WaterboysFans - Review

THE WATERBOYS, FIRST AVENUE, MINNEAPOLIS
28TH MARCH, 2001
REVIEW BY ERIC TANQUIST

Mike Scott and company made it back to the Twin Cities last night.  The
group seemed in fine form and the new lineup is working nicely.  I can't
imagine the sound without Steve Wickham.  The interplay of fiddle and guitar
in both electric and acoustic songs added to a tight and very alive group.

They started with two from the new disk and then ran through almost the
whole catalogue.

Let It Happen
The Charlatan's Lament
Strange Boat
We Will Not Be Lovers
Fisherman"s Blues
Custer's Blues
Glastonbury Song
All That She Left Me
Return of Pan
When Ye Go Away
Bring Em All In
Crown
This is the Sea
Strange Earth Heart

1st Encore -

Bang the Drum
Whole of the Moon

2nd Encore -

The Earth Only Endures
Medicine Bow
Be My Enemy

They started at 11 PM on a midweek night and finished close to 1:30 AM.  
As
almost all the audience was of working (and mid-career) age, it was a
reflection of their commitment that the venue stayed packed through the
first encore and cheers continued after the second for more.

I suspect that the next US tour, which may be supporting both A Rock In 
The
Weary Land and the new Fisherman's Blues era material, will be exceptional.

I was hoping to hear Wind in the Wires and possibly either of the singles
off of RIWL but we'll have to see what happens with the House of Blues
shows.   Here's hoping that they are filmed, broadcast and available to 
all.

Crown was exceptional and looks to be a future favorite when it gets more
exposure.  It starts with single guitar, vocal, keyboard and then the band
walks on for the 2nd half.  It was over before I knew it.

This is a quick in and out tour, but well worth trying to get to.  I think
great things are soon to come.