“Closing Time” is the debut album by American
singer-songwriter Tom Waits, released in March 1973 on Asylum Records. Produced
and arranged by former Lovin' Spoonful member Jerry Yester, “Closing Time” was
the first of seven of Waits' major releases by Asylum.
The album is noted for being predominantly folk
influenced, although Waits intended for “Closing Time” to be "a jazz,
piano-led album." Upon release, the album was mildly successful in the
United States, although it did not chart and received little attention from
music press in the United Kingdom and elsewhere internationally. Critical
reaction to “Closing Time” was positive. The album's only single, "Ol'
'55", attracted attention due to a cover version by Waits's more popular
label mates, the Eagles. Other songs from the album were covered by Tim Buckley
and Bette Midler. The album was certified Gold in the UK and has gained a
contemporary cult following among rock fans. Since its release, the album has
been reissued on LP in 1976, on CD in 1992 and 1999, and 180 gram LP in 2010.
“Closing Time” este albumul de debut al cantautorului american
Tom Waits, lansat in martie 1973 la Asylum Records. Produs si aranjat de fostul
membru de la Lovin’ Spoonful Jerry Yester, “Closing Time" a fost primul din
cele sapte albume majore lansate de Waits cu Asylum.
Albumul este notat ca fiind predominant influentat de folk, desi Waits a intentionat sa il faca “jazz, cu pian in rol conducator”. De la lansare albumul a avut un usor succes in Statele Unite, desi nu a intrat in clasamente si a avut parte de putina atentie din partea presei muzicale in Marea Britanie si in restul lumii. Reactia criticii la “Closing Time” a fost pozitiva. Singurul single de pe album, “Ol’ ‘55” a atras atentia datorita preluarii lui de catre mai popularii Eagles. Alte cantecede pe album au fost preluate de catre Tim Buckley si Bette Midler. Albumul a fost certificat cu aur in Marea Britanie si a castigat un cult contemporan printre fanii de rock. De la lansarea sa albumul a fost relansat pe LP in 1976, pe CD in 1992 si 1999 si pe LP de 180 grame in 2010.
Albumul este notat ca fiind predominant influentat de folk, desi Waits a intentionat sa il faca “jazz, cu pian in rol conducator”. De la lansare albumul a avut un usor succes in Statele Unite, desi nu a intrat in clasamente si a avut parte de putina atentie din partea presei muzicale in Marea Britanie si in restul lumii. Reactia criticii la “Closing Time” a fost pozitiva. Singurul single de pe album, “Ol’ ‘55” a atras atentia datorita preluarii lui de catre mai popularii Eagles. Alte cantecede pe album au fost preluate de catre Tim Buckley si Bette Midler. Albumul a fost certificat cu aur in Marea Britanie si a castigat un cult contemporan printre fanii de rock. De la lansarea sa albumul a fost relansat pe LP in 1976, pe CD in 1992 si 1999 si pe LP de 180 grame in 2010.
List of tracks
Side 1
1. "Ol'
'55" 3:58
2. "I
Hope That I Don't Fall in Love with You" 3:54
3. "Virginia
Avenue" 3:10
4. "Old
Shoes (& Picture Postcards)" 3:40
5. "Midnight
Lullaby" 3:26
6. "Martha" 4:30
Side 2
7. "Rosie" 4:03
8. "Lonely" 3:12
9. "Ice
Cream Man" 3:05
10. "Little
Trip to Heaven (On the Wings of Your Love)" 3:38
11. "Grapefruit
Moon" 4:50
12. "Closing
Time" (instrumental) 4:20
Personnel
Musicians
Tom Waits – vocals, piano, guitar, harmonium,
harpsichord, celeste
Delbert Bennett – trumpet
Shep Cooke – guitar, backing vocals on "Old Shoes
(& Picture Postcards)"
Peter Klimes – guitar, pedal steel guitar on
"Rosie"
Bill Plummer – double bass
John Seiter – drums; backing vocals on "Ol' 55"
and "Rosie"
Guest musicians
Arni Egilsson – bass guitar on "Closing Time"
(Instrumental)
Jesse Ehrlich – cello on "Martha"
Tony Terran – trumpet on "Closing Time"
(Instrumental)
Technical personnel
Ed Caraeff – photography
Richie Moore – additional engineering
Cal Schenkel – design, artwork
Jerry Yester – production, engineering
Tom Waits around 1973 in San Diego
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