John Waite :: Downtown - Journey Of A Heart
Unplugged Live
Interview
By The Atomic Chaser and The Rocker
One thing that John Waite has come to understand during his illustrious career in music, is that life is a journey, not a destination and that you live and learn best, the hard way. Accept that there can be no highs without lows, no gains without loss and certainly no love without pain. In his career, John Waite had several of his songs, including "Missing You," the Baby’s "Isn't It Time" and Bad English's "When I See You Smile" and "Price Of Love", becoming radio staples worldwide. But, make no mistake, though known mainly for his ballads, John Waite is still an out-and-out rocker at heart.
His latest studio release, “DOWNTOWN Journey Of A Heart” is a musical retrospect of sort, basically it is a collection of brand new recordings of Waite's greatest hits plus an infectious rendition of Bob Dylan’s rock classic “Highway 61”, along side the sweeping balladry of “St. Patrick ’s Day”.
Recently The Rocker and I caught John live and unplugged at the Remo Drum Center where he was peforming for the ABC Trust Fund, the fund founded by Jimena Page (Jimmy Page's wife), whose main goals are to raise awareness and funds to help disadvantaged children and adolescents in Brazil, focusing on empowering the youngsters to transform and improve their own lives. We came just in time to catch John rocking the crowd with a set-list, that was short but sweet. That featured, "When I See You Smile", "Missing You", "Isn't It Time" and "Change". We have to say, we've seen and heard many a great singers and John Waite is one of the best in the business.
After the short set, John sat down with The Rocker and I to talk about his new release and this is what he shared with us...
AAM: First of all, what a great set!
John Waite: Thanks guys! It was quite fun.
AAM: Let's talk about your latest release, 'Downtown: Journey Of A Heart', which is a remastering of your hits, how did you approach them the second time around?
JW: I wanted to have a basic sound based on guitars, Hammond organ and piano. No synth. Stripped and ready to be played live in front of an audience. Aside from the hits, I cover Bob Dylan’s classic "Highway 61", and a ballad titled "St. Patrick ’s Day".
AAM: You recorded a couple of the other songs in Nashville, too, didn't you? Didn't you record another Dylan song as well?
JW: Yeah, I did "Girl From the North Country", the Dylan song, but that was in a different setting, that was in somebody's home studio, in the basement -- the basement tapes, hey! (laughs) And we just did "Missing You" [acoustic version] because we'd been playin' that one live unplugged sometimes, too. So it was a very ... natural, un-thought out thing. I remember spending an awful lot of time in Nashville going back to mix and overdub and correct things on "The Hard Way" -- because we took a lot of time with that. But the other two songs just happened in an afternoon, so after that it was just a case of sequencing, really, and doing the album cover.
AAM: These acoustic shows you’re doing are a great way to re-introduce your music to old fans and new ones.
JW: Yeah and anybody can show up that wants to come. And it's just a case of meeting the people and playing the guitar... It's all a beautiful thing, it's just a different way of going.
AAM: When will it be released here in the States?
JW: 'Downtown: Journey Of A Heart' is already out in Europe through Frontier Records. Here in the States in September through Rounder Records.
AAM: So, where is home for you now? Still here on the West Coast?
JW: Yes, still living in a flat in Santa Monica for the last three years.
AAM: In 1984, you had your first hit single "Missing You." How did that impact your career?
JW: It has been the reason that it has been hard to stay big, or stay in the spotlight because it was just so big that it sort of finishes your career. It was enjoyable because I could go into this second tier thing. I always wanted to be a musician and write great songs. You know like Bad Company and Humble Pie. If it meant doing half as much work and keeping a low profile, I was very happy with that. Then Bad English happened and we were back at No. 1 again, and since then, there have been a string of albums that have done extraordinarily well, and some that just came and went, but it is an ongoing process, you keep putting music out until you fall over.
AAM: You also spend some time New York as well right?
JW: Yeah, yeah... (laughs) I think I've probably got the best of both worlds where I'm at right now. I like the water, and I've got water here, and I've got the coast and that's pretty good because it gets foggy at night and it gets cold here .It's not like living in L.A. I mean, if I lived in L.A., I'd probably shoot myself! (laughs) But it's pretty close to having some street life; there's the promenade, and there's a lot of book shops... and it's nice to live here... Lest we forget, I just got back from England, and it was beautiful there, and it was gorgeous, but, when the plane touched down, I drove the street to my apartment, and I thought, "Hummm -- home!" So it's a pretty place, and it's a lot hipper than it used to be. California has really picked up some speed.
AAM: Thanks for your time and good luck with the new album. It has truly been an honor for us talking to you.
JW: You guys are more than welcome, I had a blast talking to you both as well.
“DOWNTOWN journey of a heart”, has much to offer to everyone, memories for some and for many, new memories still to be created. A reflection of John Waite’s past and present and a glimpse into the future as his journey continues...
For more on John Waite and his music, check out his official site, www.johnwaiteonline.com
Story and Interview by The Atomic Chaser and The Rocker
