Universal Hall

The Waterboys

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 20, 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.com Sales Rank: #192,312 in Music (See Bestsellers 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

Product Description

2003 album, released on their own Puck label, combines elements of pop, gospel, acoustic, & minimalism. 12 tracks. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	JOHN BYRNE (BELFAST, ANTRIM Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews

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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To those on a similar spiritual journey..., April 24, 2004

By	Richard Magee "Wish Ewe Were Hear" (Abingdon, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

... this cd helps light the way. If you follow Mike Scott into his love of CS Lewis, Eileen Caddy, and the spritual journey ("Been a long way to the Light" as he sang on a previous album," this CD makes perfect sense. Many of the songs are mantras/meditations accompanied by ethereal fiddle playing which, along with the words, lift the listener who is open to epiphany. As for the "oooeeooo" which seemed to bother reviewer Jim so much, I believe this is an example of using sound (as in "OM," to produce spiritual and physical efeects in the singer and listener. Having read numerous books on the subject of the healing power of music, I have to say this is the most uplifting, comforting, invigorating cd in my collection. I love a Waterboys rock-out as much as the next fan, but this collection of songs is extra special. Not music to dance to, so much as music to connect to God with. Definately not for those who eschew the spiritual side of music, but an absolute treat for those of us who do. Mike Scott has been far truer to his religious muse than Dylan or Van Morrison, who after a brief burst of spiritual creativity seem to have returned to other, more secular interests. Also, while Morriosn and Dylan spent a couple years playing only the new spiritual material, Mike Scott has mixed the new with the old in his live shows. Following a UNIVERSAL HALL song with "The Pan WIthin" or "I Know She's in the Building" show that Mike Scott hasn't abandoned his past work, only added to it, and that he sees that the scared and the physically passionate are not mutually exclusive.

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)

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.