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What a match. For good reason, singers like to do whole albums of Tom Waits’ songs. John Hammond and Scarlett Johansson are recent believers, and while they couldn’t be more unlike, each captured their own unique take on this music, written by Waits with Kathleen Brennan. Southside Johnny now steps up to take a crack at it,and damned if he doesn't grab the brass ring. One reason is a real feeling for where so many of these songs come from: lonely streets, longing hearts, lingering nightcaps and other assorted affairs. But the key to why Grapefruit Moon is such an electrifying joy is LaBamba’s Big Band. There is simply no other way around it. With blaring horns and a rhythm section that cannot be stopped, the arrangements sound like you’ve stumbled into the world’s finest fun house right at midnight, when the crowd is up on the tables and all the drinks are free. Even better, this is no oldies affair: electric guitars and Southside Johnny’s wailing harmonica kick everything up a few notches when needed. By track three, right when the album’s groove is guaranteed, Waits himself slides in to share the vocal on “Walk Away.” When things are this hot, how could he stay away? This album is definitely an idea that has been waiting to happen, because so many of Tom Waits' songs are born out of true love of a bygone era, one when big bands prowled the land, invading bandstands and taking no prisoners. With that many musicians playing at once, it’s a rush of power that fits perfectly on songs like “Tango Till You’re Sore” and “Temptation.” Best of all, Southside Johnny, known for his rhythm & blues rave-ups with the Jukes and collaborations with the Boss, sounds so utterly at home singing here it appears he’s found a new calling, one that completes a circle for everyone.
