Well, folks it has taken me two days to get my mind around what I experienced this past Saturday at the Ohio Theater here in Columbus, Ohio, and that experience had a name and it's name was Tom Waits. I'm not even sure that I can convey in words what we had the pleasure of witnessing.
The Ohio Theater was packed and when the lights finally dimmed the roar of the crowd was deafening and everybody gave the man a standing ovation, which was only one of many. One of the guys sitting to our left said that he read online that Tom started every show with the same song, but from then on there was no set list they just played it by ear. The show began with a blend of three songs Lucinda/Falling Down/Way Down In The Hole and Tom was amazing right from the get go. He stood on his raised platform like a carnival barker surrounded by various instruments and lighting. When he stomped his feet on the platform, the powder that covered it began coming to life swirling around like smoke from unknown depths. Each song from there on out was decided on the fly, which made the show even more intimate and unique, no two shows would be the same.
I went into this show(for the first time in my concert going career) with no song expectations...none, I just wanted to hear Tom Waits...period. So any songs were welcome, but as the show went I realized some were pleasant surprises. Songs such as Eyeball Kid, Dirt In The Ground, Misery Is The River Of The World, and The House Where Nobody Lived, Big In Japan, and Lie To Me brought a smile to my face. He slowed things down and just played piano while speaking to the crowd between songs. He did another song blend with Get Behind the Mule and 16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six. I wish I could recall all of the songs he played in his two hour set, but words are failing to capture what we saw and experienced. I will say this, and those that know me will know how serious I am, this performance ranks up in my top five and pretty close to the top. I have never been to a show like this, it was so unique and special that it trumps many other shows I thought were tops. Weird, I know, but what can I say. I'm also sorry my recap fails to capture or give enough details to those who may be reading this, but it was one of those truly cliche moments where....well...you had to be there. His presence on stage was commanding and enthralling, and you felt that if you took your eye off if him for a second you would miss something, and chances are you did or would.
Now, listening to and observing the crowd was interesting and annoying. Lots of people there who were just there to say they were, scene makers I guess. I also overheard one guy say that he didn't recognize half the songs and couldn't understand most of what Tom was singing. Then why were you there? But, none of this ruined our night.
Thanks, Tom, we appreciate you making a stop in Columbus, Ohio and gracing us with a fantastic and supernatural evening.

,
Patrick