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.'
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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