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The Babys – ‘Silver Dreams: Complete Albums 1975-1980’ (2019)

January 16, 2020

The Babys – ‘Silver Dreams: Complete Albums 1975-1980’ (2019)

A band who suffered from the diversity of their sound and lack of settling into a particular genre for which record buyers purchased their releases, The Babys released five fine albums and at least that many hit quality singles between 1975 and 1980, all of which are compiled, along with alternate takes, mono and stereo single mixes, a non-LP b-side, the band’s unreleased proposed 1975 debut LP and a promo only 1977 live album, on ‘Silver Dreams’ the new six disc collection on Cherry Red Records’ HNE Recordings imprint.


The Babys’ recordings combined the gorgeous vocals of bassist John Waite and hard rocking lead guitar of Wally Stocker, the results ranging from delicate, melodic ballads to power pop to straight out rockers, never content to settle into any particular pigeonhole musically. The fruits of their efforts, contained in this new set, certainly received a much better fate sales wise, but stand as a document of the abilities of each member as well as the group as a whole. Sadly, however, the group is probably best remembered for being the taking off point of vocalist John Waite’s solo career and the contributions of keyboardist Jonathan Cain in Journey following the dissolution of The Babys.

Disc one contains the group’s s/t 1976 album, recorded in Canada, and opening with the hard rocking ‘Looking For Love which features two swirling Stocker solos that soar, filled with feedback. The crisp rocker ‘If You’ve Got The Time’ showcases Waite’s gorgeous vocals as well as another smoking solo by Stocker. Released as a single the tune only reached #88 on the Billboard charts, while the LP topped at #133, neither receiving the attention they deserved. ‘I Believe In Love’ is more restrained, Waite’s vocals mixed to the fore of the melodic song. The band stretches out on the six and a half minute album closer ‘Dying Man’ with piano and drums building a groove filled out by Stocker’s wah wah guitar. The rest of the LP mixes delicate numbers such as ‘I Love How You Love Me’ and ‘Over And Over’ with hard rockers like ‘Rodeo’ and ‘Read My Stars.’ A wonderful document of the versatility of The Babys’, the album, like its successors and their singles, received even less exposure in the group’s native UK than in the US. The album is supplemented by the mono single edit of ‘If You’ve Got The Time’, the non-LP b-side ‘Head Above The World’ and an alternate take of ‘It You’ve Got The Time.’

Disc two is centered around The Babys’1977 follow up ‘Broken Heart’ which fared much better reaching #34 on the Billboard Hot 200 charts, in large part due to the success of the melodic single ‘Isn’t It Time’ which peaked at #13, thanks largely to its wonderful melody blending Michael Corby’s piano and John Waite’s vocals. Another fine example of the group’s versatility, the album’s tunes range from delicate numbers, like ‘Isn’t It Time’ and the box sets’ title track ‘Silver Dreams’ to heavy rockers ‘And If You Could See Me Fly’ and a brilliant cover of ‘Money (That’s What I Want).’ The album’s eleven tracks are complemented by the mono single versions of ‘Silver Dreams’ and ‘Isn’t It Time’ as well as the stereo single edit of ‘Isn’t It Time.’ The LP was the group’s commercial breakthrough, in the US at least, and set the scene for the group’s biggest seller.

Disc three contains 1978’s ‘Head First’ which proved to be the band’s high point, at least as far as sales are concerned, peaking at #22 on the charts and contained another #13 single in ‘Every Time I Think Of You.’ The LP opener ‘Love Didn’t Prove I’m Right’ is a snappy, just over two and a half minute, rocker featuring more wonderful vocals from Waite and a strong performance by Stocker, who supplies the tune’s heavy guitar solo outro. Once again, the album is a wonderful mix of delicate songs such as ‘I Was One’ and ‘White Lightning’ and heavier numbers like ‘Please Don’t Leave Me Here’, ‘Run To Mexico’ and ‘California. Another standout track is the balladish ‘You (Got It)’ again mixing gorgeous piano and vocals. The disc is rounded out by stereo single edits of the title track and ‘Every Time I Think Of You’ as well as mono single mixes of both tunes.

Disc four centers around 1980’s ‘Union Jack’ which marked the entrance of Jonathan Cain on keyboards and vocals, replacing founding member Michael Corby and Ricky Phillips joining the band on bass, with Waite devoting himself to lead vocals. A strong effort, the album did not perform as well as its predecessor, showing the fickleness of record buyers and the band’s unwillingness to conform to any one genre of music. The album opens with a wonderful piece of power pop ‘Back On My Feet Again’ a perfect AM single for all appearances, with its mix of organ, piano and guitar along with a fine vocal performance by Waite. The tune, however, reached only #33 on Billboards’ charts and marked the group’s last Top 40 hit, while the LP itself topped out at #42, a harbinger of things to come. More than any of the group’s previous albums, ‘Union Jack’ served as a showcase for lead guitarist Wally Stocker. His performances are especially strong on several tracks, ‘True Love True Confessions’ ‘Midnight Rendezvous’ ‘In Your Eyes’ ‘Turn Around In Tokyo’ and ‘Anytime’ as the band’s sound is reminiscent of Free or Bad Company at their high points, which may have confused record buyers expecting a more commercially accessible release, much to the band’s chagrin. The LP did have another commercially viable tune in ‘Midnight Rendezvous’ but the song was a disappointment, reaching only #72, likely due to its heavier sound. The disc is filled out by five live performances, including the group’s biggest hits ‘Isn’t It Time’ and ‘Every Time I Think Of You’ as well as rocking takes on ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’ and ‘Head First’ as well as the mono single versions of ‘Back On My Feet Again’ and ‘Midnight Rendezvous.’

Disc five is built around the original incarnation of The Babys’ swan song album, 1980’s ‘On The Edge’ which was a relative commercial failure, reaching only #71 on the charts, and with its singles faltering as well, marked the end of the line for the band. The album’s plight was certainly not a reflection of the quality of material contained on it. As with its predecessor, the LP was heavier than the early albums, with Wally Stocker’s guitar dominant from the opening track ‘Turn And Walk Away’ which when released as a 45 stalled at #42, a disappointment to both the band and its label. ‘Sweet 17’, ‘Rock And Roll Is Alive And Well’, ‘Downtown’, ‘Postcard’, ‘Too Far Gone’, ‘Gonna Be Somebody’ and ‘Love Won’t Wait’ are all rockers with only ‘She’s My Girl’ and ‘Darker Side Of Town’ showcasing the gentler, poppier side of the band. Despite strong vocal performances by Waite throughout, the album failed to click with the record buying public, and led to Waite exiting for a solo career, Jonathan Cain joining Journey and Stocker moving on to Rod Stewart’s band before becoming part of a post Steve Marriott incarnation of Humble Pie. The disc ends with the mono single versions of ‘Turn And Walk Away’ and ‘Postcard.’

Disc six is a special treat for 1970’s music lovers, containing The Babys’ promo only 1977 LP ‘Live At The Tower Theater, Philadelphia’ and ‘The Official Unofficial BABYS Album, recorded in 1975, although unreleased at the time. The live album is a mix of light and heavy, but features the band stretching out on nearly every performance. The opening tune ‘Looking For Love’ is a showcase for Stocker’s guitar, his feedback drenched solos especially notable. ‘Rodeo’ and ‘If You’ve Got The Time’ likewise feature Stocker’s lead guitar work, while ‘Wild Man’, ‘I Believe In Love’ and ‘Give Me Your Love’ are mellower, with Mike Corby’s keyboards and John Waite’s vocals the focus. The 1975 recordings lean toward the group’s heavy side. The Babys’ hard rocking sound is represented on numbers such as the opening track ‘Bitch Or Angel’ with Stocker’s guitar the focus. ‘I Wear Your Ring’ likewise is reminiscent of the group’s Free/Bad Company element. ‘I’m Falling’ and ‘Do It Nice’ on the other hand, are representative of the gentler, more commercial side of the band’s sound. Wally Stocker’s guitar stands out on ‘Time On My Hands’, ‘You’ll Get Yours’, ‘Jack The Lad’, ‘Rainy Day’ and ‘If You Could See Me Fly. ‘Do It Nice’ and ‘Step In Line’ by contrast, represent The Babys’ lighter side, with Waite’s vocals dominating. ’

‘Silver Dreams: Complete Albums 1975-1980’ comes in a clamshell box, with each of the six discs in their own cardboard replica LP sleeves. The set comes with a twelve page full color fold out booklet containing full track listings and photos of the band’s albums and singles. The collection’s sound is excellent, as one has come to expect of all releases on Cherry Red’s HNE Recordings label, with its nine mono single mixes especially interesting. This box set will appeal to all fans of mid to late 1970’s rock and power pop and comes most highly recommended. While The Babys’ records may not have been huge sellers when originally released this box set stands as evidence that the quality of material was not responsible and most definitely serves as the most comprehensive collection of the band’s recordings ever released.

– Kevin Rathert

The Babys – Silver Dreams: Complete Albums 1975-1980 (HNE Recordings, 2019)

One Comment
  1. The Triumph of the Thrill says:

    Interesting, one worth checking out. These reissues of vintage recordings are always a treat.

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