This is Mike Scott's second solo album - or, more precisely, the second album released under his own name. The lead singer and songwriter of The Waterboys had put his old band's name to rest after the uncharacteristically loud and electric Dream Harder - in essence also a solo album since it was really Scott backed by some session musicians. This was followed by Bring 'Em All In (1995) which was an actual solo album, a mostly acoustic affair with Scott singing and playing almost all instruments himself. Still Burning is yet different: for all intents and purposes it could be another Waterboys album: the electric guitars of Dream Harder are present, as well as the lyricism of his Big Music period. The influences remain the same: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Van Morrison - the classic songwriters, filtered through Scott's personal vision. On the opener "Questions", with its horns and soulful backing vocals, he creates his own brand of Celtic Soul. "My Dark Side" is an alt-rocker with an insistent guitar riff, followed by a trio of songs reminiscent of The Waterboys circa mid-80's. "Open" is slower and semi-acoustic, while "Love Anyway" and "Rare, Precious and Gone" are lusher, with uplifting strings and vocals. Scott sings with the same passion he did on "The Return of Pan", even though the lyrics dwell on the personal rather than the mystical. The second half of the album is slightly inferior to the first: although none of the songs is bad or even indifferent, you wouldn't count on them getting a lot of radio play: "Dark Man of My Dreams" and "Strawberry Man" continue Dream Harder's Hendrix obsessions, while "Sunrising" is a pleasant mid-tempo piece, and the shortest songs "Personal" and "Everlasting Arms" are closer to acoustic folk. The U.S. release adds some bonus tracks which I haven't heard; according to reviews they are not essential. "Love Anyway" and "Rare, Precious and Gone" were released as singles; for the latter they made a promo video which must be among the cheapest ever: it was filmed for £5 in a booth at an airport, while Scott and the band were waiting for their flight. Still Burning's lack of success is puzzling: it's a strong collection of songs, the musicians (who include The Who's bassist Pino Palladino and Dylan's drummer Jim Keltner) are stellar, and the instrumentation and production manages to highlight it all in the best possible manner. Possibly a combination of bad timing, lack of promotion, and the public's unfamiliarity with the singer's name. Following this album, Scott would revert to releasing his records under The Waterboys moniker: his next one A Rock in the Weary Land (2000) would feature two former Waterboys in Anthony Thistlethwaite (mandolin) and Kevin Wilkinson (drums) but they're just two backing musicians among many, rather than full band members. 20 years later, Scott continues to make beautiful music and tour the world with everchanging lineups of The Waterboys: on last count, 85 musicians had passed through their ranks. Other than the singer, the only (almost) permanent band member is fiddler Steve Wickham who has now served in the band for 27 years. I believe I have a dozen or so of Mike Scott and The Waterboys' albums. Although they are all good, I listen to some more than others. Still Burning is among the ones that return to the stereo more frequently.
**** for My Dark Side, Open, Love Anyway, Rare Precious and Gone
***for Dark Man of My Dreams, Personal, Strawberry Man, Sunrising, Everlasting Arms
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