live Tom Waits / Herb Hardesty - Summertime / Burma Shave

Tom Waits live, accompanied by the incredible Herb Hardesty. A few inches of tape seem missing, that's not my fault though. The cover says it was recorded in the U.S. 1984, but that's not necessarily true.
Photography of Mr Herbert Hardesty: Lionel DECOSTER CC BY SA

[@MrRandomEnterprises]

Per the request below, here is the correct transcript of the lyrics of this performance. FYI, it is from the “Sydney State Theatre”, Sydney, Australia May 2, 1979 This recording is probably from an FM broadcast which was designed to enhance interest in Tom's 1979 Australian tour, as it is from the 2nd night of the tour. Tom also did some Aussie TV appearances before the tour, appearing first on “The Don Lane Show” on 4/30/79. (The performance starts with the instrumental theme to the song "Summertime" on trumpet, first with a rubber plunger [makes the wha wha Peanuts voice sound], which is then removed. Later in the song a mute is also used in the trumpet to make it sound thinner, and the plunger is used again for part of the solo interlude) (Quoting Tom from here on) Well... -applause- (Waits laughs at the warm applause) Mister Herbet Hardesty Uh you know... You know it... I remember..it rained all day, the day that Elvis Presley died And only a legend can make it do that Cause you know... I remember when my baby said we were through and she's gonna walk out on me, It was Elvis Presley that talked her out of it And uh.. he gave me my first leather jacket and taught me how to comb my hair just right in a fillin' station bathroom (slang for gas station) It was Elvis that gave you a rubber on prom night.. and told you that you looked real sharp So... I think he maybe just got a little tired of repairing all the broken hearts in the world And now I think maybe I understand, Why mechanics' cars never start And why night watchmen are always sleeping on the job Why shoeshine boys are always have worn out, scuffed up shoes But uh... you know a leven (word mistake)... what ya gonna do, ya know? A legend never dies.. it just teaches you everything he knows and, gives you courage to ask around And I know uh.. there's a small little town where dreams are still alive And... there's a hero on every corner, and uh... they're all on their way to a place called Burma Shave.. (there is a cut in the recording here - it was probably being recorded on a cassette tape which had to be flipped over to Side B - the missing line would be approximately: "There was this licorice tattoo, that turned a gun metal blue" - resume tape) Scrawled out across the shoulders, of this dying little town see.. And every night it takes the one eyes jacks... uh... a one eyed jack is like... you got one headlight burned out on your car.. called a one-eyed jack, You could see 'em from across the railroad tracks, and With a scar on his belly there came this stranger passing through, and He was a juvenile delinquent.. and he never learned how to behave But the cops never think to look... when you're on your way to Burma Shave And the road was like a ribbon man, yeah And the moon was like a bone And he didn't seem to be like any guy she'd ever known He kinda looked like Farley Granger... with his hair slicked back.. And she said "Honey I've always been a sucker for a fella that uh... wears a cowboy hat And just how far do you think you might be going Mister?" He said baby that all depends on uh.. what you mean Cause I'm only stopping here tonight, cause I got to get myself some gasoline And "I guess I'm going out thataway least-wise as long as it's paved And I guess you'd say I'm on my way to... Burma Shave" And he said, uh, that's cool Why don't you put your knees up on the glove compartment Well she took out her barrettes and man.. her hair spilled out just like root beer She popped her gum and she arched her back And she said "man.. this little town don't amount to nothin' It's just a wide spot in the road And some nights my heart pounds like thunder and I don't know why it don't explode But everybody in this stinkin' town has got one foot in the grave and I'm gonna take my chances with you tonight.. all the way to Burma Shave" He said..uh well you know uh.. OK.. uh, how old are you?.. Uh that's.. a problem.. Oh where'd you go to school baby? Oh yeah? Oh.. I went to Sweetwater, Uh, I dropped out.. you know.. you know how it is.. Got in trouble.. You know a guy named Eddy Alvarez? No? Huh... Well Presley's what they call me Why don't you change the stations baby and count the grain elevators, watch em go by in the rearview mirror "any way you point this thing is gonna beat the hell out of the sting cause every night I go to bed with all my dreams, and I lie down.. And they die right here every morning So come on Presley and drill me a hole, with a barber pole Cause I'm jumpin' my parole just like a fugitive tonight Let's have another swig of that sweet black velvet..that sweet black velvet Let's pass that car! Are you brave enough? And we can get there just before the sun comes up You and me, all the way to Burma Shave.. yeah Cause I'm going crazy in this town man.. yeah My old man give me nothing but shit.. I don't know.. I don't care what they say.. yeah Let's get out of town tonight" (passing car noises) Trumpet Solo - mute used in middle & end (Kostas K sez it sounds like a Dying Elephant!) -applause- Well, I was talking to..uh.. my brother in law He said there was a wreck out on the highway.. Well, they saw the smoke from the tires, and the twisted machine Aw, and when all you got's just a nickel's worth of dreams and they've been swindled from you on the way to a place called Burma Shave You let the sun hit the derrick.. cast a bat wing shadow, It's up against a car door on the shotgun side But you know something baby? I swear to God.. when they pulled you from the wreck you still had on your shades And dreams are growing wild every night Just this side of Burma Shave And there's another young girl out by the highway tonight With her thumb out There's just a few trucks goin' by (passing noise) (from this point Waits is singing the original lyrics of the backing melody from the song Summertime) The fish are jumpin', Fish are jumpin', Then... the cotton is high You daddy's rich You daddy's rich And your mama, your mama's good lookin' So hush..little baby Don't Don't Don't you cry (repeated 10 times before the final) Don't.... you... cry

[@yuv523]

correction: "gives you courage to *ask her out*"

[@loretodelgado8873]

😎💖🖒 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!!!!!

[@Mandenmakertje]

good morning blues on shoes to walk

[@michaelluedtke3899]

Awesome

[@elivshin]

Thank U❤️💓🙏

[@lareinedemado]

Wow. His "young" voice is as amazing as his gritty one. He can come up with so many different versions of his songs...mind blowing.

[@carlotamolina2849]

This vibe should never extinguish 🫀

[@user-vl1ox4gy4r]

Я почти не знаю английский, зато могу воспринимать всю музыку, включая голос Тома, как единое целое... Это прекрасно.

[@opp17485]

Herbert Hardesty, gone, but never forgotten. One of the greats.

[@abreujoel435]

When ones traveled in chaos, despair, and self reflection, this poet has the power to walk one down some deeply familiar visions. Isn't it interesting, the power of words, emotion, and a Melody.

[@crewah2889]

This is indeed from 1979 in Sydney, when Hardesty was touring with Tom. And god damn it, it's just incredible.

[@dariustomaszewski9373]

+Crew AH : thanks!

[@raucousreg9064]

The description says there's a few inches of tape missing so this may be the State Theatre recording from 1979 BUT in that recording there's a line that drew a whoop from an audience member that's clearly audible. It isn't in this version (and I was the audience member!)

[@MrHaides]

It is a JJ recording.I recorded it to a cassette tape from the radio.

[@carthag]

This bootleg is also called "Cold Beer on a Hot Night" - it was recorded in Sydney 1979 as far as I know. And it's the best recording of Burma Shave/Summertime that I know of. It's amazing.

[@ianodonnell2658]

Agreed. 1 million %

[@carthag]

hell eyah @@ianodonnell2658

[@carthag]

@@ianodonnell2658sorry about that, i mean hell yeah

[@raucousreg9064]

You can hear me whooping at one point! What a great gig it was.

[@carthag]

@@raucousreg9064 awesome, wish i couldve been there but i wasnt born yet lol

[@PierzStyx]

I listen to this every couple of weeks, at most. Just an incredible piece of music.

[@Liverpoolschoolofeng]

BTW most people outside the US have no idea what the reference to Burma Shave is....it was an old brand of shaving cream, that used to have a long series of separated signs advertising their product, so the final sign looked like a roadsign to a town called.....Burma Shave

[@xoxb2]

I know the comment is old, but thank you so much! Two others from different songs I've not been able to translate - do you know what his soaking wet Staceys are? Or a gooseneck riser?

[@gerdaschilski6967]

Thank you I thought it was a shaving soap 😀

[@gamblincam6049]

Si amigo

[@KarlDebbaut]

Burma got shaved by different Imperialist countries alright. And not just beards.

[@jamesthomas995]

@@xoxb2 Staceys are brand of shoes/boots and a gooseneck riser is long piece of metal for towing on trucks; the way it's used in the song I believe would be as a weapon.

[@georgelasek5635]

Yep, State Theatre Sydney 1979. Brilliant show. I saw him two nights in a row and the set list was totally different. Recorded by Indie radio station Double J, now JJJ. I had the recording on cassette recorded off the radio but recently found the double album Cold Beer on a Hot Night.

[@allanwyatt9683]

The best "mash-up" I've had the pleasure of hearing. You can feel the sweat and desperation and lost dreams...

[@culloutoltec9111]

MISTUH WAITS... this upload is a gem, many thanks...

[@awbyh626]

Never heard this until today. A red letter day. Than you MyRandomEnterprises for the lyrics.

[@ppepingtom3]

still after 25 years goozebumps all over

[@NormAppleton]

42 years

[@theodoresweger4948]

Absolutly the best,love the sound and the lyrics. Thanks so much.

[@gs212.]

Genialny Tom Waits czaruje swoją osobowością 🎺

[@vsel7869]

Superb

[@NeoViny]

I am glad to have this recording on CD....

[@kentborges5114]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM !

[@sebgaudin9850]

Intensity and humour in music , that’s cool

[@MrZappianoify]

Versión emocionante con esa trompeta y esas atmósferas tan Tom Waits, un adagio a la más hermosa tristeza.

[@vtheb1299]

Phenomenal performance.

[@wadesmith666]

Beware! Genius at work

[@Hassifouncha]

To me it's the best Summertime I've ever heard... uh well you know uh...

[@NormAppleton]

Don't insult Billie and Ella that way.

[@Liverpoolschoolofeng]

I bought the CD of "Cold Beer on a hot night" a good 15 years ago, lost it now, but you can download it/torrent it easy enough. The quality is amazing, it's from an Australian radio broadcast. I'll never know why it wasn't an official release, it is one of the best concerts I've ever heard, I much prefer it to Big Time, it has a real atmosphere, you can hear the crowd and Tom is in top form, and this is the definitive version of this song, for me, his band on this tour is amazing.

[@elletindra]

He’so beautyful in all that one can imagine, l loved hiyfrom the first time I’ve heard him ❤️‍🔥

[@carthag]

that sweet black velvet

[@mikeflash66]

WOW ! So cool,man !

[@joelhouser2911]

I am and will always be the 'Execuitive Vice President ' of the Tom Waits fan club of the Rocky Mtn. Region🤫

[@sharonmountstephen3957]

O hell yeah!! Thanks so very much for your upload 👏👏 2am and I Really Needed this "Shot"! 🤙 👌 🌻

[@Ratzfourtyfour]

It's from a CD titled 'Blue'. I bought it in the early nineties in an East German record store. I think it's a Russian copy, labelled just 'P 910144'.

[@drtickles214]

Thank you for uploading, warm whisky and the emotions come out....ahhhhhhh

[@filomenamauti9617]

Wonderful Man. Wonderful JJ Cale. Wonderful Art. Alessio Basciani.

[@3rdrockfrmtheSUN]

Amazing.

[@johnwilder6310]

True life in North Cali!

[@barbarab1001]

I was five at the time. Goddamn If I where 14 I would have been there. Some things will always hurt a little bit

[@josecarlosguimaraes6268]

Tom ESSA figura e sua música esse jazz translúcido louco gosto pelo seu estilo único satisfaz meu CEREBELO também louco como todos nós abraço .

[@billyballard9072]

Remember as a boy, heard " take five" & was transformed off the teeny pop.. maybe this n same vein-- it's 40-50's style.. luv it

[@johnnyp8979]

Always 💯... ♥️. !

[@fatheadthedog]

herb hardesty is also a well know tenor saxist...he did a lot of the famous solos on fats domino's hits

[@goldenhour04]

I melt every time i here this sound and this story...

[@juliejais2546]

I hear it everyday

[@Brokenkingpins]

I downloaded this from Napster 20 years ago.

[@ianrmacdougall3875]

Wonderful

[@theressamurphy2996]

Wonderful wonderful 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😊😊😊 ❤️❤️❤️

[@billyballard9072]

Like his quote " reality is for ppl who can't face drugs "

[@morteneriksen4589]

Always wondered, ever since I got my hands on the "Cold Beer On a Hot Night" bootleg about 30 years ago, from an Italian post order company that was exclusively dealing in bootlegs, if the master tape for this amazing gig is lingering in some Australian radio archive. Would be fantastic to get someone to dig it up and get it released in full. Perhaps Tom's record company could get their hands on it? Or somebody who's working at whatever happened with the Triple J station / show?

[@colossalberger]

In the U.S. it’s title Fast women and slow horses. This is a Christmas Eve tradition of mine or a few years

[@user-ge3le6mq3f]

Trippy, as usual

[@petercheever-mayr7903]

good lord !!!

[@chineseollies1]

The cassette i had in the late 80's with this version was live in sydney? It was a bootleg i bought at a record convention in a best western...

[@noahholliday9761]

Wow!

[@MoonWrath88]

this song (or a very similar one) is in a "Romeo bleeding - live from Austin" 12" LP recorded in 1978 (and reprint in 2009) that I own... great album.

[@Kalimerogetz]

yesss

[@randiarikstad4752]

When I was pregnant, 17 years old, now listening to summertime, but then wintertime. No children for me. Men pay for an abortion, but then they do not care

[@jim.sheridan]

🖤

[@katherinetosi3750]

Every night I go to bed with my dreams and they die right by next me tomorrow.

[@gedster72]

Where's the "love" button? "Like" just isn't enough for this

[@ppdayz888]

Oh yeah 🤟🔥💓

[@narrowdog6084]

This is the Austin City limits show from 1978. Full show here. www.dailymotion.com/video/x3l9rxi

[@raucousreg9064]

No. State Theatre, Sydney.

[@KappaDaKappa]

Dopest of The Dope.

[@Buttsmoker]

Fucking awesome horn

[@MissesWaits]

uaaahhhhh...

[@josephstevenson9230]

There used to be the actual video to this here on KZbin. Anyone know where I can find it again? My favourite live performance probably ever!

[@ranniepannie]

it is sydney, 1979, great concert, quite tipsy

[@barbarab1001]

You should drink whisky whilst listening this

[@MegaRamon1985]

12/2021

[@kostask3433]

Can anyone make out what Tom is saying at the end of the song? Here's my best shot at transcribing this performance: It's the Herbet Hardesty *applause* You know... I remember..it rained all day, the day that Elvis Presley died And only a legend can make it do that And you know..I remember when my baby said we were through and she was gonna walk out on me, It was Evils Presley that talked her out of it And.. he gave me my first leather jacket and taught me how to comb my hair just right in a ??? station bathroom It was Elvis that gave you a rubber on prom night.. and told you that you looked real sharp And you know..I think he maybe just got a little tired of repairing all the broken hearts in the world And now I think maybe I understand, Why mechanics' cars never start and why night watchmen are always sleeping on the john why shoeshine boys are always have worn out scuffed up shoes A legend never dies.. just teaches you everything he knows, gives you courage to ask around And I know.. this small little town where dreams are still alive And there's a hero on every corner, and they're all on their way to a place called Burma Shave.. Scrawled across the shoulders of this dying town see.. And every night he takes the one eyes jacks, a one eyed jack is like... you got one headlight burned out in your car.. called one-eyed jack You could see him from across the railroad tracks With a scar on his belly, there came this stranger passing through He was a juvenile delinquent.. and he never learned how to behave But the cops would never think to look you in on the way to Burma Shave And the road was like a ribbon man And the moon was like a bone And he didn't seem to be like any guy she'd ever known He kinda looked like Farley Granger with his hair slicked back.. And she said "Honey I've always been a sucker for a fella that. wears a cowboy hat" And just how far do you think you might be going Mister? he said baby that all depends on.. what you mean Cause I'm only stopping here tonight, cause I got to get myself some gasoline And I guess I'm going out thataway least while as long as it's paved And I guess you'd say I'm on my way to Burma Shave And he said, uh, that's cool Why don't you put your knees up on the glove compartment Well she took out her barrettes and man.. her hair spilled out like rootbeer she popped her gum and she arched her back she said man.. this old town don't amount to nothing It's just a wide spot in the road some night my heart pounds just like thunder I don't know why it don't explode that everybody in this stinking town has got one foot in the grave and I'm gonna take my chances with you tonight.. on the way to Burma Shave He said..OK.. how old are you?..uh that's.. a problem.. Oh where did you go to school babe? On yeah? I went to Sweetwater I dropped out.. you know how it is.. You know a guy called Eddy Alvarez, well Presley's what they call me why don't you change the stations baby and count the grain elevators, watch em go by in the rearview mirror and anywhere you point this thing it's gonna beat the hell out of the sting cause every night I go to bed with all my dreams, I lie down And they die right here, every morning So come one Presley and drill me a hole.. with a barber pole Cause I'm jumping my parole just like a fugitive tonight Let's have another swig of that sweet black velvet..that sweet black velvet Let's pass that car! Are you brave enough? And we can get there just before the sun comes up You and me, all the way to Burma Shave Cause I'm going crazy in this town My old man give me nothing but shit I don't know.. I don't care what they say, Let's get out of town tonight *Trumpet Solo/Dying Elephant* *applause* I was talking to.. my brother in law He said there was a wreck out on the highway.. They saw the smoke from the tires, and the twisted machine Oh and all you got is just a knickel's worth of dreams and they've been swindled from you on the way to a place called Burma Shave You let the sun hit the derrick cast a bat wing shadow, It's up against a car door, on the shotgun side Do you know something baby? I swear to God.. when they pulled you from the wreck You still had on your shades And dreams are growing wild every night Just this side of Burma Shave There's another young girl out by the highway tonight just a few trucks go by You daddy will.. You daddy will And your mama, your mama So hush..little baby Don't Don't you cry

[@Ratzfourtyfour]

There's another young girl out by the highway With the thumb up (? the audio is fucked up real badly there, I'm considering a re-upload after hearing that) ... You're daddy's rich... The last part is just actual Summertime lyrics as written by DuBose Heyward. They're all over the internet.

[@pxg1773]

Kostas K its a song called summertime

[@davidarrowsmith440]

The bass player is pretty important

[@tiagodungo]

[@andrewhlevy3264]

How to touch your very own soul?

[@MrRandomEnterprises]

Don Lane clip can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4apnJ-flplqja8

[@joary639]

we know the secret! :-D

[@coryjones15]

where did you find this track?

[@vedranaolujic1977]

😁

[@billyballard9072]

Dare I say he's male billy Holliday,, style

[@dariustomaszewski9373]

australia 1982?

[@carthag]

sydney 1979 (kinda sure)

[@dariustomaszewski9373]

thanks!

[@user-ge3le6mq3f]

T

[@mejustme6944]

🍸 🚬 🍸 💊 💊

[@ivanstakic3694]

Sve&

[@lamyjeannette7063]

Merci Tom on the 14th July 2021 it is not summertime in france

[@antogrig]