Tom Waits & Dog
"Citizen of the World" Tom Waits is profiled in this clip from Night Flight circa 1991. The somewhat clueless narration can be forgiven thanks to the lively interview clips with Tom Waits & Dog.
This reminded me that there is a vast hole in my DVD library that needs to be filled by some Tom Waits vintage videos. Perhaps Jim Jarmusch should start working on a biopic (and the more confusing and fact-hiding a Waits biopic, the better). At the very least we need a video collection, as well as Big Time, which has been out of print for years and has yet to make it to DVD, despite rumors a while back to the contrary (Sorry, Torrent lovers, those are just burns of the VHS).
Speaking of lost Tom Waits footage, here's the 1978 animated piece "Tom Waits For No One". This was the first animation using new modern rotoscoping technology (as made popular by Ralph Bakshi), and even though the film was barely seen, producer Bruce Lyon and director John Lamb won a Technical Achievement Academy Award for developing the technique.
Until we get some official Tom Waits releases, you can still see the man live -- at least if you live in the South. His "Glitter and Doom" tour hits only the Southwest this summer where, "they still love a man who wears red pants and they make him feel welcome." Here's a clip from his "press conference" explaining his odd touring choices.
rotoscoping, like max fleisher did in the 20's?
Posted by: flopsie mcardle | May 15, 2008 at 02:29 AM
Columbus, Ohio is the Southwest?
Posted by: David Lynch | May 15, 2008 at 07:36 AM
a) I should say "modern rotoscoping" (and will correct it later). As per the page linked above: "The technique of Rotoscoping was developed in 1917 by Max Fleischer and his studio. The pencil test system that John co-developed, and how it significantly advanced the process of Rotographing is the technology for which he earned the Oscar."
b) I know, right? The label calls it a Southwestern tour. One veer up to Columbus doesn't change that most of the shows are down South. But it is advantageous for me. I might be in the Ohio area for that one, and it may well be worth a side trip!
Posted by: Resident Clinton | May 15, 2008 at 07:56 AM
One of my favorite clips is from Waits' appearance on Fernwood Tonight. I used to rave about Martin Mulls' characters' perfect reaction to The Piano Has been Drinking. Thank good for YouTube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=R_0E7x3Nqys
Posted by: cracker | May 15, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I almost posted that one, too. Classic clip!
Posted by: residentclinton | May 15, 2008 at 09:21 AM
SIGH!
Another reason why the sadly departed Night Flight was so great; they thought enough about their audience's intelligence that they weren't afraid to throw out a reference like The Wiemar Republic.
FYI: There's a dude on the internets that sells a ton of Nightflight on DVD for really cheap.
Right here, I believe.
Posted by: rich | May 15, 2008 at 10:49 AM
How could you possibly write an entire post on Tom Waits without mentioning Scarlett Johansson?
Posted by: rzb | May 15, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Ugh. ScarJo's mediocre album is getting enough publicity without me.
Posted by: residentclinton | May 15, 2008 at 11:10 AM
yeah, i agree. i've been waiting for a dvd release of his videos AND big time. can't understand why someone wouldn't wanna make an extra buck on content that is already made AND also in high demand.
...also, he'll be touring this summer but only a limited number of dates. wouldn't it be nice if they shot a whole show and released a nice, new live show? for all the millions of fans who won't be able to see him live.
HEY, i can dream can't i? after all, you're innocent when you dream...
Posted by: spaceboy5367 | May 15, 2008 at 03:44 PM
To paraphrase Tom Scharpling: "Blackface for poor people"
Posted by: Jake | May 16, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Who the hell let that woman go out and interview people for Night Flight? Makes me embarrassed to be British.
Posted by: adrian | May 29, 2008 at 04:43 AM