PEHDTSCKJMBA: Tom Waits Comes To Dallas [Music]

Waits is only a few days into his Glitter and Doom Tour guided by the word “PEHDTSCKJMBA,” which either means “People envy happiness, dogs sense courage, knowing jubilation means better ass…sets.” or it’s an acronym for the cities he’ll be making tour stops in. Or maybe both.

Last night was the “D” stop, Dallas. It was at the Palladium, and I took a friend who had never even heard of Waits–he’s young, so I give him a bit of a pass–and he was joking that it would be only us and Tom. “Maybe he’d invite us to join the band for a song or two.” Well, my young, naive, idiot friend, not only we were not alone with Tom, but the Palladium was as packed as I’ve ever seen it. On a less exciting note, the air conditioning was underperforming–and there’s nothing like a concert with sweat pouring down your back.

But gratefully, Tom came on without an opening act at 8:30. We were way in the back (in the beer line for 45 minutes, if you must know) and Tom’s vocals needed to be louder to properly reach that far back. Despite all those obstacles, it was an excellent show (and I sweated out about 5 pounds–thanks!).

The setlist:

• Lucinda/Ain’t Goin’ Down to the Well
• Way Down in the Hole
• Anywhere I Lay My Head
• November
• Chocolate Jesus
• Frank’s Wild Years
• Singapore
• Hoist that Rag
• Get Behind the Mule
• Such a Scream
• Eyeball Kid
• Lucky Day*
• Invitation to the Blues*
• Lost in the Harbour*
• Innocent When You Dream*
• 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six
• Lie to Me
• Fannin Street
• Black Market Baby
• Misery is the River of the World

Encore

• Make it Rain
• Jesus Gonna be Here
• 9th and Hennepin
• Time

*Tom on piano

(Photo courtesy of we shot jr)