THERE is a very old saying, "It's Enough to Make A Grown Man Cry" a phrase used to describe being "overwhelmed with emotion", which sums up the songs of Tom Waits which have been known to make grown men cry.

His songs are often considered to be an acquired taste and I have to agree with this, so don't give up on first hearing.

One critic described his voice "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over by a car." Waits acknowledged this as a compliment.

Before being signed to Asylum Records, Waits was living in his car, when he first began performing in the late sixties, the only venues that would offer him a stage were coffee houses.

Almost 50 years later, he has released 34 studio albums, 43 singles, despite never having a UK hit record, he has a cult following throughout the world, his concert appearances are sold out within minutes, his albums are sold by the million.

His better known songs have been recorded and became hits for many top bands, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen with Jersey Girl, Rod Stewart with Downtown Train and Tom Traubert's Blues (Waltzing Matilda).

This LP contains 23 tracks from the first four albums that were recorded for Asylum records, with the exception of Somewhere from West Side Story all the songs are written by Waits.

Waits has always been a master storyteller from the perspective of the different characters that he sings about, mainly people from the downside of society, the abandoned, the downtrodden, he captures the true feelings of life, effortlessly reminding us of the important things that matter.

Check out the song Martha and others on this album, an elderly man spontaneously phones up his old love from 40 years ago, the entire song is beautiful and heartbreaking, you can feel the longing and unspoken regret, he remembers everything about her finally saying the words he should have said all those years ago: He simply never got over her.

Don't give up on Tom Waits, other songs on this album, Ruby's Arm's, Kentucky Avenue, even Somewhere are a selection of beautiful bittersweet songs of emotion and innocence reminding us that despite everything, we still go on, we never know what the next day will bring, it may be full of peace, hope or the beginning of better times.

l The Asylum Years image is of the Empire Diner situated in Manhattan, New York. It is often featured in films and television series, and it is also the haunt of celebrities who wish to be noticed by the public, it is listed as one of the top ten restaurants in the city