Record Reviews

JETHRO TULL ~ THE JETHRO TULL CHRISTMAS ALBUM (FRESH SNOW AT CHRISTMAS EDITION) INSIDEOUT 729 (Barcode: 198028183529) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2003 - 2008 Released: 2024 This is a reissue of the 22nd studio album by the British Prog Masters Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, called “The Jethro Tull Christmas AlbumFind albums with this title”, recorded in 2003 and the live album “Christmas At St. Bride`s 2008Find albums with this title”, recorded in 2008. The two albums were bundled into a 2CD album in 2009. This reissue consists of four CDs and one BD. CD1 contains the “The Jethro Tull Christmas Album” album in original 2003 mixes. CD2 contains the “The Jethro Tull Christmas Album” album in new 2024 remix by Bruce SoordFind albums by this artist. The JT lineup on this album consists of Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist on flute, acoustic guitar and vocals, guitarist Martin BarreFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Andrew GiddingsFind albums by this artist, bassist Jonathan NoyceFind albums by this artist and drummer Doane PerryFind albums by this artist. Several guest musician and a string quartet perform on selected tacks. CD3 contains the “Christmas At St. Bride`s 2008” album in new 2024 remix by Bruce Soord. The JT lineup on this album consists of Ian Anderson on flute, acoustic guitar and vocals, guitarist Martin Barre, keyboardist John O`HaraFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave GoodierFind albums by this artist and percussionist James DuncanFind albums by this artist. CD4 contains the recording of the Ian Anderson Band “Live At St. Bride`s 2006” mixed by Bruce Soord in 2024. The IAB lineup consists of Ian Anderson on flute, acoustic guitar and vocals, guitarist Florian OphaleFind albums by this artist, keyboardist John O`Hara, bassist Dave Goodier and drummer James Duncan. Violinist Ann Marie CalhounFind albums by this artist appears as a special guest. BD contains the entire material on CD2 in High-Resolution formats (Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD 5.1 Surround Sound) and in High Resolution stereo format and CD3/CD4 in High Resolution stereo format only. Personally I couldn’t care less… The entire set is lavishly packaged in a digibook format, with great photos of the band, background material and other goodies, which are all beyond reproach. Musically, the album presents the group as brilliant studio musicians and live performers, superb instrumentalists and extraordinary entertainers, with very few equals. Although since the end of the 1970s Progressive Rock was steadily losing its steam and the artistic / aesthetic end of the genre was imminent, and yet Jethro Tull were going ahead as if they were living on a different planet, which in retrospect might have just been right. They were still at their artistic peak, which continued for years, without any signs of getting worn-out. Perhaps they were, after all, a class of their own. Overall, this is a very nice Box Set, full of great music and elegantly packaged, fitting all the previous Jethro Tull reissues in digibook format. For collectors of these reissues, this is obviously a must have. But honestly Prog has been dead for so long, that anything, which does not “smell funny” is a blessing. I had a blast listening to this stuff, especially the two live recordings, which alone are worth the price of this Box Set.

Updated: 01/08/2026Posted: 12/03/2025

4CD+BD 5 Digibook Box Set Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JETHRO TULL ~ UNDER WRAPS (THE UNWRAPPED EDITION) CHRYSALIS 5021732955098 (Barcode: 5021732955098) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1983 - 1984 Released: 2026 This is a reissue / remix of the 15th studio album by the British Prog Masters Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1984. This edition also includes a reissue of the debut solo album by Jethro Tull leader Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist, entitled “Walk Into NightFind albums with this title”, originally released in 1983, and a reissue of the 2nd live album by the band, entitled “Live At The Hammersmith `84Find albums with this title”, recorded by the BBC in 1984 and initially released in 1990. This is another chapter in the series of reissues of the Jethro Tull seminal albums which are being remixed to new stereo and 5.1 surround sound versions. This reissue consists of five CDs and one BD. “Under WrapsFind albums with this title” was recorded by Anderson, guitarist Martin BarreFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Peter-John VetteseFind albums by this artist and bassist Dave PeggFind albums by this artist. Since there was no drummer involved, the drums sound was created electronically. This edition offers two versions of the album, one with the originally created drums sound and also a second, newly created drums sound with contemporary technology. Both versions were remixed by Bruce SoordFind albums by this artist. “Walk Into Night” was recorded by Anderson and Vattese, and this edition offers two versions of the album, as above. Both versions were remixed by Bruce Soord. “Live At The Hammersmith `84” was recorded by Anderson, Barre, Vettese, Pegg and drummer Doane PerryFind albums by this artist, and appears here in original form. CD1 contains a remix of the “Under Wraps” album with the new (2026) drums sound (eleven tracks) and seven bonus tracks (“Associated Recordings). CD2 contains a remix of the “Under Wraps” album with the original drums sound (eleven tracks) and eight bonus tracks (“Associated Recordings). CD3 contains a remix of the “Walk Into Night” album with the new (2026) drums sound (ten tracks) and six bonus tracks (“Associated Recordings). CD4 contains a remix of the “Walk Into Night” album with the original drums sound (ten tracks) and six bonus tracks (“Associated Recordings). CD5 contains the original BBC recording of “Live At The Hammersmith `84” (thirteen tracks), which expands the original release by five tracks. The BD contains the same material as the first four CDs and flat transfers of the original albums, all remixed in High Resolution stereo and surround sound formats, which are of little interest, and a couple of videos. The entire set is lavishly packaged in a digibook format, with a 100-page book with great photos of the band, background material and other goodies, which are all beyond reproach. The solo album was an attempt to embrace the then contemporary synthesizer drenched sound (New Wave at all) and the same format was kept for the JT album. Basically the band recorded this album using electronic drums and a plethora of synthesized sounds, with Anderson’s flute and Barre’s guitar kept in the background most of the time. No wonder most JT fans (especially in the US) hated the album at the time of its release, seeing it as a “sell out”, judging of course by the sound alone and ignoring the music, which was as JT as ever. Different package, true, but still quite extraordinary. Anderson sums it all up very nicely: “…But, hey, you have to push the boundaries a little in the pursuit of musical adventures. No point in staying forever in the clutches of 70’s sounds and analogue keys, valves, steam flutes and tree-gobbling guitars. Gotta move on. And then move back again…”. I feel exactly the same way about this – no pain - no gain! An artist should be free to experiment and if he is a great artist, whatever he does will come out right. Some of us just won’t be ready for it. In retrospect, as weird as it sounds, this album is still an integral part of the wonderful JT legacy.

Updated: 01/08/2026Posted: 01/08/2026

5CD+BD 6 Digibook Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend