Instrumentals: Tom Waits Edition

Tom Waits: Cinny's Waltz

[purchase]


Tom Waits: Rainbirds

[purchase]


Tom Waits: Good Old World (Gypsy Instrumental)

[purchase]


Tom Waits: Knife Chase

[purchase]


Isn't that an amazing photo at the top of this post? I don't think I've ever seen a picture of Tom Waits that looks exactly the way his music sounds. A hobo breaking into a carnival in the middle of the night, having the time of his life.

At first glance it might look like an odd choice for Instrumentals Week to pick an artist who's so known for his voice, but his wordless pieces are not to be missed. He (and his wife/collaborator Kathleen Brennan) have always had a knack for creating haunting images with their sonic landscapes.

It's no wonder he's contributed to so many movies over the years, both as a songwriter and as an actor - a more cinematic performer is hard to find.