Review by Shawn Perry
Photos by Joel Louer
John Waite has had a wild ride in the music game since first
bursting onto the scene in the late 70s as the lead singer of the Babys. Since
then, a solid body of work lies in his wake, a legacy bejeweled with a timeless
sheen as those classic songs from the 70s, 80s and beyond of John Waite are
as riveting today as they were the day they were hatched. Catching Waite with
his band during a sold-out performance at the Coach House, the 75-minute set was like
a festive step back in time for all time.
Waite hit the stage just before 10 p.m. with “Change,” the 1982
Holly Knight-penned single that didn’t crack the Top 40, yet established
Waite’s solo career and ability to record radio-friendly songs on his
own. Debbie Holiday came in on the back-up vocal, while bassist Tim Hogan,
guitarist Shaun Hague and drummer Rondo provided the soundtrack. Tonight,
Waite, casually dressed in a black sports coat and jeans, dipped deeply into
his songbook, pulling out hits from the past, as well as a few no nonsense rockers
and ballads from his 2011 studio album, Rough And Tumble.
“Back On My Feet Again,” was the first of many Babys
songs Waite would play, and another recognizable riff that got the house excited.
The singer continually worked the audience while the band ably filled in the
spaces. Several songs from Rough And Tumble were confidently presented, including
“Better Off Gone,” “If You Ever Get Lonely” and “Evil.”
As well-received as these were, you could tell the crowd comprising a prominent mix of 40-something
men and women was anxious to hear its favorites. And on that note, Waite did not disappoint.
So after blowing the doors down with Bob Dylan’s “All Along
The Watchtower,” he eased into “Isn’t It Time,”
albeit edgier courtesy of Hague’s nimble guitar work.
Waite talked about his time in Nashville, where he re-recorded “Missing
You” with Alison Krauss in 2006, and played Vince Gill’s “Whenever
You Come Around.” He also sang, with only accompaniment from Hague,
a quaint little tune called “Bluebird Cafe.”
Then the crowd pleasers started rolling out. “Missing
You,” which hit No. 1 in 1984 — that’s 22 years before
the reboot — most definitely brought the audience to its feet. Actually, it
was a pair of Babys rockers, “Midnight Rendezvous” and “Head
First,” that solidified the set for the night. A quick “God bless
you,” and Waite was done…for the moment. After the applause died
down, he ambled on stage alone, guitar in hand, and strummed out the basic
chords to Bad English’s first and only No.1 hit, “When I See You Smile.” He
attempted to get the audience to help out on the chorus, but they were slow
to respond. Ah, but the show went on.
The band returned to the stage for the evening’s final number — and
yet another Babys tune — “Every Time I Think Of You.” Waite and
Debbie Holiday rose to the challenge vocally — for a minute it felt
like the show was taking place in a bigger venue as the band added a sonic
blast to a song known for its more subservient side. It’s obvious John Waite
hasn’t mellowed with age. The hair is longer, the look is leaner, the
band is tighter and the songs, as always, can be stretched any which way to
accommodate the mood. Tonight at the Coach House, there can be little argument
the mood was just right.
