Tom Waits - The Heart Of Saturday Night

It didn't take Tom Waits long before he was releasing his second record; with The Heart Of Saturday Night arriving in late 1974. A few of the songs had been staples in Waits' early repertoire and, after not making the cut for Closing Time, finally found their place.

The Heart Of Saturday Night is a lot more jazz focused than his first; almost becoming the album Waits originally set out to make with Closing Time. More unified and structured, it is ultimately a lot more solid than his debut, and encapsulates the direction in sound the next few albums would take. His voice still lacks that trademark boom but there is evidence to suggest his voice was developing into what we now know. The poetic lyrics paint the landscape of a bustling city at night. The neon lights, the diners, bars, coffee and cigarettes; Tom embraces what he loves and tells the tales like no other. It's the perfect album if you're up late at night. Maybe you've got too much on your mind; or you're on a long drive home. Put The Heart Of Saturday Night on, and you may just have the urge to go out and soak in the nightlife.

It could be argued that The Heart Of Saturday Night is Waits' most commercially sounding album. If there's a good as place as any for newcomers to start, this could be it. Where his later albums can be largely inaccessible for some; this is much lighter and his voice won't instantly throw you off.

The basic musical structure of the album focuses on piano, double bass, light percussion and saxophone; leaving the record simple and less eclectic than some of his later works. One of the most notable songs here would be Diamonds On My Windshield. With it's off-beat structure, it's almost a foreshadowing of the departure in sound that would come later in his career, and takes it's place as the first of many spoken word songs he would perform.

The Heart Of Saturday Night sadly often gets forgotten about. People do focus on some of his more popular albums such as Rain Dogs a lot more. It's a shame, as some of the best songs from his early career are here; such as San Diego Serenade and the title track itself.

Ultimately when it comes down to it; The Heart Of Saturday Night is there only for those who seek to find it.