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Photos by Debra L. Rothenberg 

I first saw The Waterboys around 1984, on the redeye to NYC from London. Everyone on the flight was sleeping except me and the three men in front of me and the two sitting in my row, all of whom were singing and pretending to play the drums and guitar the entire flight. I finally got up enough nerve to ask if they were in a band. Lead singer Mike Scott say “Yes, we are The Waterboys. We are playing in NYC this week. Please call our manager and we will put you on the guest list.” I was put on the guest list, but never went.

Many years later, I managed to see them live and was blown away. Tonight at Webster Hall in NYC, they again blew me away. The lineup isn’t the same as in the ’80s, but front man Mike Scott still knows how to entertain a crowd. Taking the stage wearing a Stetson Hat and striped suit, it is hard to believe Scott is 60 years old. The crowd was mixed, and included many who never saw the band but were dancing all night long. Sideman Steve Wickham on violin is not only a joy to listen to, but to watch. With each song, he is obviously having a great time performing.

“Fisherman’s Blues” had the crowd jumping up and down, heads bopping, cell phones in the air. It’s a catchy song and even though it came out 30 years ago, it never gets old. Guitarist Earl Slick joined the band on “Dead Flowers” and shared the mic with bassist David Hood. A talented musician, he has played with David Bowie, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and fit in perfectly with The Waterboys.
Singing “Nashville, Tennessee,” the band got lots of smiles when they sang “my soul is in Memphis but my ass is in Nashville, Tennessee.”

James Maddock joined the band for two songs:”Nearest Thing to Hip” and “November Tale,” and fit in perfectly with the band.

Closing the 18-song setlist was perhaps one of The Waterboys biggest hits, “The Whole of The Moon,” with Earl Slick joining the band again on guitar. It was the perfect song to close out a perfect night with The Waterboys back in New York City.

ꟷDebra Rothenberg