The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues

Mike Scott had been pursuing his grandiose "big music" since he founded the Waterboys, so it came as a shock when he scaled back the group's sound for the Irish and English folk of Fisherman's Blues. Although the arena-rock influences have been toned down, Scott's vision is no less sweeping or romantic, making even the simplest songs on Fisherman's Blues feel like epics. Nevertheless, the album is the Waterboys' warmest and most rewarding record, boasting a handful of fine songs ("And a Bang on the Ear," the ominous "We Will Not Be Lovers," "Has Anybody Here Seen Hank?," and the title track), as well as a surprisingly successful cover of Van Morrison's breathtaking "Sweet Thing." [Fisherman's Blues was reissued in 2006 with a bonus disc containing fourteen outtakes, alternate versions and late-night studio jams. The re-mastered original included extended versions of "And a Bang on the Ear" and "World Party."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Abergavenny Male Voice Choir Choir, Chorus Alec Finn Bouzouki Anthony Thistlethwaite Harmonica, Saxophone, Slide Mandolin, ?, Mandolin Bob Johnson Producer Brendan O'Regan Bouzouki Charlie Lennon Fiddle Colin Blakey Piano, ?, Flute, Horn Dave Ruffy Drums Fran Breen Drums Jay Dee Daugherty Drums Jenny Haan Choir, Chorus John Dunford Mixing, Producer John Grimes Engineer Kevin Wilkinson Drums Martin O'Connor Accordion Mike Scott Guitar, Drums, Piano, Producer, Vocals, Organ (Hammond), ? Noel Bridgeman Tambourine, Conga Patrick McCarthy Mixing, Engineer Paul Cobbold Mixing Pearse Dunne Engineer, Mixing Peter McKinney Drums Phil Tennant Mixing Phil Thornalley Remixing Roddy Lorimer Trumpet Ruth Nolan Choir, Chorus, Vocals Steve Wickham Fiddle Trevor Hutchinson Bass, Bass (Upright), Bouzouki Vinnie Kilduff Guitar, Producer