LABEL: Island
VINYL RELEASE DATE: 09/22/2023
VARIANT: LP

TRACKLIST:
– Side 1 –
1 Underground
2 Shore Leave
3 Dave the Butcher
4 Johnsburg Illinois
5 16 Shells from a 30 6
6 Town with No Cheer
7 In the Neighbourhood
– Side 2 –
1 Just Another Sucker on the Vine
2 Frank’s Wild Years
3 Swordfishtrombone
4 Down Down Down
5 Soldier’s Things
6 Gin Soaked Boy
7 Trouble’s Braids
8 Rainbirds

Album Info Hide Show Artist: Tom Waits Album: Swordfishtrombones Released: Europe, 2016 Tracklist: A1 Underground 1:58 Acoustic Bass – Larry Taylor Baritone Horn – Randy Aldcroft Drums – Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges Electric Guitar – Fred Tackett Marimba [Bass Marimba] – Victor Feldman Vocals – Tom Waits A2 Shore Leave 4:12 Acoustic Bass – Larry Taylor Angklung [Metal Aunglongs] – Francis Thumm Banjo, Guitar – Fred Tackett Drums – Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges Marimba, Marimba [Bass Marimba], Shaker, Bass Drum [Bass Drum With Rice] – Victor Feldman Performer [Chair], Vocals – Tom Waits trombone – Randy Aldcroft A3 Dave The Butcher 2:15 Organ [Hammond B-3 Organ] – Tom Waits Percussion [Bass Boo Bams] – Victor Feldman A4 Johnsburg, Illinois 1:30 Bass – Greg Cohen Vocals, Piano – Tom Waits A5 16 Shells From A 30-6 4:30 Acoustic Bass – Larry Taylor Drum [Brake Drum], Percussion [Bell Plate], Snare – Victor Feldman Drums – Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges Electric Guitar – Fred Tackett trombone – Joe Romano Vocals – Tom Waits A6 Town With No Cheer 4:22 Bagpipes – Anthony Clark Stewart Programmed By [Synthesizer Program] – Clark Spangler Vocals, Harmonium, Synthesizer, Bells [Freedom Bell] – Tom Waits A7 In The Neighborhood 3:04 Acoustic Bass – Larry Taylor Baritone Horn – Randy Aldcroft Drum [Parade Drum], Cymbal – Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges Organ [Hammond B-3 Organ], Snare, Bells – Victor Feldman trombone – Bill Reichenbach , Dick (Slyde) Hyde Vocals – Tom Waits B1 Just Another Sucker On The Vine 1:42 Harmonium – Tom Waits trumpet – Joe Romano B2 Frank’s Wild Years 1:50 Acoustic Bass – Larry Taylor Organ [Hammond Organ] – Ronnie Barron Vocals – Tom Waits B3 Swordfishtrombone 3:00 Acoustic Bass – Greg Cohen Electric Bass – Larry Taylor Marimba, Congas, Bass Drum, Drum [Dabuki Drum] – Victor Feldman Vocals – Tom Waits B4 Down, Down, Down 2:10 Acoustic Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges Electric Guitar – Carlos Guitarlos Organ – Eric Bikales Snare, Tambourine – Victor Feldman Vocals – Tom Waits B5 Soldier’s Things 3:15 Acoustic Bass – Greg Cohen Vocals – Tom Waits B6 Gin Soaked Boy 2:20 Acoustic Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges Electric Guitar – Fred Tackett Vocals – Tom Waits B7 trouble’s Braids 1:18 Acoustic Bass – Larry Taylor Bass Drum [Parade Bass Drum] – Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges Talking Drum [African Talking Drum] – Victor Feldman Vocals – Tom Waits B8 Rainbirds 3:05 Acoustic Bass – Greg Cohen Glass Harmonica – Francis Thumm, Richard Gibbs, Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges Piano – Tom Waits Info About Buying Vinyl From Our Record Store We are a small independent record store located at 211 High St, Preston in Melbourne, Australia (North of Northcote, between Thornbury & Reservoir) We buy and sell new and used vinyl records – if you have a collection you’d like to sell please click here . We ship Australia wide for a flat rate of $10 for standard shipping or $15 for express post. Free Shipping for orders $150 and over. You can also pick up your order in store, just select Local Pickup at the checkout. We also ship internationally – prices vary depending on weight and location. We ship vinyls in thick, rigid carboard mailers with a crushable zone on either side, and for extra safety we bubble wrap the records. In stock vinyl is usally shipped next business day, please check the availability field at the top of the product page to see whether the record is currently in stock or if it is available from the supplier as well as estimated shipping times. If you order an in stock item together with a pre order or back order (listed as available from supplier rather than in stock) then the order will be shipped together when all items arrive. If you would like the in stock items shipped first please place two separate orders or contact us to arrange shipping items separately. We are strongly committed to customer satisfaction. If you experience any problems with your order contact us so we can rectify the situation. If the record arrives damaged or doesn’t arrive we will cover the cost of replacing or returning the record. If you change your mind you have 30 days to return your record but you must cover the cost of returning it to the store. You can contact our Melbourne record shop at (03) 9939 3807 or at [email protected] Happy Listening! Description Hide Show Tom Waits’ “Swordfishtrombones,” released in 1983, marks a significant departure from his earlier work, both in terms of musical style and thematic content. This album is often hailed as a turning point in Waits’ career, showcasing his evolution from a jazz-influenced singer-songwriter to an avant-garde artist with a penchant for experimental sounds and unconventional narratives. “Swordfishtrombones” is Waits’ seventh studio album and the first one he produced himself, which allowed him greater creative control. This autonomy is evident in the album’s eclectic mix of sounds and the innovative use of instruments. Waits incorporates everything from marimbas and bagpipes to brake drums and banjos, creating a sonic landscape that is as diverse as it is intriguing. The album’s production is raw and unpolished, lending an authentic, almost gritty feel to the music. The opening track, “Underground,” sets the tone for the album with its driving rhythm and industrial sounds, evoking images of subterranean worlds and hidden societies. This is followed by “Shore Leave,” a narrative-driven song that tells the story of a sailor’s night on shore, complete with vivid imagery and Waits’ distinctive growl. The use of unconventional percussion and dissonant melodies in this track exemplifies the album’s experimental nature. One of the standout tracks on the album is “Johnsburg, Illinois,” a tender ballad dedicated to Waits’ wife, Kathleen Brennan. The simplicity of the piano accompaniment and the sincerity of Waits’ vocals provide a stark contrast to the more chaotic and abrasive tracks on the album, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and performer. “16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six” is another highlight, featuring a driving beat and a bluesy, almost menacing feel. The song’s lyrics are cryptic and filled with dark imagery, a hallmark of Waits’ storytelling style. The use of unconventional instruments, such as the brake drum, adds to the song’s unique sound and reinforces the album’s experimental ethos. The title track, “Swordfishtrombones,” is a surreal narrative that blends elements of folk, blues, and avant-garde music. The song’s lyrics are a series of vignettes that paint a picture of a bizarre, dreamlike world. Waits’ gravelly voice and the sparse, haunting instrumentation create an eerie atmosphere that lingers long after the song has ended. “Down, Down, Down” and “Gin Soaked Boy” continue the album’s exploration of dark, gritty themes, with Waits’ storytelling prowess on full display. The former features a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency, while the latter is a slower, more contemplative track that delves into themes of addiction and despair. The album closes with “Rainbirds,” an instrumental piece that features a melancholic melody played on the marimba. This track serves as a fitting conclusion to the album, encapsulating the sense of melancholy and introspection that runs throughout. “Swordfishtrombones” received critical acclaim upon its release and is often cited as one of Waits’ best works. It was a commercial success as well, reaching number 164 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album’s innovative use of instrumentation and its departure from traditional song structures have influenced countless artists and solidified Waits’ reputation as a pioneer in the music industry. In conclusion, “Swordfishtrombones” is a groundbreaking album that showcases Tom Waits’ evolution as an artist. Its eclectic mix of sounds, innovative use of instruments, and compelling storytelling make it a standout work in his discography. The album’s raw, unpolished production and its exploration of dark, gritty themes have left a lasting impact on the music world, cementing Waits’ status as a true musical maverick. Product Reviews Hide Show Write a Review