Through Cohen's contacts, Waits recorded demos in Los Angeles in late summer 1971 with producer Robert Duffey, later released as The Early Years in two volumes, against Waits' wishes.
At a Troubadour performance in summer 1971, Herb Cohen inadvertently spotted Waits and became his manager. In November 1970, Waits performed his first paid show at The Heritage, earning $25 for his performance. Among the songs performed were "Ice Cream Man", "Virginia Avenue", " Ol' '55", "I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love with You", "Shiver Me Timbers" and "Diamonds on my Windshield." Around this time, Waits began working as a doorman at a San Diego, California, club, The Heritage, which was a coffee house by day.
SEMISONIC CLOSING TIME ALBUM COVER SERIES
Waits' setlist at these series of shows, described as "hootenanny nights", consisted primarily of Bob Dylan covers, although it included songs which would later appear on Closing Time and its successor, The Heart of Saturday Night (1974). Tom Waits began his musical career in 1970, performing every Monday night at The Troubadour, a venue in West Hollywood, California. The Troubadour was the site of many early Waits performances Since its release, the album has been reissued on LP in 1976, on CD in 19, and 180 gram LP in 2010. The album was certified Gold in the UK and has gained a contemporary cult following among rock fans. Other songs from the album were covered by Tim Buckley and Bette Midler. The album's only single, " Ol' '55", attracted attention due to a cover version by Waits's more popular label mates, the Eagles. Critical reaction to Closing Time was positive. The album is noted for being predominantly folk influenced although Waits intended Closing Time to be "a jazz, piano-led album." Upon release, the album was mildly successful in the United States, although it did not chart and received little attention from music press in the United Kingdom and elsewhere internationally. Produced and arranged by former Lovin' Spoonful member Jerry Yester, Closing Time was the first of seven of Waits' major releases by Asylum. Closing Time is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Tom Waits, released on Maon Asylum Records.