Tom Waits

Tom Waits is an eclectic singer-songwriter and composer born in 1949.  His distinctive voice has become renowned as his trademark 'growl', consisting of a rather raspy, gravelly folk styling.  His songs feature extensive vamping - with blues and jazz incorporated , vaudeville experience.  His melodic songwriting incorporates a lot of melodic, major key tonality.

Throughout his career, he has built up a distinctively unique music persona unlike any other.  His cult following persists, even after having had little support from radio and music video venues.

He has been nominated for several major music awards, has won a Grammy, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Tom Waits performing in Prague, 2008

Most of his songs have been remixed and covered by more popular bands, thus giving Tom Waits a lot of indirect attention.  He is steadfast in his refusal to allow his songs to be featured in commercials, and often jokes about artists who do.  After winning a law-suit against Frito-Lay in 1988, he became the first artist to successfully sue a company in regards to an un-permitted impersonator. 

To date, he has released over 23 albums and has been signed with numerous record companies.  Today, he continues to parlay his success the way that musicians were meant to;  with a steady following of fans who genuinely love the music that he loves to create.

P.S. The song has a 30 second intro before the music actually starts.  Hang in there!

Bob Crosby and his Bobcats

Bob Crosby, younger brother to Bing Crosby, primarily found himself in the awkward seat of being the least important member of his own orchestra.  He was incapable of reading sheet music, and couldn't play an instrument.  He dropped out of college to get a job as a singer, and from 1932 to 1934 was the vocalist of friend Anson Weeks' band. 

After a couple of infinitesimally small venues, producing agent Cork O'Keefe helped Bob land a gig as the singer of a popular group of musicians,  under the direction of saxaphonist Gil Rodin.  The popularity of the Crosby family would help propel their band's status, and actually helped  launch his career.  Over time, he helped turn a newly established Decca Records into a major record label.

This song can be found in Bethesoft's 'Fallout 3' soundtrack.  It makes this song a lot more amorous to associate it with strolling the ruins of post-apocalyptic America, mowing down everything that moves with an assortment of death machines.

This is a relaxing, feel-good song.  Most Bob Crosby songs consist of very classy New Orleans jazz elements, big lead band, melodic tenor sax, and major trumpet and piano tonality.