Words & Music : Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan

Tom Waits has announced "Where The Willow & The Dogwood Grow", a compilation album of Waits and Kathleen Brennan songs covered by a cast of esteemed peers. Set to release on May 29th, 2026, via Ace Records, the 19 track collection spans from Waits’ Asylum years to the early aughts and features contributions from giants like Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Marianne Faithfull, Ramones and Solomon Burke.

"Where The Willow & The Dogwood Grow" was announced through Waits’ social channels with the complete tracklist, comprising previously released treatments of landmark songs and deeper cuts from his revered catalog, many co-written with his longtime creative partner and wife Brennan. The project is sequenced chronologically by the tracks’ original recordings, beginning with Springsteen’s tried and true live version of “Jersey Girl,” Waits’ song for Brennan from 1980’s "Heartattack & Vine", and culminating in Joan Baez’s take on “Day After Tomorrow” from 2002’s "Real Gone".

Other key cuts include Cash’s “Down There By The Train”, 1st released as part of his late career renaissance on American Recordings, The Blind Boys of Alabama’s “Way Down In The Hole”, used as the theme for season one of HBO’s "The Wire", Los Lobos’ perfect fit version of “Jockey Full Of Bourbon”, and Nelson’s recording of “Picture In A Frame,” which served as the title track for his 2004 album with Kimmie Rhodes. Nelson also recently paid tribute to Waits with a cover of “Last Leaf”.

“With his long time creative partner and wife Kathleen Brennan, Waits has dismantled and reassembled the idea of song itself, crafting works that exist as both raw expression and high art”, the compilation’s organizers wrote. “This collection honours not only the extraordinary versatility of Waits and Brennan’s songwriting, but the importance of an artist who continues to haunt and inspire from the edges inward”.

"Where The Willow & The Dogwood Grow" arrives as a rare update on Waits’ musical career, which has remained largely quiet since 2011’s "Bad As Me", save for reissues like last year’s 50th anniversary repress of "Nighthawks At A Diner" and some scant archival singles. In 2019, another high profile assembly of artists showed their devotion with "Come On Up To the House : Women Sing Waits", a covers collection, including contributions from Rosanne Cash, Aimee Mann, Phoebe Bridgers, Patty Griffin, Courtney Marie Andrews and many more.