Closing Time

Released in March 1973, this record features Tom Waits performing at a piano in a Los Angeles studio. The production utilizes a minimal approach, drawing on blues, folk, and jazz influences to support the weary lyrical themes found throughout the songs.

Each track focuses on the lonely romanticism of late night experiences. The arrangements rely on warm textures to frame these stories of hope and heartbreak. This initial project introduces a specific aesthetic that would eventually characterize the output of the songwriter.