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Doctor_J

(36,392 posts) Thu Jul 26, 2012, 11:41 AM Jul 2012

Would Tom Waits still be good if he could sing? [View all]

I was listening to Pandora's Michael Fracasso channel and Tom Waits' "Day After Tomorrow" came up, and I started to wonder if that classic could be successfully rendered by James Taylor or Josh White or Keb' Mo' or one of the other folk singers who can actually sing. Seems that TOm's delivery is part of the, er, charm of his tunes.

Opinions?

10 replies

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Highlight:

Would Tom Waits still be good if he could sing? [View all] Doctor_J Jul 2012 OP

Louis Armstrong and Carol Channing agree that a beautiful voice would ruin Tom's songs. Scuba Jul 2012 #1

He's a national treasure. nt onehandle Jul 2012 #2

If I could choose to sing like someone... it would DEFINITELY be Tom Waits. MiddleFingerMom Jul 2012 #3

Been listening since the late '70s Steerpike Jul 2012 #4

Tommy Steerpike Jul 2012 #5

He CAN sing. cliffordu Jul 2012 #6

Well, Neil Young isn't exactly "Live at the Met" either (nt) Jeff In Milwaukee Jul 2012 #7

I have a friend who brilliantly highlighted the sentimental schlocky heart of a lot of Waits' Tom Ripley Jul 2012 #8

I have always felt Tom Waits' voice sounds fakey mucifer Jul 2012 #9

"...gonna love you till the wheels come off . . . ." Petrushka Jul 2012 #10