Community

Tom Waits:

Songs carry emotional information and some transport us back to a poignant time, place or event in our lives. It's no wonder a corporation would want to hitch a ride on the spell these songs cast and encourage you to buy soft drinks, underwear or automobiles while you're in the trance. Artists who take money for ads poison and pervert their songs. It reduces them to the level of a jingle, a word that describes the sound of change in your pocket, which is what your songs become. Remember, when you sell your songs for commercials, you are selling your audience as well.

---

kmb117:

We don't have a cure for cancer but we've got 16 million different versions of the Lord of the Rings. What. The. Fuck.

Couldn't have been said better.  Thanks for the quote!

---

A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us ~ Franz Kafka (1883-1924)

My old Epiphone acoustic served me well, sounded pretty good for a cheap guitar. Couldn't and still can't afford a Martin.

 

 

---

"And it's legs to walk and thoughts to fly" Townes

I guess that the main difference between Steve and Tom is, Steve doesn't mind getting a pay out from a huge company to use one of his songs.  He charges 30euro a ticket for one of his gigs.  Tom on the other hand would prefer to charge 130euro a ticket to go see him instead.  Why take a pay out when your fans are prepared to pay extortionate prices for live shows

---

"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. "

I can see your point but it's about all the grubby things that big companies get up to. Where do they invest their money? Do they trear their employees decently? The Bulmers company web site makes them sound whiter than white and greener than the apples they use for their brew. Their only interest is the pursuit of profit, and making sure their sharholders get a decent return on their investment.

I think the other reason Tom Waits charges so much for tickets is that he doesn't do big tours like Steve Earle does.

I do think it taints the songs that are used and some of it may rub off on the artist involved, if they they are up to no good.

---

"And it's legs to walk and thoughts to fly" Townes

Doesn't matter how much he tours.  The audience should not compensate for his laziness? Of course Bulmers are interested in profit, they are a company.  I'm sure the several thousand people that work for them are concerned with their profits aswell.  I do agree that it can taint a song.  Personally I would prefer if songs that I love weren't used in advertisements.  I was just highlighting that old Tom isn't so hollier than thou

---

"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. "

I agree it puts him up there with likes of Madonna who charge £150 to see her shows, it amazes me that people do pay it.

I'd pay that sort of money to  see Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Charlie Pattonor Lightnin Hopkins but unfortunately theyr'e all dead. 

---

"And it's legs to walk and thoughts to fly" Townes

What I meant was that it puts Tom Waits in the same bed with Madonna.

---

"And it's legs to walk and thoughts to fly" Townes

Kevin:

What I meant was that it puts Tom Waits in the same bed with Madonna.

I am guessing he wouldn't mind that (his wife may though!).

I also agree that Tom overcharges the HELL out of his fans. There is no way in hell he can convince me he needs that kind of money. I have spoken to several friends in Ireland that, at first, jumped with joy when they realized that Tom was coming to Dublin, only to be disgusted by the ticket price. I can assure you - nobody whom I have spoken to will ever pay for another Tom Waits CD. And I think I will follow their example. No ordinary working man or woman can cough up that kind of dough for a single concert, it is greed talking.

---

kmb117:

We don't have a cure for cancer but we've got 16 million different versions of the Lord of the Rings. What. The. Fuck.

I made the mistake of shelling out about £30 on Orphans, Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards and was very disappointed. Beautifully packaged  but not many musical highlights.

I enjoyed the Kelly Joe Phelps link, I don't think I have that song. He certainly is out on his own.

---

"And it's legs to walk and thoughts to fly" Townes

Kevin:

I made the mistake of shelling out about £30 on Orphans, Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards and was very disappointed. Beautifully packaged  but not many musical highlights

 

Really?, I thought that was a fantastic collection. 

 

A lot of people I know aswell decided against going to Tom in Dublin.  However a far greater number bought tickets.  My opinion of him has changed but I'll still go.

---

"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. "

themechanic:

Kevin:

I made the mistake of shelling out about £30 on Orphans, Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards and was very disappointed. Beautifully packaged  but not many musical highlights

 

Really?, I thought that was a fantastic collection. 

 

Ditto! 

---

kmb117:

We don't have a cure for cancer but we've got 16 million different versions of the Lord of the Rings. What. The. Fuck.

I think there's just so much of it and his stuff requires a bit more listening time than most. I suppose in doesn't measure up to Rain dogs or Swordfish Trombones I think that is sometimes the case with out take albums.

---

"And it's legs to walk and thoughts to fly" Townes

just getting around to answer you guys and the notes about singers and the outrageous prices for their shows...it has disgusted me for yrs and that is probably why, even if we had it, i would never pay that kinda money for a concert...that is also one of the many reasons Steve is so special, i think.  he actually gives the folks who love him a chance to see him!!!  you are right, it is all just gluttonous greed (and i know that is spelled wrong....)  you have to think about how you spend your money, i think, and what other real good it can do....i tell our 12 yr old daughter that all the time, the kids are so impressed with "movie stars" and these little frips buying 4,000.00 Coach bags...i find it totally wrong..even if you do have the money, thing of what wonderful things it could do for other people...

okay, back to the laundry...

---

But nothing is something that there's plenty of
In time we'll all get our share

My 4 year old daughter is obsessed with disney princesses,  but she does ask for Steve Earle when we're going somewhere in the car.

 

 

---

"And it's legs to walk and thoughts to fly" Townes