Small Change LP

Tom Waits cut Small Change in about two weeks that July at Wally Heider's in Hollywood, like he was trying to get the whole barroom-poet act down before last call. Bones Howe produced it, with drummer Shelly Manne, saxophonist Lew Tabackin, bassist Jim Hughart, and a small string section giving 'Tom Traubert's Blues' and 'The Piano Has Been Drinking' that jazz-club, after-hours ache. It's often called the clearest statement of that persona in his catalog, spoken-word pieces sitting right next to torch-song ballads.