Fisherman's Blues, Part 2

Fisherman's Blues, Part 2

<I>Fisherman's Blues</I> was the Waterboys' artistic pinnacle--a pop masterpiece that melded Irish folk traditions, both musical and spiritual, with rock. The prospect of a "Part Two" has had fans salivating ever since leader Mike Scott revealed the group had recorded anywhere from 70 to 150 tracks between 1986 and '87 before releasing the album in 1988. Alas, there isn't total truth in titling here, as this is less a sequel than a predecessor--a bridge between 1985's <I>This Is the Sea</I> and <I>Fisherman's Blues</I>--so we often get less of the gorgeous Celtic folk-rock vibe and more of an Irish big-rock sound (sometimes with blues and jazz rhythms); "Ain't Leavin', I'm Gone" is an actual garage rocker. Nevertheless, "Too Close to Heaven," the lyrically wonderful centerpiece, and sadly beautiful ballads like "Lonesome Old Wind" are as powerful as any pop music you're apt to hear this year. Plus, "A Home in the Meadow"--a cover of (no kidding!) that "Greensleeves" song Debbie Reynolds sang throughout <I>How the West Was Won</I>--should charm the socks off baby boomers. <I>--Bill Holdship</I>