Tom Waits

FROM THE SHOW: TOM WAITS & DAVE BRUBECK

January 23rd, 2008 • INTERVIEW

A man of mystery and personae, singer and songwriter Tom Waits morphed over the past three decades from anachronistic barfly and lounge singer to avant-vernacular iconoclast and screen actor. Now a family man, his current work, produced with wife Kathleen Brennan, combines elements of Weimar-era cabaret and field hollers with an industrial clang and boom.

FROM THE SHOW: NEW YEAR'S DAY: LISTENER REQUESTS

December 29th, 2004 • SEGMENT

From the show "New Year's Day: Listener Requests" originally aired on December 29th, 2004

FROM THE SHOW: AMERICAN ROUTES GOES TO THE MOVIES

March 21st, 2001 • INTERVIEW

Jim Jarmusch is one of America's foremost independent film directors. Beginning with 1984's Stranger Than Paradise, in which Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You" is practically a character in the movie, Jarmusch has used music as a main ingredient in his movies. Jarmusch discusses how Down By Law, Mystery Train, Night on Earth, Dead Man, and Ghost Dog: Way of the Samuri, all reveal that film is a musical form, and describes his genre-jumping collaborations with Neil Young, RZA, John Lurie, Tom Waits, and others.

SONGS OF RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS: JOAN SHELLEY & JEFF LITTLE

December 1st, 2021 • FULL SHOW

This week we visit with two Southern crafters of music and song. Kentucky native and guitarist Joan Shelley takes her ethereal songwriting and voicing of life's emotional flow from observations on the banks of the Ohio River near Louisville. Then, the virtuosic Blue Ridge pianist Jeff Little shares his stories of growing up playing alongside the legendary flat-pick guitarist Doc Watson at the family's music store in Boone, North Carolina. It led to a singular career of playing high speed fiddle tunes on the piano. Also music of love, loss, and fast trains from Bill Frisell, Johnny Cash, James Brown, Tom Waits and Elizabeth Cotton.

SUMMER SOUNDS - BEING & STAYING COOL

August 11th, 2021 • FULL SHOW

This summer we try to be and stay...cool. Leading our in-crowd is pianist and jazz radio host Ramsey Lewis in conversation about blending the blues he heard on the Chicago streets with gospel music from home to create a cool version of jazz. We'll also hear cool words and music from Tom Waits, Dr. John, Aretha Franklin, Albert Murray, and Oscar Brown, Jr. Plus a visit to North Carolina's historic Black Seabreeze Beach.

SONGS OF RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS: JOAN SHELLEY AND JEFF LITTLE

August 12th, 2020 • FULL SHOW

This week we visit with two Southern crafters of music and song. Kentucky native and guitarist Joan Shelley takes her ethereal songwriting and voicing of life's emotional flow from observations on the banks of the Ohio River near Louisville. Then, the virtuosic Blue Ridge pianist Jeff Little shares his stories of growing up playing alongside the legendary flat-pick guitarist Doc Watson at the family's music store in Boone, North Carolina. It led to a singular career of playing high speed fiddle tunes on the piano. Also music of love, loss, and fast trains with Bill Frisell, Johnny Cash, James Brown, Tom Waits and Elizabeth Cotton.

OF HIGHWAYS AND HOME: ALISON KRAUSS AND ALYNDA SEGARRA

April 1st, 2020 • FULL SHOW

This week on American Routes, we'll ride along with fiddler and singer Alison Krauss on her journey through bluegrass and country, from small-town Illinois all the way to Nashville. Then it's Hurray for the Riff Raff, a New Orleans folk band fronted by Alynda Segarra, whose roots are in the Bronx. Segarra tells of her own time traveling as a teenager and what has inspired her to reconnect with her Puerto Rican heritage. En route we'll hear tunes from Chuck Berry, Bob Wills, Nina Simone and Tom Waits.

SONGS OF RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS: JOAN SHELLEY & JEFF LITTLE

November 13th, 2019 • FULL SHOW

This week we visit with two Southern crafters of music and song. Kentucky native and guitarist Joan Shelley takes her ethereal songwriting and voicing of life's emotional flow from observations on the banks of the Ohio River near Louisville. Then, the virtuosic Blue Ridge pianist Jeff Little shares his stories of growing up playing alongside the legendary flat-pick guitarist Doc Watson at the family's music store in Boone, North Carolina. It lead to a singular career of playing high speed fiddle tunes on the piano. Also music of love, loss, and fast trains with Bill Frisell, Johnny Cash, James Brown, Tom Waits and Elizabeth Cotton.

PRESERVATION HALL PERSEVERES & GUITARIST ALBERT LEE

October 16th, 2019 • FULL SHOW

We are live in New Orleans at Preservation Hall for the nouveau stylings and hybrid sounds that have been cooking up in the historic jazz hub including funky new grooves from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, paired with singer Tom Waits, bluegrasser Del McCoury and New Orleans hoodoo rocker Dr. John. Then, we look back to post-war England with session guitarist Albert Lee who grew up hearing American music on the radio and eventually crossed the pond to play rock & roll stateside. Plus, we explore the roots of rock with blues harpist Little Walter, western swingers Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys and rockabilly picker Carl Perkins.

NEW ORLEANS' PRESERVATION HALL PERSEVERES & REMEMBERING HUGH MASEKELA

February 14th, 2018 • FULL SHOW

We are live in New Orleans at Preservation Hall for the nouveau stylings and hybrid sounds that have been cooking up in the historic jazz hub since second-generation director and bass player Ben Jaffe took the helm. We hear funky new grooves from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, whose band members range from 20-somethings to an octogenarian. And we witness the sonic chemistry when the band is paired with singer Tom Waits, bluegrasser Del McCoury and New Orleans hoodoo rocker Dr. John. Plus, we remember the late South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, who fused Afrobeat, bebop, pop and the songs of his homeland as a leading voice in the fight against apartheid.

OF HIGHWAYS AND HOME: ALISON KRAUSS AND ALYNDA SEGARRA

August 23rd, 2017 • FULL SHOW

This week on American Routes, we'll ride along with fiddler and singer Alison Krauss on her journey through bluegrass and country, from small-town Illinois all the way to Nashville. Then it's Hurray for the Riff Raff, a New Orleans folk band fronted by Alynda Segarra, whose roots are in the Bronx. Segarra tells of her own time traveling as a teenager and what has inspired her to reconnect with her Puerto Rican heritage. En route we'll hear tunes from Chuck Berry, Bob Wills, Nina Simone and Tom Waits.

OF HIGHWAYS AND HOME: ALISON KRAUSS AND ALYNDA SEGARRA

April 5th, 2017 • FULL SHOW

This week on American Routes, we'll ride along with fiddler and singer Alison Krauss on her journey through bluegrass and country, from small-town Illinois all the way to Nashville. Then it's Hurray for the Riff Raff, a New Orleans folk band fronted by Alynda Segarra, whose roots are in the Bronx. Segarra tells of her own time traveling as a teenager and reconnecting with her Puerto Rican heritage. En route we'll hear tunes from Chuck Berry, Bob Wills, Nina Simone and Tom Waits.

COOL IVORIES: TOM WAITS & DAVE BRUBECK

December 16th, 2009 • FULL SHOW

In which we visit with two pianists and men of music--each eccentric in his own right. Since the early '70s, singer, songwriter and piano player Tom Waits has gone from anachronistic barfly and lounge singer to avant-vernacular iconoclast. Twentieth century jazz legend Dave Brubeck made his name by using odd, unconventional time signatures back when jazz was for dancing. And we radiate the 88s with some of the best piano music around.

COOL II

June 27th, 2007 • FULL SHOW

"Cool"--it's one of those words that's difficult to define, but you know it when you hear it. Join us as some of our favorite folks expound on the meaning of "cool," and play some really cool music--Tom Waits, Dave Brubeck, Solomon Burke, Carol Fran, Dr. John and lots more. Plus, there's interviews with a couple of guys that definitely fit the cool criteria: "In Crowd" member and pianist Ramsey Lewis, and alto saxophonist Lee Konitz.

TOM WAITS / DAVE BRUBECK

September 21st, 2005 • FULL SHOW

In which we visit with two pianists and men of music-each eccentric in his own right. Since the early '70s, singer, songwriter and piano player Tom Waits has gone from anachronistic barfly and lounge singer to avant-vernacular iconoclast. Twentieth century jazz legend Dave Brubeck made his name by using odd, unconventional time signatures back when jazz was for dancing. And we radiate the 88s with some of the best piano music around.

COOL IVORIES: TOM WAITS AND DAVE BRUBECK

February 16th, 2005 • FULL SHOW

In which we visit with two pianists and men of music-each eccentric in their own right. Since the early '70s, singer, songwriter and piano player Tom Waits has gone from anachronistic barfly and lounge singer to avant-vernacular iconoclast. Twentieth century jazz legend Dave Brubeck made his name by using odd, unconventional time signatures back when jazz was for dancing. And we radiate the 88s with some of the best piano music around.

NEW YEAR'S DAY: LISTENER REQUESTS

December 29th, 2004 • FULL SHOW

Join us and hear our listeners' predictions for the upcoming year, and song picks to match -- plus a few all-star dedications to boot, including Tom Waits and others. Plus we visit a local prognosticator for a professional opinion on what the upcoming year has in store.

BAD LUCK / GOOD LUCK

May 12th, 2004 • FULL SHOW

Baton Rouge bluesman Henry Gray, composer of "I'm a Lucky, Lucky Man," plays piano and tells tales of life's downs and ups from humble beginnings to musical success. Guitarist and singer John Hammond Jr. was born into an urbane East Coast family with music business connections, but chose the country blues as a way of life -- and considers himself lucky for it. We’ll light a lucky candle of our own on visit to a local shop for spiritual items, as we ask you to listen for the feel good music from Hank Williams, the Staples Singers, Tom Waits and more.

BAD LUCK / GOOD LUCK

September 26th, 2001 • FULL SHOW

Baton Rouge bluesman Henry Gray, composer of "I'm a Lucky, Lucky Man," plays piano and tells tales of life's downs and ups from humble beginnings to reknown as a musician. Guitarist and singer John Hammond Jr. was born into an urbane East Coast family with music business connections, but chose the country blues as a way of life. He speaks about his travels and fortunes as a musician, and his recent collaboration with Tom Waits. Plus we visit with the fortune teller, light a candle, and ask you to listen for the luckiest music mix in the world.

JACK KEROUAC

August 11th, 1999 • FULL SHOW

Music from "on the road" with Jack Kerouac reading his poetry and the soundscape his hometown Lowell, Massachusetts. Music from Dizzy Gillespie, Tom Waits, Slim Gaillard, Willie Nelson, and Morphine ensure that The Beats go on!

TOM WAITS

EPISODES OF AMERICAN ROUTES WITH TOM WAITS