Strange Boat: Mike Scott & the Waterboys

by Ian Abrahams

The Waterboys were formed in 1983 by Mike Scott and have continued under his leadership in several guises to the present day. Their songs, largely written by Scott, often contain literary references and are frequently concerned with spirituality. Both the group and its members’ solo careers have received much praise from both rock and folk music critics. In fact, Scott’s unique mix of Celtic folk music and rock and roll has been credited as promoting the scope of Irish folk music, and has built a strong and loyal fan base across the world. In Strange Boat, renowned rock writer Ian Abrahams has assembled the definitive story of The Waterboys and their myriad offshoots and solo projects. He follows their progress as Scott relocated the band from London to Dublin, to Spiddal near Galway in Ireland and Findhorn in Scotland, adding influences and collaborators along the way. The book examines the role of Mike Scott, an interesting and unique character, driven artistically by his geographic and spiritual experiences, emphasizing a continuity between The Waterboys and his solo work over nearly twenty-five years, saying, “To me there’s no difference between Mike Scott and The Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions.”

Genres: Music

223 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Ian Abrahams (born 1963) is a freelance journalist and biographer. His books include 'Hawkwind - Sonic Assassins', 'Strange Boat - Mike Scott & The Waterboys' and, with Bridget Wishart, 'Festivalized: Music, Politics & The Alternative Culture'. He's written for Record Collector, R2 Rock 'N' Reel, Vive Le Rock, Shindig!, The Guardian, The Independent, Bass Guitar and others. Ian lives in Cornwall where his household includes two retired greyhounds who've never been to a muddy festival, tied on the end of a string.

Reviews

[Stephen Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Music author Ian Abrahams, formerly exploring space rock and counter-culture territory (Hawkwind, Free Festivals in Britain), now turns his attention to former ‘Big Music’ creator and all-round musical traveller Mike Scott, in a fascinating and comprehensive overview of this gifted artist. Originally published in 2008, this new updated version of the book adds much to the story of Mike Scott’s early days, while, at the end, including an article originally written for R2 magazine. Ian Abrahams is well placed to venture again into rock biography, being a journalist veteran of Shindig, Record Collector and R2 magazines, as well as being an author.

The tale of Mike Scott is one of music business good luck, bad luck, accidental meetings, many partings, and a long and winding road of musical ventures, from the early days of Another Pretty Face all the way through to Scott’s spiritual ventures, and the inevitable raggle-taggle solo career post-Waterboys (which, confusingly, included the Waterboys).

Brought up an only child in a family environment that allowed him to do pretty much what he pleased (a trait continuing through his career as a musician, a point well made by the author), Mike Scott was one of those people who, instead of playing at music, threw himself into it so that he could hardly fail. There were elements of fortune, of course: meeting long-time collaborator Anthony Thistlethwaite for instance, which gave Scott the impetus to create the early Waterboys albums, including the era-defining This Is The Sea. Meeting fiddle player Steve Wickham was a life-changing event. The choice of record company was fortuitous. But through this tale of success Ian Abrahams weaves a different tale, via the well chosen and comprehensive words of friends, colleagues and others: Karl Wallinger (himself a remarkable musician – Scott’s equal, undoubtedly), Roddy Lorimer (“trumpet for hire”) and Colin Blakey… and many more. Through these insights Scott emerges as a self-reliant, occasionally anti-social, confused and confusing man, a man who refused to do Top Of The Pops but who went on to court fans and publicity, as in the end all musicians must. The sense is very much of a man on a quest – via music.
Scott’s spiritual ventures are also well documented in the book, not least his reliance on the people and environment of the Findhorn Foundation. The latter years of the solo career, with all its genre twists and turns, is well handled by the author, through his own readable prose and through the contributions of those who know him, including such luminaries as Ian McNabb.

In summary: a particularly well assembled biography of a fascinating musician. No fan of Mike Scott or the Waterboys, of ‘eighties music, or of the many strands of Celtic music will want to miss this entertaining book. Definitely recommended.

[Beth Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book if you like Mike Scott's and the Waterboy's music. The material is from compilations of interviews given by Mike Scott and his various band mates, public facts, sleeve material written by Mike Scott, and more.

Reading the book will help one understand the personal evolution of this great musical artist and how he could produce such a wide variation of music. There is also information on literary inspirations that Mike Scott includes in his lyrics, his methods of making music, his wandering minstrel days in Ireland and glimpses into his character. There is not, disappointingly, specific information on the particular instruments he has used in his songs. The guy plays acoustic and electric guitar, piano, and more, and has a great voice which also has a variation of expression in its sound.

Gratefully, this is not a book about scandalous excesses and dug up dirt on the artist. The author seems to truly respect the talent of Mike Scott and his fellow musicians.

[J. D.]

Note for Beth: the library doesn't have this. Do you know where I can get access to a copy?