After signing with Chrysalis Records for—at the time—the highest paid contract for a new band, The Babys released their self-titled debut in 1976, with Broken Heart following the next year, containing the Top 20 hit “Isn’t It Time.”

Released at the end of 1978, Head First arrived, and the newly expanded band featuring future-Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain and bassist Ricky Philips hit the road. (Waite, Cain, and Philips would later reunite in the platinum-selling act Bad English, whose “When I See You Smile” hit #1 in 1989).

The Babys played two nights at New York’s fabled Bottom Line in early 1979, showcasing not only material from their first three albums, but debuting a trio of new songs. One track, “Crystal Ball.” would appear in a different form as “Anytime” on 1981’s Union Jacks; another, “Stick To Your Guns,” was recorded for that album but never issued; and a third, “Loaded,” existed only in their live shows.

Those three tracks, coupled with the rest of their 11-track set, are finally available on Live At The Bottom Line, 1979. All performances are previously unissued.

Featuring their hits “Isn’t It Time” and Head First’s “Every Time I Think Of You” (both of which hit #13 on the Billboard Charts), fan favorites, and three new tracks unavailable anywhere else, The Babys: Live At The Bottom Line, 1979 is an important document in the history of The Babys and a fascinating listen to the band at the peak of their creativity in a stellar performance at a legendary venue.

1. Head First
2. Give Me Your Love
3. Run To Mexico
4. California
5. Every Time I Think Of You
6. Stick To Your Guns
7. Crystal Ball (aka Anytime)
8. Isn’t It Time
9. Lookin’ For Love
10. Money (That’s What I Want)
11. Loaded

This brilliant live flashback to the incarnation of The Babys opens on the vibe setting rocker Head First and the groovy, funk-laden Give Me Your Love and then we get the terrific AOR of Run To Mexico and the mid-tempo ballad California and the highly impassioned, simply breathtaking, albeit not wholly the single version we are all used to hearing) classic Every Time I Think Of You.

Along next is the guitar searing smokester Stick To Your Guns and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the effective rocker Crystal Ball (aka Anytime), the Jonathan Cain infused Isn’t It Time, the drum-led, funky guitar work within the delicious rocker Lookin’ For Love, the set rounding out on the rhythm and blues song written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford, the blindingly strident Money (That’s What I Want), closing on the synth-coursing rock and roll of Loaded.

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