Not yet sure if there will be a tour for these albums, but I would assume that he will be making more public appearances around that time at least. 'Alice' and 'Red Drum' to be released April 9, 2002. (1 November 2001) 'Used Songs (1973-1980)' best of album released. (30 October 2001) Unlike the long wait for the album 'Black Rider', Tom Waits has only waited a year to announce the release of 'Red Drum' and 'Alice' by Anti Records. These albums were inspired by Tom Waits' work on 'Woyzek' and 'Alice', both collaborations with Robert Wilson. These acoustic albums are "startlingly different in landscape, sound, emotion and composition" according to the label. 'Used Songs (1973-1980)' includes Tom Waits greats like "Blue Valentine", "Heart of Saturday Night" and "Ol' 55", but does not include any new material. This is a much better starter album for Tom's folk-style music than the "Early Years" albums, but will not be very useful for the current Tom Waits fans. Full Anti Press Release: Tom Waits To Release Two lbums-- 'Alice' e 'Red Drum'-- Simultaneously April 9, 2002 On Anti Records TOM WAITS will release two entirely separate CDs simultaneously April 9 on Anti/Epitaph Records, which also issued WAITS' most recent album, the Grammy-Award winning Mule Variations. Titled respectively, ALICE and RED DRUM, the recordings are startlingly different in landscape, sound, emotion and composition. Both are written and produced by Waits and Kathleen Brennan, his wife and long-time collaborator. Presently, the pair is in the studio putting the finishing touches upon each. ALICE is filled with unforgettable haunting opiate songs played by piano, bass sax, Stroh violin, cello and vibes. Lyrically and musically, powerful and surreal, these are dark tunes from an adult fairytale. Song titles include, "We're All Mad Here," "There's Only Alice," "Table Top Joe" and "Poor Edward." RED DRUM's songs were inspired by the dark tale of Woyzeck--a poor soldier driven mad by medical experiments and an unfaithful wife. RED DRUM is Tin Pan Alley meets Weimar Republic. Eloquent, innovative and unique, there are tarantellas, lullabies and dissonant calliope waltzes. Dense, textured and rhythmic, some song titles include, "Coney Island Baby," "All The World Is Green" and "God's Away On Business."
While ALICE and RED DRUM are distinct in subject and sonics, they share some things in common: no electric guitars, as each was recorded with chiefly acoustic instruments; strange curious songs; and concurrent release date. These recordings cover musical terrain formerly unexplored by WAITS and both RED DRUM and ALICE may surpass his celebrated masterpieces. It's Waits at the height of his powers.