WaterboysFans - Review

THE WATERBOYS, MINNEAPOLIS, US
13TH OCTOBER 2001
REVIEW BY JOHN CARLSON

   Old friends coming 'round again-that's what it felt
like when Minneapolis' First Avenue played host to its
second Waterboys show in just six months, and the vibe
was again electric.  Mike Scott obviously loves the
crowds he's played to over the years in the Twin
Cities-he mentioned it during the band's two hour
performance, and it was also evidenced by a downtown
record store appearance earlier that afternoon. 

   After a well crafted but quite somber set by tour
opener Tom McRae with accompanying cellist, the large
screen lifted and the band found its way on stage (one
humorous addition to the stage set up was the
inclusion of three fans directly in front of Scott,
that blew back into the audience.  He no doubt
remembered the chainsmoking crowd of stage right from
the spring performance, which made it difficult for
him to sing and had him fanning the smoke back at
them, with his jacket like a matador ).  The line-up
was the same as previous, except for the absence of
Jay Dee Daugherty on the drumset; and six months
later, they were showing more polish as a unit than
their last local appearance, which seemed to more fuel
on the adrenaline of a successful return and the
newness of hitting the road again.  Mike spoke from
the stage before the set began, explaining how shaken
he still was by the events of 11 Sept, and how
fortunate he felt to be playing to the gracious
audiences in the states.  The American flag draped
over one of his speakers magnified his feelings as
well.  

   The band opened with the now familiar "Let It
Happen" and for the next 120 minutes, they did just
that.  Dressed this time out in more colorful clothes
than last time's blacks and whites, the show also took
a more rocking approach to the music than last
spring's performance.  This was especially enhanced by
an extended blistering version of  "The Pan Within",
which  found Scott in a long Hendrix-esque solo, and
verses revved up at triple speed before breaknecking
towards the end.   Other highlights included "Good Man
Gone" from the "Too Close to Heaven" sessions and a
sparse but gripping rendition of "Don't Bang the Drum"
with only Mike acapella and Richard Naiff adding quiet
keyboard textures.  

   The polish that comes with repeated touring was
also plain to see-from the steady bottom end provided
by bassist Jo Wadeson, to synchronized spins by Scott
and Steve Wickham, and the obvious chemistry that
Scott and Wickham have playing on stage together. 
Although I slightly preferred their spring show mostly
because of the seeming spontaneity and fresh energy
that defined that performance, one had no less excuse
for missing this one.  Mike mentioned he'd see us all
again in 2002, and I, for one, can't wait. 

Set List:

Let it Happen
We Will Not be Lovers
Glastonbury Song
Malediction
The Wind in the Wires
Medicine Bow
Dumbing Down the World
Is She Conscious
I Know She's in the Building
The Pan Within
Whole of the Moon
Good Man Gone
Don't Bang the Drum
Bring Em All In
Crown
Fisherman's Blues
This Is the Sea