The Black Rider＜限定盤/Apple Red Vinyl＞

THE BLACK RIDER contains Waits versions of the songs he wrote for the Robert Wilson play of the same name. Wilson has worked with everyone from Philip Glass to Lou Reed, so hes just the kind of left-of-center visionary to accommodate Waits offbeat musical style. From NIGHTHAWKS AT THE DINER to FRANKS WILD YEARS, Waits has always been a concept man, and you dont get more conceptual than supplying songs for this semi-mythological narrative of passion and death. THE BLACK RIDER is somewhat similar in style to the twisted cabaret/blues of Waits mid-80s work, but with a pronounced European artsong flavor. Accordingly, Waits is accompanied by a mix of his U.S. cronies (Joe Gore, Greg Cohen, etc.) and the musicians from the original BLACK RIDER production. The presence of William Burroughs as lyricist on a couple of tunes represents the closing of a circle that includes the heavy influence of the 50s beat writers on Waits early work. Less visceral and more cerebral then Waits previous work, BLACK RIDER is nevertheless full of masterful compositions and inventive, idiosyncratic arrangements.