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By Robin McRae

MASK OF SMILES

AKA: The Holy Grail As Written By John Waite

1985 EMI America Records

This, the 3rd of Johns solo albums, out of print, hardest to obtain and the most sought after of his works, as evidenced by the going rate on the internet auction sites such as Ebay, where it recently sold for over $300.00. It is thought by most to be his best effort and rightly so. Due to the high demand, coupled with the difficulty in finding the lp, I asked John a while back, if he would share some of his thoughts, favorites, and/or any insight on this review, as I knew we, as fans, would savour his personal feelings about this awesome record. I think everyone will enjoy hearing this and he was very happy to share these thoughts for our benefit, as the die-hard fans we truly are. But, as I've said many times before, this album is so special that, fans or not, would be enjoyed by all. As in most of Johns writings, he enjoys to, "write and live the experience at the same time", as he was touring when he wrote this album, promoting "No Brakes". This was a very personal lp for him and as John told me, "It's the only record I can't listen to, it takes me right back there. A great time !" Hope you all enjoy this review, a very special album from a very special man.

"Every Step Of The Way" A very up-beat tune; typical of John, expressing his feelings in a rock n' roll, but truthful and exhilirating way, saying 'No matter where you go/I'm with you/Every step of the way/No matter what you need/I've got more every single day/My heart is full for you/And I'm longing to find you/Every step of the way/I'm with you/Every step of the way.' Sung as only John can do. "Laydown" on the other hand, takes it up a notch. This song is a true rocker, sexy and to the point with the songs beginning, 'It aint the way you look at me/No nor the way you talk/Could be a dark side coming out of me/But I just like that way that you walk/And I know what you've got is a thing for me/And I want that thing awful bad/Don't mess around/This is too intense/I'm getting hot on the spot', following with the chorus, 'Tell me just to laydown/And stay down/For my love/Laydown/And stay down/For my love/Laydown/And stay down/For my love/Yeah/Laydown'. Every note, every beat, is pure John-one of my personal favorites. But then again, this entire lp is so awesome, hard to pick just ONE favorite ! "Welcome To Paradise" Slowing things down a bit, John sings once again about his personal experiences. A lost love, "because of always being pulled away on the road again" John told me. As John sings, "....and sometimes New York City/Feels like burnin' Rome/I'm lost and I'm crazy/Too much time on my own/I'd give anything to find a heart/That can't be sold' with the chorus, telling us so sadly, 'Welcome to paradise/Here is my brave new world/And in my paradise/I'm waiting for a certain girl'. Then, on "Lust For Life", bringing it back up again, this foot tapping, upbeat rocker will definitely get you moving. As John relayed to me stating, "was me enjoying every second of the touring madness. Its great to wake up each morning and not actually know exactly which country your in" although, "after a while it gets to you-the first few months were great fun" with his personal roadie and "a wardrobe Elvis would have been proud of. A good time was had by all...". As his lyrics say, 'Me oh my oh/Fire and ice/Jet black colours/I've got a lust for life/Just like diamond strife/The Lust'. On "Aint That Peculiar", this is one of those up-beat 'fun'songs that we can all say, we've been there before...As John sings '....Every chance you get you seem to/Hurt me more and more and more/But each hurt makes my love/Stronger than before'. A great, fast paced song that will have you dancin from the start ! "Just Like Lovers" A very soulfull, romantic, ballad type tune; another one I'm sure everyone has brushed against at one time or another. Johns velvety, smooth and soft voice really gets the point accross on this one-thought provoking yet easy listening. A range only he can do, so masterfully. You feel all the emotions as he sings 'Some of the people never get to know/What we're going through/And if we're just good friends/I want to know/Why it feels like its so much more/Are we just like lovers/I wanta know/I wanta know/Oh/ We're just like lovers....' ending sadly, 'Some other time some other place/Cause we're just like one another/Some other time some other place...'. You get a similar feeling on the next track the "The Choice" . This is a soft, sentimental song as John sings of a very special love. As John explained to me how difficult touring can be "when one day your in LA and the next day Tokyo. It was like moving at the speed of sound". This is a powerful tune, again, his velvety smooth, sensuous voice puts you right there with lyrics like: 'I'll be there in your darkness/In the daylight like your sun/See you make my heart beat fast my love/you are my special one/Do you still recognize/When you hear love's voice/Are you surprised/You and I we've both got a choice'. Then on "You're The One", John picks up the pace once again, rounding out the album with a dramatic sounding tune that leaves you wanting more. Alot more. He sings of a love that 'Got my soul in your hands/No matter what you do/I know it must be right/I'm a man of the world/And I've seen everything/And this time I see one I like/You're the one/That's keeping me wide awake at night/You are/You're the one/And you could be my lucky break/You just might'. "No Brakes" This, the last song of this awesome album does not disappoint but as previously said, leaves you wanting more. This hard driving rockn'roller will have you boogeying from the first note. Just a sample of the lyrics, 'I can't take you anywhere these days/Baby you're going wild/Your lips and nylons/Baby you've got what I think/I think it takes/You've got no taste/You've got what it takes/A gal with no brakes at all'.

June, 2000

Thanks Robin!!