album debut studio album american singer songwriter released march produced arranged member seven waits major releases asylum album noted predominantly folk influenced waits intended closing time jazz piano led album release album mildly successful united_states chart received little attention music press united_kingdom internationally critical reaction positive album single attracted attention cover version waits better known label mates eagles songs album covered artists ranging album certified gold united_kingdom gained contemporary cult following rock fans album reissued times initial release background began musical career performing monday night venue los_angeles california waits setlist series shows described nights consisted primarily bob_dylan covers included songs later appear closing time successor heart saturday night songs performed ice cream man virginia avenue hope don fall love diamonds time waits began working san_diego california club heritage coffee house day november waits performed paid heritage earning performance performance summer inadvertently spotted waits manager contacts waits recorded demos los_angeles late summer producer later released early years volumes waits wishes order focus career waits relocated san_diego los_angeles early performed frequently discovered performing performance led negotiate waits manager waits signed month recording prior recording album waits friends designated producer afternoon early recorded pre production tape residence instrumentation recording arrangements musicians discussed session waits making absolutely clear wanted bass player guitarist additional guitarist recruited jazz bassist hired main recording sessions closing time took place sunset sound hollywood california doors previously recorded spring fronted production sessions held immediately waits record deal described quick efficient waits nervous confident material beginning sessions sessions progressed waits pulling direction album waits wanting jazz laden record focused producing folk based album despite waits absolutely fellow musicians direction metaphors describe wanted songs sound sessions took total days days focusing getting studio waits wanted record evening slots available recorded morning afternoon day recording contributed backing vocals came perfect harmony line started chorus began sessions concluded total songs completed songs second recording session arranged following week final session began following sunday guest musicians replacing performing cello title track closing time song recorded later described session magical session involved end spoke felt like minutes booth room wanted moment end string overdubs later cut martha moon following day final recordings mixed mastered san_francisco composition closing time features eclectic mix musical styles songs gentle piano chords old shoes country rock picked feel usually considered folk like songs virginia avenue midnight features instrumental segment nursery rhyme little baby moon reveal jazz like temperament ice cream man noted tempo song album lonely toned slow paced sophisticated piano melodies accompanied typical jazz sound waits originally designated album noticeable string arrangements featured album martha final song closing time purely instrumental songs closing time noted lyrical content vary form narrates story man riding car seen song like near contemporary theme present old shoes narrates story young stud hitting road semi particularly lyrics tears anymore heart born lyrics album described particularly lonely hope don fall love moon self conscious intro midnight lyrics english nursery rhyme sing song form song writing lifelong habit waits following writing midnight assembled lyrics fragments oral tradition packaging art designed cover art inspired waits idea album sound depicts waits leaning bar room piano furnished shot bottle beer cigarettes small blue pool table lamp waits head cover art minimal features photograph waits staring directly camera taken waits performance photographs taken release released worldwide march asylum album lead single released month prior album promotion single featured song pressed sides record version recorded recorded stereo waits national tour coincided album release ran april june band line tour consisted waits vocals acoustic guitar piano double bass trumpet guitar opening date tour cellar door washington opening tour progressed led dates venues max kansas_city new_york san_francisco opening acts fame second promotional tour ran november december opening tour consisted stripped line waits vocals acoustic guitar piano bass released closing time europe limited edition asylum reissued album respectively reception release received american music press positive critical acclaim coverage limited original rolling_stone review album positively referred remarkable debut album compared branded version nostalgia persona emerges remarkable debut album waits vulnerable emotionally charged village_voice editor reviewer robert_christgau noted jazz piano delivery waits exploits honest credible noting similarity newman allmusic held album high regard describing lyrics sentimental penetrating gift gently rolling pop melodies self conscious melancholy surprisingly moving billboard referred closing time release lovely new album introspective songs folk jazz music captures essence moment thought love album received little coverage united_kingdom internationally promotion little featured nme chart release album peaked number irish albums chart album certified silver united_kingdom shipments copies later certified gold shipments copies influence reached wider audience cover versions songs successful artists continued covered later released album cover martha cover waits song known artist version included tribute compilation step right songs martha covered saturday night live meat welcome neighborhood recorded recorded album ice cream man covered lonely covered live included deluxe edition album covers hope don fall love found step right prince soundtrack scattered covered compilation songs compilation heart soul episode sung track listing songs written composed personnel musicians vocals piano guitar trumpet guitar backing vocals old shoes picture guitar pedal steel guitar bass guitar drums backing vocals guest musicians bass guitar closing time instrumental cello martha trumpet closing time instrumental technical personnel photography additional engineering design artwork production engineering chart positions certifications
Closing Time (album)