The Waterboys Atlantic Rain: The Lost Fisherman's Blues Recordings

Nearly four decades after Fisherman's Blues transformed The Waterboys and became one of the defining albums of the late 1980s, band leader Mike Scott has opened the vault to reveal an extraordinary collection of lost recordings from the legendary sessions that produced the classic album.

Recorded between 1986 and 1988, the original Fisherman's Blues sessions generated almost 400 multi-track tape reels and more than 150 hours of music as The Waterboys evolved from their "Big Music" sound into a rich blend of folk, rock, Celtic influences and improvisation. Among the archives were more than 80 tapes carrying only vague labels such as "jam" or "unknown", recordings that had remained unheard and largely forgotten for decades.

In 2024, Mike Scott revisited these tapes for the first time since they were recorded and uncovered dozens of remarkable performances hidden within the archive. Some were spontaneous improvisations captured in the moment, while others were carefully developed pieces that had simply disappeared into the sheer scale of the sessions. Many proved to be every bit as compelling and inspired as the material that ultimately appeared on the original Fisherman's Blues album.

The result is Atlantic Rain: The Lost Fisherman's Blues Recordings, an essential new chapter in one of rock music's most celebrated recording stories. The collection offers fans an unprecedented glimpse into the creativity, experimentation and musical freedom that defined this pivotal period in The Waterboys' history.

Presented across three vinyl records, the release also includes an extensive book featuring over 15,000 words of newly written sleeve notes by Mike Scott, complete lyrics and a wealth of previously unseen photographs from the era.

Released as The Waterboys prepare to celebrate Fisherman's Blues with their special 2026 Fisherman's Blues Revue tour, this collection stands as both a historical document and a remarkable listening experience in its own right.