Solo Again (continued)
WHEN YOU WERE MINE
In 1997 Waite signs with Mercury and records a new solo album in New York in the first half of 1997, working with the same musicians as on his previous album. He produces the album himself. In the summer of 1997, Waite is back in Lancaster for 6 weeks for a visit with his family. He goes back to the States in August to do a radio interview to promote the release of his new album. On the same day that The Rolling Stones kick off a new world tour (September 23rd 1997) 'When You Were Mine' gets its US only release. (Originally titled 'Suicide Life,' but "my manager talked me out of it").
Waite says he got inspiration for the album while making a car trip through the USA. The album contains a Dylan cover ('Just Like a Woman'), but Waite's favourite song is: 'All I Want for Christmas.' The album release-party takes place in quite an unusual setting: near a small bar in the subway of New York.
The release is followed by a short promotion tour in the USA, late 1997. Waite performs several acoustic shows, together with guitarist Shane Fontayne. The title song of the album is planned as the first single, but Mercury doesn't release it. A second single 'Imaginary Girl' is released as a promo in February 1998.
In February 1998 Waite moves from New York to Los Angeles. No live dates are planned yet for the near future. Volume 2 of 'Falling Backwards' is planned for release later in 1998 by EMI. In May of 1998 John Waite leaves Mercury and his management team at Gold Mountain. "John is looking to make a change."
It is regrettable that a great singer like John Waite never got the lasting recognition in Europe that he, oh behalf of his excellent records, deserves. However, several Babys songs, 'Missing You' and various Bad English singles were hits in Europe. He is often confronted with problems with record companies in his musical career. The promotion of his records wasn't always done as well as he might have expected. On the other hand, neither The Babys and Bad English, nor John Waite himself, ever played live on the Continent.
The last chance that any European fan had to see Waite in concert in Europe was in August of 1986 at London's Marquee. His albums remain on a high level and in that respect one can say that it seems only a matter of time until Europe re-discovers Waite. In the USA, several fans have made 'homepages' on the Internet to promote Waite. But also Europe is 'on the move' for him. A fanclub has started in Scotland in 1997, this publication is made by European fans and much more is to follow. Due to Tina Turner's cover of 'Missing You' recently, Waite's name was heard of again. Renewed success in Europe for Waite seems really possible, it will take proper promotion, possibly a hit single or album, and a tour to achieve it.
