Tom Waits - Bridge School Benefit - 1999 Pt 1

[BADASSOUTDOORSINC]

Oh so good. So very powerful.  Really, he is dark brilliance.

[ellonysman]

He scares me performing...

[kingjeremy13]

Hold On wins it all!

[noahcism]

There are occasional moments where he looks like the Devil has just stepped up on stage, and when he looks like a saint

[jrpipik]

What an amazing set. Song after amazing song, each given a fresh interpretation that makes them sound like you're hearing them for the first time. Brilliant.

[hanksingle]

I've never understood the Beefhart thing - unique guy, some atonal wanderings, but I just....don't like him. He vaguely resembles one of the many hats that Waits has worn over the years, sometimes stacking them atop eachother; Tom will, all said and done, likely have been releasing meaningful, popular music for 40+ years. 50 if we're very lucky - he's not like anyone. His longevity has never been seen.

[professorsockpuppet]

Put away your pretenses... and this is just a bad ass performance... that he did for free... as a means to raise funds for kids who need a special school for their disabilities. There is literally nothing to discredit about this performance.

[gpeddino]

Jockey Full Of Bourbon was amazing.

[byroncallas]

What an absolute treat. Tom is an original and he's inspired here. Terrific to get a chance to see my favorite live performer here. Wonderful.

[Desdemona667]

I neeeeeeeeeeeeed this on DVD!!! Does anyone have an idea where I can buy it? Tom Waits is simply incredible. <3

[LandoftheShanks]

lord have mercy there are some assholes commenting on tom waits' videos aren't there?! tom waits isn't copying anyone, he might be influenced as we all are influenced by someone in some way, but he is himself and does his own thing. so stfu about beefheart, louis armstrong etc. just enjoy IS THAT HARD?!

[LandoftheShanks]

oh man i love this song !!!!!!!

[mrmemphisb]

I was there! Oh My God. So, nice to see. Love it!

[acomplexkidrock]

Gods Gift To Man... I Love You....

[1969fitzpatrick]

I, too, was at this show. Loved when he broke out the glitter. Amazing performer and one of the best shows I've witnessed for the Bridge School events!

[Petiber]

damn, chocolate jesus is great

[chubbymexican23]

he could have been the best death metal singer

[ponchocervantes]

why don't you listen to "troutmask replica" by captain beefheart and discover where waits and the headbangers went to school...or you can go deeper in the shed and listen to holin' wolf and louis armstrong...

[ataylor17]

Oh, I see. You're hip. You're trying to educate us. Because most of us have no idea who Beefheart, Armstrong and Howlin' Wolf are. Thank you for saving us from ourselves.

[SmokeyClocks]

@ataylor17 burn

[theevindave]

@ataylor17 you cant listen to troutmask replica, its unlistenable.

[SwampDaddy7]

@ataylor17 You know what the funny thing is? Louis Armstrong, Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers and Howlin' Wolf got me into Tom Waits and Tom Waits got me into Captain Beefheart, so I hope you don't take offense because of how yours was used in taking some other dude down, but I found yours to be rather funny.

[seedofvision]

Wonderful how he weaves the old spiritual in to Gun Street Girl. He's a true curator.

Sarah, you're a queen for posting this...

[ratso8860]

ribot rules, but that's not him on guitar.

[wallamaarif]

I was there, and he was incredible. I can't believe this is online!

[MRTINKLES1000]

Hands down the best performance at this concert.

[stickyjam1]

has anyone else noticed the guy on marimbra that looks like a young tom waits?

[bgbreakdown]

Mark Ribot rules.

[eisenrotz]

definitely, but he must have been on vacation this day . . .

but it's cool that out there a couple of good other musicans as well.

fine to get the chance to watch this - thanks for that . . .

but, oh my god, look there's Sting on the organ . . . no, hold it down, just joking ;-)

[MoSBb184]

He is Great!

[d09c]

saw him live at the Beacon in 1999, simply awesome.

[seedofvision]

Me too. I feel like it was fairly recent. His vocal capacity astounded me.

[chrisbb33]

Great stuff! Thanks for this!

[sunshinator]

I can't believe this is on youtube. I am so happy!!! I also can't believe it took me this long to find it. THANK YOU SO MUCH :)

[yasodadasi]

Rock on Tom !!!!!

[merken]

That's some pretty remarkable footage, the best I've ever seen of Waits. Thanks for posting!

I wonder if he frightened the Bridge School children?!

[oabrahamsson]

Tom Waits is SO much of an inspirator for me. Although I´m a modernist composer, I really like to come back to this kind of easy listened - but still very intelluctal and interesting - music. Especially for all the nice instrument combinations! And how can´t one love his raspy voice?! More Tom Waits to the people!! ;)

[zoomparker]

I'd like to see tom live just once

[Jurs21]

I was at this show..

we picked up a ton of food at the deli in North beach , Martinellis'??? ..great that shorline let up bring it in..

what a day..

was exhausted and slept most of the next day

[StonewallVH5150]

can someone send me a message on how to obtain a DVD copy of this and some old waits performances?

[SCLOGSE]

Thank you Sarah...this kind of pro video is increasingly rare in later Waits and performances....Andre from the List...It's interesting that on the Orphans Bawlers disc, he's put this style of vocalization to the side....

[Mntgoatsfan]

Thank you, thank you!!!! Great performance!!!

[kelleya]

anyone else notice, when he was young he used to push his hat over the front of his eyes. tip it forward all the time, now he pushes it back out of his face, now that he's older..huh?

[salud978]

Hold On è una poesia...meraviglioso.

[Chinaboatman]

I love the performance but as with all tom Waits live shows, a little more amplification would be nice.

[peglegsam]

and he releases ain't goin' down to the well on his 2006 album! this performance is just incredible, so is the other one here on german tv. i wish he comes to canada soon!

[radiofriendly]

unbelievable! wow - yeah, this is amazing

[vandaleyezzz]

This was such a great show...Green Day, Sheryl Crow, Brian Wilson, The Who, Pearl Jam, Billy Corgan I go to this every year and I truely believe that 1999 was the best performances I have seen. Thanks for sharing!

[AZIMUT227]

I have been to 7 Bridge shows and I agree this was the best year for sure, how about Eddie Vedder at the end of the show in awe of the bands he was able to see on this day!!!

[theoldanarchist]

Is it just my computer, or is the volume really low? The quality is great, but I have the volume at maximum, and can barely hear it.

[james1950]

its your computer

[andtheniwas]

the volume never goes as you want. just be glad that you are here and tom is here and things are really cool because, damn, you are hearing it.

[AmericanLeather]

I was at this show. Tom, Brian Wilson, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, The Who etc, etc.. Very happy i found this. Thanks.

[jonriley]

This is AMAZING... and you're AMAZING for sharing it! Can't wait to watch the second part...