The grand and grizzled poobah of American song returns this winter with “Orphans,” a three-disc set of new songs, rarities and covers divided into “Brawlers,” “Bawlers” and “Bastards.” Waits’ own description is sure to be better than any review you’ll read. His label, ANTI, has posted this one track, from “Brawlers,” for free download as a preview, a folky waltz in the classic Waitsian mode of theatrically down-and-out despair.
— T.B
