I’ve only seen Tom Waits in a live setting once. He started the show standing atop a box, hunched way over so as to reach down to the microphone. The top of the box had been covered with powder, so as Waits slammed his foot down with the beat a large cloud grew around him. As he completed the first chorus of “Jockey Full of Bourbon” he reached into his pocket and flipped a handful of glitter into the air. It was surreal. It was exhilarating … just like this record.
‘Half Notes’ are quick-take thoughts on music from Something Else!, presented whenever the mood strikes us.
Mark Saleski is a writer and music obsessive based out of the woods of central New Hampshire. A past contributor to Jazz.com, Blogcritics.org and Salon, he originated several of our weekly features including the Friday Morning Listen, (Cross the) Heartland, WTF! Wednesday, and Sparks Fly on E Street. Follow him on Twitter: @msaleski. Contact Something Else! at [email protected].
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