I'll admit, I'm not REALLY a stranger to Tom Waits. I've come across his work here, there, everywhere, and in Mystery Men. But it occurs to me that I am not quite as versed on all things Waitsian as I'd like to be. However, he is an artist with a fair-sized back catalog, making it difficult to know where I should begin.

So, being that you kind folk have yet to steer me wrong when I ask where to begin with a band, I ask: where the HELL do I even BEGIN with this guy?

thanks!