Baby's Anthology CD

ANTHOLOGY contains tracks from all five of the Babys' albums, originally released between 1976 and 1980.
The Babys: John Waite (vocals, bass); Jonathan Cain (guitar, keyboards, background vocals); Michael Corby (guitar, keyboards); Wally Stocker (guitar); Ricky Phillips (bass); Tony Brock (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Kevin Kelly (piano); Jack Conrad (bass); Marti McCall, Diana Lee, Lisa Freeman Roberts, Pat Henderson, Myrna Mathews, Anne Marie Leclerc (background vocals).
Producers: Ron Nevison, Brian Christian, Bob Ezrin, Keith Olson.
Compilation producer: Kevin Flaherty.
Includes liner notes by Brad Elliot.
Digitally remastered using 24-bit technology by Evren Goknar (Capitol Mastering).
With a voice that was perfect for AOR, John Waite and his band the Babys shared the airwaves with groups like Journey and Foreigner in the late '70s and early '80s. His rock-tender vocals accompanied electric guitar and ample keyboards resulting in some appealing yet not overly flamboyant music. Anthology brings together ten of this band's best songs in a short but concise collection of the Babys' hits. All three of their charted songs are here, including "Isn't It Time" and "Every Time I Think of You," which both peaked at number 13 in 1977 and the latter again two years afterwards. "Back on My Feet Again" also broke the Top 40, hitting number 33 for three weeks in 1980. Each of their five albums are represented on this hits package, and the inclusion of Jonathan Cain on keyboards for 1980's Back on My Feet Again greatly enhanced their music, adding some texture and dimension. Cain, who replaced Mike Corby and bass player Rick Phillips, went on to play with San Francisco's Journey, where his keyboard artistry was better utilized. Although the songs are simply arranged and the lyrics are plain, there is still some music worth hearing among this set, such as the previously unreleased "Money" and the honest sounding "If You've Got the Time." "Turn and Walk Away" has some smooth background singing from Anne Marie Leclerc, and "Head First" is a catchy tune with Waite showing off his clean voice. Even though John Waite had greater success as a solo artist, hitting number one with "Missing You" in 1984, his work with the Babys showcases his talents within a band atmosphere. ~ Mike DeGagne
This is an expanded version of the then-disintegrating group's 1981 greatest hits compilation. It should probably be listened to as an early clue to lead singer John Waite's new direction in his far more successful solo career; a few of the songs featured here could pass for embryonic versions of the likes of "Missing You."
Not that The Babys music is without its own charms. The band seems to have aimed for a synthesis of the Raspberries and Cheap Trick, and while the resultant mix of power pop and arena rock doesn't always work, sometimes, notably on hits like "Isn't It Time" and "Every Time I Think of You," (both of which added touches of '60s pop soul to the mix) it works very well indeed. This new compilation includes cuts from all of the band's studio albums, plus two amusing covers--a thunderous version of Barrett Strong's "Money," and (surprisingly) the '50s teen chestnut "I Love How You Love Me."

W/Bonus Tracks