LIVE! : John Waite
June 15, 2011 by Publisher
Filed under arccon2011
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
June 11, 2011 at Boulder Station in Las Vegas, NV.
’80s rocker John Waite made a special appearance in Las Vegas at Boulder Station on June 11. Performing to a sold out audience, John Waite still has the golden voice that has spawned many of his popular ballads such as “Missing You.” It has been a long time since I have since John Waite perform and it was exhilarating to hear new songs off of his latest album Rough And Tumble being performed live.
John Waite’s set list was very well paced. It featured songs from The Baby’s days, a Jimi Hendrix cover, and included all of his hits. Long red hair flowing, donning a tailored black suit and acoustic guitar, with a backing band in which the members hail from the East Coast, John was ready to rock. The evening centered on his stellar songwriting. Decades after their release, John remains true to his craft with his strongest forte’ remaining in his love ballads. Opening with “Change” then launching into “When I See You Smile”, John Waite held the audience captive with his storytelling and heartfelt lyrics.
It is always great to see an ’80s artist unleash new music that is as good if not better than his older hits. John performed his latest single “Evil” in a true rockin’ blues tradition. It was great to hear him perform a Jimi Hendrix tune “All Along The Watch Tower.” Highlight of the evening was the performance and his announcement that “If You Ever Get Lonely” would be his next single hitting the radio airwaves in the next two weeks. This song has radio hit written all over it with John Waite’s signature love gone wrong ballad tugging at your heartstrings. If you ever have loved and lost, well this song says it. Without a doubt, it’s the best song on his new album Rough And Tumble.
The momentum of the evening built from there on with “Missing You”, until the encore of “Headfirst.” Be sure to check out my editor’s interview with John Waite right here at Hardrock Haven (click here for interview) and be sure to catch John Waite in concert this Summer!
John Waite Set List:
Change
Back On My Feet Again
When I See You Smile
Evil
Mr. Wonderful
Better Off Gone
All Along The Watch Tower
In Dreams
Ever Time I Think Of You
Best Of What I Got
Whenever You Come Around
Suicide Life
If You Ever Get Lonely
Love’s Going Out Of Style
Drum Solo
Missing You
Rough And Tumble
Sweet Rhode Island Red
Headfirst
John Waite
February 3, 2011 by Managing Editor
Filed under arcint2011
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
Legendary rock singer John Waite checked in with Hardrock Haven to discuss his brand new solo release Rough & Tumble; writing and recording with Matchbox 20′s Kyle Cook; specific tracks like “If You Ever Get Lonely” and “Mr. Wonderful;” upcoming tour plans and who his touring band is; looking back on hits like “When I See You Smile” and “Missing You;” and a whole lot more.
If you haven’t heard Waite’s new album yet, you are doing yourself a disservice. He’s on top of his game vocally and the songwriting impresses throughout Rough & Tumble. Tune in now to get to know one of the best singers making music today, and pick up Rough & Tumble immediately.
(If the embedded player doesn’t populate, click here to stream the interview in a stand alone player.)
John Waite Rough & Tumble
December 18, 2010 by Managing Editor
Filed under arcrvws2010
by Alex Barbieri
Staff Writer
Ask any rock fan who grew up in the ‘80s about John Waite, and they’ll probably smile and agree that he has one of the most signature voices of the era. Well, Waite is back to rough of us a bit with a delightfully inspired album of Nashville-tinged rock ‘n roll.
Rough & Tumble is Waite’s first studio album of original material since 2007’s Downtown: Journey of a Heart and long-time fans will not be disappointed. The album features some of the best melodic moments of his career but—to Waite’s creative credit—it is not a safe retread of a proven pop formula.
Rough & Tumble has a stripped down, organic rawness to it. Gone are the huge multi-layered vocals and keyboards in favor of guitar/bass/drums purity. At first a little disconcerting, you’ll soon realize the more straightforward sound is the perfect showcase for Waite’s clear emotive vocals, and also sounds just downright cool.
Credit for this new direction must go in part to Matchbox Twenty guitarist Kyle Cook, who was Waite’s songwriting partner for the past year and a half. The combination of Waite’s rich, dignified vocals and Cook’s Southern honkytonk Strat is both sexy and stunning.
On the Tom Pettyesque “Evil,” Waite sings, “Start to feel the rush of the 4/4 time / Moonlight’s kickin’ in the door.” The slithery groove and sultry vocal will make you want to turn up the red lights and dance like no one’s watching.
Waite goes for the gold on “If You Ever Get Lonely, a ballad so beautiful, it will stop you in your tracks. One of the best songs of Waite’s career, it is as “hit single” as a song gets. (Producers of Showtime’s Californication series should take note: this is the perfect song for an episode.)
The acoustic “Skyward” is another highlight: simple yet lush, it is both inspiring and life affirming. And “Better Off Gone” is immediately one of the best breakup songs of all time; full of motion and hope. Gonna let these horses run straight into the morning sun / I’m better off gone. Waite reminds us it’s ok to live, love, lose—and, if needed, relocate.
John Waite—one of rock’s rarest gems—is back and better than ever. Buy Rough & Tumble and be reminded what great rock music is supposed to sound like. And if you get the chance, see Waite live this time ‘round if you can.
Genre: Rock-Country
Band: John Waite – Vocals
Luis Maldonado – Electric and Acoustic Guitar
Shane Fontayne – Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic and Baritone Guitar
Kyle Cook – Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Programming and Harmony Vocals
Tim Hogan – Low End David Santos – Bass Guitar
Mike Webb – Hammond B3 Organ
Billy Wilkes – Drums and Percussion
Fred Eltringham – Drums and Percussion
Rodger Carter – Drums and Percussion
Bobby Keys – Saxophone
Jennifer Paige – Background Vocals
Track Listing:
1. Rough & Tumble
2. Shadows of Love
3. Evil
4. If You Ever Get Lonely
5. Skyward
6. Sweet Rhode Island Red
7. Love’s Goin’ Out of Style
8. Better Off Gone
9. Further The Sky
10. Peace of Mind
11. Mr. Wonderful (Bonus Track)
12. Hanging Tree (Bonus Track)
Label: Frontiers Records
Online: http://johnwaitethegreatest.web-log.nl/johnwaitethegreatest/2010/12/rough-an-tumble-tracklisting-and-info.html
www.facebook.com/people/John-Waite/1383702065
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
John Waite In Real Time
May 27, 2010 by Managing Editor
Filed under arcrvws2010
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
It seems odd in the DVD era to encounter a live album without a video counterpart, but that’s exactly what we get with In Real Time, the latest release from veteran rocker John Waite. In Real Time is the first live recording (the handful of live tracks on 2001’s Live & Rare aside) from Waite, who has enjoyed highly successful runs with The Babys and Bad English as well as a long and equally successful solo career.
Despite 30+ years in the business, Waite’s voice still sounds remarkably good, and he and his band seem to have some real energy and chemistry on this set. Waite solo hits “Change,” “Head First” and especially “Missing You” sound completely vital. “Head First” is particularly rocking. Aside from his solo material, Waite revisits a pair of The Babys’ best hits with “Back On My Feet Again” and “Head First” as well as Bad English hits “Best Of What I Got” and, lamentably, “When I See You Smile.” Sorry, but that song is a contender for worst power ballad ever, and needs to be retired.
His cover of the Led Zeppelin classic “Rock and Roll” was a major surprise. For some reason, you just don’t expect a singer like John Waite to try his hand at a Led Zeppelin tune, especially not such a boisterous one. Even more surprising – Waite and company do a damn fine job at it, making it one of the album’s high points.
Aside from the two minutes spent introducing the band and leading up to “New York City Girl,” In Real Time is a tight, energetic live performance that gets right to the hits. It’s a high quality recording overall as well, which isn’t always a given with live releases. It’s probably not an essential John Waite album, but fans of The Babys. Bad English and/or Waite’s solo career should find In Real Time quite enjoyable. It’s just a shame there isn’t a DVD release to go with it.
Genre: AOR
Band:
John Waite (v)
Billy Wilkes (d)
Tim Hogan (b)
Luis Maldonado (g)
Track Listing:
1. Change
2. Back On My Feet Again
3. In Dreams
4. Every Time I Think Of You
5. Band Intro
6. Prelude
7. New York City Girl
8. Best Of What I Got
9. Missing You
10. Head First
11. Rock and Roll
12. When I See You Smile
Label: Frontiers
Website: www.myspace.com/johnwaite
Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10
