Waterboys [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

The Waterboys | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 23, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00005YU97
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,388 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Waterboys' first album is here reconstructed with a generous 30 minutes of additional music. When Mike Scott began assembling these recordings back in 1981 he was still some way from finding his vision for the Waterboys. The first album was not much more than a collection of solo recordings that reflected influences from his recent past, including the impact of punk and new wave on the regional band scene in the UK. His lyrics walk the fine line between pretension and insight. Only on "Savage Earth Heart" do we get a hint of the shape of things to come. Scott's unsophisticated piano drives a lot of the tracks, including the memorable "A Girl Called Johnny," but the album suffers from his carrying the weight of the playing. Anthony Thistlethwaite's sax is often shrill and obtrusive and the backing tracks miss the cohesion of a band. The producers of this reissue worked with Scott to restore edited and missing tracks left off the original long-player for space reasons, while also adding additional contemporaneous tracks. --Rob Stewart

Product Description

Digitally Remastered Edition of their Debut Album with Seven Tracks that were Previously Unavailable. The Version of 'gala' on this Edition is Now Corrected to the Full Length Track, Unedited as on Prior Issues of the Album.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waterboys [Original Recording Remasterd] [extra traks], May 18, 2002

By 

JOHN SALATA (Antioch, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waterboys (Audio CD)

Lyrics that will bite you heart out mixed with karaoke loops. It just happens to be pure unadulterated folk rock art that will touch your soul. If you were not alive in 1982, then jump on for a trip to the past. "Savage heart" followed by "Something Fantastic" presents an artistic range unseen in todays cookie cutter world.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece, April 15, 2007

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Waterboys (Audio CD)

This impressive debut album has been substantially enhanced with the addition of the extra tracks. The music is a most appealing mix of rousing guitars, piano, sax, drums and bass, and displays an appealing variety of styles.

There is a spiritual yearning in songs like the opening track December which is about death and rebirth. A Girl Called Johnny, the tribute to Patti Smith, has a prominent sax-driven sound, whilst the piano comes to the fore on The Three Day Man.

The slow ballad Gala with its lengthy instrumental introduction is built around a great piano arrangement. Other highlights include the powerful rock number It Should Have Been You and the evocative Savage Earth Heart.

The lyrics are intensely poetic and often infused with stirring transcendental imagery. Those who love the music of artists like Van Morrison, U2, Tim and Jeff Buckley will love this album.

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