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and
again.....No that's not quite correct, because he hasn't been to Munich
yet, since John Waites second spring has evolved. Last summer it was
Augsburg, where the former Babies and Bad English frontman was guest at
the Spectrum club (here).
And everyboda who had been there then, became totally enthusiastic
despite the lack of sound condition this show did suffer, but because of
the great performance Mr. Waite did deliver to us.
Well, it didn't take long to come back again now, did it? And over all
he's got a new live recording in his luggage. John Waite enjoys two
advantages. For once he is truly a brilliant singer and showman and for
the other, many of songs own - what we call - Cult status. I just think
about ‚Every
Time I Think Of You’with the Babys, or
‚Price Of Love’ with Bad English, or 'Missing You', or the so beloved solo
hit ‚Mr.Wonderful’.
All these tracks have developed into evergreens over the year with a
high potention of re recognition. And thanks to their commericality
these tracks still get a lot of airplay.
Like I mentioned in my last year's review it had been quiet for many
years around this artist until 2006, when he re-recorded his big hit
'Missing You' together with Country Superstar Allison Krauss and shot to
the top again straight into the Billboard Top 40.
And this strike must have encouraged
him to push up his solo carriere again. Well even past success doesn't
mean the second rise up is easy. And it is not indeed. So we've got
start in a lower dimension again. And obviously John Waite hasn't got a
problem with that.
Actually not much has changed since last summer, exept the location, and
this one here has got fairly about the size of the one in Augsburg back
then in 2009.
There is no new music in sight either. And like I mentioned before,
there is only a livealbum available so far, which is easier and much
faster to make than a new studio recording. Mind me, that one again
would be quite a risk, because there is the question: will John Waite
reach the same high standard then he used to? I mean times have changed,
and we all don't get any younger. The english born artist, who could
never get rid of his british accent thinks, that he has to take things
by things slowly. But he says, that there will be a new EP with 4
brandnew songs. So let's wait and see It will be the test in time,
whether things are still sparkling or not. First of all it's the live
work back in the US but also in good old Europe, reminding people
on the big times with the Babies and Bad English and or course on his
solocarriere, which had it's peak in the first half of the eighties.
Today, John Waite is almost 58 years of age and he's just about to push
himself into higher spheres so that his passion won't die.
And we are right here at Munich's Metropolis club, counting aprox. 250
guests, are waiting, whether things have changed or not since last year
or for some of us - since 20 years ago.
Starting off with Xing (Crossing) from Munich, who really should try now,
to extend their live work.
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Because
to be honest, since I've seen them last time supporting Nazarath in
2007, I haven't much heard of this outfit. And this my friends is
somehow recognizable. Although I've gotta say, that I do like Xing much
better this time, then I did back then. No clue, why, - maybe because of
a better aura and a more positive attitude.- To get it straight, I don't
get really on with their music personally, but this is rather a matter
of taste. I do like very well guitarist Umberti Caretti, who does show
right here, how good he is. Respect! Recently I realised already at one
local act, that we still got some good musicians here in the Munich area.
And this one belongs to them for sure. Ups, sorry, nothing against the
rest of the gang or their individual skill. But it is the guitar, which
sticks out most.
And it
is in most cases this special little something, drawing my attention
most. Name it years of practicing in doing concert reviews or what so
ever. But it's a fact, if this band would extend their live activites (I
know it ain't easy!) then they really could pull out a little more
what's up to self confidence and drive. Well, it's not the end of the
world, and there are still chances out there. You've just gotta find
them.... or you don't...
http://www.myspace.com/xingiscrossing
Mind em, there are
thing having changed since last june
what's
up to John Waite.
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First
of all it's the fact, that in his band there is one guitarist missing, and
only Luis Maldonado has stayed, for the other, John does wear his hair
longer again. Well the hair shouldn't matter here, but it suits him truly
better and makes him look much younger. The rest of the band is still the
same, Tim Hogan on bass and Billy Wilkes on drums. - And the same you
could say about the setlist, though
the cards have been mixed up a little different. But the aces ain't
missing. How could they anyway? Because everybody in the audiance wants to
hear again and again 'Price Of Love' and 'When I See Sou Smile' of Bad
English, or 'Back On My Feet' and 'Midnight Rendevouz' by the Babys, just
to name a few of all this diamonds. And yes, without his solo masterpiece
'Mr Wonderful' a John Waite concert wouldn't be a John Waite concert,
would it? Like last time, - keyboards do belong to the pasttense.
But Luis, despite of his rather young age, is a brilliant guitarist, and
substitutes the keys perfectly with his guitar. So nobody really misses a
synthi or keyboard.
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By
the way Jimi Hendrix is honoured once again with ‚All Along The Watchtower’,
just to mention it....
Although
the acoustical circumstances ain't perfect again, they are still holy
compared with those back in Augsburg. And so, John Waite's voice comes
across even better. This here is the second show after Vienna on his
Europe trip, and the guys still suffer a jetlag.
That's what it seems according to some minor mistakes and forgetting one
line. But this one again doesn't get noticed by the majority here, so what?!
I always use to say: if every thing else is alright, then I do prefer this
much more to a sterile prayer, which takes the risk to become boring due
to too much perfectionism.
So
finally I stick to my slogan and I do like to repeat this again and again:
no matter who is up there, and no matter what or how he or she is playing
or singing. A concert in generell is always great, when you don't look on
your watch and your feet don't start hurting.
And this my friends wasn't the case last summer, and it is still not...
John Waite does offer us a whole lot of entertainment with a high
nostalgic level. And Mr.Wonderful is more lively then ever before.
So let's wait and see, in how far this second spring is gonna develop.
Apart from that - Led Zeppelin has always got the last word at a John
Waite gig - with 'Rock'n'Roll... And yes my dear, that's what it has been
- simply and straight - good Rock'n'Roll.
http://www.myspace.com/johnwaite
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