Record Reviews

JETHRO TULL ~ LIVE - BURSTING OUT (THE INFLATED EDITION) CHRYSALIS 5054197723971 (Barcode: 5054197723971) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1978 Released: 2024 This is a reissue of the 1st live album by the British Prog Masters Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, recorded during the 1978 European tour supporting the “Heavy HorsesFind albums with this title” album, and another chapter in the series of reissues of their seminal albums which are being remixed to new stereo and 5.1 surround sound versions by Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist, who is doing similar projects with classic Rock / Prog albums by other artists as well. It follows a similar treatment that Wilson applied to the reissues of all early Jethro Tull releases. The reissue consists of three CDs and three DVDs. CD1 and CD2 contain the new stereo remix of the original album: eleven tracks, three of which are restored to their full version and five bonus tracks (soundcheck recordings, which are previously unreleased) on CD1 and ten tracks and three bonus tracks (soundcheck recordings, which are previously unreleased). The third CD contains new stereo remix of the audio tracks of the “Live At Madison Square GardenFind albums with this title” broadcast / video, captured later that year, edited to CD (sixteen tracks). DVD1 and DVD2 contain the same material as CD1 and CD2, remixed in two High-Resolution formats (5.1 DTS, AC3 Dolby Digital Surround Sound and in High Resolution stereo format 96/24 LPCM). They also include the flat transfer 96/24 PCM stereo of the original “Live - Bursting OutFind albums with this title” double LP. The third DVD includes the full 93 minutes Madison Square Garden broadcast and some original TV adverts. If you are confused by all these technical terms, don´t be – it is all complete bullshit piece of hype! Basically you don´t even get the original stereo mix of the original album in a CD form, but you get a bunch of bonus tracks, which honestly contribute very little, if anything at all. A classic rip-off playing on the sentiments of aging fans and collectors. 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. The group´s lineup on this album consists of Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist, who as usual handles most of the vocals and plays the flute parts and acoustic guitar / mandolin and the lead guitar is magnificently handled by Martin BarreFind albums by this artist, the keyboards are handled by John EvanFind albums by this artist and David PalmerFind albums by this artist and rhythm section features bassist John GlascockFind albums by this artist and drummer Barriemore BarlowFind albums by this artist. On the Madison Square Garden broadcast Glascock is replaced by Tony WilliamsFind albums by this artist. Musically, the album presents the group as brilliant live performers, superb instrumentalists and extraordinary entertainers, with very few equals. With the end of the 1970s decade 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. Side Note As for the Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist contributions, I´m perplexed time after time why anybody being of sound mind would allow him to butcher the original material and then hype the results as spectacular. These original mixes are untouchable and anybody trying to change them is more or less re-painting Van Gogh, re-sculpturing Michelangelo or re-writing the Bible, all truly barbaric acts of disrespect. Additionally I find his stereo mixes to be dry, artificial and deviant, badly damaging the original ambience of the recordings. Perhaps for people who are not familiar with the original sound this sounds fine, but for me it´s unbearable and sacrilegious. In addition I find the surround sound completely redundant, hoping for years that it will go away as did quad and other industry inventions meant to earn some more money from the suckers following the trends. The whole high resolution hype is so ridiculous; in reality most people are deaf anyway and can´t tell one note from another even if it bites them in the ass and use ridiculously lo-fi equipment. In short Emperor´s new clothes, as usual, and no shame whatsoever.

Updated: 24/07/2024Posted: 24/07/2024

3CD+3DVD 6 Digibook Box Set Oversampling DVD-A Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend