Universal Hall

The Waterboys | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Minty Fresh
• ASIN: B0000AQS74
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,451 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

While restless musical eclecticism and unabashed spiritualism have been the ruin of many a lesser band, Mike Scott's Waterboys have oft worn them as a badge of honor throughout their rough ‘n' tumble history. And while those shifts from electric to acoustic, anthemic to ethnic have produced nearly as much consternation as transcendence for their listeners, each effort has been true to itself in subtly different ways. That's no less true on this collection of, in Scott's own summation, "one Irish reel and eleven spiritual-based songs." The crypto-religious dimensions of Scott's long dalliance with the Findhorn Foundation are marked from the album's title (a Scottish theater run by the organization) and the upbeat, neo-classicism of the opening anthem, "This Light Is for the World." "The Christ in You" and "Silent Fellowship" continue those themes, but begin to explore the subtle, compelling sonic dimensions that are the album's greatest strength. With fiddler Steve Wickham back in the fold, the band's folk ambitions resonate anew with quiet strength on the lovely "Peace of Iona" and the vigorous reel, "Dance at the Crossroads." Yet "Seek the Light" proves Scott can just as quickly still conjure the challenging electro-angst of the Waterboys "comeback," Rock In a Weary Land , before coming full circle on the expansive, spiritually unapologetic title track.--Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Magic, December 16, 2003

By 

"jbstar2" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Universal Hall (Audio CD)

Mike Scott (guitars, Vocal , Richard Niaff (keys) and Steve Wickham (fiddle) have been together just 3 or so years (Scott is the Waterboys with whomever he wishes to work with) and this is the first waterboys album to feature all 3. Magnificient. A truly remarkeable record, where Scott manages to reveal his soul bare and write songs to inspire and move. Written out of a unique profound faith, he twists and restles with his love for faith. Universal Hall the title track is a dreamy story of sending light upon people and land. The track takes its name from a Spiritual santuary for all believers in Northern Scotland. It is a hall in the Findhorn Foundations centre at Findhorn Bay a place where Scott calls his Spiritual home and the place where the record was recorded. The music is intricate yet very simple, and always uplifting. I find it hard to imagine any listener comming away after a listen feeling anything but joy.
One other point. This is a group that must be experienced live, seek them out, you will not regret it.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply beautiful!, June 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Universal Hall (Audio CD)

Universal Hall is almost the complete musical antithesis to the last Waterboys CD (Rock in a weary land). Where 'Weary Land' was mostly angry, electric, dramatic and sometimes sounding like it was "recorded in Hell", "Hall" is gentle, melodic and positive (the track "seek the light" is the musical exception, but the message still fits with the rest of this CD).

Universal Hall finds Mike Scott at peace, and in the same Findhorn environment which brought the muscially similar "Bring 'Em All In". However, where that disk contained questions and cries for help ("Columba heal my back heart", "what do you want me to do?" etc.), Universal Hall provides answers.

The beauty of Mike's words and melodies is found in standouts like "The Christ in You", "Every Breath is Yours", and the sublime "Peace of Iona". Also, the return of Steve Wickham is magical - he has never sounded better, and his tune "Dance at the Crossroads" would not be out of place if heard in The Green Dragon in Bywater!

As always, the sound of the Waterboys has progressed - this is not "Fisherman's Blues", or "This Is the Sea", but it is equally fabulous.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slainte!, December 12, 2003

By 

Matthew J. Harris (Southgate, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Universal Hall (Audio CD)

Mike Scott has always seemed to follow his heart as opposed to the pocketbook in his musical releases. The guy can rock and play with the best of them...and he can really deliver on the low key. Never predictable, always literate and without being "fake" or "hyped". I like the CD and the more I listen it simply grabs you...not a knock over the head. Mike Scott and his Waterboys will always be relevant.