Swordfishtromboned

Mark Evison

Swordfishtromboned by Mark Evison

My first encounter with Mr. Tom Waits was around early 1979, when I saw him on the Old Grey Whistle Test. I must admit, being young and foolish, I thought he was rotten and dandered off to make tea and toast.

Two years later, I was at friends house and he played me Closing Time, I borrowed it, took it home, taped it and of course gave the album back. I played it now and again but it didn't shake the cheese out of me. I had no idea that the next encounter with this man's music would change my musical tastes forever.

I think it was a Wednesday, in late spring of 1985, I had a day off and had risen early on that particular morn. I was off to buy the weekly album after all. What? I had no idea. After the hearty breakfast of tea and toast, I headed off to catch the bus into Ayr from my lovely abode in sunny Prestwick.

When I walked into Trash Records and heard In The Neighbourhood coming out the speakers, I knew this was it, that sound, those vocals. The love affair of Mr. Waits music had begun. The owner of the store (Martin, I think) put it back to the beginning, turned up the volume and away we went. As I stood there listening to the opening track Underground, it dawned on me I was actually shaking with excitement. The few customers that were in the store, stood looking at me like I was some kinda nut. Did I care, did I ....! That song blasting out the speakers of that tiny little record store, if they couldn't hear it, it wasn't my problem. It was only until Rainbirds had finished up the album that I calmed myself down and sauntered up to the counter and handed over my £3.50 to Martin for my copy of Swordfishtrombones.

So after the waves of excitement had died down, I rushed off to catch the bus home to sunny Prestwick (It really was sunny that day). Once home this musical masterpiece was put on my turntable and played at full volume again and again until the auld yin could take it no more. The album was taped, the tape stuck into the walkman and off I wandered down the beach with Tommy's gravely voice lamenting my eardrums into molten earwax.

I sat on the beach, looking out to Arran, listening to Soldiers Things, a tear ran down my cheek, I brushed it off, brushed the sand off and decided to head home. A nod and a wave to Arran and off up the dusty trail, safe in the knowledge that Mr. Tom Waits and Swordfishtrombones had changed my musical tastes forever.

2008.....After running round the house in pure excitement 'cause I've got Tommy tickets for Phoenix Park Dublin, I collapsed in a chair and was reminded of that sunny day 23 years ago. Thanks for the memories Tommy Boy.