As is often the case I’ve latched on to a particular album or musician during a multi-day experiment. This time it happens to be Tom Waits, and in particular the Small Change Album, although Blood Money is running a close second place. Right now Step Right Up is getting the most play, but it’s just a great album to let play. I think it’d be a hoot to play that song in a little combo group. It’s not traditional jazz, but then again I’ve always enjoyed playing more than just normal “standards.” Plus there’s the whole thing about Frito-Lay abusing it. It just speaks volumes that a junk food company used a likeness of a song (and Waits’ voice) that ridicules hucksters in an advertisement for a new brand of snack.



I’ve really grown to love Tom Waits over the years. I first heard his music, as do many people, being performed by others. The first place I really grew to love his music was the Temptation album recorded by Holly Cole.

Plus, if we ever have kids I’m going to teach the toddler some Tom Waits songs to sing at kindergarten.