Groundhog Day: German Weasels & Whistle Pigs

Move over, Bill Murray...Whistle Pigs are the new Wood Chucks. Punxsutawney Phil ain't got nothin' on me! This is our homage to a classic holiday movie. We know what you're thinking, folks! What's this got to do with Tom Waits? It's the same. It's the same. Start the Party! Again.

MLK Day: Change Must Come From Within

In celebration of Dr. King's birthday we paid tribute by reflecting on many of his great sayings and his final message - to serve with "a heart full of grace, and a soul generated by love". With a few of Tom's great songs dealing with the devil, love and houses to bless our journey on this great day. RIP Ralph Carney. 

Over The Influence: Music That Inspired Tom Waits

From Frank Sinatra & Captain Beefheart to Little Richard, Harry Partch, & The Texas Czech Bohemian-Moravian Bands, Tom's musical influences are wondrous, wild, wide...and deep. We're talking a virtual beyond-the-chromatic-scale smorgasbord including GATMO, The Rolling Stones, & Altar Boy. Folks, your table is ready!

Goodbye 2017: Grand Recantation & Salutations

Our bonus mini-episode brings you the must-have final retractions and corrections of the year, and that's the end of that. Enjoy, feel the love, and Happy New Year!

Tim Scherman: Pounding Post Modernism Into A Thinking Man's Floor

Bill, James and Cheryl continue Eluding the Authorities, this time with the distinguished author Dr. Tim Scherman who penned that brilliant essay. What's he building in there ain't just literature, folks. Not only has Tim used his mind to deconstruct the culture surrounding Tom Waits word by word, he's also used his hands to reconstruct his entire house board by board. Elizabeth Oakes Smith, P.T. Barnum, and Bob Frost are throwing confetti from their graves!

Goin' Home: Rain Dog & Pony Shows With Jumping Wolf Spiders

Once again without a net, Bill & James dive down a strange rabbit hole filled with 4-8 legged creatures, which as you'd expect, inspires a deep exploration into the music that informed their world outlook. That's right, this is the episode that explains everything but clears up nothing...except The Great Companion. Oh, and once again featuring  "Retractions and Corrections" for your listening pleasure. That's a wrap, folks!

Bruce Barton: Never Throw Rocks At Strangers

Hail, Hail the gang's all here. That's right, folks, it's the World Emergency Circus 2.0. In the center ring in all of his glory we finally present our fashion fangod hailing from a stone's throw from the Big Muddy: Bruce Barton! For you theatre, cabaret, and LGBTQ aficionados, this episode has it all, believe you we...Bette Midler, Crystal Gayle, Lily Tomlin, and a fish in the pants. Feel the confetti!

Whole Hog: Gratitude Attitude And Triskaidekaphobia

Happy Thanksgiving folks! Bill, James and Cheryl move a couple rungs up the spiral as they begin Season 2 and explore beginnings, family, culinary celebration, the Nobel prize and of course, the perfect Tom Waits Thanksgiving songs.

Real Satisfaction: Flying High On Tom’s Collaboration With Keith Richards

What can we say about this episode? Denny Crane. Oh, and then there’s The Human Strum, the scribe, the little red rooster howlin’ like a wolf, Son Of Rogues Gallery, Under The Influence and Last Leaf On The Tree..that’s right, folks: loads of family fun. AND in the center chamber....THE HUMAN GUINEA PIG quivering in the corner after weeks of being confetti-boarded with Heart Attack and Vine. PLUS, Bill is rendered speechless in the Season 1 Finale...AND Retractions & Corrections. Long live Jerry West!

Bear With Us: The Alien Is On The Spectrum

Hey folks! Dust off your Saint Christopher and hang on to your hats because Jack and Neal are behind the wheel. On our wildest ride yet, we threw away the map, turned off GPS, revved up Zencastr, and barreled down the wire through a ring of fire without a net. You may not learn a lot in this episode, but you sure will be amused or amazed...the choice is yours. But first step this way for Bill and James' spontaneous Top 3 songs for aliens. Ta-Da! 

Zeitgeist: Monkeys With Money 'N Guns Devouring Breakfast Cereal

The erudite Cheryl King joins us for a deep dive, this time plunging into a brilliant essay, "Eluding The Authorities" by Tim Scherman on popmatters.com. A well intentioned but half-baked, feckless, fumbling conversation ensues about the author's mind-bending examination of the positive effect left behind by Tom Waits' music.

Illustration by Peter Ferguson

Tim Settimi: Truth And Beauty In Silence

The Great Settimi: musician, clown, and roller-skating comic, who's opened and worked with music legends like Gloria Estefan, Kenny Loggins and Willie Nelson, shares tales of falling off stages across America and ruminates on Tom Waits' physicality. With a soulful rendition of 'Invitation To The Blues' on baritone ukulele, this episode will melt your heart as Tim and Bill open up about clowning for children in Hospitals with Humorology Atlanta, HA! Poignant, heartfelt and hilarious.