☀ A Pagan Place ☀
Welcome to the A Pagan Place Page. This Page contains some background to the initial recordings in Redshop, London in November 1982, a round-up of various record/CD pressings, cassettes, memorabilia and other pieces relating to the A Pagan Place album.
A Pagan Place was released in the UK and Europe in June 1984 with a September 1984 release date for the US and Canada. February of 1984 also saw the band play their first-ever live shows with two concerts in Germany and these shows were followed by a short headlining UK tour in April.
This was the album that made fans and music critics alike sit up and take notice of a band on a meteoric rise.
Thank you to Mike Scott, Dag Reinert Johansen, Ali Wilson, Marc Arscott, Dave Furneaux, Andy Pritchatt, Harry Schets, Mark Wallace, Flattop, Inge Rieger, Ferry and Javi Morant for contributing items to this web page.
*If you happen to have a piece of 'A Pagan Place' memorabilia that is not shown here, please send a photo on and it shall be added.*
*To see a plethora of Acetates, Unique Album Artwork, Test Pressings and Rare Memorabilia from The Waterboys
eponymous debut album please see the following Pages on this Fan Site.*
Mike writes: "Patreon is a way for us to share with fans the music that might not make it onto the records:
jams, demos, strange songs, experiments. We also have a lot of great live recordings that have never been made public. We'll be
posting these too. I also have ideas for video content and other stuff. It's gonna be a lot of fun." An ever-growing hoard of unreleased gems, stories and great chat await within! To join please
This extensive Page is split into several sections for quick and easy access. **Click on the heading title below to go to that section** ..... A brief overview on the album's creation. Mini album release. Here you will find Promo LP's and worldwide releases. Album Acetate and Test Pressings. A varied selection of cover art, worldwide releases, promos and test pressings. A varied selection of worldwide releases, test pressings and promos. Worldwide releases, promos and related releases. A selection of worldwide releases and promos. A selection of original A Pagan Place memorabilia. Related releases, compilations and expanded versions. The Red And The Black were a band formed by Mike after Anthony came on board. They played a grand
total of nine gigs in and around London from April to July 1982.
Apart from some Another Pretty Face songs and a few covers, the spine of the set was made up of songs that would
appear on The Waterboys self-titled debut album the following year and the A Pagan Place record two
years later in 1984.
Apparently, and unsurprisingly 'Red Army Blues', which received its public debut at a show in The Embassy Club on
the 10th May 1982, was a real audience favourite.
~The Flattop Hoard~
☀ The Waterboys - Patreon Page ☀
Click Here - The
Waterboys - Patreon Page
☄ Album Origins ☄
☄ Mini LP ☄
☄ Vinyl Albums ☄
☄ Acetate and Test Pressings ☄
☄ 7-Inch Singles ☄
The Big Music
Somebody Might Wave Back
A Pagan Place
All The Things She Gave Me
Church Not Made With Hands
☄ 12-Inch Singles ☄
☄ CD Albums and More ☄
☄ Cassettes ☄
☄ Memorabilia ☄
☄ Related Releases ☄
☄ A Pagan Place - Origins ☄
☄ Original The Red And The Black Poster - May 1982 ☄
An original The Red And The Black show poster advertising two gigs from May 1982.
Mike writes: "The art is by John Caldwell, copied from a photo, possibly of Bill Wyman".
☄ Original The Red And The Black Poster - July 1982 ☄
Another original The Red And The Black gig poster from July 1982.
You can check out each and every one of these individual setlists from 1982 (and a lot more), on the official Mike Scott and The Waterboys site...mikescottwaterboys/archive/setlists/1982
In 1983, with the addition of several new members, The Waterboys band was born. The band name was taken from a Lou Reed song called The Kids.
Even though Mike may have recorded some of these songs as solo demos back in November 1981, in November 1982 most of the songs that would eventually end up appearing on the first two albums were recorded at Redshop Recording Studio in north London. Subsequently more recording and remixing for A Pagan Place took place in Rockfield Recording Studio in September 1983 with possibly another recording session in March and April 1984.
Continue Reading Below...
☄ Student Magazine - November 1983 ☄
This is a very scarce broadsheet issue of Student Magazine from November 1983. Probably the first time the band ever graced the cover of any publication. The photo of Mike from within is on the soundstage of one of the German TV channels.
Mike and Anthony went to Germany for a few days in early November 1983 to perform live on a number of daytime TV shows, then they went on to Paris to record several radio interviews promoting the upcoming concerts and the forthcoming album planned for the following year. This adventure is fully documented in this rare magazine.
☄ Promo Photo - The Waterboys - 1984 ☄
A promo photo of the band in 1984. Thank you Dag.
☄ Original Poster from the first-ever shows in 1984 ☄
The first-ever show by the band was in The Batschkapp Club in Frankfurt, Germany on the 19th February, with the second show in the Alabamahalle in Munich on February 20th.
This an original poster (60 cm x 85 cm) made for these two landmark German shows.
☄ First-ever Concert Photo - Frankfurt, February 19th 1984 ☄
This is a Press Photo from the first-ever concert by the band in The Batschkapp Club in Frankfurt, Germany on the 19th February 1984.
The photo shows Mike with a bandage on his left hand.
Mike recalls: 'It happened the day of the first WBs gig in a Frankfurt hotel. I was trying to open a window, pushed glass and my hand went right through. The glass smashed with my wrist cut close to vein. Tour manager Robbie McGrath took me to a good German hospital to get fixed up. I still have the scar.'
☄ The Waterboys - 1984 Poster ☄
This original Waterboys poster with The Big Music imagery is from only the fourth-ever concert by the band in Strathclyde University, Glasgow on the 7th April 1984. Thank you Ali.
☄ Original Tour Poster - The Escape Club Brighton 10th April 1984 ☄
An original and rare poster for The Waterboys in The Escape Club in Brighton on 10th April 1984.
This was only the fifth concert by the band.
Thank you Marc.
☄ Exclusive Pre-Pagan Release - Canada and USA ☄
☄ Promo Mini LP with Promo Photo and Press Release ☄
A promo gold stamped mini LP with photo and press release. This album was only released in Canada and the USA.
It contains five tracks from the eponymous debut album.
☄ Canada Mini LP Cassette ☄
This Mini LP cassette was only released in Canada and USA.
It contains five tracks from the self-titled debut album.
☄ USA Mini LP Cassette ☄
This is the USA Mini LP cassette with slightly different artwork.
It also contains five tracks from the self- titled debut album.
☄ Tour Poster 1984 ☄
An unused large-sized tour poster.
In early 1984 the band toured extensively around the UK and on through Europe playing headline shows before a short tour with The Pretenders. The band finished a summer headline tour in late July then kicked off an October headline tour of the UK and Europe, before supporting U2 in the UK and Europe in November. They continued the U2 tour through December over in the USA and Canada and played their own headline shows in Toronto, New York and Los Angeles.
The band played a total of 79 shows in 1984.
☄ Album Review - June 1984 ☄
A top-notch album review from Sounds Magazine June 2nd 1984. Thank you Dave.
☄ Album Review and Interview - June 1984 ☄
An album review and interview from Record Mirror - June 16th 1984. Thank you Andy.
☄ Press Advert - 2nd June 1984 ☄
☄ A Pagan Place Vinyl Albums and More ☄
☄ Fully Signed LP - May 29th 1984 ☄
Album fully signed by Mike, Anto, Karl Wallinger, Martyn Swain and Kevin Wilkinson. LP was signed in the Circus Krone, Munich on album release day, 29th May 1984. Thank you HP Bushoff.
The original LP album which was released in 1984 and the 2002 vinyl remaster.
☄ Irish Pressing ☄
Original Irish pressing of A Pagan Place which was released in Ireland and the UK on May 29th 1984. This LP was pressed in the Carlton Productions Record Plant in Dublin, notable by the Double Dip at centre of label and with the CP lettering etched on the matrix run out on the vinyl wax. The green ink on the label is also a brighter colour than the UK issue. All of these identifying characteristics are exclusive to the Irish Record Plant.
☄ Australia Pressing ☄
Uniquely, in Australia the original vinyl (and album cassette) release has a different track listing than any other release worldwide.
A Girl Called Johnny has been added in the #2 slot on side one and The Thrill Has Gone* has been dropped altogether.
However, *The Thrill Has Gone does appear as a b-side to the Australia and New Zealand release of the Church Not Made With Hands 7-inch single.
☄ Canada Pressing ☄
Original Canadian pressing of A Pagan Place with distinctive red and yellow labels. The album was released in Canada and the USA in September 1984.
☄ Germany DMM Pressing ☄
A hitherto unknown German Direct Metal Master (DMM) pressing of A Pagan Place with black ensign labels. Thank you Inge.
☄ Greece ☄
The only known vinyl release to use a vibrant red font and a red logo on the album artwork. Sample copy shown.
☄ Greek LP with Poster ☄
A Greek A Pagan Place LP with green artwork and fold-out poster.
☄ Japan ☄
First press of A Pagan Place with lyric sheet and OBI strip.
☄ Japanese White Label Promo LP ☄
A promo pressing of A Pagan Place with lyric sheet and OBI strip.
☄ Taiwan LP ☄
A Taiwan pressing of A Pagan Place on the Nova label. Thank you Ferry.
☄ USA Gold Stamped Promo LP ☄
A USA promo gold stamped A Pagan Place LP with NME interview insert from September 1984.
☄ USA Promo Photo and Press Release ☄
A promo photo and band bio that came inserted with some copies of the USA promo vinyl album of A Pagan Place. Thank you Harry.
☄ Original NME Music Magazine - August 1984 ☄
An original New Musical Express (NME) magazine from August 1984 which features photos and an extensive interview with Mike.
☄ Acetate and Test Pressings ☄
☄ A Pagan Place Acetate ☄
Abbey Road Acetate for A Pagan Place. Thank you Flattop.
☄ Australia - White Label Test Press LP ☄
A numbered white label test press LP from Australia housed in a full colour album sleeve.
☄ Italy - White Label Test Press LP ☄
A white label test press LP from Italy housed in a full colour album sleeve.
☄ UK Test Press LP ☄
A UK test press of the A Pagan Place LP with a light blue label.
☄ UK Advance Listening LP ☄
A scarce UK Advance Listening album with the 'CHEN 2' serial number visible in photo inset. Thank you Dag.
☄ Anto and Mike Promo Photos 1984 ☄
Thank you Andy.
☄ First English Tour Dates - April 1984 ☄
Press advert for the first-ever English tour with dates for April 1984.
☄ 7-Inch Singles and More ☄
☄ The Big Music ☄
☄ UK 7-Inch ☄
Original UK release of The Big Music single in a picture sleeve. Photo taken in the Lake District.
☄ 'The Big Music' Printer Proof for Alternative Sleeve ☄
This is a Printer Proof or 'Mockup' [in printing parlance] for The Big Music alternative sleeve which was printed with green font on grey stock. However, this sleeve is printed in black ink on white stock. Layout and text is identical to the green-on-grey sleeve. Only a small handful of these mono printer proof sleeves are known to survive today so it is an incredibly rare artefact. Thank you Javi.
☄ 'The Big Music' 7-Inch Single in Alternative Sleeve ☄
This rare sleeve for the forthcoming The Big Music 7-inch single was not released to the public, [although a number of copies did slip out], instead they used a photo for the cover that was taken in the Lake District. [see standard release listed below.]
☄ The Big Music 7-inch Promo ☄
☄ The Big Music 7-inch Proof Sleeve ☄
An extremely rare proof sleeve of the planned [but rejected] cover art for The Big Music 7-inch single. This sleeve was never actually issued and is highly sought after.
Only about five fully assembled sleeves are known to be in the collections of some hardcore fans.
This sleeve was very kindly signed by Anthony and Mike and up until recently, neither had ever seen one before.
☄ The Big Music 7-inch Proof Sheet of Sleeve ☄
An extremely rare proof sheet for the planned, but discarded design of the cover art for The Big Music 7-inch single. This is the only unassembled proof sheet known to have survived.
Thank you Flattop.
☄ The Big Music 7" Proof Sheet-Back ☄
☄ The Big Music - Canadian 7-Inch Single ☄
A Canadian issue of the The Big Music 7-inch single, b/w The Earth Only Endures.
☄ The Big Music - New Zealand 7-Inch Single ☄
A New Zealand 7-inch pressing of 'The Big Music' b/w 'All The Things She Gave Me'. This was an exclusive single release for New Zealand.
☄ The Big Music / The Earth Only Endures 1-Sided 7-Inch Test Press ☄
Two very scarce one-sided 7-inch test pressings for The Big Music and The Earth Only Endures. Thank you Dag.
☄ Somebody Might Wave Back ☄
☄ Somebody Might Wave Back /The Big Music - South Africa 7-Inch ☄
A scarce 7-inch from South Africa of 'The Big Music' b/w 'Somebody Might Wave Back'. South Africa /Zimbabwe singles were pressed in very low quantities for radio stations and promotion. It is not known if this single got a commercial release.
☄ 'The Big Music' Press Advert 1984 ☄
A full page press advert from the NME for magazine for the self-titled debut The Waterboys and the A Pagan Place albums.
☄ A Pagan Place - South African 7-Inch Single ☄
An extremely rare South African 7-inch single of 'A Pagan Place' b/w 'The Thrill is Gone'. South Africa /Zimbabwe singles were pressed in very low quantities for radio stations and promotion. It is not known if this record ever got a commercial release in South Africa. If you ever happen to come across one of these elusive gems, do not hesitate!
☄ All The Things She Gave Me - Australian 7-Inch Single ☄
An Australian 7-inch single of 'All The Things She Gave Me' b/w 'The Big Music'. This was an exclusive single release for Australia.
☄ Church Not Made With Hands - Australia 7-Inch single ☄
*The Thrill Has Gone appears here as an exclusive b-side on the Australia and New Zealand version of the Church Not Made With Hands 7-inch single. It does not appear on the Antipodean release of the A Pagan Place vinyl album, or indeed, on the album cassette.
☄ Church Not Made With Hands - Canadian 7-Inch single ☄
Thank you Dag.
☄ Church Not Made With Hands German 7-Inch Promo ☄
☄ 12-Inch Singles and More ☄
☄ Fully Signed The Big Music 12-Inch - May 29th 1984 ☄
This copy of The Big Music 12-inch single is fully signed by the touring band: Mike, Anto, Karl Wallinger, Martyn Swain and Kevin Wilkinson. This 12-inch single was signed in the Circus Krone, Munich on 29th May 1984. Thank you HP Bushoff.
☄ The Big Music 12-inch in standard Sleeve ☄
Standard UK 12-inch release of the Big Music single in a picture sleeve.
☄ The Big Music 12-inch in a different Sleeve ☄
The European 12-inch release of the Big Music single came housed in a different picture sleeve with a different track listing.
☄ The Big Music 12-inch in Alternative Sleeve ☄
This sleeve for the forthcoming The Big Music 12-inch single was not released to the public, [although a small number of copies did slip out], instead they used a photo for the cover that was taken in the Lake District (see photo inset). Thank you Dag.
☄ Promo 12-Inch Singles ☄
Canadian 12-inch promo single of 'Church Not Made With Hands'. Same song on both sides in a generic sleeve.
☄ Canadian Three Track Promo 12-Inch Single ☄
A Canadian three track 12-inch promotional single for the 'A Pagan Place' LP with 'The Big Music', 'A Pagan Place' and 'Church Not Made With Hands' on the A-Side.
The B-Side of this hard to find 12-inch single contains three more tracks by Rupert Hine.
This single plays at 33 1/3.
☄ Two-Track One-Sided 12-inch Test Pressing ☄
A very scarce one-sided two-track test pressing 12-inch of Bury My Heart and The Earth Only Endures.
☄ Promo Publicity Photos 1984 ☄
Photos by: Sheila Rock.
☄ CD Albums and More ☄
☄ A Pagan Place Original Release ☄
Original CD issue of A Pagan Place.
☄ USA Longbox Edition ☄
The USA album was first released in a longbox, with artwork unique to this version. The longbox format was normal practice at the time. However, very few of these have survived intact so if you happen upon one, do not hesitate. Still Sealed longbox album shown.
☄ A Pagan Place 2002 Remaster ☄
The 2002 remaster of A Pagan Place (with altered art work) which contains an additional five songs. These songs are The Late Train To Heaven (Rockfield Mix), Love That Kills (Instrumental), The Madness Is Here Again, Cathy and Down Through The Dark Streets.
☄ 2002 Signed Remaster Promo CDr ☄
A promo CDr 2002 remaster of A Pagan Place (with altered art work) which contains an additional five songs. This copy is signed by Mike, Karl and Anto.
☄ Promo Photo 1984 ☄
Photo: Sheila Rock.
☄ Cassette Albums ☄
☄ Department Of Enjoyment NME Cassette - May 1984 ☄
This cassette titled Department Of Enjoyment was released by the New Musical Express [NME] on 12th May 1984, and it features a special remix of the A Pagan Place track, which is exclusive to this tape.
☄ Irish Cassette ☄
The Irish cassette of the A Pagan Place album is the only worldwide release known to have the enlarged half-face cover artwork along with the Waves logo on the cover spine and two more Waves logos on the inner sleeve. It also has the printer Grafotone logo on the inner sleeve art.
☄ Australia Cassette ☄
Uniquely, in Australia the original vinyl and the album cassette, which is housed in a striking green sleeve, has a different track listing than any other release worldwide.
A Girl Called Johnny has been added in the #2 slot on side one and The Thrill Has Gone* has been dropped altogether.
However, *The Thrill Has Gone does appear as a b-side to the Australia and New Zealand version of the Church Not Made With Hands 7-inch single.
☄ Canada Cassette ☄
The Canadian cassette has a unique blue sleeve.
☄ Greece Cassette ☄
The Greek cassette has it's own striking artwork.
☄ Italy Cassette ☄
The Italian album cassette, like the Irish version, has the half-face artwork, but has no Waves logo. It also has a blue/green spine and backcover.
☄ Poland Cassette ☄
A 1991 release for the Polish cassette.
☄ South Africa Cassette ☄
A scarce South Africa cassette released on Priority Records (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa) by Island Records.
Printed statement on inside of cassette sleeve: To make a convenient break in the programme the recorded sides may be of unequal length. Please spool to end of the tape before playing other side.
☄ UK Album Cassette on Ensign ☄
The UK Ensign release with green titles on cover sleeve and red text on cassette.
☄ UK Album Cassette on Chrysalis ☄
The UK Chrysalis release with green titles on cover sleeve and black titles on cassette.
☄ A Pagan Place Tour Dates - July 1984 ☄
Press advert for A Pagan Place tour dates in July 1984.
☄ A Pagan Place Memorabilia ☄
☄ A Pagan Place - Tee Shirt ☄
A vintage A Pagan Place t-shirt from 1984.
☄ A Pagan Place - Sweatshirt ☄
A vintage A Pagan Place sweatshirt from 1984. Thank you Mark.
☄ A Pagan Place - Badges ☄
A pair of vintage button badges for the A Pagan Place album.
☄ Original A Pagan Place Postcard ☄
An original promo postcard for the A Pagan Place album.
☄ Original 'A Pagan Place' Shop Display Poster ☄
An original shop display poster for the A Pagan Place album.
The poster size is 60 cm x 85 cm approx.
☄ A Pagan Place - Recycled Album Art ☄
A much loved but worn out and unplayable vinyl album of A Pagan Place. The album sleeve has been turned into a coaster set and the vinyl record has been made into a bowl.
This is a one of a kind piece.
☄ Related Releases ☄
☄ The Secret Life of The Waterboys - Press Advert ☄
☄ The Secret Life of The Waterboys 81-85 ☄
This gem of an album was released in 1994 and it contains outtakes, demos, radio sessions and some b-sides from the 1981-1985 period. It is an essential album for any Waterboys fan to have.
☄ Medicine Bow Promo CD ☄
A one track promo disc from the 'Secret Life' album housed in a card sleeve.
☄ The Secret Life of The Waterboys Vinyl ☄
A scarce double vinyl release of the 'Secret Life' album in a gatefold sleeve.
