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"Glitter and Doom Live," Tom Waits (Anti-)

Those lucky enough to see a show on Tom Waits' 2008 "Glitter and Doom" tour had the chance to see one of the world's most inspired artists in his element. Waits is not only one of the best songwriters alive, he is one of the most distinctive music artists of the past 100 years. As a singer, Waits is almost frightening. He has the voice of an undead Louis Armstrong crossed with a divinely inspired wino. As off-putting as that might sound, it can be raggedly beautiful.

Highlights on the set include the sweet, sad "Fannin Street," which was recorded at Wait's Knoxville show; "Live Circus," a wild and rambling story in which Waits describes life in the circus with "horse-faced Ethel and her marvelous pigs in satin," among other friends; and "Green Grass," recorded in Scotland.

"Glitter and Doom Live" does an excellent job of capturing the weird aural magic of Waits' shows, but can't capture the odd visual beauty of them.

The second disc of the set is dedicated strictly Waits' tall tales - often a highlight of a show. At one point after a story about rats needing to grind their teeth, Waits says "Nobody seems to be as interested in this stuff as me." That's one case where Waits is wrong.

"Duets," The Blind Boys of Alabama (Saguaro Road)

Who wouldn't want to sing with the Blind Boys of Alabama? This collection brings together 11 previously released collaborations with the legendary gospel group along with three previously unreleased gems. The previously unreleased tracks are songs with Toots and the Maytals' Toots Hibbert (the excellent "Perfect Peace"), John Hammond (a nice work-up of the standard "One Kind Favor") and Lou Reed (a take of "Jesus" that needed more help than even the Blind Boys could give). Elsewhere, Ben Harper, Susan Tedeschi, Randy Travis, Bonnie Raitt, Charlie Musselwhite, Dan Zanes and several others all seem to relish a chance to work with the aging vocal masters.

That the tracks with the Blind Boys were often the highlights of the albums on which these tracks were first featured should tell you all you need to know.

Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444 or bledsoew@knoxville.com. He is also the host of "All Over the Road" midnight Saturdays to 4 a.m. Sundays on WDVX-FM.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
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