Once when I saw him in SF in the 70s Leon Redbone opened for him. Memorable. His I never talk to Strangers with Bette Midler is great art.

I'm not sure how I feel about the stuff starting with Swordfish Trombones and later. Frank's Wild Years sort of a thing of its own. Just prefer the early stuff.

But I guess an artist has the right to grow and change and try new things. we We don't have to go with them ( god knows Dylan could leave me behind and then bring me back over and over ) but that's what makes a lot of it interesting.

I have sort of a prejudice toward acoustic and soloist and small combos over large groups and for the most part instrumentals over vocals (hey, I'm a piano player ) so if I could get Dr. John and Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea to only play acoustic solos I'd be happy.

But then I guess I'm just the guy in the Skynrd crowd yelling "Freebird, man, Freebird" ( I liked Joni Mitchell's saying in concert "Nobody yelled at VanGogh 'Paint Starry night' " ) <bg>

I'd put Leonard Cohen and Henley/Frey and Joni Mitchell way up on that poets list. (do I have a thing for canadians? eh? )

( Cohen - Sisters of Mercy )

yes you who must leave everything that you cannot control
it begins with your family and soon comes 'round to your soul
I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned.
When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned.

And one of the greatest poems since Kipling -

Time passes and you must move on,
half the distance takes you twice as long.
So you keep on singing for the sake of the song
after the thrill is gone.
...
Same dances in the same old shoes,
you get too careful with the steps you choose.
You don't care about winning but you don't want to lose
after the thrill is gone, after the thrill is gone,

And then mentioning Joni reminded me of Ladies of the Canyon and that reminded me of the Mama's and the Papa's and how they should have been on my "I never get tired of listening to" list.



>I saw a tv program a number of years ago hilighting some
of the 'top' poets of America, and Waits was included. That whole Nighthawks album is vividly graphic. One of those albums where you can actually see what he's seeing.
>
>as a neon swizzle stick stirrin up the sultry night air
>and a yellow biscuit of a buttery cue ball moon
>rollin' maverick across an obsidian sky
>
>>Ah, indeed ...
>>
>>and Small change got rained on ... with his own .38
>>
>>>And let us not forget the finest lullaby ever written - On the Nickel.
>>>
>>>>Probably should have included some Ricki Lee Jones and certainly Tom Waits early stuff - Nighthawks at the Diner and Foreign Affairs
>>>>
>>>>You gotta tell me, brave Captain,
>>>> Why are the wicked, so strong?
>>>>How do the angels get to sleep,
>>>>When the Devil leaves his porch light on
>>>>( from Mr. Seigel )
>>>>
>>>>>Now, that's what I'm talkin' about! It will take me some time to go through your list, but that was sweet!
>>>>>