As part of the press push for Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards, a three-disc collection of new and rare Waits, the gravel-throated troubadour took a call from Pitchfork to discuss everything from Missy Elliot, the desire for vocal gravitas, and his interest “in the minutiae of things.” But the part about Scarlett is great; chances are all of us knew about her cover album before Tom did!
Pitchfork: I’m sure you know Scarlett Johannson is recording an album of your songs?Tom Waits: Well no, I read about it in the paper.
Pitchfork: No one consulted you beforehand?
Tom Waits: No, no. But, you know, more power to her.
Pitchfork: Are you excited to hear it?
Tom Waits: I don’t know if I’m excited to hear it, but I’m curious. People make songs so that somebody else will hear them and want to do them. I guess it’s an indication that the songs aren’t so ultra-personal that they can’t possibly be interpreted by anyone else. I’ve seen her in movies. I don’t know what she’s going to do with the tunes. When you get a hold of somebody else’s song, you make it your own. That’s all you can do. And that usually requires a certain amount of tailoring. Cut the sleeves off, lay some buttons. Everybody does something different to a song, that’s the tradition.
Not sure if she “cut the sleeves off” of Gershwin, but let’s see how she handles Tom’s catalogue. Anyway, here’s a few from the latest Waits release:
Tom Waits – “Bottom Of The World”
Tom Waits – “Road To Peace”
Yup, covering that voice should be a breeze.
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The difference in voice shouldn’t be a problem as long as the arrangements are good. I thought Holly Cole did it quite admirably on Temptation. Then again, this isn’t Holly Cole.
i love that he’s not excited.
neither are we.
i love that he’s not excited.
neither are we.
Let’s remake “Lost in Translation” with Tom Waits, eeeewwwwwwww.
Let’s remake “Lost in Translation” with Tom Waits, eeeewwwwwwww.
i thought ‘scojo’ was the accepted embarrassing abbreviation for this lady…?
It’s a little scary to think Scarlett is attempting such a lofty goal but you also have to like her for attempting something that requires taste to start. Not like she’s covering bubble gum.
Not a huge fan of stars covering other stars in any way but it keeps happening and I keep being pleasantly surprised.
Perfect example is Michael McDonald is on his third? cd of covers but they keep working. He did the Motown covers and now R&B coming out in March and I actually am looking forward to.