John Waite In Real Time
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