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No there ain't no doubt. I can still hear, that John Waite is an english man, though he lives for many years in the USA. But it is not only the sophisticated tenor, but also the general appearance and aura, which is described best as gentleman - like. And he's never been to Germany before, at least on stage. Mind me, this good man has quite a bit behind him within his musician's carriere, most of all his band 'The Babys, whith whom he had his biggest hits between 1975 and 1981, most of all in America. After that he jumped from activities with Bad English, who's members are the half line up of Journey, - and his solocarriere, where he had hits with 'Mr.Wonderful and 'A Woman's Touch'. But like often in a musicians life, there have been some depths as well. And during the last year, we haven't heard too much about this exeptional singer, at least here in Europe. Well, there has been this highpoiint with Blue Grass icon Alison Krauss in 2004, when John recorded a duett with the countrystar of his song 'Missing You'.And the couple landed in the Billboard country top 40 charts. Apart from that, John has not been lazy over the years touring the US, either in Ringo Starr's Allstar Band, or as opening act of Journey or with his soloband. Not to forget his short trip to the Netherlands two years ago. And now we've got him finally here in Germany thanks god, though half forgotten from the public, but then on the other hand all the old Babys- and Bad English fans surely remember. So within this 12 days european trip throughout England, Belgium and Germany tonight it's the final show here in Augsburg. And yes, there are aprox. 250 fans here to check out this exeptional musician. First of all a local Munich act named the Ruby Sea, whom I've never heard of before, start off...
But well, you can't know everything can you? this band is going since 2002 and they put out one album so far, apart from 2002 The Basement Tapes 2003 IV 2005 Crooks (unreleased). The band consists of: Erwin Zißelsberger (git/vocals), Phillip Schiffauer (voc./git), Karin Reuter (drums), Rober Krause (bass). And the focus goes straight to the drums, as it is rather unusual and a rare thing to have a female drummer. But she does it pretty well. The Ruby Sea go rather for a calm, laid back tune, which are more to listen to than to rock along with. Musically the group goes somewhere between John Cale and Bob Dylan. And the lyrics are telling stories from daily life, just as classical writers would tell them. Despite the quiet strategy, their material has quite some potential. And with a little luck they might get discovered for a wider audiance one day. That's why I'd suggest, tour your arses off as much as you can. Personally for my taste it's a bit to quiet, at least for right now and this moment. But that's a subjectiv opinion and has nothing to do, whether something is good or bad and shouldn't be a critic. If you're interested, then check out their MySpace page....
http://www.myspace.com/therubysea
And this, believe it or not, despite the fact, that there is a man on the sound desk in the back who should get castrated for the acoustic conditions. Jesus wept, this hurts, including a broken voc mike and a guitar drawing a multiple salto. But and that's the surprising point, John Waite can manage to catch the attention of the audiance from the very first moment and win them for himself. And guess what... no he ain't that sentimantal softie, what we always thought that he is. Up there is a 100% hot bloodes musician, who, aged 57 seems like 40something - healthy, vital and he rocks, that the walls of this venue are collapsing. Who'd have thought this. Bloody hell, this guy has such a great aura and personality, that even George Clooney can hide behind all this strong flair. You can see, that John Waite is fullfilled with an energetic motivation. Maybe to prove us, that he's still here, alive and kicking. And he certainly is. Even the ballads got some chilly in it's butt.
The setlist is dominated by Babys hits, some Bad English songs, solotracks and two coverversions, one of Jimi Hendrix - 'All Along the Watchtower' and with the last encore 'Rock'n'Roll' from Led Zeppelin. However, the absolute highpoint is John's hymn Mr.Wonderful'.whereby this track is dominated by keyboards. But there ain't no keyboarder in this band here. And some of us habe some doubts, how John is overcome this problem. But holy sh... both guitarist Jimmy Leahey and Luis Maldonado handle this act first class. Respect, it does sound great indeed. By the way, two of the three german gigs John had to play with only one guitarist, as Luis suddenly had felt bad and had to be taken to hospital where he's got his apendix taken off. But this morning he was released from hospital. And tonight he's back on stage, and you don't release anything... As small and skinny this guy looks, he seems to be pretty strong. And of course he shows also some talents on his instrument.
In
addition, there is bassist Tim Hogan and drummer Billy Wilkes. By the way
it is indeed intention to leave the keyboard back home, as John Waite
intends to use only 2 guitars to put out his rocky side. That's what he
said within out talk before the show. And yes, he's done alright.
However,
the trip to Augsburg to check out the grand final of John Waite's very
first tour, was worth it every mile. And maybe we got him back in
autumn again with a new album and a glimpse to the alps to maybe settle
down here one day. |
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At
the Diary
you find some Off Stage Impressions |
