Customer Reviews

The Complete John Waite, Vol. 1: Falling Backwards

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

John Waite has the same problem fellow singer Paul Carrack has--they both have been in several bands across several record labels and done solo work. This makes for a challenge when compiling key tracks from their careers. John Waite did five albums with The Babys 1976-1980. Then he did four solo albums 1982-1987. Then he did two albums with Bad English 1989-1991. Now, as of this review, he has done four more solo albums 1995-2003. In order for "Falling Backwards" to be a complete experience it should include songs from all of those albums. I realize that this is volume one, but why not just put out a two disc anthology and leave it at that? Also, where's the single "These Times Are Hard For Lovers" from 1987?? The sticker on the front states that John put this compilation together--so...what, he didn't think that song was good enough to put on a best of? In this day and age where I can make my own compilation, it just seems that the record companies should get it right. Other than this gripe, this compilation is the better of the two that John has. I see this compilation was produced in 1996, so it's about time for a digitally remastered, two-disc anthology for John--maybe in 2006???

Absolutely terrific CD. Packed with songs from all the phases of his career, if you're a fan this CD is such a safe bet that you owe it to yourself to own it.

Of course, we all have a few tunes we think are missing. Where is "Everytime I Think of You" (the biggest omission), "Tears" and "The Time Alone with You".

If volume 2 ever comes out, I'll be one of the first to buy it.

You're obviously a fan if you're reading this, buy it for heaven's sake! :)

This "anthology" of songs make up this truly British rocker get in contact with his "wild-child" and his sensitive sides you could either love his 80s hit "Missing You" or The Babys "Head First" Your choice, but either way John Charles Waite knows how to express himself as either teen-idol or serious singer/songwriter We should have more people like John Out There Peace & Love.

First of all, the poor star-rating for this item is NOT a commentary on John Waite's music, but rather the expression of frustration with his label's (or his own) attempt to gather up a reasonable collection of his solo recordings. Waite had 10 of his songs make the top-100 pop chart. Creating a "greatest-hits", "best-of" or other compilation should not be an insurmountable task for either his label (EMI) or himself as the artist. 1992's "Essential" collection was a pretty lame attempt. Four years later, along comes this "Complete" collection with 17 tracks and the results are hardly any better than the first one. More than half of his charting songs, including two top-40 selling singles, still didn't somehow find their way into this (cough-cough) "complete" collection. Oh, it's just "Volume 1" so those songs will probably show up in volume 2. Oh, really? Here it is a decade and a half later and has anyone seen a volume two?

Many music fans prefer the original albums and sneer at "greatest hits" collections since they are just condensations of things already purchased. But there are many people that may not want every album and are looking for the "highlights" that a single product offers - therefore the "greatest hits" idea fills that void. They can be excellent pieces but all too often they are a waste of CD shelfspace and this one falls into that latter category. If one (EMI or John) is going to do a compilation CD, than do it right. It would only take ten of the up to 25 or so tracks that would fit on a single CD to at least get in all the hits. After that, be creative - failed singles, album cuts, soundtrack songs, unissued stuff - whatever. But for crying out loud, at least put in what the product is supposed to have FIRST.

Although I DO have Waite's individual albums on CD, I'm still looking for a GOOD compilation of Waite's solo recordings. Hopefully, some other reissue house (Rhino, perhaps) or an overseas label will do the job properly. It doesn't appear that the US EMI company has the capability, or at least, the desire, to do it.

Awsome song that everyone should listen to. the words realy say a lot when you listen to them. it would me a song that i would love to sing. maybe that should be the next reality show, people doing the things that they dream about!

This is one of those CD's I love to put in and listen to ALL of the tracks. I sometimes make long drives across the state. This CD and my "Heart Of Chicago" collection are my favrotes to listen to on those long drives.

John waite is a singer and lead vocalist who is greatly under rated. This album showes you what he has been up to this far. if you love ballads, love songs haunting rock and a.o.r. this is what you'll have to buy. My favorite track is 'Downtown' A song in which he takes us back to the days when he scored his solo #1 hit 'Missing you'

JOHN WAITE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE SINGERS SINCE I FIRST HEARD HIM SINGING "BROKEN HEART" WHEN I WAS A KID. THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT HIS VOICE THAT SPEAKS TOTAL SENSITIVITY AND SINCERITY ALONG WITH A GREAT ROCK N' ROLL EDGE TO GO ALONG WITH IT. HE HAS A GIFT TO MAKE YOU FEEL AS IF HE'S SINGING OR EXPRESSING HIMSELF TO ONLY YOU AND THAT MAKES HIS TALENT SPECIAL. THIS COLLECTION GIVES YOU A SNAPSHOT OF EVERY PART OF HIS CAREER AND IT IS A NICE INTRODUCTION TO A UNDERAPPRECIATED ARTIST. "HEAD FIRST", "IF YOU'VE GOT THE TIME", AND "BROKEN HEART" COME FROM JOHN WAITE'S FIRST BAND THE BABYS AND THEY ARE EXAMPLES OF CATCHY 70'S MELODIC ROCK BURSTING WITH A RAW INNOCENCE THAT STILL STRIKES A CHORD AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. BALLADS FROM JOHN WAITE'S SOLO CAREER INCLUDE THE CLASSIC HEARTBREAK URGENCY OF "MISSING YOU" AND THE SENSITIVE EMOTIONAL BEAUTY OF "IF ANYBODY HAD A HEART" WHICH INCLUDES BACK-UP VOCALS BY DON HENLEY. MEANWHILE YOU HAVE THE COOL 80'S ROCK N'ROLL KICK OF THE CLASSIC "CHANGE" WHICH COMES OFF HIS SOLO DEBUT IGNITION. THIS ALBUM ALSO INCLUDES THE POP METAL APPEAL OF BAD ENGLISH AS HEARD IN THE FIERY ROCKIN'"STRAIGHT TO YOUR HEART" AND THE UPLIFTING SAVED BY LOVE BALLAD "WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE". A NICE SET! CIAO. OF.

This is an incredible collection of songs, spanning the brilliant career of one of rock's quirkiest(and most rememorable) voices. From The Baby's to Bad English, John's trademark vocals (poignant as well as sarcastic) are indelibly written into the soundtrack of my life.

This CD is great! Love hearing the voice of this amazing man! John Waite is truly an amazing talent. The songs and the music bring me back to the days of the great music of my time, the 80's! I really enjoy this CD and so will YOU!