"Skuller’s vocal proves even more evocative than Waits’, richer and more fluid. It’s intimate and nostalgic and beautifully sad" 
– Constant Listener (Substack)

"Skuller conjures a haunted atmosphere of melancholy introspection. Too savvy to try to sound like an delta bluesman, Skuller instead personalizes the form, bending it to his will" – The Big Takeover

His lofty tenor is too original to pigeonhole... Eddie Skuller has the kind of voice people like to label. Comparisons range from Roy Orbison to George Michael to even Cher” – New York Times

"Skuller embraces the dark and moody but injects the tender promise of hope. Not an easy thing for most singers to pull off" 
– Philadelphia Daily News

“With androgynous angel delivery and a Rat Pack pallbearer wardrobe, Skuller takes you on a pub crawl from paradise to the pit and back.” - Village Voice

EDDIE SKULLER BRINGS TOM WAITS' BALLADS TO LIFE

By Christy Hinko / Long Island Press

When Eddie Skuller takes the stage, he will not be trying to mimic Tom Waits’ gravelly growl. Instead, the veteran New York singer-songwriter will deliver “Ballads of Tom Waits” with his own smooth, amber-toned vocals — an interpretation aimed at celebrating the songwriter rather than the voice.

“I’ve always admired Tom Waits’ music, but I wasn’t ready to take on a show like this until now,” Skuller said. “Maybe it’s just being older or living through more things in life, and the songs strike me differently.”

Waits is an American singer, songwriter, composer and actor known for his narrative lyrics that explore themes of hardship and Americana. Born in 1949, Waits gained recognition with his 1973 debut album, “Closing Time.”

Skuller said he approaches the material with the perspective of a fellow songwriter who understands the difficulty of reaching Waits’ level of craft.

“I’m a songwriter as well, but nothing I’ve ever written compares to anything he does,” he said. “As a singer, it’s incredibly satisfying and challenging to take on his gorgeous songs.”

Performances will highlight many of Waits’ best-known ballads, including “Ol’ 55,”“Jersey Girl,” “Downtown Train” and “San Diego Serenade.”

Some titles, Skuller noted, will be familiar to audiences through other artists — the Eagles, Rod Stewart and Bruce Springsteen among them. “There’s definitely plenty that people will recognize,” he said. “But I’m also bringing in some songs that may be new for listeners, pieces that I really admire from his extensive catalog.”

Rather than trying to impersonate Waits, Skuller views his role as shining a light on the emotional intensity of the music. “I think the most important thing to know about the show is that I’m celebrating his songwriting, not attempting an imitation at all,” he said. “People tend to think of Waits’ gravelly voice, but rarely name the songs they love. I feel like I have a job to do in honoring his songwriting and letting the songs come through me, my voice, my experience, my emotion.” 

That approach has resonated with audiences. Early performances of the show in smaller venues drew strong reactions, including two standing ovations in Hoboken.

“Some people told me it was like hearing the songs for the first time,” Skuller said. “I thought that was an incredible response. What more could I ask for as an artist?”

He admits that some of Waits’ darker material moves him deeply in rehearsal.

“Sometimes I well up a little bit,” Skuller said. “The songs strike different things emotionally in me. But I don’t want people to think they’re going to a sad show. Somehow it ends up feeling upbeat, almost cathartic. Singing sad songs has always been that way for me — it’s a release, not a weight.”

Skuller’s collaborators include two well-known New York musicians: Joe McGinty, founder of the long-running Loser’s Lounge tribute series, on keyboards, and bassist Jeremy Chatzky, a veteran of Bruce Springsteen’s and Steve Earle’s bands. Skuller has performed with Loser’s Lounge for more than 20 years, sharpening his ability to command an audience with just a single song. 

Still, Skuller insists his focus is on the music rather than the man. “I think of him as the ultimate folk storyteller, with a great understanding of character and melody,” he said. “The songs need to be honored. That’s what I’m doing.”

For Skuller, whose career has ranged from post-punk shows at CBGB to jazz cabaret, reggae collaborations and folk singer-songwriter clubs in Manhattan, the tribute is the latest chapter in a lifelong willingness to shift genres and follow inspiration.

“I’ve always gone where the lightning strikes,” he said. “Tom Waits did the same thing. I feel aligned with him in that way.”

INTERVIEW WITH JIM TESTA FROM CONSTANT LISTENER

Q: What drew you to Tom Waits? He sings like he is dying of throat cancer and you have a beautiful mellifluous voice, so he doesn’t seem an obvious choice.

In this tribute “Ballads of Tom Waits,” I’m celebrating the songwriting and not attempting an imitation of the artist. Too often, the focus is on Mr. Waits’ gravelly voice and Beat poet performance style. But he’s written a vast amount of incredible songs with strong storytelling and a bit of dry humor. The melodies and the emotional weight of the lyrics are well suited to my voice and it feels organic to sing them. I once performed with a jazz trio some years back and we included Waits' “That Feel” and it was a compelling song for me to sing.

Q: How did you choose the five songs you recorded? It's not like Tom Waits had "hits" per se but these aren't among his most familiar songs.

This first sampling of songs I recorded needed to show the span of material that I’ll cover in the show with tracks from his debut album to the last one he put out. The tune “I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You” from his debut album is actually his most popular song online with over 80 million streams.

I think fans of Mr. Waits will certainly know the songs I’m singing. It is my hope that I may inspire people to explore his records with some of the tunes they might not be familiar with and they can also revisit their favorites. In the live show we do cover the hits made famous by other artists like “Ol’ 55” ( a hit for The Eagles), “Downtown Train” (covered by Rod Stewart) and “Jersey Girl” (a Bruce Springsteen favorite).

The five tracks we recorded are on my website and one, “Chocolate Jesus” is on all streaming platforms .

Q: Who will be accompanying you? I understand youv'e recruited a few friends from the Loser's Lounge.

Yes! I’m thrilled to have two gifted musicians with me to launch this tribute show. Joe McGinty on piano/keys and Jeremy Chatzky on upright bass. Not only are they masters of their instruments but they are good people and I very much enjoy playing with them. I’ve been a guest singer with the Losers Lounge for over twenty years so we’ve known each other quite a while.

Q: After the Waits shows, what's next on your agenda?

Our upcoming appearance at James Mastro’s venue, the 503 Social Club is the debut of this tribute show. Anyone lucky enough to get tickets to this sold out event will witness the launch of a work in progress. I’m excited to see it evolve as we try different songs from his vast catalog. And of course... eventually add in choreography and a gospel choir!

We are already booking dates for fall. I’m also looking forward to recording another batch of Mr. Waits songs.