I'll give you a quick heads up now, this is one of my all time favourite albums, certainly top 5, if not top 3 or even higher?!?! It's hard to call! The moral of this story being that you will have to forgive any and all unashamed plugging of how brilliant this album is!

The whole album is jazzy and acoustic, lead by Waits and his piano and a band back him up on most tracks. Waits has an unforgettable voice and you will most likely love it or hate it. The album was released in 1973, twelves years before I was born and I have my dad to thank for first playing me a Tom Waits track. And so on to the album:

Track One: Ol '55 - This song is a fantastic opener, a gorgeous melody with one of the most catchy choruses of all time. The song was covered by the Eagles and as such mosr people have never heard the original - a crying shame as it's one of the most moving songs of all time.

Track Two: I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You - A lone acoustic guitar plays through most of this track as Waits croons along, with lyrics that are unforgettable.

Track Three: Virginia Avenue - Classic old school jazz makes up most of this track, a double bass and a brushed snare drum make up most of the rhythm section and muted trumpets create a gorgeously rich sound, something even a jazz-hater couldn't fail to appreciate.

Track Four: Old Shoes (& Picture Postcards) - An acoustic ballad with an impressive piano part that any modern rocker would be seriously proud of and with good reason, yet another great song!

Track Five: Midnight Lullaby - Whilst my favourite recording of this song features on Waits' compilation 'The Early Years: Volume One' This version is truly wonderful and the closing use of the classic 'lullaby' on Waits' piano and jazz backing make for a beautiful song. If you never hear the version on 'The Early Years' you will die happy with this version but I do urge you to try and track down the early version which is mainly acoustic and the closing rendition on 'lullaby' is even more heart-wrenching on a solo piano.

Track Six: Martha - I have never played this song to anybody who didn't immediately love it, it's deeply affecting and most people have, at least afterwards, admitted the song almost moved them to tears. I'll leave you to make up your own mind but it's a classic love song and lyrically wouldn't be out of place in any poetry book or blues singer's repertoire a stand out track and quite possibly my favourite song of all time!

Track Seven: Rosie - On any other album this song would stand out a mile but it fits perfectly here, beginning with an acoustic guitar before a wonderful piano melody brings up the rear and it closes again with the same guitar. Brilliantly melancholy lyrics add to the mix and you have yet another fantastic song!

Track Eight: Lonely - If I had to pick a low point on the album I would have to put it here. Now that is not to say that this is a bad song, the only problem is that it's possibly a little repetitive? But it is slightly less good than the rest of this outstanding album.

Track Nine: Ice Cream Man - This song was my morning alarm song for around three months and I didn't get tired of waking up to it in the slightest. Beginning with a ice-cream-van-esque solo piano melody a drum roll brings in some serious jazz and the song progresses brilliantly, lyrically ironic and hilarious the song is a great way to turn someone on to jazz! Another version of this song features on 'The Early Years - Volume One' which is more or less the same although less polished and slightly more acoustic although it is definitely worth checking out if you like this song.

Track Ten: Little Trip To Heaven (On The Wings Of Your Love) - Straight up classic jazz, rasping muted trumpets and another brushed snare make a slow yet funky sound that flows through the speakers effortlessly, this song will be over before you realise almost four minutes have passed.

Track Eleven: Grapefruit Moon - An entirely piano-led ballad with deep meaning, beautifully engineered and deeply moving.

Track Twelve: Closing Time - If you havn't already been lulled into a peaceful sleep this track's sure to do it! Beautifully constructed and very affecting, the perfect way to end a beautiful album.

The whole album has a melancholy roughness that only serves to improve the appeal of the album. I have almost worn out my copy and could happily listen to it every day. I urge you to track down a copy of this album; I know for a fact you can get it on itunes, and I would advise getting a CD so you can take it everywhere and convert all your friends and even random passers by.

I'm currently looking to get a copy of this album of vinyl so any leads... let me know!

Sorry to go on about something I love but if you give it half a chance, you will too!

Cheers

TMM

P.S. Here's a clip from British 1970s music programme 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' of Tom performing 'Tom Traubert's Blues' the song doesn't feature on closing time but it will give you a clue of what to expect! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZmqbcBsTAw