The Black Rider

by Tom Waits

Overview

THE BLACK RIDER contains Waits' versions of the songs he wrote for the Robert Wilson play of the same name. Wilson has worked with everyone from Philip Glass to Lou Reed, so he's just the kind of left-of-center visionary to accommodate Waits' offbeat musical style. From NIGHTHAWKS AT THE DINER to FRANK'S WILD YEARS, Waits has always been a concept man, and you don't get more conceptual than supplying songs for this semi-mythological narrative of passion and death. THE BLACK RIDER is somewhat similar in style to the twisted cabaret/blues of Waits' mid-80s work, but with a pronounced European artsong flavor. Accordingly, Waits is accompanied by a mix of his U.S. cronies (Joe Gore, Greg Cohen, etc.) and the musicians from the original BLACK RIDER production. The presence of William Burroughs as lyricist on a couple of tunes represents the closing of a circle that includes the heavy influence of the '50s beat writers on Waits' early work. Less visceral and more cerebral then Waits' previous work, BLACK RIDER is nevertheless full of masterful compositions and inventive, idiosyncratic arrangements.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/06/2023
Label:	Island / Umr
UPC:	0602448894885
Rank:	15261

Tracks

1. Lucky Day Overture
2. The Black Rider
3. November
4. Just The Right Bullets
5. Black Box Theme
6. 'Tain't No Sin
7. Flash Pan Hunter/Intro
8. That's The Way
9. The Briar And The Rose
10. Russian Dance
11. Gospel Train/Orchestra
12. I'll Shoot The Moon
13. Flash Pan Hunter
14. Crossroads
15. Gospel Train
16. Interlude
17. Oily Night
18. Lucky Day
19. The Last Rose Of The Summer
20. Carnival

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tom Waits   Primary Artist,Emax,Banjo,Organ,Piano,Congas,Guitar,Vocals,Marimba,Calliope,Log Drums,Chamberlin,Synthesizer,Train Whistle,Whistle (Instrument)
Ralph Carney   Guest Artist,Saxophone,Contrabass,Clarinet (Bass),Horn (Baritone)
William S. Burroughs   Guest Artist,Vocals
Bill Douglass   Bass
Boners   Featured Artist
Joe Gore   Banjo,Guitar
Kenny Wollesen   Marimba,Percussion
Don Neely   Musical Saw
Greg Cohen   Bass,Emax,Banjo,Viola,Accordion,Percussion,Clarinet (Bass)
Matthew Brubeck   Cello
Kevin Porter   Trombone
Volker Hemken   Clarinet
Hans-Jorn Braudenberg   Organ
Nick Phelps   French Horn
Linda Deluca   Viola
Francis Thumm   Organ
Henning Stoll   Viola,Bassoon,Contrabassoon
Larry Rhodes   Bassoon,Contrabassoon
Stefan Schaefer   Bass
Gerd Bessler   Viola
Matt Brubeck   Cello
Christoph Moinian   French Horn
William Burroughs   Vocals

Technical Credits

Tchad Blake   Engineer
Biff Dawes   Mixing
Edgar Leslie   Composer
Walter Donaldson   Composer,Lyricist
Kathleen Brennan   Composer
Tom Waits   Composer,Producer,Recording Arranger
Greg Cohen   Composer,Recording Arranger
William S. Burroughs   Composer
Gerd Bessler   Engineer
William Burroughs   Composer,Lyricist
Devil's Rhubato Band   Recording Arranger