It's kind of hard to be taken seriously, music-wise, when your father is Buster Pointdexter.

johnbaptistephilouza

@Desk_hack: I assume so, as Tom and his wife/songwriting partner Kathleen Brennan own his entire catalogue.

RocketRockit

@RocketRockit: Are we sure that he did?

Desk_hack

I find myself continually flabbergasted that Tom would agree to this.

RocketRockit

@johnbaptistephilouza:
Hey, man, don't forget that before Buster Poindexter he was David Johanssen of the New York Dolls. He actually made some good music.

gangrenejean

@johnbaptistephilouza: Is that for real?

raincoaster

Anywhere my head lies...my creamy breastices spread out nearby

jamriner

@RocketRockit: I'm not really sure how these things work, but can't anyone cover a song as long as they pay the publishing rights? Maybe Tom, or his staff, was only involved that far.

I'd really hate to believe, like you said, that he'd allow this to happen. I'm personally staging a series of flash riots the day this thing drops.

Desk_hack

Yeah. Anyone who's an ASCAP songwriter (like Tom), their songs can be covered by any other artist who pays for them. I don't believe Tom (God bless him) knew anything about the covers, other than maybe vaguely that they were being done.

Or so he said.

And I believe him, dammit.

MCU

@MCU: You're right, though, that Tom may have had only a vague idea that this album was being made. His publisher could have authority to license songs without having to consult him.

I bet Rod Stewart sold more copies of "Downtown Train" than John Hammond did of "Heartattack and Vine".

DearEditor

@MCU: Not so fast there. You have to negotiate "mechanical rights" (from an agency like Harry Fox) to reproduce and distribute copies of another artist's work. You can perform their songs live in concert, on radio or TV (ASCAP collects levies form the venues and broadcasters), but you need express permission from the song's publisher to sell copies.

Reference: [www.ascap.com]

DearEditor

Note that Tom is well connected to the more edgy edges of Hollywood through Jarmulsch et al. He may well know her and be entirely in favor.

And I can't imagine her being any worse than Rod Stewart.

revmatty

Tom is more connected than the edgey edges, he's been in Altman movies, and Jim Jarmusch can get Cate Blanchett and Bill Murray, both Oscar winners in his films lately. Scarlett and Tom also have Sofia Coppola as a mutual friend. Also, Buster Poindexter isn't her dad. It could be worse, and give her some credit, I'm sure there aren't too many 20 something hotties in Hollywood who even know who Tom Waits is.

shag_carpet_bomb

@RocketRockit: You have a lot to learn about free market capitalism.

@johnbaptistephilouza: Buster Poindexter was also the singer for the New York Dolls.

@DearEditor: The answer you quoted from ASCAP's website only tells half the story.

"If somebody is determined to do a cover version of your song, it is well-nigh impossible for you, Joe Composer, to stop them. In general, the right to record somebody else's song is called a "mechanical license," and usually it's negotiated in a routine manner between representatives of the copyright holder and the would-be cover artiste. (Outfits like The Harry Fox Agency in New York generally handle the publisher's side.) However, in the rare event that negotiations fail, the copyright laws contain provisions for a type of mechanical license called a "compulsory license," which, in effect, give anyone the right to record any song he or she wants to, as long as notice is given to the song's copyright owners within 30 days after the recording is made and before it is distributed."

[www.straightdope.com]

Elijah-M

@RocketRockit: You have a lot to learn about free market capitalism. Weather he is pleased with the results or not, Tom Waits likes to make money. Most people do.

@DearEditor: That's not correct.

"If somebody is determined to do a cover version of your song, it is well-nigh impossible for you, Joe Composer, to stop them. In general, the right to record somebody else's song is called a 'mechanical license,' and usually it's negotiated in a routine manner between representatives of the copyright holder and the would-be cover artiste. (Outfits like The Harry Fox Agency in New York generally handle the publisher's side.) However, in the rare event that negotiations fail, the copyright laws contain provisions for a type of mechanical license called a 'compulsory license,' which, in effect, gives anyone the right to record any song he or she wants to, as long as notice is given to the song's copyright owners within 30 days after the recording is made and before it is distributed."

[www.straightdope.com]

Elijah-M

@Elijah-M: You have a lot to learn about double-posting on Defamer. Calm down.

raincoaster

@raincoaster: Double posting. It happens.

Touche.

Elijah-M

Oops, I meant that last @ to @Elijah-M: I really am too tired right now. No more commenting for me this AM.

RocketRockit

I'm still sad about this, but that's because I love Tom and don't care for Scarlett (though, I'm sure that's sort of obvious). @shag_carpet_bomb: I do have to give her credit for being so into Tom that she'd want to cover him -- that is a compliment to both of them.@raincoaster: I won't comment on your assumption I have "a lot to learn about free market capitalism." It's too early and I talk about money all damn day, I don't care to do it on Defamer.

RocketRockit

@RocketRockit: Dear god. I'm an anarchal communist; you nearly gave me a heart attack!

raincoaster

One of those things ^^^ that I'm quite sure has never been uttered before in human history.

MCU