Tom Waits
The Complete VH1 Storytellers
Burbank Airport
Los Angeles, CA
April 1, 1999

* Tom Waits - Piano, Vocals
* Smokey Hormel - Guitar, Banjo
* Larry Taylor - Bass

Disc 1:

1. Tango 'Till They're Sore (5:43)
2. Hang Down Your Head (4:59)
3. Ol' 55 (6:09)
4. Strange Weather (5:38)
5. Hold On (9:07)
6. Picture in a Frame (4:52)
7. Can't Wait To Get Off Work (6:31)
8. House Where Nobody Lives (6:47)
9. Get Behind the Mule (8:13)
10. Chocolate Jesus (6:46)
11. What's He Building? (6:43)

1h 12m

Disc 2:

1. A Little Rain (4:53)
2. Downtown Train (5:29)
3. Black Wings (4:55)
4. Jesus Gonna Be There (7:31)
5. Jersey Girl (8:17)
6. Chocolate Jesus (versions 2 & 3) (7:16)
7. Tango 'Till They're Sore (4:23)
8. Hang Down Your Head (5:04)

48m

Total time: 2 hrs

SBD > Non-Broadcast Tape > ??? CDR > Remaster (Cool Edit Pro 2.1) > SHN > audio CD-R > extracted to WAV with EAC in secure mode, no errors reported > FLAC

Remaster Notes:

After recieve various flawed copies of this set, I decided to do a little research. As it turns out, the copy the generally circulates contains various digital copy errors throughout, though most noticable on the end of disc 1. With the impossibility of obtaining a clear copy of it, I took upon myself the laborious task of remastering these discs. The first step was to listen through with my headphones and remove all of the skips, gaps, and other bizarre problems that had been introduced onto the discs. Tracks 10 and 11 on the first disc were especially difficult, and a close listen will still reveal a few imperfections scattered throughout. I didn't want to alter the original too much, so the really tough ones remain. No noise reduction or EQ of any kind was performed. While these discs are still not perfect, this version is a hell of a lot better than the versions that I was able to find circulating around.

Performance Notes:

I had a difficult time writing a review of this concert as I was listening to it because I was simply laughing too hard. While many performers have a hard time with the Storytellers format, Tom really flourishes, making the most of each opportunity to tell one of his hilarious stories that sometimes have a little to do with the lyrics and sometimes nothing at all. Mule Variations is one of my favorite Waits albums, and my three favorite songs on it are included here. The version of Tom in his 1999 voice performing Ol' 55 (and the hilarious story that preceeds it) is priceless. The band is excellent, the arrangements are tasteful and interesting, and the vocals are simply perfect. I won't spoil it any more for those who have yet to hear this, but I will say that it should be one of the first Waits bootlegs you should have in your collection.

(Remastering and review by Stephen Pickett)

February 24, 2008 - rednoise's notes...

Can't remember where I got this from - I think it was usenet in 2003. This is the complete soundtrack from Waits's VH1 Storytellers session, not the small portion that was broadcast and available elsewhere here in DVD format.