Tunesmith called me late last night laughing at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert in London which he had DVR'ed. After Tunesmith correctly observed that Paul Simon was the only aged rocker to successfully employ African influences in his songs, the conversation turned to the cast of misfits performing at this concert. Because really, there is no more fitting way to celebrate the 90th birthday of a terrorist than with performances by the likes of Kanye West, Will Smith and Amy Winehouse.

We discussed how this concert was something like Amy Winehouse's 13th or 14th comeback performance and how she soon will be dead. So we figured, it's such a rare occasion to be able to watch a celebrity slowly die like this that we should take advantage of the situation and create an Amy Windehouse death poll for the vast T&A readership. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! 

So here are the official T&A Amy Winehouse Death Poll rules:

1. To enter the T&A Amy Winehouse Death Poll, simply click the "Contact T&A" link at the top of the page and submit the following:

a. Month, day and year that you believe Amy Winehouse will die.
b. Cause of death. Choices are: Accidental drug overdose, Suicide (includes intentional drug overdose), Natural causes, or Other (please specify). This will be used as a tie-breaker in the event of a tie.
c. Time of death (Eastern Standard Time). This will be used as yet another tie-breaker in the event of a tie of a and b above.

2. Be sure to include a valid email address and a name to be displayed on the T&A Amy Winehouse Death Poll page.

3. Only one entry allowed per person.

4.The winner shall receive a spoon, Bic lighter and a T&A t-shirt!

5. Entries will be accepted until the contest is over.

6. Employees of Tunesmith & Anthony and their immediate families are ineligible. Coupons redeemable at participating Red Lobster restaurants. 

That's it. 

After a few entries are received, I will create a page and post all entries. Get in on the fun before it's too late!

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There were the torrential downpours on 70 West, blinding rain the likes of which I hadn't experienced in a long time.

There were the elevator rides at the hotel, chock full of drunken redneck lesbians, some toting 30-packs of Busch Light.

And then there was the beautifully ornate, even whimsical theater that provided a perfectly fitting setting.

There was the crowd. There's no such thing as a casual Tom Waits fan—you either like him or you don't. You either “get” him, or you don't. So there weren't any rude conversations in the background, no overly drunk or stoned assholes, no tag-along jackasses who only went because someone had a spare ticket. It was one big room full of excited and captivated fans.

And when the lights went down, there was little choice but to be captivated.

Then there was the band. The band was awesome. They could put out a huge sound when needed just as well as a gentle waltz.

But everyone came to see Tom Waits. Stomping his feet, waving his arms, strutting with bullhorn under his arm like a baton…the visual was almost as good as the music itself. There's nothing I can write to describe the experience properly. I'm just glad I got to experience it.

Gonna find a way.

Here’s a little something for you to listen to while you’re doing the laundry or dusting or cleaning out the litter box on your Saturday morning or afternoon. All were hand-picked by yours truly. Enjoy.