Full Breakdown
Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan's Songs Celebrated in New Compilation Album
3/26/2026, 2:24:36 PM
Overview of the Compilation Album
Ace Records has announced the release of *Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow*, a compilation album featuring covers of songs by Tom Waits and his longtime collaborator and wife, Kathleen Brennan. Set to be released on May 29, the album includes contributions from notable artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and the Ramones. The collection consists of 19 tracks, showcasing a range of songs from Waits’ discography, particularly those from his more experimental phase post-1980.
Tracklist and Structure
The album is organized chronologically, beginning with Bruce Springsteen’s live rendition of “Jersey Girl,” a tribute to Brennan from Waits’ 1980 album *Heartattack and Vine*. It concludes with Joan Baez’s interpretation of “Day After Tomorrow” from 2004’s *Real Gone*. The full tracklist includes:
1. Jersey Girl – Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band (Live at Meadowlands Arena, NJ - July 1981)
2. 16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six – Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
3. Gin-Soaked Boy – Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes
4. Jockey Full Of Bourbon – Los Lobos
5. Hang Down Your Head – Lucinda Williams
6. Temptation – Diana Krall
7. Yesterday Is Here – Bettye LaVette
8. Way Down In The Hole – The Blind Boys Of Alabama
9. Strange Weather – Marianne Faithfull
10. I Don’t Want To Grow Up – Ramones
11. Down There By The Train – Johnny Cash
12. House Where Nobody Lives – King Ernest
13. Picture In A Frame – Willie Nelson
14. Hold On – Madison Cunningham
15. The Long Way Home – Norah Jones
16. 2:19 – John Hammond
17. Diamond In Your Mind – Solomon Burke
18. Trampled Rose – Alison Kraus and Robert Plant
19. Day After Tomorrow – Joan Baez
Significance of the Compilation
This compilation not only highlights the versatility of Waits and Brennan’s songwriting but also serves as a testament to their influence on a diverse array of artists. The album features both well-known tracks and deeper cuts, reflecting the breadth of Waits' work. The organizers of the compilation noted that Waits, alongside Brennan, has "dismantled and reassembled the idea of song itself," creating works that resonate with both raw emotion and artistic depth.
Criticism & Opposition
While the album has been met with enthusiasm from fans and critics alike, some may question the necessity of another covers compilation, especially following the 2019 release of *Come On Up To the House: Women Sing Waits*, which also celebrated Waits' music through various artists' interpretations.
Official Statements & Responses
The announcement of *Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow* was made through Waits' social media channels, emphasizing the significance of the project in honoring his and Brennan's contributions to music. The album is currently available for pre-order, with extensive sleeve notes providing commentary on each track.
What's Next
As anticipation builds for the album's release, fans can expect further updates and possibly more projects celebrating Tom Waits' extensive catalog, which has remained relatively quiet since his last studio album, *Bad as Me*, in 2011.
