The Waterboys Album: “Karma to Burn”

and one of the best CDs period. Mike Scott leaves nothing on the table and brings to the proceedings material from the entire Waterboys' catalogue. I'll never understand how they self-destructed on the cusp of greatness in the early nineties. This was a band to reckon with and they had the excitement and the energy and the tunes to eclipse Springsteen and a whole host of others who simply play to the gallery. Scott went into a period of solo outings and nominal Waterboy efforts, but perhaps with the release of the FISHERMAN'S BLUES SESSIONS a couple of years back, it struck Scott how viable the concern still was.

To that end a band was reformed around himself and Steve Wyckham and the tours reconvened. This is an exciting amalgamation culled from the 2004 UK and Irish tours and ever track crackles and burns with an intensity that Scott brought to his best efforst. In fact, this release falls squarely in line with FISHERMAN'S BLUES, THE LIVE ADVENTURES OF THE WATERBOYS, THIS IS THE SEA. It is so superb in every respect that it is arguably the best Waterboys disc to date. The 13 minute version of "Pan Within" never lets up (ONLY THE VERSION ON LIVE ADVENTURES that fuses the song with Patti Smith's "Because The Night" is more cathrtic). I've nearly wrecked the car twice while this was on. "Peace of Iona" for his native Scotland is so heartfelt, you'd be excused for packing it all in and heading for a croft in the Western Hebrides. "Whole of the Moon" resonates with such passion, it is nearly as inflammatory as the version on LIVE ADVENTURES. Dissolving into "Fisherman's Blues" it is one of the most thrilling experieneces you'll ever have with a recorded disc. "fisherman's Blues" is possibly one of the best songs ever written in the entire Irish-Scots Rock catalogue and resonates with an authenticity that speaks to everyone. Sharon Shannon comes on for the encore and it's a keeper of a tune, hopefully signalling that where ROOM TO ROAM left off, there will be a return to form. I hope so. A second coming of the full power of the Waterboys would be almost too much to ask for, and makes one delerious at the very likely prospect of its deliverance. Maith Thu! Iontach Mhaith!

This cd is great for what it is- a one cd set of live recordings culled from many shows. Generally I'm not a big fan of this approach- I'd prefer a whole live show, warts and all, as opposed to selecting the best tracks from a myriad of performances.

That said, my disdain for the "cut and paste live cd" is overcome by the incredible performances here. My only real gripe- I want more. A 2-cd set would offset the cut and paste approach. Also, where is the song "Universal Hall?" I saw The Waterboys in Annapolis, Maryland at The Rams Head and found the live version of "Universal Hall" the most moving, spiritually musical experience of my life. It expands on the studio version the way you'd like a live performance to.

In my opinion, this is a cd all fans of The Waterboys would love to have.

The Return of Jimi Hendrix nearly moved me to tears the first time I heard it.

Some tunes were better on the 'Live Adventures', especially 'The Pan Within' and that massive sound, but this is a great sampling of their stuff and it only leaves me wanting more and more from these guys.

Brilliant stuff, what else is there to say?

I didn't know what to expect with this CD, since Mike Scott often traverses the thin line between the sublime (This Is The Sea) and the absurd (Rock in a Weary Land). He either inspires me or makes me laugh at how trapped in his myth he is.

That being said, this is an excellent live album. The title from my favorite song from Fisherman's 2: Higher in Time should have been a clue. The familar "hits" are probably better in their studio versions, but if you were at the show, these were undoubtedly phenomenal representations. I especially liked the first 2 songs. A Long Way to the Light has everything great about a post Fisherman's Blues Waterboys that a fan could ever want. "I knelt to kiss the tarmac. The proud Gaelic blood rising in my veins." Indeed.

Peace of Iona tones down the drama and wins on subtlety. Plus, Mike's singing on the chorus is so damn melodic, as opposed to usual Dylanesque.

My Dark Side from Still Burning is another highlight. If you've lost your faith in the Waterboys, this CD proves that like Neil Young & Dylan, you can never count Mike Scott out just because he puts out a dodgy CD or 3. Please tour America, full electric band, Mike. All is forgiven.

This is a terrific collection of live Waterboys songs, including several solo Mike Scott tunes. What can I say other than the sound quality for a live recording is simply fantastic. Hope Mike and his crew get to tour the states soon. After seeing the Pogues live last month in Los Angeles, it's time for a few other Gaelic rockers to get back to their fans...