The Waterboys Album: “Live Adventures of the Waterboys”

If you didn't know Purple Rain was track 10 on disk one, you'd be thinking to yourself, "This is a cool intro, wonder where this is going?" Given the movie had just come out and the song wasn't yet an 80's classic, covering it at Glastonbury seems an interesting and intriguing choice. Having Wickham's fiddle do the solo at the end where Prince's guitar should be is incredible.

Lots of other stuff to like here, but the reason to buy this is that the WBs were at one time, the almightiest live act on Earth. And these discs capture that. A band that one one hand can cover an obscure Dylan track, a Hank Williams ballad, Fisherman's Blues... and then burst out screaming into "Be My Enemy" and "Medicine Bow"... well, not too many bands can pull that off.

Over on the British Amazon site, one reviewer said to experience the WBs you needed this and Fisherman's Blues 2 (aka Too Close to Heaven). I'd disagree. You really just need this one. And if you need to see where the band was going at this point in time, get "Room to Roam", which is far more interesting than most of the later work.

One question - why does Amazon's Editorial Review above state this is the only official live release? It was not released by the band or its label at the time. The "official" live album was "Karma to Burn" released just a few years ago.

For anyone interested in the Waterboys...you've got to get this disc. The band is amazing in its delivery of the 18 songs on this double CD. Their ability to improvise is truely a rare find, and songs like Old England, The Thrill is Gone, The Pan Within, and Spirit are unbelievable. Mike Scott sings with such emotion and power throughout and the band is impeccable in its precision. The set closes with a wonderful and fitting song, Saints and Angels. This is a beautiful live tribute to a great band.

Well, if you like The Waterboys, or even if you're just curious about them, you NEED this CD. Believe me, I have followed them for almost 15 years, and can easily say that this recording comes the closest to capturing the inspiration, energy, virtuosity, and absolute emotion that Mike Scott and The Waterboys signify. The sound is a bit rough (as if you were listening live at a bar), but the performances are amazing. I got goosebumps when I listened to "This is the Sea", "The Thrill is Gone" and "Pan Within" -three masterpieces performed with utmost intensity. Also, there is an excellent, slightly funky version of "Old England". Die-hard fans and neophytes, you have to get this one.