Rare, Precious and Gone

Last updated
"Rare, Precious and Gone"
Mike Scott Rare Precious and Gone 1998 single cover.jpg
Single by Mike Scott
from the album Still Burning
Released1998
Length4:06
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s) Mike Scott
Producer(s) Mike Scott, Niko Bolas
Mike Scott singles chronology
"Love Anyway"
(1997)		"Rare, Precious and Gone"
(1998)		"Questions"
(1998)

"Rare, Precious and Gone" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Mike Scott, released as the second single from his second solo album Still Burning . It was written by Mike Scott, and produced by Scott and Niko Bolas. "Rare, Precious and Gone" reached No. 74 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1998. [1]

Contents

Scott wrote "Rare, Precious and Gone" in 1986 at Lotts Lane in Dublin, but it was not recorded until sessions for Still Burning. [2] A live version of the song, recorded for Virgin Radio in September 1997, was included on the 1998 compilation The Whole of the Moon: The Music of Mike Scott and the Waterboys . [3]

Music video

A music video was filmed in a video booth at Heathrow Airport, while Scott and his band were waiting to board a flight to Japan. Scott had initially intended to have his photo taken "for a laugh" when he discovered the booth actually recorded videos, which gave him the idea of recording a £5 music video for his upcoming single. He had the track play on his cassette player as he mimed to the track, then packaged and sent the result to Chrysalis. In his autobiography, Scott recalled: "Within a week it had been shown on several TV shows, exceeding the combined broadcast tally of the last three £50,000 videos I'd done for Chrysalis and Geffen. But even this exposure, and the dubious distinction of having made a video for a fiver, couldn't propel a Mike Scott song into the charts in 1997." [4]

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, the Birmingham Evening Mail picked "Rare, Precious and Gone" as their "single of the week" and praised it as a "masterpiece in miniature from the former Waterboy". They added, "His trademark vocal all but caresses the song, which offers the best of his influences all in one instantly accessible package." [5] In a review of Still Burning, Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian noted, "There's a new soulishness bestowed by Chicago guitarist Chris Bruce. Go directly to 'Rare, Precious and Gone' for coffee-table funk, then get over the shock on the acoustic 'Open'." [6] The Scottish Music Network wrote, "Tracks such as 'Rare, Precious and Gone' rekindle the brass driven power of yesteryear, but most of all the dynamic electric guitars are a delight." [7] James F. Laverty of The Phantom Tollbooth commented, "Scott may have left the 'Big Music' behind with the Eighties, but he still enjoys strings and trumpets when they're called for on songs like 'Love Anyway' and 'Rare, Precious and Gone'." [8]

Formats

CD single (UK #1)
No.TitleLength
1."Rare, Precious and Gone"4:04
2."Kiss the Wind"3:07
3."When Will We Be Married?"2:26
4."Love Anyway (Full Length Demo)"6:40
CD single (UK #2)
No.TitleLength
1."Rare, Precious and Gone"4:04
2."All the Things She Gave Me (XFM Version)"4:04
3."She Is So Beautiful (Live)"4:01
4."Nectar (7 Days)"3:24
CD single (UK promo)
No.TitleLength
1."Rare, Precious and Gone"4:04

Personnel

Rare, Precious and Gone

Production

Other

Charts

Chart (1998)Peak
position
Scotland (OCC) [9] 47
UK Singles (OCC) [10] 74

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Waterboys</span> British-Irish folk rock band

The Waterboys are a British-Irish folk rock band formed in London in 1983 by Scottish musician and songwriter Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. Mike Scott has remained the only constant member throughout the band's career. They have explored a number of different styles, but their music is mainly a mix of folk music with rock and roll. They dissolved in 1993 when Scott departed to pursue a solo career. The group reformed in 2000, and continue to release albums and to tour worldwide. Scott emphasises a continuity between the Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions."

<i>The Best of The Waterboys 81–90</i> 1991 greatest hits album by The Waterboys

The Best of The Waterboys 81–90 is a compilation album by The Waterboys, released on 29 April 1991.

<i>Dream Harder</i> 1993 studio album by the Waterboys

Dream Harder is the sixth studio album by the Waterboys, released by Geffen Records on 29 May 1993. Led by Scottish singer-songwriter-instrumentalist Mike Scott, the album features none of the earlier UK-based band members and instead finds Scott backed by American session musicians. It was the last Waterboys album before Scott spent seven years pursuing a formal solo career, with Bring 'Em All In (1995) and Still Burning (1997). The album reached position 171 on the Billboard Top 200 charts, surpassing the previous Waterboys album Room to Roam, in spite of a less-than-enthusiastic response from critics to the album's sound.

<i>A Pagan Place</i> 1984 studio album by the Waterboys

A Pagan Place is the second studio album by the Waterboys, released by Ensign Records in June 1984. It was the first Waterboys record with Karl Wallinger as part of the band and also includes Roddy Lorimer's first trumpet solo for the band on the track "A Pagan Place".

<i>This Is the Sea</i> 1985 studio album by the Waterboys

This Is the Sea is the third studio album by the Waterboys, released on 16 September 1985 by Ensign Records. The last of their "Big Music" albums, it is considered by critics to be the finest album of their early rock-oriented sound, described as "epic" and "a defining moment", it was the first Waterboys album to enter the United Kingdom charts, peaking at number 37. Steve Wickham makes his Waterboys recording debut playing violin on 'The Pan Within' and subsequently joined the band, appearing on the video of "The Whole of the Moon". This Is the Sea is the last album with contributions from Karl Wallinger, who left the group to form his own band, World Party.

<i>Fishermans Blues</i> 1988 studio album by the Waterboys

Fisherman's Blues is the fourth studio album by the Waterboys, released by Ensign Records in October 1988. The album marked a change in the band's sound, with them abandoning their earlier grandiose rock sound for a mixture of traditional Irish music, traditional Scottish music, country music, and rock and roll. Critics were divided on its release with some disappointed at the change of direction and others ranking it among the Waterboys' best work. The album was the Waterboys' best selling album, reaching a number 13 placing on the U.K. charts on release, and 76 on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Scott (Scottish musician)</span> Scottish songwriter and musician

Michael Scott is a Scottish singer, songwriter, and musician. He is the founding member, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of rock band The Waterboys. He has also produced two solo albums, Bring 'em All In and Still Burning. Scott is a vocalist, guitarist and pianist, and has played a large range of other instruments, including the bouzouki, drums, and Hammond organ on his albums. Scott is also a published writer, having released his autobiography, Adventures of a Waterboy, in 2012.

<i>A Rock in the Weary Land</i> 2000 studio album by the Waterboys

A Rock in the Weary Land is the seventh studio album by the Waterboys, released in 2000 by BMG International. It was their first album after a seven-year break, but mostly continues the hard rock vein of the previous album Dream Harder (1993). The album cover photography is by Steve Gullick.

<i>Bring Em All In</i> 1995 studio album by Mike Scott

Bring 'Em All In (1995) was Mike Scott's first of two solo albums, the other being 1997's Still Burning. Dream Harder (1993) was recorded by Scott and session musicians, but was credited to Scott's band, The Waterboys. The cover and album photography were provided by Niko Bolas, Stefano Giovanni, Jeff Mitchell and Scott. The song "What Do You Want Me to Do?" was later covered by Rod Stewart.

<i>Still Burning</i> 1997 studio album by Mike Scott

Still Burning is the second solo studio album by Mike Scott, released by Chrysalis in 1997. It followed Scott's 1995 solo debut, Bring 'em All In, and was the last of Scott's solo albums before re-forming The Waterboys in 2000. Photography was provided by Andrew Catlin and Mary Scanlon. Although well-received critically, sales of the album were poor and Scott was subsequently dropped from Chrysalis Records. This led directly to Scott's decision to revive the Waterboys' name in order to achieve wider marketplace exposure. Scott describes the making of and commercial failure of the album in detail in his 2012 autobiography, Adventures of a Waterboy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Return of Pan</span> 1993 single by the Waterboys

"The Return of Pan" is a song from Scottish-Irish folk rock band the Waterboys, which was released as the lead single from their sixth studio album Dream Harder. It was written by Mike Scott, and produced by Scott and Bill Price. The song reached No. 24 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 10 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glastonbury Song</span> 1993 single by the Waterboys

"Glastonbury Song" is a song by Scottish-Irish folk rock band the Waterboys, released in July 1993 as the second single from their sixth studio album, Dream Harder (1993). It was written by Mike Scott and produced by Scott and Bill Price. The song reached No. 29 in the UK and No. 12 in Ireland.

<i>American Dream</i> (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album) 1988 studio album by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

American Dream is the ninth album by the band Crosby, Stills & Nash, their fifth studio album and their second with Neil Young. Released in 1988 on Atlantic Records, it peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. To date, it is their final album of original material to receive either a gold or platinum citation by the RIAA. It is the highest-selling album by Neil Young in the 1980s. The album is dedicated to Jan Crosby, Anne Stills, Susan Nash and Pegi Young.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Whole of the Moon</span> 1985 single by the Waterboys

"The Whole of the Moon" is a song by Scottish band the Waterboys, released as a single from their album This Is the Sea in October 1985. It is a classic of the band's repertoire and has been consistently played at live shows ever since its release. Written and produced by Mike Scott, the subject of the song has inspired some speculation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Waterboys discography</span>

Discography of releases by The Waterboys and Mike Scott.

"A Life of Sundays" is a song by the Scottish-Irish folk rock band The Waterboys, which was released in 1990 as a track on their fifth studio album Room to Roam. It was written by Mike Scott and produced by Barry Beckett and Scott. In the United States, the song reached No. 15 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and remained on the chart for nine weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Anyway</span> 1997 single by Mike Scott

"Love Anyway" is a song from Scottish singer-songwriter Mike Scott, which was released as the lead single from his second solo album Still Burning. It was written by Mike Scott, and produced by Scott and Niko Bolas. "Love Anyway" reached No. 50 in the UK Singles Chart and remained on the charts for two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Building the City of Light</span> 1995 single by Mike Scott

"Building the City of Light" is a song from Scottish singer-songwriter Mike Scott, which was released as the second and final single from his first solo album Bring 'Em All In. It was written by Mike Scott, and produced by Scott and Niko Bolas. The song reached No. 60 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bring 'Em All In (song)</span> 1995 single by Mike Scott

"Bring 'Em All In" is a song from Scottish singer-songwriter Mike Scott, which was released as the lead single from his first solo album Bring 'Em All In. It was written by Mike Scott, and produced by Scott and Niko Bolas. The song reached No. 56 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 100 for two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Bang the Drum</span> 1985 single by The Waterboys

"Don't Bang the Drum" is a song from Scottish-Irish folk rock band The Waterboys, released as the opening track on their third studio album This Is the Sea. It was written by Mike Scott and Karl Wallinger, and produced by Scott. The song was released as a single in Germany and was also issued as a 12" promotional vinyl in the United States.

References

  1. ↑ "Mike Scott | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  2. ↑ "The Waterboys". Mikescottwaterboys.com. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  3. ↑ William Ruhlmann (1998-10-06). "The Whole of the Moon: The Music of Mike Scott & the Waterboys - The Waterboys, Mike Scott | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  4. ↑ Scott, Mike (2017). Adventures of a Waterboy. Jawbone. p. 336. ISBN   978-1911036357.
  5. ↑ "Reviews: Single of the week" . Birmingham Evening Mail . 3 February 1998. p. 26. Retrieved 7 August 2023– via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ Sullivan, Caroline (3 October 1997). "This week's releases". The Guardian.
  7. ↑ "Mike Scott Still Burning Chrysalis". Scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk. 1998-10-28. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  8. ↑ "Mike Scott Review by The Phantom Tollbooth". Tollbooth.org. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  9. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Mike Scott: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.