The Waterboys - A Pagan Place (1984)

"I have heard the Big Music and I will never be the same," Mike Scott declares triumphantly on "Big Music." The lush romanticism of that song--with its layer upon layer of acoustic guitars, trumpet solos, and sax and violin--stands as a unique achievement. "Church Not Made with Hands" is as claim-staking an opening cut as any--powerful, fast, unashamedly romantic, and rounded out with a tremendous Scott guitar solo. With reference points that include the Celtic soul ramblings of Van Morrison and the then-burgeoning epic rock of U2, this was where Mike Scott began to build his now iconic status. The trumpet playing of Roddy Lorimer, the sax of multi-instrumentalist Anthony Thistlethwaite, and the keyboards of Karl Wallinger fill out the sound of this record. "Some of My Best Friends Are Trains" is a little jaunty to be a totally welcome new centerpiece to the restored album, but "Red Army Blues," "All the Things She Gave Me" and the astounding title track sound more impressive than ever. The producers of this reissue deserve credit for approaching the deluxe upgrade without the cynicism of some labels. Working with Scott to restore edited and missing tracks left off the original long-player for time reasons, and adding additional contemporaneous tracks, they have created a valuable CD for longtime fans and new acolytes alike. --Rob Stewart