with stone circles and ancient monuments. is a reminder that Mike Scott has submitted his own share of panegyrics to pre- Christian religion. There was the album A Pagan Place. and on the last Waterboys record. Dream Harder. he even hailed ‘The Return Of Pan’. These are important beliefs to him? ‘Uh— huh’.
‘l’m kind of open to them all. I’m not defensive or protective about any one system. I don’t have one system. and I think there’s something in them all. I think they all point in the right direction. So I take an element here. an element there . . .‘
Sounds like his attitude to music. There was a time when Scott was cramming Dylanesquc rockers. traditional Irish music. screaming axe solos. waltzing ballroom dancers and Yeats recitals into Waterboys shows.
From the evidence — his televised appearance at Glastonbury. playing acoustically alongside folkie Sharon Shannon. and the forthcoming solo shows — one would be forgiven for thinking that Scott’s return to quieter surroundings would be reflected in his music: the return of the raggIe-taggle gypsy, perhaps. But. no. he’s still intent on continuing the hard-rockin’. Les- Pauls-at-dawn vein of Dream Harder.
He’s made up his mind that the next album will be recorded in Scotland for a change. Work may begin as soon as September. but he’s still no idea precisely who he’s going to be working with or even if it will come out under the name ‘Waterboys’.
Quite what’s going on below the surface. he doesn’t seem very eager to let on. He writes songs "cause that’s what I do’. but acknowledges that songwriting has helped him to discover himself over the years. He remembers when he first realised that.
‘Early 80s. When I found my intutition working. I’d be writing a song and would realise that I instinctively knew that the lines weren’t right. and I’d keep fighting. trying out different things and fighting for the right line. and then this line would fall into place and I’d have an intuitive understanding that it was right. Kind of learned how to work with my intuition.’
Does it seem like he’s writing subconsciously now?
‘Y-y-yes. very occasionally I have a marvellous experience like that. but most of the time it’s a combination of intuitive and mental. And I come to the Findhorn Foundation and, of course. here they teach you how to work with your intuition and I realise I’ve been learning it for years and years in my music.’
Scott confesses to a ‘jaundiced’ view of most of his old records. The flaws jump out at him. The vocal control he has now is lacking. The songs don’t tell him anything about himself that he wasn’t aware of when he wrote them. Nevertheless . . .
‘I’ve been in touch with Chrysalis Records. because they’re putting together a compilation of rare or unreleased stuff from the first few years — the A Pagan Place. This Is The Sea era — and that necessitated me listening to loads and loads of that old stuff. and I’ve really learned to accept it and accept the way I sing. This young guy, singing his heart out. . . yeah. he’s okay.’ 5.] Mike Scott (Fringe) Acropolis (Venue 26) 55 7 6969, Thurs 18, 8pm, £10.
‘I’m not defensive or protective about any one system. I don’t have one system, and I think there’s something in them all.’
‘ii‘f FREELOAD if ON THE
‘2? FESTIVAL if
Your chance to see some of the best shows in this year‘s Fringe! You may claim as many different offers as you wish, but only one pair of tickets per voucher, on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis. Please take the whole magazine along with you each time. All offers are subject to availability and the individual management's decision is final. Tickets should be picked up on the day of the performance in each case. ENJOY THE SHOW!
JIMEOIN
Two tickets for the price of one to see the wonderful JIMEOIN on Tue 16 and Wed 17 Aug (9.45pm). Tickets should be picked up from George Square Theatre box office from 10am. Available to first 10 people.
GRAND UNION ORCHESTRA Two tickets for the price of one to see , the above on Tue 16, Wed 17 and Thurs 18 Aug (8pm). Tickets should be picked up from the Queen's Hall box office from10am.
Available for all tickets.
LANG 8: WOODLEY
Two tickets for the price of one to see this Australian slapstick duo on Fri 12, Sun 14 & Mon 15 Aug (8.30pm). Tickets should be picked up from the Fringe box office from 10am. I Available to first 10 people.
HUNTER 8: DOCHERTY
Two tickets for the price of one to see the hilarious Hunter & Docherty on Sun 14, Tue 16 & Wed 17 Aug (10.30pm). Tickets should be picked up from Church Hill Theatre from
12 noon. Available for all £8.50 tickets.
SUZY WRONG - HUMAN CANNON
A free pair of tickets to see the above on Thurs 11, Fri 12 & Sat 13 Aug (4.15pm). Tickets should be picked up from Pleasance box office from 11am. Four pairs of tickets available per day.
TRAVERSE
Two tickets for the price of one to see any of the following Traverse shows on the nights stated: LIBERTY, OREGON, BOW TO THE BEAST, KISSING ; MARIANNE, MODERN NATURE, KILLER i ‘ JOE (all Thurs 11 Aug), CAMPING OUT : (13 Aug) and HOW TO SHOP (14 Aug). Tickets should be picked up from the Traverse from 103m on the day.
l
The List 12—18 August l99415