In Francis Ford Coppola’s liner notes to this extended, remastered release of the soundtrack to his 1982 classic, he confesses he told Tom Waits and producer Bones Howe, “What I really want you guys to do is make an album called One From The Heart and then I’ll make a movie that goes with it.” In the event, both were deliciously melancholy works of art. The film was panned. The music, however, was universally loved from the get-go. It’s the best thing Waits has ever done.
The horror is that it could so nearly have been Bette Midler, not Crystal Gayle, duetting with Tom. Fortunately Midler had, Coppola reveals, a “conflicting schedule” (phew!), and Waits suggested the then little-known Gayle. Coppola took one look (he says), developed “a respectful little crush” and applauded Waits’ musical taste. Her vocal sweetness and Waits’ gruffness complement each other blissfully through a series of sublime love songs.
Every Waits couplet on “Picking Up After You”, “Old Boyfriends” or “Little Boy Blue” is a potential design for living. The title song’s a deal-breaker if you’re considering investing emotion in someone. Two bonus tracks?”Candy Apple Red” and “Once Upon A Town”?maintain the standard. Beyond all doubt the most integral and affecting soundtrack of the last quarter-century.