I’m a huge Tom Waits fan. I haven’t heard whistle in any of his songs, but I wondered if there were any that were whistle-friendly?
Raindog, I’m especially asking you.
I’m happy to know that I’m not the only member of this forum who is a Tom Waits fan!
I believe Tom is one of the best songwriters who has ever lived.
I’m sure many would agree with me on that, but not as many have an appreciation for his singing… my little sister says he sounds like Cookie Monster. 
To answer your question though, the majority of Tom’s songs are played in Eb.
I don’t have a low Eb yet, but I have played along with my Generation Eb on a few occasions.
A low Eb would almost certainly be better suited though… now I suppose I have a good excuse to add one to my collection! 
It’ll have to wait though, because I have an Overton low D on it’s way to me some time next week… that ought to satisfy my WhOA for a while!
If you have a low Eb, I’d be interested in knowing if my assumption of it being more appropriate than a high Eb is correct.
well, I play a lot of his tunes just fooling around with my whistles… just by ear mind you. So yeah, I would say that there are a lot of his songs that are very whistle friendly, you just have to mess around to find the ones you want to play. =)
stimps (tom waits lover since 1980) =)
Eb, huh? I don’t have a low Eb either, but I’ll try my high Eb.
And I never thought of it but yes, he does sound like Cookie Monster.
A Bb whistle too will work capitally well.
Tom Waits…for no man.
That’s the right quote, isn’t it?
Steve
On 2001-11-21 12:08, Raymond wrote:
A Bb whistle too will work capitally well.
You’re absolutely right, a Bb whistle does work quite well.
It’s just a simple matter of half-holing or cross-fingering to get the necessary G#, and you can play three notes lower than with a high Eb.
Playing along with a Bb sounds better than with a high Eb, so now I’m sure that a low Eb would really sound great.
Thanks for the tip… I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before. 
Tom is one of a kind. Truley amazing song writer/performer. He does play a train whistle on The Black Rider “Gospel Train” but I guess that doesn’t count. I was talking to an Epithaph rep. and he said Tom is working on his new album which will be all orchastrated material. No vocals 
I’m sure it will be great though.
-Jack “I don’t want to grow up” Orion
Shiver me timbers is begging for whistle accompanyment as is Tom Trauberts blues with its nod to Waltzing Matilda .Peace, Mike:)
I’ve never paid any attention to his songs but I once served him a drink. Almost 20 years ago in Adelaide before a show he and his entourage came into a hotel bar where I was working. He asked for water.