Tom Waits fans have something truly special to look forward to. In a quiet but powerful announcement, the legendary songwriter revealed a new project titled Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow, set for release on May 29. The news arrived via social media, accompanied by striking album artwork that immediately sparked curiosity and excitement among listeners who have followed his long, unconventional career.
At its heart, this album isn’t just another release—it’s a reflection of decades of creativity, collaboration, and reinvention. Alongside his long-time creative partner and wife, Kathleen Brennan, Tom Waits has once again challenged what music can be. The official announcement describes how the duo has “dismantled and reassembled the idea of song itself,” turning familiar structures into something raw, emotional, and deeply artistic. That’s been a hallmark of Waits’ work for years, but this project seems to push it even further.
What makes this album particularly interesting is its concept. Rather than presenting new original songs, Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow is a carefully curated collection of covers—songs written by Waits and Brennan but performed by other artists. These versions have been arranged in chronological order, offering listeners a journey through time, showing how their songwriting has evolved and how different artists have interpreted their work.
The album opens with a powerful and emotional starting point: Bruce Springsteen’s live version of “Jersey Girl.” Originally written by Waits for Brennan and featured on the album Heartattack and Vine, the song takes on a new life through Springsteen’s voice. It’s a fitting introduction—warm, nostalgic, and deeply personal.
From there, the album moves through nearly two decades of reinterpretations. Each track offers something unique, not just musically but emotionally. Different artists bring their own perspectives, styles, and feelings to the songs, showing how flexible and powerful Waits and Brennan’s writing truly is. This variety is part of what makes the collection so compelling—you’re not just hearing songs, you’re hearing conversations between artists across time.
The closing track is equally meaningful. The album ends with Joan Baez’s version of “Day After Tomorrow,” originally from Waits’ album Real Gone. Baez’s interpretation adds a haunting, reflective tone that perfectly wraps up the journey. It’s the kind of ending that lingers with you, encouraging you to think about everything you’ve just heard.
Another highlight of the release is the inclusion of detailed sleeve notes. These notes feature track-by-track commentary, giving listeners insight into each recording. For fans, this adds a deeper layer of understanding—why each version matters, what makes it unique, and how it fits into the bigger picture of Waits and Brennan’s artistic vision.
Ultimately, Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow is more than just a compilation album. It’s a tribute to songwriting itself—to the idea that a great song can live many lives, changing and growing with each new voice that takes it on. The team behind the release describes it as a celebration of versatility and influence, honoring an artist who continues to inspire from the edges of the music world rather than the center.
Check out the full tracklist below.
Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow tracklist:
- ‘Jersey Girl’ – Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band (Live at Meadowlands Arena, NJ – July 1981)
- ’16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six’ – Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
- ‘Gin-Soaked Boy’ – Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes
- ‘Jockey Full Of Bourbon’ – Los Lobos
- ‘Hang Down Your Head’ – Lucinda Williams
- ‘Temptation’ – Diana Krall
- ‘Yesterday Is Here’ – Bettye LaVette
- ‘Way Down In The Hole’ – The Blind Boys Of Alabama
- ‘Strange Weather’ – Marianne Faithfull
- ‘I Don’t Want To Grow Up’ – Ramones
- ‘Down There By The Train’ – Johnny Cash
- ‘House Where Nobody Lives’ – King Ernest
- ‘Picture In A Frame’ – Willie Nelson
- ‘Hold On’ – Madison Cunningham
- ‘The Long Way Home’ – Norah Jones
- ‘2:19’ – John Hammond
- ‘Diamond In Your Mind’ – Solomon Burke
- ‘Trampled Rose’ – Alison Kraus and Robert Plant
- ‘Day After Tomorrow’ – Joan Baez