The WaterboysCountry of origin:Scotland Type of music generally:Folk/rock with neo-traditional and traditional music Status:Most recent release, Out of All This Blue (3 CDs, 2017) See also:The Official Waterboys—Mike Scott Homepages Comparisons:Early work like U2; later work like Malicorne or Steeleye Span's rockier moods Covers/own material:Mostly own, some arrangements of traditional songs General comments:How can a band do such a wonderful album and have the rest of their albums so mixed and mostly boring? I love love love The Waterboys' Fisherman's Blues—it's brilliant. But I've never been able to work up any enthusiasm for the other records of theirs I've heard and owned. I keep Room To Roam, but only because of their great version of "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy", which is one of my favourite traditional tunes. Mostly their other albums are a snore—at least in my opinion. (Neile) Recommended first album:Fisherman's Blues Recordings include:
Fisherman's BluesRelease info:1988—Ensign/Chrysalis/MCA—VKW-41589 DIDX 2704 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended for fans of rocked-up traditional music Group members:Mike Scott—vocals, guitar, Hammond organ, piano, drums, bowed bouzoukis Guest artists:Peter McKinney—drums Produced by:John Dunford and Mike Scott Comments:One of my favourite folk/rock discs of all time. It's a great collection of songs.I love the whole thing, especially "A Bang on the Ear" and "When Will We Be Married?" I defy anyone to listen to these songs without wanting to dance. I adore Fisherman's Blues. To my mind nothing they've done before or after, individually or as the original group, can hold a candle to it. (Neile) Room To RoamRelease info:1990—Ensign/Chrysalis/MCA—F2 21768 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Recommended for fans of The Waterboys Group members:Anto Thistlethwaite—sax, mandolin, etc. Guest artists:Roddy Lorimer—trumpet Produced by:Barry Beckett and Mike Scott Comments:While there are some wonderful moments on this disc there are several I have to skip over when I play the disc because they're so smarmy. Yuck. But their version of "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy" almost makes up for it. Almost. (Neile) Dream HarderRelease info:1993—Geffen—GFLD 19318 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Recommended for fans of The Waterboys Group members:Mike Scott—vocals, electric rhythm guitar, lead guitar, piano, keyboards, electric piano, rattles, organ, bells, acoustic guitar, synthesiser, bellzuki, electric piano bass, wah keyboards, effects, Native American flute Guest artists:Kenny Aaronson—bass on 2 tracks Produced by:Mike Scott and Bill Price (10 tracks) Mike Scott (2 tracks) Comments:OK, so there isn't a band, but for all essential purposes, Mike Scott IS The Waterboys. And this album definitely is a triumphant return to the rock style that he started with. (pmcohen@voicenet.com) |
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