Released in 1980, Heartattack and Vine was Waits’ final album on Elektra/Asylum Records and it built on the raw blues approach of Blue Valentine with the incendiary title track, the funky, organ driven “Downtown” and the stomping NOLA blues of “Mr. Siegal”. This album also contains some of Waits most popular ballads, including “Jersey Girl” which was famously a hit for Bruce Springsteen. “On the Nickle” is a moving song about the homeless people who lived on 5th street in downtown LA, and “Ruby’s Arms” is a beautiful song with a lovely Bach-like melody.
01. HEARTATTACK AND VINE 02. IN SHADES 03. SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU 04. DOWNTOWN 05. JERSEY GIRL 06. ‘TIL THE MONEY RUNS OUT 07. ON THE NICKEL 08. MR. SIEGAL 09. RUBY’S ARMS
