Who: Tom Waits “Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards”

Sounds Like:  A cross between Louis Armstrong and Muddy Waters, after being abducted by aliens.

Is it any good: Tom Waits is obviously an acquired taste, but for his fans this three cd set is a tour de force, one of his best ever.  Each disc has a different theme with new songs, new performances of old songs and a few hard to find soundtrack and tribute songs. “Brawlers” is down and dirty juke joint music, “Bawlers”, his sensitive singer songwriter side and “Bastards”, the experimental disc with lots of spoken word pieces spotlighting his talent as a raconteur. Each disc stands as an exceptional album on its own. As it is, you can pick your poison.