Tom Waits - Under Review: 1983-2006

"Tom Waits - Under Review: 1983-2006" is an intriguing documentary film that deeply scrutinizes the second half of the career of one of America's finest songwriters and performers - Tom Waits. This immersive film was released in 2006, and it has since been a major hit among Waits fans and music enthusiasts in general.

The film captivates audiences by providing a piercing insight into the world of Tom Waits, an enigmatic artist who needs no introduction. He is renowned for his gravelly voice, counter-cultural persona, and artistic diversity that blur the boundaries between rock, jazz, and blues in a provocative mix of reality and illusion. His songs often depict characters and stories drawn from the darker, grittier side of life - a side that Waits seems to know well and expertly evokes in his music.

"Tom Waits - Under Review: 1983-2006" precisely covers the span of Tom Waits' career from 1983, starting with his album Swordfish trombones, to 2006. The film attempts to draw attention to the various ways that his life and work have developed during this period. It describes in-depth how Waits grew from a singer-songwriter strumming an acoustic guitar and tinkling the ivories of a piano in the '70s to painstakingly experimenting with junkyard percussion, strange time signatures and off-kilter arrangements by the mid-'80s.

The documentary lays a major emphasis on the musical transformation that took place when Waits released his album Swordfish trombones in 1983, a shift that witness hisbreak from traditional piano-based compositions to a more experimental sound marked by unconventional instruments and a distinctive theatrical aesthetic. The film insightfully creeps extending its scrutiny to Waits' several other critically acclaimed albums, including Rain Dogs, Frank's Wild Years, Bone Machine, Mule Variations, and Real Gone.

Packed with rare and classic performances re-assessed by a panel of esteemed experts, this film provides a candid review of the music from this period while observing the progression of Wait's artistic voyage. The documentary includes exclusive and extensive interviews with his fellow bandmates, close friends, and respected music critics who provide an in-depth commentary on his work during these years, sharing their perspectives and anecdotes about Waits along the way. Several critical analysis and review of his work by distinguished music journalists and writers further enrich this film with a meticulous exploration of his music, style, influences, and impact.

However, this documentary doesn't merely stick to dissecting Wait's discography. It attempts to delve deeper than that. It bares Waits' creative process and his striking ability to reinvent himself musically and thematically. It delves into his switch from a personal, introspective lyricist into a storyteller capable of creating rich and vibrant character studies, presenting the evolving landscape of Tom Waits' world.

"Tom Waits - Under Review: 1983-2006" isn't just a film about the growth and transformation of an artist; it's a tribute to under-recognized parts of American music that Waits brought to the forefront, the varied influences that have colored his sound, and the vast scope of his musical journey and his evolution as a songwriter and performer.

All in all, "Tom Waits - Under Review: 1983-2006" is an educational and entertaining romp into the world of one of America's most innovative and enduring performers. It's not just thoroughly informative but also beautifully constructed, taking audiences through an engrossing journey filled with detailed accounts and footages. Whether you're a devoted fan of Waits or someone who's just become familiar with his distinct voice and peculiar musical style, this documentary will surely manage to immerse you in its depth and richness, and encapsulate what makes Tom Waits such a unique musical force.