FC2Video

This performance is from the Ohio leg of the opening for the Connells slot of late 1990. We had either just been to or just come from Cleveland, and apparently I had at least 5 minutes of time to get out in front of the stage for a change for a great take of this 'Bed Time Story' favorite. West of hidden.

The biggest hit from their largest selling album, here is a fine performance of "Baby Jane," played for an enthusiastic crowd at Norfolk's Boathouse. This performance is from a short set played at a January 1989 tribute to the late, great Dave Sherry, the man behind the live music of Norfolk's famous (and now sadly gone) King's Head Inn. Waxing Poetics played many a three-set-a-night gig at the King's Head, and it was their launch platform to the larger clubs and colleges of the east coast and beyond during their heyday of 1986-1991. All three studio albums now available on iTunes and amazon. www.waxingpoetics.net

The Elvis '68 inspiration continues with this rollicking take of the Jimmy Reed classic. If you watch the raw footage of the 'in the round' session from the Elvis 'Comeback' special, you'll see Elvis coming back to this song time and time again during the course of the performance.

Another treat from the David Middleton Combo. Elvis did a great version of this tune on the '68 'Comeback' special, the touchstone for this whole DMC gig.

A late 1990 take of the of the 'Manakin Moon' favorite, changed a bit from the album version, performed T-Birds in Asbury Park, NJ. This is apparently the debut of this version of the song. And it won't go away.

Bed Time Story's "Side 2" opener, performed at T-Birds in Asbury Park. Put down that gun and listen.

The popular TV theme, revved up to a breakneck throwdown. A popular set/show closer. I loved seeing peoples' face light up when they realized what the song was, and then rockin' their socks off. Performed at the Jetty. Get my turn at bat.

A beautiful, understated classic from Hermitage, performed at the Jetty. This take is a real treat, because it was rarely performed (especially at this late date) live. We'll rearrange the times.

The opening track from Manakin Moon, performed at the Boathouse. That opening drum riff would always bring the dancers a-runnin' for the dance floor. Before the moon is shinin'.

A fan favorite from the 'Hermitage' sessions, presented here in a live/concept edit, with candid & tour footage from all eras of the band. This song was one of the most-requested in the WP canon, but unfortunately never made it to vinyl/CD. This is a raw mix from the fingers and sliders of Mitch Easter, cut as a quick 'take home' in March '86 before the final mix. Everything's gone long.

Waxing Poetics perform a classic from the yet to be released at the time of this show 'Bed Time Story.' New Year's Eve 1989 at Norfolk's famous Boathouse. Jeff Bailey had been playing bass for the band nearly a year now. I've got some money, and some credit.

Waxing Poetics perform 'Target White' at the King's Head Inn in Norfolk, mid-1986. The band was together, the music was written, and Dave set his sights on writing the lyrics to this first 'Waxing Poetics' song. A frequent set opener, good textures, crafty bass line, great drive and that 'stop' on the chorus is always an attention getter. Find the concrete words.

David Middleton Combo opening for Joe 'King' Carrasco at the King's Head Inn in Norfolk, VA in the Summer of 1988. Bil literally kicks off a fine reading of Doc Pomus' "Lonely Avenue," a hit for Ray Charles in 1958. These gigs all featured hep-cat rockabilly, blues and early rock and roll tunes, and Mr. Sherry was very disappointed that Dave wouldn't keep booking the band at the King's Head.

What I Did on My Summer Vacation... well, Dave put together a sweet little combo in 1988 with BoWeevil Mark Lawrence on guitar, Boweevil but soon-to-be-Poetic Jeff Bailey on Bass, and 'Fedora' Bil Shearin on percussion. This gig is opening for Joe 'King' Carrasco at the King's Head Inn in Norfolk, and this is a fine take of Lightnin' Hopkins 'Feel So Bad.'

Take a quick trip down to "Jawjah" (as Paul says as he intros the tune) with this frequent set opener during this period of time. This song was called 'Different Lands' on the 'Hermitage' board tape that I have. I believe it almost made it onto the final cut of 'Hermitage' under the name 'Mad Dogs and Indians,' and JCH was the set list abbreviation for this song entitled (and sometimes accompanied by) 'Jimmy Carter's Head.' July '87 Peabody's shoot, board audio. Surely but meanwhile.

This song from the earlier days of the band is the first song I heard them play at Cogan's Instant Art back in 1984. My eyebrows went up and I said to myself "These guys really have something here." From the July '87 Peabody's shoot, sound board audio. Which way is home?

Here's a favorite tune from the earliest days of the band. Dave's in full Swingin' Medallions Summer of Love style here, from the Lennon glasses to the Rickenbacker. By the way, colorful lights are a great device for a live show... on 20-year-old VHS video... umm... not so much. From the July, 1987 Peabody's shoot; this is obviously the front camera shot, board audio. She makes arrangements, but loses interest.

From the November, 1988 Boathouse show. Great show, sold-out hometown all ages crowd, and of course a great song. What's it about? Well, maybe we'll get that out of Dave one day. If you're lucky enough.

Dave takes the spotli... erm.. the uh.. bare bulb in this concert opener at the gone-but-not-forgotten Boathouse; a favorite concert venue for many performers and show-goers, and now sadly condemned after Isabel tore the roof off the sucka in 2003. Poetics always sold out the joint, and their reunion show in '03 was one of the last shows played there. THIS take is from November 1988. We got laws 'round here 'bout that.

Waxing Poetics perform the mighty 'Blue-Eyed Soul' as their set closer, opening for the Connells in the Main Room at Minneapolis' famous First Ave. & 7th St. Entry in December 1990. This was our first stop on the way _back_ from Brookings, South Dakota. All about an expensive room.

Waxing Poetics perform 'Side By Side By Sometime' at The Jetty in Virginia Beach, Spring 1988. A track from the soon-to-be-released (at the time this video was shot) 'Manakin Moon' album. Never gonna make the same mistake.

Waxing Poetics perform the classic track from 'Bed Time Story' at T-Birds in Asbury Park, NJ in December 1990. A recent Google search indicated that T-Birds had closed. Sad to hear, but you can see a great band having a great time in this video. Underneath this sky, my troubles melt like clay.

Waxing Poetics perform 'East O' Jesus' at T-Birds in Asbury Park, NJ in December 1990. This was a great little club, with a receptive audience, a fun staff, and a smelly dog. Dave's playing his newly-acquired Gibson acousto-lectro guitar. This tune is from the just-out-at-the-time 'Bedtime Story' album. The world's last idiot - a proper word.

Waxing Poetics perform the high-energy 'Iodine' at The Jetty in Virginia Beach, Spring 1988. A track from the soon-to-be-released (at the time this video was shot) 'Manakin Moon' album. Sean Henessy on bass. I will rise again. I won't feel no pain.

Waxing Poetics perform the song 'Marianne Faithfull' at The Jetty in Virginia Beach, Spring 1988. This song was available as a 'bonus track' on the 'Manakin Moon' CD, which was about to hit the record racks when this video was shot. Sean Henessy on bass. She's got everything to live for, cuz she died a thousand times.

Waxing Poetics play the Raleigh Convention Center opening for The Connells, December 21st, 1990. Turbo-charged version of the 'Manakin Moon' favorite. Opening track on the live CD 'Never Were, Never There' (superior audio, not this show). Have I said too much? Have I gone too far?

Waxing Poetics play the Raleigh Convention Center opening for The Connells, December 21st, 1990. Great crowd, great show, great version of this song. Audio from mic on camera, band sounds great, had to pump the mids to get Dave's vocals from the monitors. I could never do anything bad enough that's good enough to please you.