New Tom Waits: “Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing”

Videos by American Songwriter

Tom Waits and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band are releasing limited edition copies of their rendition of “Tootie Ma is a Big Fine Thing”, an old “Nawlins” (New Orleans) standard in a 78rpm vinyl format. The B-side is “Corrine Died On The Battlefield,” a 1947 track by Danny Barker. Only 504 of the limited edition hand numbered copies will be released. The first one hundred copies will come with a specially designed Preservation Hall 78rpm record player ($200 Donation Tier).

Waits and the The Preservation Hall boys recorded the tune for An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall, which included performances by Andrew Beard, Merle Haggard, Paulo Nutini, and many others. If Louis Armstrong’s voice is gravelly, Waits’ can only be described as asphalt on this tune.  With the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s…well…preservation of true Dixie Land-style surrounding (not backing up) Waits’ vocal, this tune leaves you feeling like some persistent marching band and their ringleader are following you around the French Quarter at dawn making sure you don’t stop dancing.

To make a donation and pick up a copy of “Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing,” head to http://www.preservationhall.com.

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