So, I'm seeing him Saturday. My girlfriend's dad got two extra tickets and is giving them to her and I. I have Rain Dogs, and that is it. I'm going to get her to lend me Bone Machine this week. What other CD's of his should I check out? "All" is not a useful answer, even if it's true. I'd like to feel like less of a chump at this show, since I really don't deserve to be going.

All of them

... Any suggestions on where to start, then?

What part of All of them do you not understand?

Honestly, I just said it because you told me not to.

I figured. I'll probably just have Jess' dad give me whatever he thinks Waits' best stuff is. He's a huge fan.

I have friends who are huge Waits fans. Haven't got into his stuff myself.

He's got such a huge catalog---readily available-- that you're probably better off discovering his stuff on your own. Listen to snippets of a few albums and download what you like.

Then, when it's all said and done, YOU can decide what YOU think is "the best".

If you haven't seen an act in concert before, and don't know all of their tunes, it's okay. In fact, I've found that's a better way to sample a band. Go see 'em live..then go home and find the songs you liked from the show.

By the way, it's good to have you back around, LFV

I have Rain Dogs, Closing Time, and Mule Variations discs. I have most of the rest of his stuff on my computer. Rain Dogs is by far the best. If you want specific tracks to download...:

Bad Liver and a Broken Heart
Chocolate Jesus
Closing Time
Downtown Train
Goin' Out West (you may recognize it from Fight Club)
Hold On
I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You (if you're looking to get laid)
Little Drop of Poison
Mockin' Bird
Sea of Love
Shore Leave
The Piano Has Been Drinking
Way Down in a Hole (if you've ever seen the HBO show The Wire, this is the theme)

If you dig any of that, you should have no problem getting even more into the guy, because, as mentioned above, his catalog is huge.

I love seeing this kind of musical progression from LFV...and am awaiting the inevitable Leonard Cohen kick after this.

Thanks for the reccomendations. I'll check some of those songs out after work tomorrow.

And, strangley enough, I had my "Hallelujah" kick, and was poised to go off on a Cohen tangent, but it went towards a Jeff Buckley tangent instead. So soon, I'm sure.

Strangely enough, I think John Cale did the best version of that song. When you're ready for Cohen let me know.

The concert last night was amazing. Probably the best performance I've ever seen.

Good to hear.