits' standards.

I was definitely expecting more of the same of what I got. Experimental blues. But what I'm getting is a kinda diner jazz, spoken word thing that I'm honestly enjoying. It's hard to kinda pick out any specific songs as they all kinda lead into eachother and just vibe through the whole thing. There's definitely a throughline to the whole album.

My only complaint really would be that because there's that throughline, the variation isn't really there, and at over an hour long, it does kinda outstay it's welcome a tad.

But the live audience is a pretty fun touch as well. Definitely prefer some of Waits' other stuff, but this one is a fun one.

I always know it’s going to be a great day when the generator graces me with a Tom Waits album. I'm a bit sad that I only have two more to look forward to from the generator after this.

Nighthawks at the Diner is so focused on the atmosphere that it feels overdone, almost satirical. This isn’t just some jazz band playing any old jazz club, it’s an absolute caricature of the jazz band playing the seediest, late night, smoke filled jazz club. Everything is accentuated; it’s the corniest jokes, the wildest of stories, the most gravelly singing, the most enthusiastic cheers, jeers, and jabs from the audience, the smoothest bass, the most sensual saxophone, the smokiest smoke, and the strongest cocktails. All of it is turned up to 11. It’s also wild that, while this was technically recorded in a studio, it was actually setup and played as a live show, including an old-time burlesque dancer that Tom knew as an opening act. That would have definitely helped set the incredibly seedy mood they were going for on this album.

While I prefer the junkyard persona that he adopts in later years, I’d be happy listening to Tom Waits reading the news out loud with some smooth jazz in the background any day, which is something he basically does on Emotional Weather Report. I would have killed to have been in the audience for one of these two shows.

Please.

I feel like I've heard about this album but haven't ever sat down to listen to it start-to-finish.

I suppose I give them credit for trying this sort of experiment, but I'm afraid that it's just not working. Definitely deserves a shout-out to Jim Hughart for his upright bass playing.

I'd love to give this points for being Tom Waits, but this is just not good. It's different, but not good.

1.0/5.0

this was an interesting album. he really nailed the vibe he was going for and he fully commits to the bit. there are some good lines on here but the delivery didnt do it for me.