TOM WAITS - SWORDFISHTROMBONE 12" Vinyl LP Album

- The 1983 avant-garde masterpiece that reinvented Tom Waits’ sound and reshaped modern rock storytelling

Album Front Cover Photo of TOM WAITS - Swordfishtrombone Visit: https://vinyl-records.nl/

"Swordfishtrombone" marks a bold reinvention for Tom Waits, released in 1983 as his first self-produced album. Breaking away from his piano-bar roots, Waits embraced experimental soundscapes filled with junkyard percussion, surreal lyrics, and cinematic storytelling. Recorded at Sunset Sound Studios, the album introduced a strange, dreamlike world where jazz, blues, and avant-garde collide — a turning point that transformed him from cult songwriter to one of America’s most original sonic visionaries.

Table of Contents

"Swordfishtrombone" Album Description:

In a dark and stormy night in 1983, the world was gifted with a piece of musical artistry that defied convention and took listeners on a surreal journey through the realms of avant-garde. Tom Waits, the gravel-voiced troubadour known for his eccentricity and unique storytelling, delivered his masterpiece, "Swordfishtrombone", a 12" LP vinyl album that would forever etch his name into the world of musical history.

The Birth of "Swordfishtrombone"

"Swordfishtrombone" marked a significant turning point in Tom Waits' career. It was his first album as a self-produced artist, giving him complete creative control to weave his tales of the strange and the beautiful. Released in September 1983, it was a daring departure from his earlier works and signaled a shift towards a more experimental and avant-garde style.

The Meaning of "Swordfishtrombone"

"Swordfishtrombone", the title of Tom Waits' 1983 album and the opening track of the same name, is a term that appears to be a product of Waits' unique and often surreal lyricism. It doesn't have a clear, literal meaning in the conventional sense, and its interpretation largely depends on the context within the song and the album as a whole.

In the song "Swordfishtrombone"," the lyrics are cryptic and fragmented, much like many of Waits' works. The term seems to evoke a sense of mystery and the bizarre, which is characteristic of Waits' storytelling style. It's important to note that Tom Waits often incorporates unconventional and abstract imagery in his lyrics to create a dreamlike or otherworldly atmosphere.

Overall, "Swordfishtrombone" can be seen as an example of Tom Waits' use of language to create vivid and enigmatic storytelling rather than having a specific, readily definable meaning. It's part of the charm and intrigue of his music, inviting listeners to interpret and immerse themselves in his unique lyrical universe.

Behind the Sound

Behind this auditory masterpiece was a team of talented individuals who contributed to the album's unique sonic landscape. Biff Dawes, the sound/recording engineer, played a pivotal role in capturing the raw essence of Waits' vision. The album was mastered by Jeff Sanders at Kendn Recorders, ensuring that every note resonated with precision.

The album cover, adorned with a TinTone photograph by Michael A. Russ, set the stage for the surreal experience that awaited listeners. It was a visual representation of the otherworldly journey that the music would take them on.

The Sonic Journey

"Swordfishtrombone" isn't an album; it's a sonic odyssey. Tom Waits, with his unique storytelling abilities and unconventional instrumentation, invites listeners to embark on a voyage through the strange and surreal. Each track unfolds like a chapter in a dark and whimsical fairy tale.

From the jarring clang of metal aunglongs in "16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought-Six" to the haunting bagpipes in "Frank's Wild Years" and the mysterious glass harmonica in "Shore Leave", every song paints a vivid picture in the listener's mind. The lyrics, in true Waitsian fashion, are a combination of the profound and the absurd, leaving room for interpretation and contemplation.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Alternative Rock, Jazz Rock

This 1983 album blends alternative rock, jazz-infused experimental sounds, and Tom Waits’ distinctive storytelling. Marking a turning point in his career, it introduced avant-garde instrumentation and surreal narrative textures that redefined his sound and influenced generations of experimental musicians.

Label & Catalognr:

Island Records – Cat#: 205 774

Island Records, known for pioneering artists such as Bob Marley, Grace Jones, and U2, supported Waits’ creative freedom during his transition into a more cinematic and unconventional sound era.

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Weight: 230g

The heavy 230g pressing ensured warm analog depth typical of Island’s early 1980s European releases, prized by collectors for their dynamic mastering and durable vinyl quality.

Year & Country:

1983 – Made in Germany / Holland

Released across Europe, this edition showcased Island’s strong West German manufacturing quality, with clean mastering and precision pressing — hallmarks of the label’s European plant collaborations.

Producers & Arrangers:
  • Tom Waits – Producer and Primary Arranger
    Waits, an American singer-songwriter and composer, redefined his career with “Swordfishtrombone” after parting from Asylum Records. Known for albums like “Rain Dogs” and “Closing Time,” he became one of the most innovative voices in modern American music.
    All songs arranged by Tom Waits except “Underground,” “Johnsburg, Illinois,” “Rainbirds,” and “In The Neighborhood” arranged by Tom Waits & Francis Thumm.
  • Francis Thumm – Co-arranger (on the above tracks)
    Thumm, an avant-garde composer and instrumentalist, brought a theatrical, chamber-inspired element to Waits’ compositions. His background in experimental music helped shape the album’s eccentric tonal palette.
Recording & Sound Engineering:
  • Biff Dawes – Recording & Mixing Engineer
    A veteran studio engineer (known for work with Ry Cooder, The Doors, and Captain Beefheart), Dawes ensured the record’s organic and intimate tone using minimal overdubs and live room techniques.
  • Tim Boyle – Recording Engineer for “Frank’s Wild Years”
    Boyle captured the raw spontaneity of Waits’ storytelling in “Frank’s Wild Years,” contributing to one of the record’s most iconic spoken-word moments.
  • Michael Solomon – Production Coordinator
    Solomon managed studio logistics, ensuring seamless production during Waits’ first self-produced project, a significant milestone in his independence as an artist.
  • Peggy McCreary – Assistant Engineer
    McCreary, one of the few prominent female engineers of the era, was known for her earlier work at Sunset Sound with artists like Prince and Van Halen.
  • Richard McKernon – Assistant Engineer
  • Bill Jackson – Assistant Engineer
Recording Location:

Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, California – August 1982

Sunset Sound Studios, one of Hollywood’s most legendary facilities, hosted landmark recordings from artists such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Prince.
Exceptions: “Dave The Butcher” recorded at Leeds Instrument Rental; “Frank’s Wild Years” recorded by Tim Boyle.

Mastering Engineer & Location:
  • Jeff Sanders – Mastering Engineer at Kendun Recorders
    Sanders’ precise mastering work at Kendun (known for Fleetwood Mac and Steely Dan) gave the album its signature analog warmth and clarity.
Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Michael Russ – Photo Illustration, Inner Sleeve Photo, and Cover Design
    Russ, a renowned photographic artist, was known for his TinTone process and collaborations with musicians and fashion houses. His haunting imagery perfectly mirrors the surreal world of Swordfishtrombone.
  • Tom Waits – Album Cover Concept & Design
    Waits personally contributed to the design concept, emphasizing visual storytelling as an extension of his sonic narrative — a precursor to his later stage works and film scores.
  • Frank Mulvey – Art Director
    Mulvey, a respected designer for Island Records, was instrumental in defining the label’s signature art direction in the 1980s, blending minimalist layout with strong artistic photography.
Management:

Rothberg/Gerber Management

A management team based in Los Angeles, notable for guiding Tom Waits’ transition from major-label crooner to one of the most respected independent artists in contemporary music.

Dedications & Special Thanks:

Dedicated to Tom Waits’ wife, Kathleen Brennan, whose influence marked the beginning of his experimental phase.

Special thanks to Don Passman, Francis Thumm, Biff Dawes, Victor Feldman, Alyne Rothberg, Bill Gerber, and Peggy McCreary for their creative contributions.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up (Part 1):
  • Tom Waits – Vocals, Keyboards
    Visionary singer-songwriter and composer, known for “Rain Dogs”, “Mule Variations”, and his cinematic soundscapes blending jazz, blues, and avant-garde storytelling. Two-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
  • Victor Feldman – Bass Marimba, Bells
    Esteemed British jazz multi-instrumentalist who played with Miles Davis and Steely Dan. His percussive touch brought subtle jazz sophistication to Waits’ arrangements.
  • Larry Taylor – Acoustic Bass
    Renowned bassist from Canned Heat and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, contributing deep, resonant tones that grounded the album’s eccentric textures.
  • Randy Aldcroft – Baritone Horn
    Jazz trombonist and educator active in Los Angeles studio orchestras, adding brass warmth and harmonic depth.
  • Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges – Drums, Cymbals, Parade Bass Drum, Glass Harmonica
    Longtime Waits collaborator whose innovative percussion work shaped albums like “Swordfishtrombone” and “Rain Dogs.” Later joined The Blues Brothers Band.
  • Fred Tackett – Electric Guitar
    Veteran session guitarist with Little Feat, Bob Dylan, and Glen Campbell. His subtle phrasing added structure to Waits’ surreal compositions.
  • Francis Thumm – Metal Aunglongs
    Avant-garde composer and performer associated with Harry Partch’s ensemble. His use of rare instruments gave the album its distinct metallic resonance.
  • Greg Cohen – Bass
    Jazz bassist known for his work with John Zorn and Elvis Costello. A master of restraint, Cohen’s playing provided rhythmic stability amid Waits’ sonic chaos.
Band Line-up (Part 2):
  • Joe Romano – Trombone
    Seasoned jazz and studio trombonist who contributed to numerous Hollywood sessions and ensemble recordings.
  • Anthony Clark Stewart – Bagpipes
    Brought a haunting Celtic tone to the album’s soundscape, emphasizing its surreal and theatrical elements.
  • Clark Spangler – Synthesizer Programming
    Renowned synthesizer programmer who worked with Michael Jackson and Madonna. His subtle electronic textures enhanced the album’s atmospheric depth.
  • Bill Reichenbach – Trombone
    Leading L.A. session musician and composer, known for work on Steely Dan albums and countless film scores.
  • Dick (Slyde) Hyde – Trombone
    Member of the famed Wrecking Crew studio collective; performed with The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and The Carpenters.
  • Ronnie Barron – Hammond Organ
    New Orleans–born R&B keyboardist and vocalist, known for collaborations with Dr. John and Paul Butterfield.
  • Eric Bikales – Organ
    Jazz and pop composer, keyboardist, and session player for artists across genres; added lush harmonics to Waits’ arrangements.
  • Carlos "Guitarlos" Daniel Ayala – Electric Guitar
    Streetwise L.A. blues guitarist and member of Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs, contributing grit and authenticity to the sessions.
  • Richard Gibbs – Glass Harmonica
    Film and television composer, later known for scoring “Battlestar Galactica” and “The Simpsons.” His ethereal tones bring the album to a haunting close.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Underground (1:58)Single
    Released as a promotional single, introducing the album’s surreal and percussive world.
  2. Shore Leave (4:12)
    Dreamlike and cinematic, evoking a sailor’s nocturnal wanderings through a foreign port.
  3. Dave the Butcher (instrumental) (2:15)
    An instrumental interlude featuring organ and percussive experimentation by Waits.
  4. Johnsburg, Illinois (1:30)
    A tender ballad written for Waits’ wife, Kathleen Brennan, named after her hometown.
  5. 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought-Six (4:30)Single
    Later released as a single and live staple — a percussive blues built around hammering rhythms and primal imagery.
  6. Town With No Cheer (4:22)
    Melancholic reflection on loss and small-town decay, blending harmonium and muted brass.
Video: Tom Waits - "Underground"
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. In the Neighborhood (3:04)Single
    Issued as a single with an accompanying video; its brass-band arrangement recalls a funeral march through a broken town.
  2. Just Another Sucker on the Vine (instrumental) (1:42)
    A nostalgic instrumental interlude, evoking smoky bars and fading memories.
  3. Frank's Wild Years (1:50)
    A spoken-word vignette that inspired Waits’ later concept album and stage play of the same name.
  4. Swordfishtrombone (3:00)Single
    The title track and centerpiece of the album, featuring surreal lyrics and fractured rhythms.
  5. Down, Down, Down (2:10)
    Dark blues-infused groove with Waits’ signature growl and distorted bass textures.
  6. Soldier's Things (3:15)
    A poignant ballad later covered by Paul Young; one of Waits’ most heartbreaking songs.
    Cover
  7. Gin Soaked Boy (2:20)
    Swaggering, rhythmic tune with bluesy flair — later performed live with expanded instrumentation.
  8. Trouble's Braids (1:18)
    Short, percussive, and haunting — a prelude to the closing instrumental.
  9. Rainbirds (instrumental) (3:05)
    The official closing instrumental on the album's original release.
Video: Tom Waits - "In The Neighbourhood"

Dedications & Special Thanks:

Dedicated to Tom Waits’ wife, Kathleen Brennan. Special thanks to Don Passman, Francis Thumm, Biff Dawes, Victor Feldman, Alyne Rothberg, Bill Gerber, and Peggy McCreary.

Album Front Cover Photo
The front cover of Tom Waits’ 1983 album Swordfishtrombones shows a surreal, cinematic photograph tinted in yellow, blue, and black tones. Tom Waits stands at the right in suspenders and white tank top, gazing upward with weary confidence. To his left sit two older men with pale, painted faces—one bald and smiling, the other wearing a dark suit, red-polka bow tie, and clown-like makeup. A large brass tuba glows in the background. The composition feels like a theatrical dream sequence, both melancholy and absurd, symbolizing Waits’ radical break from his past sound into avant-garde expression.

The front cover of Tom Waits’ 1983 album Swordfishtrombones is a striking, theatrical tableau saturated in bold tones of yellow, blue, and sepia. At the right, Tom Waits poses with weary poise, wearing suspenders, a white tank top, and a leopard-pattern handkerchief hanging from his trousers — a mixture of cabaret confidence and carnival disarray.

Beside him sit two older men with painted white faces, evoking vaudeville performers or faded circus clowns. One is bald and grinning; the other, dressed in a black jacket with a red-dotted bow tie, gazes toward the camera with a ghostly calm. Behind them gleams a brass tuba, casting golden reflections that reinforce the image’s surreal, dreamlike quality.

The photograph, conceived and executed by Michael Russ, combines performance art and urban melancholy, visualizing the emotional chaos that defines the album’s experimental sound. It captures a moment suspended between laughter and despair, serving as a perfect mirror of Waits’ metamorphosis into an avant-garde storyteller.

Album Back Cover Photo
The back cover of Tom Waits’ 1983 album Swordfishtrombones features a close-up, abstract photograph in electric shades of yellow, blue, and white. A brass trombone’s slide dominates the composition, gleaming against a softly blurred background. On the left, the tracklist is printed in white sans-serif text running vertically against the dark upper edge, listing all twelve songs from 'Underground' to 'Rainbirds'. At the bottom center, the text 'Written and Produced by Tom Waits' appears in blue capitals, with the Island Records logo printed beneath. The minimalist layout and vivid color treatment create an impression of both industrial motion and surreal calm, echoing the album’s avant-garde tone.

The back cover of Swordfishtrombones transforms musical hardware into modern art — a close-up of a trombone slide bathed in surreal hues of neon yellow, turquoise, and white. The photograph blends metallic texture with painterly abstraction, reflecting the mechanical yet dreamlike rhythm of the album.

On the left, the complete track listing appears in slender white lettering, arranged vertically against the dark background. Titles such as “Underground,” “Shore Leave,” and “Rainbirds” line up like visual beats, giving structure to the image’s fluid composition.

At the bottom center, the line “Written and Produced by Tom Waits” is printed in sky blue capitals above the Island Records logo. The minimalist design by Michael Russ and Tom Waits distills the album’s experimental essence into a single bold, kinetic image.

First Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve
The inner sleeve of Tom Waits’ 1983 album Swordfishtrombones features black background with song lyrics printed in tight white serif text across the page. The layout is divided into columns for the tracks on Side One, including 'Underground,' 'Shore Leave,' 'Dave the Butcher,' 'Johnsburg, Illinois,' '16 Shells from a 30-6,' 'Town with No Cheer,' and 'In the Neighborhood.' At the bottom right, a monochrome photograph shows three men from the album cover session — one bald, one clown-faced, and Tom Waits himself — gathered around a trombone, emphasizing the theatrical, smoky, and melancholy tone of the record.

The inner sleeve of Swordfishtrombones presents a stark, theatrical layout — black background, white serif text — echoing the album’s noir sensibility. Song lyrics for Side One fill the page in narrow, organized columns, each heading clearly marking the track titles from “Underground” through “In the Neighborhood.”

The clean typography and vertical lyric alignment give the sleeve a sense of precision and rhythm, as though each stanza were a scene from a stage script. The design mirrors the record’s cinematic storytelling and obsessive attention to phrasing and cadence.

At the bottom right corner, a small monochrome photograph depicts the same trio seen on the front cover — Tom Waits and two clown-like companions gathered around a trombone, caught in a moment that is equal parts absurd and poignant. The image reinforces the album’s central themes of performance, decay, and surreal humor.

Second Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve
The reverse side of Tom Waits’ 1983 Swordfishtrombones inner sleeve presents Side Two lyrics printed in dense white serif text against a matte black background. The lyrics for tracks such as 'Frank’s Wild Years,' 'Swordfishtrombone,' 'Down, Down, Down,' 'Soldier’s Things,' 'Trouble’s Braids,' and 'Rainbirds' are arranged in neat vertical columns. At the bottom center, in smaller type, the full album production credits appear — listing engineers, producers, designers, and dedications. The minimalist typographic style, free of decoration, mirrors the album’s raw emotional intensity and experimental edge, transforming functional liner notes into an understated work of graphic design.

The reverse side of the Swordfishtrombones inner sleeve continues the stark, text-driven design — white serif type on deep black matte. This layout holds the complete lyrics for Side Two, including “Frank’s Wild Years,” “Swordfishtrombones,” “Soldier’s Things,” and “Rainbirds.”

The columns are tightly spaced, reading like fragments of an avant-garde script. Each song title stands in small capitals, while the verses cascade downward like visual poetry. The black backdrop isolates the words, intensifying their surreal, often cinematic imagery.

At the bottom, printed in condensed text, appear the complete production and recording credits — engineers, designers, and management acknowledgments — reinforcing the record’s artisanal construction. The typographic restraint and lack of imagery allow the words themselves to serve as visual composition, capturing Tom Waits’ uncompromising artistic vision.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of Side One label for Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones, showing the Island Records sunrise logo on a lilac and blue background, printed with track titles and credits in black sans-serif type. The center spindle hole cuts through the Island logo. Includes the German GEMA/STERMA rights box, catalog number 205 774, and rim text identifying the 1983 Island Records pressing.

The Side One label of Tom Waits – Swordfishtrombones features Island Records’ distinctive “sunset palm” logo printed on a soft lilac-blue background. The design’s gradient evokes twilight tones, complementing the album’s surreal and cinematic atmosphere.

Track titles and credits are printed in clear black sans-serif type, centered neatly above the spindle hole. The label lists six tracks, production credit to Tom Waits, and the copyright line © 1983 Island Records Inc.

Along the rim, fine text identifies rights and reproduction restrictions in English, while the GEMA/STEMRA rights box and ST 33 speed symbol confirm this as a West German stereo pressing. The catalog number 205 774 and LC code LC 0407 are printed to the right of the logo.

The Island Records logo depicts a stylized tropical island framed within a yellow square, with a setting orange sun over blue sea. Originally designed to represent creative freedom and artistic individuality, it became one of the most recognizable emblems in music.

West German Label
Colours
Lilac to blue gradient background with yellow, orange, and red logo
Design & Layout
Centered black sans-serif typography; track list in two compact columns; logo at lower center
Record company logo
Island “sunset palm” — stylized palm tree, yellow frame, red-orange sun over blue sea, symbolizing creativity and independence
Band/Performer logo
None present; only textual band name and album title
Unique features
German pressing identifiers: GEMA/STEMRA, LC 0407, ST 33; clear typography; crisp matte finish
Side designation
Printed as “Seite 1” below the catalog number
Rights society
GEMA/STEMRA
Catalogue number
205 774
Rim text language
English
Track list layout
Six tracks listed sequentially with timings and songwriting credits (Tom Waits)
Rights info placement
Perimeter rim text in small type and central rights box on left
Pressing info
Manufactured in West Germany by Island Records under license
Background image
Smooth gradient background fading from lilac to light blue with central spindle hole alignment

Collector’s Note: The Lilac Sunset of Island Records

For collectors, the lilac-and-blue Island label seen on Swordfishtrombones marks a key transitional moment in early-1980s European pressing history. Introduced around 1981, the so-called “sunset palm” design replaced Island’s beloved pink rim and sun rays motifs, projecting a cleaner, more modern aesthetic for a new decade of experimental music.

This particular West German edition, bearing GEMA/STEMRA, LC 0407, and catalog number 205 774, was pressed in 1983 under the Ariola distribution network. It represents the first continental release of Tom Waits’ landmark reinvention. The lilac gradient background subtly echoes the dreamlike textures of the record itself—a collector’s clue that you’re holding an original from Waits’ brave leap into avant-garde territory.

Later European reissues from 1985 onward adopted PolyGram catalogue coding and a paler label hue, making this version both a distinct artifact of its era and a favorite among audiophiles who appreciate Ariola’s robust pressing quality. In the hierarchy of Island label variations, this 1983 lilac “sunset palm” pressing ranks among the most visually elegant and historically important for serious Waits collectors.

Tom Waits: The Iconic Musician and Storyteller with a Raspy and Poetic Voice

TOM WAITS - Blue Valentine
Thumbnail of TOM WAITS - Blue Valentine album front cover

Rock, Jazz-Rock

"Blue Valentine" is the sixth studio Tom Waits' "Blue Valentine," released in September 1978, encapsulates the musical zeitgeist of the late '70s. A fusion of blues, jazz, and rock, the album's meticulous production showcases Waits' raw vocals and storytelling prowess.

Blue Valentine 12" Vinyl LP
TOM WAITS - Foreign Affairs
Thumbnail of TOM WAITS - Foreign Affairs album front cover

Rock, Jazz-Rock

"Foreign Affairs" is the album by Tom Waits, released in 1977 on Elektra Entertainment. It was produced by Bones Howe, and features Bette Midler singing a duet with Waits on "I Never Talk to Strangers"

Foreign Affairs 12" Vinyl LP
TOM WAITS - Rain Dogs
Thumbnail of TOM WAITS - Rain Dogs album front cover

Rock, Jazz-Rock

"Rain Dogs" is the 9th album by American singer-songwriter Tom Waits, released in August 1985 on Island Records. A loose concept album about "the urban dispossessed" of New York City, Rain Dogs is generally considered the middle album of a trilogy that includes Swordfishtrombones and Franks Wild Years

Rain Dogs 12" Vinyl LP
Updated TOM WAITS - Swordfishtrombone album front cover vinyl LP album https://vinyl-records.nl
TOM WAITS - Swordfishtrombone

“Swordfishtrombones” (1983) marked Tom Waits’ radical artistic rebirth — a surreal fusion of junkyard percussion, brass-driven chaos, and gravel-throated poetry. With Larry Taylor’s deep bass lines and Stephen Hodges’ inventive drumming, this avant-garde milestone redefined Waits’ sound for a new decade.