Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards cover

Released 20 years ago

Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards

Tom Waits · 2006

189 min · 56 tracks · blues · jazz

A sprawling collection of raw storytelling, blending blues, jazz, and experimental sounds into a vivid sonic tapestry.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • sprawling narrative explorations
  • raw storytelling with grit
  • dynamic journey of emotions
  • wave-like pacing surprises
  • late-night introspective listening

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer quick, catchy tracks
  • seek polished production values

Where this album fits

Career context
When 'Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards' was released in 2006, Tom Waits was already an established artist with a rich catalog. This album marked his first major release since the Grammy Award-winning 'Real Gone' in 2004 and showcased his continued evolution as a storyteller, exploring new musical territories while revisiting some previously unreleased tracks from earlier in his career.
Stylistic neighbors
Leonard Cohen· Nick Cave· Captain Beefheart
If this clicks, go next to
Bad as Me — Continues the eclectic mix of styles and storytelling with a modern twist.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Lie to Me 2:10
  • 2 LowDown 4:15
  • 3 2:19 5:02
  • 4 Fish in the Jailhouse 4:22
  • 5 Bottom of the World 5:42
  • 6 Lucinda 4:52
  • 7 Ain’t Goin’ Down to the Well 2:28
  • 8 Lord I’ve Been Changed 2:28
  • 9 Puttin’ On the Dog 3:39
  • 10 Road to Peace 7:17
  • 11 All the Time 4:33
  • 12 The Return of Jackie and Judy 3:28
  • 13 Walk Away 2:43
  • 14 Sea of Love 3:43
  • 15 Buzz Fledderjohn 4:12
  • 16 Rains on Me 3:20

Disc 2

  • 1 Bend Down the Branches 1:06
  • 2 You Can Never Hold Back Spring 2:26
  • 3 Long Way Home 3:10
  • 4 Widow’s Grove 4:58
  • 5 Little Drop of Poison 3:09
  • 6 Shiny Things 2:20
  • 7 World Keeps Turning 4:16
  • 8 Tell It to Me 3:08
  • 9 Never Let Go 3:13
  • 10 Fannin Street 5:01
  • 11 Little Man 4:33
  • 12 It’s Over 4:40
  • 13 If I Have to Go 2:15
  • 14 Goodnight Irene 4:47
  • 15 The Fall of Troy 3:00
  • 16 Take Care of All My Children 2:31
  • 17 Down There by the Train 5:38
  • 18 Danny Says 3:05
  • 19 Jayne’s Blue Wish 2:29
  • 20 Young at Heart 3:41

Disc 3

  • 1 What Keeps Mankind Alive 2:09
  • 2 Children’s Story 1:42
  • 3 Heigh Ho 3:32
  • 4 Army Ants 3:25
  • 5 Books of Moses 2:49
  • 6 Bone Chain 1:03
  • 7 Two Sisters 4:55
  • 8 First Kiss 2:40
  • 9 Dog Door 2:43
  • 10 Redrum 1:12
  • 11 Nirvana 2:12
  • 12 Home I’ll Never Be 2:28
  • 13 Poor Little Lamb 1:43
  • 14 Altar Boy 2:48
  • 15 The Pontiac 1:54
  • 16 Spidey’s Wild Ride 2:03
  • 17 King Kong 5:29
  • 18 On the Road 4:14
  • 19 Dog Treat 2:56
  • 20 Missing My Son 3:38

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata