Newly updated to include his critically acclaimed post-millennial work, this look at Tom Waits--both the reality and the myriad myths--reveals the man behind the curtain. A tale of how a self-taught, drunken hipster in roach-killers and a dirty beret has influenced a generation of musicians with his sound, warmth, and willingness to take chances, this biography shows how he has moved between sideshow barker and evocative troubadour with ease, recording almost 20 albums that range from cabaret to movie soundtracks. Waits encapsulates the wink-and-nudge of a Vaudevillian and the rhythm and heart of a beatnik, and his fans span a similarly wide spectrum, drawn in by his candor and humor. But off stage, he has resolutely protected his private life even as he and his wife-collaborator, Kathleen Brennan, publicly experiment with innovative recording techniques and instrumentation. A complete discography, as well as a look at Waits' film and theater careers, rounds out this exploration of a great, self-styled, genre-hopping enigma--the poet laureate of the streetlit American night.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Wild Years: The Music And Myth Of Tom Waits:
Wild Years by Jay S. Jacobs ***** Of all the musical biographies I have ever read (and I have read a lot), this is by far the best. Wild Years is painstakingly researched, never boring, clear cut, unapologetic, highly informative, and most of all entertaining. The man that is Tom Waits, is far removed from his public persona. Wild Years kills all the rumours, and exaggerations, it releases the truth. Filled with the same humour as Waits' own music making Wild Years a thoroughly enjoyable and... more info
Wild Years: Tom Waits:
My husband and I both read this book. It is wonderful for the Tom Waits fans. We highly suggest it to other fans.
Good bio of a great musician:
Tom Waits is one of my favorite musicians, and he is as an interesting as some of the characters he is famous for singing about. The author notes in the beginning of this book that many stories about Waits have been fabricated by Waits in various interviews. For instance, nobody knows where Waits was born, and Waits himself has given several different locations. But the stories, true or not, are great, sometimes really funny.
SUPERB in every way!:
An enjoyable read! Great stories, details about landmark albums, and just enough personal background to satisfy the reader without getting boring. Not to mention the most detailed discography on the planet. Great investment for the Tom Waits fan.
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