Orphans [Deluxe Limited Edition -- Bound 94 page booklet]
This collection goes far beyond a simple career retrospective, with over 30 new songs (from Tom Waits's own versions of songs he gave to other artists, to pieces recorded in the garage with his kids). Also includes Tom's unique interpretations of songs by such diverse talents as the Ramones, Daniel Johnston, Kurt Weill & Bertolt Brecht, and Leadbelly. Each CD is sub-titled--"Brawlers," "Bawlers," and "Bastards"--to capture the full spectrum of Waits's ranging and roving musical styles. "Brawlers" is chock full of raucous blues and full-throated juke-joint stomp, "Bawlers" contains Celtic and country ballads, waltzes, lullabies, piano, and classic Waits songs, while "Bastards" is filled with experimental music, stories, and jokes. The limited edition deluxe package contains a bound 94-page booklet that reproduces Tom's lyrics in the style of a volume of old poetry, with 20 pages of never-before-seen photos.