Tom Waits / Small Change (US, Asylum Records, 7E-1078) <September 21, 1976> ②

Tom Waits / Small Change (US, Asylum Records, 7E-1078) <September 21, 1976>
(SIDE ONE) 7E1078A-SP ESRTD81176
(SIDE TWO) 7E1078 B-5-Re SP ESRTD9-17-76

どこまで演じていたのか本気だったのか「出演を請われたためTV局に入ろうとして浮浪者と間違えられて入れなかった」など「酔いどれ詩人」としての逸話に事欠かない時期のトム・ウェイツの、1976年作品。僕がトム・ウェイツを知った88年頃、まだこの作品は「最高傑作」と言われていました。バラード中心、時にストリングスをバックに大仰にダミ声で歌い上げるというスタイルは本作品に始まり、77年「異国の出来事」78年「ブルー・ヴァレンタイン」と3枚続きます。

バラード中心の本作品に変化を付けているのは、鮮やかなリズム陣にトムの語りに近い歌が乗るアップ・テンポのA-2です。「あなたの得意な楽器は？？」と尋ねられ「ヴォキャブラリー」と答えたというトム・ウェイツの面目躍如たる1曲。最初期のラップと評価してもいいような内容です。ちなみにトムがプロデューサーのボーンズ・ハウに問われて好きなドラマーとしてシェリー・マンを挙げたところ、たまたまボーンズ・ハウの友人だったため参加することになったそうです。

なお、レコードのマトは以前upしたものと全く同じです。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2_snSkpULQ

"Step Right Up"

Step right up, step right up, step right up,
Everyone's a winner, bargains galore
That's right, you too can be the proud owner
Of the quality goes in before the name goes on
One-tenth of a dollar, one-tenth of a dollar, we got service after sales
You need perfume? we got perfume, how 'bout an engagement ring?
Something for the little lady, something for the little lady,
Something for the little lady, hmm
Three for a dollar
We got a year-end clearance, we got a white sale
And a smoke-damaged furniture, you can drive it away today
Act now, act now, and receive as our gift, our gift to you
They come in all colors, one size fits all
No muss, no fuss, no spills, you're tired of kitchen drudgery
Everything must go, going out of business, going out of business
Going out of business sale
Fifty percent off original retail price, skip the middle man
Don't settle for less
How do we do it? how do we do it? volume, volume, turn up the volume
Now you've heard it advertised, don't hesitate
Don't be caught with your drawers down,
Don't be caught with your drawers down
You can step right up, step right up

That's right, it filets, it chops, it dices, slices,
Never stops, lasts a lifetime, mows your lawn
And it mows your lawn and it picks up the kids from school
It gets rid of unwanted facial hair, it gets rid of embarrassing age spots,
It delivers a pizza, and it lengthens, and it strengthens
And it finds that slipper that's been at large
under the chaise lounge for several weeks
And it plays a mean Rhythm Master,
It makes excuses for unwanted lipstick on your collar
And it's only a dollar, step right up, it's only a dollar, step right up

'Cause it forges your signature
If not completely satisfied, mail back unused portion of product
For complete refund of price of purchase
Step right up
Please allow thirty days for delivery, don't be fooled by cheap imitations
You can live in it, live in it, laugh in it, love in it
Swim in it, sleep in it,
Live in it, swim in it, laugh in it, love in it
Removes embarrassing stains from contour sheets, that's right
And it entertains visiting relatives, it turns a sandwich into a banquet
Tired of being the life of the party?
Change your shorts, change your life, change your life
Change into a nine-year-old Hindu boy, get rid of your wife,
And it walks your dog, and it doubles on sax
Doubles on sax, you can jump back Jack, see you later alligator
See you later alligator
And it steals your car
It gets rid of your gambling debts, it quits smoking
It's a friend, and it's a companion,
And it's the only product you will ever need
Follow these easy assembly instructions it never needs ironing
Well it takes weights off hips, bust, thighs, chin, midriff,
Gives you dandruff, and it finds you a job, it is a job
And it strips the phone company free take ten for five exchange,
And it gives you denture breath
And you know it's a friend, and it's a companion
And it gets rid of your traveler's checks
It's new, it's improved, it's old-fashioned
Well it takes care of business, never needs winding,
Never needs winding, never needs winding
Gets rid of blackheads, the heartbreak of psoriasis,
Christ, you don't know the meaning of heartbreak, buddy,
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
'Cause it's effective, it's defective, it creates household odors,
It disinfects, it sanitizes for your protection
It gives you an erection, it wins the election
Why put up with painful corns any longer?
It's a redeemable coupon, no obligation, no salesman will visit your home
We got a jackpot, jackpot, jackpot, prizes, prizes, prizes, all work guaranteed
How do we do it, how do we do it, how do we do it, how do we do it
We need your business, we're going out of business
We'll give you the business
Get on the business end of our going-out-of-business sale
Receive our free brochure, free brochure
Read the easy-to-follow assembly instructions, batteries not included
Send before midnight tomorrow, terms available,
Step right up, step right up, step right up
You got it buddy: the large print giveth, and the small print taketh away
Step right up, you can step right up, you can step right up
C'mon step right up
(Get away from me kid, you bother me...)
Step right up, step right up, step right up, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Step right up, you can step right up, c'mon and step right up,
C'mon and step right up

オリジナルのインナー・スリーヴにレコード収録曲の歌詞が記載されていますが、この曲だけ（多分長いから）歌詞が記載されていませんでした。代わりに「写真とクリーピング・チャーリーの葉2枚と返信用封筒をトロピカーナ（当時トムが暮らしていたハリウッドのモーテル）宛に送れば、歌詞を送る」と書かれています。当時試した人がたくさんいたでしょうけれど、どうだったんでしょうね。