Some personal disappointments.
The Waterboys circa 1986 were arguably the greatest live band on the planet,their range of styles was almost limitless-(U2 certainly took a lot from them but ultimately had more discipline and ambition ).
Perhaps this was part of the problem,main man Mike Scott relocated to Ireland and his maverick spirit meant that the power of the 1986 band was never truly captured in the studio nor did any of his subsequent bands ever have the power of the'86 Waterboys-as much as Fisherman's Blues is highly rated (it's a decent record)on it's eventual release(88/89?)I was utter underwhelmed both at the studio versions of some great live songs and the overall concept.
After that it all fell apart slowly but surely.
Respect however to Mike Scott who followed his heart rather than sought worldwide success.
American Music Club-a band ahead of their time(alt country,meets folk,meets rock) but probably too downbeat for major success,Mark Eitzel-lead singer and songwriter won songwriter of the year award in Rolling Stone Magazine in 1991-after three wonderful independant releases Engine,California and Everclear-they signed a major deal but never saw any real success with their subsequent releases (Mercury and San Francisco).
The band split and Eitzel lauched a solo career which has also sadly declined over the years.
A true tale of bad management,bad recording deals,ego's and the sad slow fade out of one of America's greatest contemporary songwriters.
Prince-once had the world at his feet-what happened?-a classic case of over-exposure and lack of development of arguably the 80's most talented individual
The Waterboys circa 1986 were arguably the greatest live band on the planet,their range of styles was almost limitless-(U2 certainly took a lot from them but ultimately had more discipline and ambition ).
Perhaps this was part of the problem,main man Mike Scott relocated to Ireland and his maverick spirit meant that the power of the 1986 band was never truly captured in the studio nor did any of his subsequent bands ever have the power of the'86 Waterboys-as much as Fisherman's Blues is highly rated (it's a decent record)on it's eventual release(88/89?)I was utter underwhelmed both at the studio versions of some great live songs and the overall concept.
After that it all fell apart slowly but surely.
Respect however to Mike Scott who followed his heart rather than sought worldwide success.
American Music Club-a band ahead of their time(alt country,meets folk,meets rock) but probably too downbeat for major success,Mark Eitzel-lead singer and songwriter won songwriter of the year award in Rolling Stone Magazine in 1991-after three wonderful independant releases Engine,California and Everclear-they signed a major deal but never saw any real success with their subsequent releases (Mercury and San Francisco).
The band split and Eitzel lauched a solo career which has also sadly declined over the years.
A true tale of bad management,bad recording deals,ego's and the sad slow fade out of one of America's greatest contemporary songwriters.
Prince-once had the world at his feet-what happened?-a classic case of over-exposure and lack of development of arguably the 80's most talented individual