Record Reviews

JETHRO TULL ~ A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC CHRYSALIS 370978 (Barcode: 094637097823) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1992 Released: 2006 20th album documenting Jethro TullFind albums by this artist’s May 1992 European tour, including Israel. The band was a quartet at the time and included Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist, Martin BarreFind albums by this artist (guitar) and two ex-Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist members David PeggFind albums by this artist (bass) and David MattacksFind albums by this artist (drums). This superb line-up played a semi-acoustic set with great acoustic arrangements of old favorites, which were originally much rockier. The tour had a very special atmosphere, which is captured in all its splendor on this album, which was the first JT live recording in 14 years, since Bursting OutFind albums with this title from 1978. The band might have been mellower a bit, but the music is as beautiful as ever and JT fans should enjoy this immensely.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JETHRO TULL ~ CATFISH RISING (EXPANDED EDITION) CHRYSALIS 370977 (Barcode: 094637097724) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1987 - 1991 Released: 2006 19th album by Jethro TullFind albums by this artist and the first one recorded in the 1990s, their 4th decade in the Rock trenches. By general consensus (even the critics) this is JT’s strongest album since their glory days of the 1970s. In the new liner notes of the reissue Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist says that this album “is probably the most Blues-influenced album since the 1968 This Was record”. And so it is, a splendid example of Blues / Rock, with almost no folk or classical influences. The lineup is the same as on the predecessor - a quartet with the excellent Martin BarreFind albums by this artist on guitar, veteran David PeggFind albums by this artist on bass and Doane PerryFind albums by this artist on drums and three guest keyboards players, including Andrew GiddingsFind albums by this artist who later was to join the on a permanent basis. Anderson managed to come up with some superbly crafted tunes and the album has a beautiful natural flow to it. In short, JT entered the 1990s with a bang, proving again that old heroes still have a trick or two hidden in their sleeves. The bonus tracks include a studio takeout and a live track recorded in 1987. For all JT fans this is of course a must and if you are not familiar with the album, do yourself a favor and check it out.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JETHRO TULL ~ CREST OF A KNAVE (EXPANDED EDITION) CHRYSALIS 473413 (Barcode: 724347341328) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1987 Released: 2005 17th album by Jethro TulFind albums by this artistl and ironically the first and only Grammy Award winner the group ever had (more ironically the Award was for Best Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Performance – which goes to show what these Awards people know about music). At the time this album was recorded JT were merely a threesome, with Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist, Matrin BarreFind albums by this artist and David PeggFind albums by this artist. A few guest musicians play on some of the tracks, but the mean & lean JT sound with more that usual aggressive guitar leads characterize this effort, although some acoustic folk / rock tracks are present as well. The beautifully melodic “Budapest” was always one of my favorite JT songs. The album stands out especially strong in contrast to the mediocre (at best) music, which was predominantly produced at the time, and Anderson’s talent to weave great tunes remains intact. As all the later period JT albums, this one suffered its share of criticism and mockery at the time of its release (and especially due to the unexpected Grammy), but the album is still here today, sounding as good as ever, whereas the critics and mockers are long forgotten. Definitely a worthwhile addition to the splendid JT legacy and a solid album as all the others they ever did.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JETHRO TULL ~ ROCK ISLAND (EXPANDED EDITION) CHRYSALIS 370976 (Barcode: 094637097625) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1989 Released: 2006 18th album by Jethro TullFind albums by this artist and the last one recorded in the 1980s, their 3rd decade in the Rock trenches. The album’s title refers both to Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist’s then current home on the Isle Of Skye (off the coast of Scotland) and the music, which comes back to the “hard-rock” side of the band, with the guitar up front rather than Anderson’s flute. There are a few quieter, more lyrical moments, but overall the music is rocky and dynamic. The band is a quartet with the excellent Martin BarreFind albums by this artist on guitar, veteran David PeggFind albums by this artist on bass and Doane PerryFind albums by this artist on drums. A couple of guest keyboards players are added on some of the tunes. By the time this album was released JT lost most of their status among the critics, who accused Anderson of carrying on with his band based on solely on the inertia acquired in their past. Hearing the album now proves that nothing could be further from the truth, as the music they created was constantly developing and masterly performed, with very little competition from their contemporaries. If fact it is pretty amazing (and commendable) that Anderson managed to keep up his high standards while surrounded by oceans of mediocrity that dominated the music scene at the time. The bonus tracks include some live material recorded in Zurich during a JT tour at the time. No JT fan and collector will skip this album, as it is just another JT gem.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JETHRO TULL ~ THE BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST (EXPANDED EDITION) CHRYSALIS 724347341120 (Barcode: 724347341120) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1981 - 1982 Released: 2005 15th album by Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, which marks their attempts to include elements of electronic music in their music, following the production of their previous release AFind albums with this title. Only Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist and Martin BarreFind albums by this artist remain from the JT 70’s lineup, with Gerry ConwayFind albums by this artist on drums, David PeggFind albums by this artist on bass and Peter-John VetteseFind albums by this artist on piano and synthesizers complete the personnel on this one. The music is pretty consistent with JT’s heritage but also includes attempts to stay contemporary and look for new creative avenues. Although received coldly by the critics and even by part of JT’s fan base at the time, in retrospect it is still a very good album, obviously much better than anything else happening on the music scene at the time. The new remastered edition brings no less than eight bonus tracks. Definitely worth investigating.

Updated: 05/11/2023Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend