Gravel-voiced singer/songwriter from the 70's, 80's, 90's and today. His albums from the 1970's include
music mostly from the
jazz and folk background. (see Foreign Affairs, Closing Time) In the 1980's and early 1990's, Waits became more of a carnival-style poet, writing songs with
crazy rhythms, archaic instruments, and mesmerizing lyrics. (see Rain
Dogs, Swordfishtrombones, Bone Machine) Today, Waits has created an interesting mixture of all his previous styles, most apparent on the albums Blood
Money and Mule Variations. His latest album, Real Gone, is made up of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and beats, dropping his lifelong instrument of choice, the piano. An indie-cult favorite.
The Waits discography: Real Gone*, ('04) Blood
Money*, ('02) Alice, ('02) Mule Variations*, ('99) The
Black Rider, ('93) Bone Machine*, ('92) Franks Wild Years, ('87) Rain
Dogs*, ('85) Swordfishtrombones*, ('83) Heartattack and Vine*, ('80) Blue Valentine*, ('78) Foreign Affairs*, ('77) Small Change*, ('76) Nighthawks at the Diner, ('75) The Heart of Saturday Night*, ('74) Closing Time*. ('73)
* = key albums