21 Comments

Thank you for the kind words and signal boost! That thread is some of the best reading I do all week. I love seeing what everyone's been playing!

As for Cooke and Waits; one would be hard pressed to find 2 artists more suited to vinyl than these two. A Tom Waits Spotify list just doesn't hit the same.

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Cheers, Kevin! That thread of yours is always a must for me. I always look forward to it. And yes, absolutely: Sam and Tom on streaming would feel like a slight rip off.

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🙏🙏🙏

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A very nice writing, Andres.

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Thanks, Marc!

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I really appreciate pieces like this that explore the intersection(s) where two different artists from different eras and genres merge. I had never thought to examine the similarities between Cooke and Waits before, but after reading this my first thought was “of course.” It allows us to view long loved artists in new ways. Thanks for this!

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Thank you, Steve! Really appreciate your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And yes, these intersections are always fun to explore.

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Terrific piece.

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Cheers, Matt. Really appreciate it.

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Dropping in to say I streamed the Tom Waits album this weekend because of this article. I hadn't heard it before or if I had, I didn't recall it. It was just the thing... no whiskey, but the gummy did the trick. Thanks for the recommendation.

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Thank you so much, Faith! This means a lot to me. I’m glad this post helped you discover (or rediscover) that gem. That album is some of Tom’s best work in my view.

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Love it!

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Thank you, Ellen!

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Looks like I have a Sam Cooke record to add to the wantlist. Waits is obviously brilliant, especially that run from 1973-1978, but his acting career has been fun to watch, too. Check out Martin McDonagh's crime comedy Seven Psychopaths (2012) and try and do it without seeing a cast list or a trailer beforehand. You'll have a great time.

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Thanks, Greg! Yes, Night Beat is hands down my favourite Cooke album. And I agree with what you say about Waits. Thanks a lot for the recommendation, I'll definitely check it out! Thanks again!

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I wouldn't have thought to compare those two albums, and that's an interesting juxtaposition.

I have (and like) both albums on CD but, as Kevin Alexander said, they seem like both would sound really good on vinyl.

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Thank you, Nick! I own (reasonably priced) vinyl reissues of both, i.e. not original pressings, and still, the experience is already on another level.

Precisely because of how different they are I wanted to write something about them both. They are like the velvet and sandpaper elements every good blues tune should have 😉

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Sam Cooke's voice is perfection. I've never listened to much Tom Waits, but your article is making me want to give that album a spin.

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Thanks, Colleen! In terms of vocals, Sam Cooke is hard to beat. But Tom Waits’ songwriting and storytelling (in general, and particularly in this album I mention) is hard to beat too!

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This is "The Vinyl Room" expansion I was yearning for! We love the tech aspect of it all, Andy (as it performs a rare and valuable function here, as well), but your thoughts and feelings about what's ON the vinyl is your next logical progression, IMHO!👏👏👏👏A-paws all around!🐾😸

In short, my groovey ghoulie, keep scratchin' where you niche!

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Thanks a lot, Brad! Means a lot to me. And glad you're enjoying! Thanks a lot for your support since day one!

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