Bill and James end Season 4 with a bang, reuniting with their favorite folks to celebrate the occasion, and the amazing music of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan. Love, laughter, and watching old movies in their underwear, that’s what it’s all come down to…need we say more? Except: feel the love, folks!
Tom & Leon Redbone: They Stayed Like That For 127 Years
A true one-of-a-kind, Leon Redbone brought back songs from the vaudeville, tin pan alley, blues and jazz traditions, toured with Tom Waits in the 70's, and is credited for bringing Tom to the Austin City Limits Stage. With his recent passing, Bill and James pay tribute and dive into the crossroads where Tom and Leon meet. Feel the blues folks!
Totally Tom III: N.A.S.A., Primus, & Preservation Hall
Third time’s the charm and Totally Tom III has it all, folks! From Hip Hop to Gospel, Progressive Rock to the origins of Jazz itself, it features a remarkable range of Tom Waits’ guest appearances. Once again, pushing off without a paddle, a map, or any idea of what either of us has brought to the journey, we fumble through the dangerous waters of musical genius without a wet suit and emerge dry as a bone. That's a lie. We're totally soaked! Feel the Flow.
That's Sick: Patent Medicines, Patron Saints & Lobotomies
Cheryl King is back in the house for a typical Mother's Day celebration filled with tales of fever, snake oil, black sheep, and of course wild west medicine shows. With a surprise Tom Waits cover and childhood story from down Mexico way that will have your spine all a tingle. Feel the Healing, folks!
American Original: Behind The Mule For 20 Years
Inspired by a very current article from Billboard magazine commemorating 20 years since its original release, Bill & James honor and expound upon their quintessential Tom Waits album: Mule Variations. Golly!
Funambulism: Shot Out Of The Canon Of Tom Waits
Dr. Tim Scherman joins Bill & James for a walk along the high wire without a net balancing Tom Waits' experimental side with big fifty cent words. We cover The Grand Canyon, gravity, Helium, William Burroughs, and all things Robert Wilson. Featuring Trouble's Braids, Crossroads, 'T'Ain't No Sin, and of course, Everything Goes to Hell. From acrophobia to arachnophobia: don't miss Spidey's Wild Ride, folks!
Diva: Ha Ha Hoo Hoo & The Seven Goddesses
Cheryl King joins Bill and James to explore the divine performer as exemplified by Tom Waits in the form of some amazing covers of Green Grass, Blow Wind Blow, Temptation, and The Day After Tomorrow by extraordinary female artists. That's right folks, there's even a phone call from India, a tuba, and a shiksa goddess! What more could you want?
Totally Tom Too: Deeper In The Hole
Once again unto the breach, dear folks, once again. We're back down the rabbit hole because there's a world going on underground. So down we go to explore the many caverns of Tom Wait's musical madness, from the Glitter and Doom tour to Paradise Alley. Along the way, to our dismay we stumble into The Human Guinea Pig's secret lair. That's right, Nashville session singer Brad Smith is back with his unexpected take on Franks Wild Years! Once again, this one's for all you diehard Tom fans!
Totally Tom: Devout Catalyst, A Little Manifesto And The Hokey Pokey
Returning to our roots, this episode is all about the multifaceted artistry of Tom Waits - served up on a platter with a side of toast. Full of rare collaborations, talk show appearances, Bella Ciao, the resistance, free the glutens and experimental weirdness. What more could you ask for? This one's for you diehard fans folks! RIP Ken Nordine.
Anti Valentine: Go Blue Or Go Home
If this is the day that you avoid at all costs - candle-lit restaurants, flowers, heart-shaped chocolates, lingerie, and hallmark cards: this episode may just be for you. Bill, James and Cheryl bare tidbits of their hearts and souls while reveling in the flipside of St. Valentine’s Day with traditional Tom Waits' heart breaking love songs. Feel the love!
Inventions: Concertina Wire Museums, Coliseums, And Conundrums
Who’s more inventive than Tom Waits? Nobody. That’s who. Hold onto your pants folks, cuz Cheryl is back and we found another Tennessee song. Denny Crane!
Edgar Allan Poe: Dead Ringer For Tom Waits
And they're off...but you already know that, folks! Season 4 begins and finally reveals the 2nd in a Special Series on men with the middle name Allan or Alan: Dr. Timothy Scherman waxes Poetic as he schools Bill & James on how to mash-up Thomas Alan Waits & Edgar Allan Poe. Candles are lit and the cognac is open at midnight at the end of Poe's birthday, so drink up and bury the confetti!
