Revisited: The Waterboys "Fisherman's Blues".

Today’s album selection is "Fisherman's Blues" by The Waterboys from 1988. Having achieved his quest for "the big music" on 1985's "This Is The Sea", Mike Scott sought out a new palette. Out with the grandiosity and in with a sound that is awash with traditional Celtic folk influences, with a side of country and rock and roll for good measure. The album contains several of my favorite Waterboys' tunes including the title track, "Strange Boat", and "And A Bang On The Ear." Karl Wallinger co-penned the song "World Party" which became the name of his band. They even pulled off a fine cover of Van Morrison's "Sweet Thing" that morphs into some improvised lyrics from The Beatles' "Blackbird" toward the end. The sessions for the album are the stuff of legend. As Mike Scott remarked, "We started recording our fourth album in early '86 and completed it 100 songs and two years later." This would lead to a seven (!!!!) disc box set of the sessions being released in 2013. I defy anyone to listen to the joyous title track and not feel at least a tad happier.