The Early Years (album series)

The Early Years is a two-part retrospective album series of Tom Waits songs, consisting of recordings made before Waits' debut album, Closing Time. Volume one was released in 1991 and volume two was released in 1993 on Bizarre/Straight. The recordings were made between July and December 1971. Some of the songs on the album appear on the early albums Waits recorded for Asylum Records. In 2010, both volumes of The Early Years were released on vinyl by Manifesto Records.

The Early Years
Compilation album series by
ReleasedVolume One - July 16, 1991
Volume Two - January 19, 1993
RecordedJuly–December 1971
GenreRock
Length43:35 & 44:11
LabelManifesto
ProducerRobert Duffey
Volume Two
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic (Volume One) link
Allmusic (Volume Two) link

Volume One

edit

All tracks composed by Tom Waits.

No.TitleRe-recording releaseLength
1."Goin' Down Slow" 2:48
2."Poncho's Lament" 4:17
3."I'm Your Late Night Evening Prostitute" 3:16
4."Had Me a Girl" 5:32
5."Ice Cream Man"Closing Time, 19733:11
6."Rockin' Chair" 3:15
7."Virginia Ave."Closing Time2:41
8."Midnight Lullaby"Closing Time3:26
9."When You Ain't Got Nobody" 3:23
10."Little Trip to Heaven"Closing Time3:02
11."Frank's Song" 1:56
12."Looks Like I'm Up Shit Creek Again" 3:03
13."So Long I'll See Ya" 3:30

Volume Two

edit

All tracks composed by Tom Waits.

No.TitleRe-recording releaseLength
1."Hope I Don't Fall in Love with You"Closing Time5:01
2."Ol' '55"Closing Time4:07
3."Mockin' Bird" 3:27
4."In Between Love" 3:01
5."Blue Skies"non-album single, 19742:13
6."Nobody"Nighthawks at the Diner, 19752:47
7."I Want You" 1:22
8."Shiver Me Timbers"The Heart of Saturday Night, 19743:48
9."Grapefruit Moon"Closing Time4:36
10."Diamonds on My Windshield"The Heart of Saturday Night3:10
11."Please Call Me, Baby"The Heart of Saturday Night3:43
12."So It Goes" 2:31
13."Old Shoes"Closing Time4:24
  • "Ice Cream Man", "Virginia Avenue", "Midnight Lullaby", "Little Trip to Heaven", "Hope I Don't Fall in Love with You", "Grapefruit Moon", "Ol' '55" and "Old Shoes" (as '"Old Shoes (& Picture Postcards)") were re-recorded on Closing Time.
  • "Shiver Me Timbers", "Please Call Me, Baby" and "Diamonds on My Windshield" re-recorded on The Heart of Saturday Night.
  • "Blue Skies" was re-recorded and released as a stand-alone single in October 1974.
  • "Nobody" was re-recorded for Nighthawks at the Diner.