Closing Time

Tom Waits' Closing Time is the debut album and title track of the American singer-songwriter, released on March 6, 1973, by Asylum Records. This groundbreaking album not only marked the beginning of Waits' musical journey but also established his signature style of crafting minor-key masterpieces that capture the essence of urban solitude and late-night contemplation. The album's atmospheric sound would later influence artists like Bruce Springsteen and Nick Cave in their approach to storytelling through music. Producer: Jerry Yester (former member of Lovin' Spoonful) - whose experience with folk-rock arrangements proved instrumental in shaping the album's sound Recording: Early 1972 at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood, California - a legendary studio that had previously hosted The Doors and later welcomed Prince Genre: Predominantly folk-influenced with jazz, pop, and saloon music elements, creating a unique fusion that would later be termed "barroom ballads" Length: 45:46 - deliberately crafted to fit the optimal length of vinyl LP format of the era Closing Time introduced Waits' unique Los Angeles barfly persona, blending jazzy, sorrowful intrigue with gritty, countercultural street poetry. The album's distinctive sound was achieved through a combination of vintage microphones and recording techniques that captured the warmth and intimacy of live performance. Within the apparently narrow range of cocktail bar pianistics and muttered vocals, the album features a surprisingly broad collection of styles, from jazzy compositions to acoustic folk, creating intimate late-night barroom soundscapes. The album contains 12 songs, all written and composed by Tom Waits, showcasing his gift for gently rolling pop melodies and striking, original scenarios. Each song was carefully arranged to maintain the delicate balance between raw emotion and polished musicianship. Some standout tracks include: - Ol' '55: Released as the lead single, considered one of the album's best songs. The song was famously covered by Eagles in 1974, bringing Waits' songwriting to a broader audience - Martha: A highly rated fan favorite enhanced by Yester's discreet string arrangements, telling a poignant story of lost love through the lens of a phone call between former lovers - Virginia Avenue: A jazzy piece demonstrating the album's range, featuring intricate piano work inspired by Bill Evans - I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love With You: Showcasing acoustic folk and what would become Waits' trademark narrative storytelling style - Closing Time: The instrumental title track, recorded as an afterthought but considered magical by producer Jerry Yester. The piece features innovative use of space and silence as musical elements Closing Time is often regarded as a perfect "late night alone" album, ideal for relaxing with a cold beer. Its influence can be heard in contemporary artists like The National and Iron & Wine, who have cited the album as an inspiration for their own intimate songwriting approaches. While it's considered the least distinct Tom Waits album compared to his later experimental works, it holds a unique place in his eclectic discography as a self-conscious yet surprisingly moving collection. The album has stood the test of time, recently celebrating its 50th anniversary, and has been remastered multiple times to preserve its sonic quality for new generations of listeners. The title track Closing Time is an instrumental piece that encapsulates the album's themes of melancholy and nostalgia. It features Tom Waits on piano, Tony Terran on trumpet (known for his work with Frank Sinatra), Jesse Erlich on cello (a respected session musician who worked with Leonard Cohen), and Arni Egilsson on double bass. The song evokes the atmosphere of a late-night bar or dimly lit lounge as patrons leave and the evening draws to a close, utilizing subtle dynamic changes and space between notes to create its distinctive mood. The piece has since become a standard in jazz education programs as an example of effective minimal composition. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.