The title of this post comes from a pun made by Fred Willard when he was co-host of Fernwood 2Night. Remember that show? It was a spinoff of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and featured Willard as a sidekick to Martin Mull’s talk show host.

Anyway, that show was where I first encountered Tom Waits. I was young and impressionable and it left me scarred for life. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Blacks “Goin’ Out West” (Tom Waits)
Friday night I went to a free show at the Logan Square Auditorium. It was sponsored by Camel. They had a table set up where folks could get their driver’s licenses scanned (thus allowing Camel to track them and market to them for the rest of their lives) in exchange for a pack of cigarettes. I almost asked the guy behind the table if he felt ashamed of himself.

Local band The Blacks were opening for the Detroit Cobras. The Blacks were absolutely ferocious and blew the Cobras off the stage. Their set featured a piledriver version of my favorite Tom Waits cover.

Jon Dee Graham “Way Down In The Hole” (Tom Waits)
I first saw Jon Dee Graham opening up for somebody else I went to the bar to see. As he played I could only keep thinking “why have I never heard of this guy before?”

The Blue Hawaiians “Jockey Full of Bourbon” (Tom Waits)
According to Hollywood legend, Quentin Tarrantino was a regular at the Lava Lounge where the Blue Hawaiians had a standing gig. Supposedly their performances influenced the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction. I have no idea if that’s true but it’s a good story.

Johnny Cash “Down There By The Train” (Tom Waits)
A powerful reading of a powerful song.

Tom Waits “Sea of Love” (Phil Phillips)
Mr. Waits knows his way around a cover. From the brilliant rarities collection that came out last year called Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards.