Record Reviews

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 ~ LIVE AT MONTREUX 2003 EAGLE VISION 648 (Barcode: 5034504964877) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2003 Released: 2007 Well into their 4th decade of music making, Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist and his Jethro TullFind albums by this artist keep the flame of great music alive. Dinosaurs, or not, Anderson & Co. are still infinitely better musicians than most of the younger folk and despite the obvious age limitations (tell me about it) they can still outplay anybody. The opportunity to perform at the prestigious Montreux Festival was in many respects a tribute to the band´s lifetime achievements and is a very emotional affair. The band plays two sets; the first is a semi-acoustic and the second a full electric, playing a historic review of their best material over the years. The band includes Martin BarreFind albums by this artist (guitar), Andrew GiddingsFind albums by this artist (keyboards), Jonathan NoyceFind albums by this artist (bass) and Doane PerryFind albums by this artist (drums). There is hardly any need to say much more here just relax and enjoy – satisfaction guaranteed! Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and DTS, 117 minutes.

DVD 1 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 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 21st 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: 12/03/2025Posted: 12/03/2025

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