Tom Waits’ debut album, after David Geffen met him performing at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Amazing how fully-formed Waits is here, kicking off his debut album with “Ol’ 55” and “I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You” – all originals.

Tom Waits always feels to me like he could have come from any time – this could come out in 2025 and feel fresh. He’s just in something of a genre all his own.

My copy – via Slipped Disc at a record fair at Mill No. 5 – is a 2018 reissue on Anti-, pressed by Independent Record Pressing (IRP) in New Jersey – original pressings in good shape are nearly impossible to find.