Prog Rock Reissue Review: Jethro Tull-War Child 40th Anniversary Set

Release Date: November 24, 2014

Label: Rhino/Chrysalis

Website

I really enjoy covering these anniversary reissues of the Jethro Tull catalog. Although it seems like an eternity ago that these albums were first released it is still an enjoyable experience to hear the music in a different way if you are a big fan of the band.

With the 40^th Anniversary of War Child (1974) I was transported back to the time I was in the Columbia Record Club and this very album was part of my membership package. It quickly became one of my favorite albums to spin on my little stereo system. Of course now I have my laptop, phone, tablet and a surround system that I can use to hear music. The different configurations of the album offered in the set make it unique. This music pops out at you with crystal clear definition like never before due to the care taken in the remastering process.

War Child was a highly underrated album and I believe it stands up well today as one of Jethro Tull’s strongest outings. With Minstrel In The Gallery coming out in May as another amazing 40^thanniversary reissue I am sure I will find myself saying similar things. That is another strong release that I played often and realize today how underrated it was.

The 70's was Jethro Tull’s strongest and most creatively fertile period. That is a matter of my own opinion however although I think many folks would agree. There is not a bad track on the album.

This is a beautiful set in a book format/case with 2 CDs and 2 DVDs. Steven Wilson continues to apply his studio wizardry to the catalog and does a fine job. The set includes original album and bonus tracks (three previously unreleased), remixed in 5.1 surround and stereo versions and perhaps the most interesting and intriguing segment of the set,  the 10 orchestral pieces (nine previously unreleased) written for the film’s soundtrack which never saw the light of day until now. Four of the tracks are remixed in 5.1 surround and stereo by Wilson and when you hear them in that context it serves as a revelation of sorts. There were big plans for the full on production of the album and stage play but it never happened; 40 years on we finally get to hear what they had in mind.

And who can forget the mega hit single “Bungle in the Jungle” b/w “Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day.” And yes I had the 45 and played it a lot and many of my friends liked “Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day” better. As time passed the track grew on me and now I feel that was a better track. Again my opinion and taste prevail here.

“The Third Hoorah” promo footage from a January 1974 photo session/press conference where the War Child project was announced is included. It serves as an interesting bit of the bands history and is fun to watch. Ian Anderson updates the listener with his typical witty commentary as the soundtrack.

The 80-page booklet featuring an extensive article on the preparation and recording of the album, a film script synopsis, track-by-track annotations by Anderson, plus rare and unseen photographs are all part of the complete package.

War Child was a superb rendering of progressive rock and remains so. With this remastered set in all the different formats and bonus tracks makes for quite an adventure and it most certainly will give the release new life and a boat load of fans to come onboard the Jethro Tull remaster train. All aboard folks Minstrel in the Galleryis right around the corner! It’s time to paralyze the pumpkin eaters…

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: War Child, Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day, The  Orchestral  War Child Theme

Tracks:
Disc One
01. War Child
02. Queen and Country
03. Ladies
04. Back-door Angels
05. Sea Lion
06. Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day
07. Bungle in the Jungle
08. Only Solitaire
09. The Third Hoorah
10. Two Fingers

Disc Two – The Second Act: Associated Recordings:
01. Paradise Steakhouse
02. Saturation
03. Good Godmother
04. SeaLion II
05. Quartet
06. War Child II
07. Tomorrow Was Today
08. Glory  Row
09. March, The Mad Scientist
10. Rainbow Blues
11. Pan Dance

War Child  Orchestral  Recordings:
12. The  Orchestral  War Child Theme
13. The Third  Hoorah (Orchestral Version)
14. Mime Sequence
15. Field Dance (Conway Hall Version)
16. Waltz Of The Angels”(Conway Hall Version)
17. The Beach (Part I) (Morgan Master Recording)
18. The Beach (Part II) (Morgan Master Recording)
19. Waltz Of The Angels (Morgan Demo Recording)
20. The Beach (Morgan Demo Recording)
21. Field Dance (Morgan Demo Recording)

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder

March 4, 2015

Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk

Prog Rock Concert Review: Ian Anderson At The Palace Theater-Albany NY

Ian Anderson And The Best of Jethro Tull

In Concert At The Palace In Albany, NY
November 2, 2014

Ian Anderson (Flute, Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals), David Goodier (Bass guitar and double bass), John O’Hara (Orchestral conductor, piano, keyboards and accordion), Florian Opahle (Guitar), Scott Hammond (Drums and percussion) and Ryan O’Donnell (Vocals and stage antics) are all part of the Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull lineup in present day. They perform solo material from Anderson’s latest release and some of the best of Jethro Tull since the band’s inception.

Last evening at the beautiful Palace Theater, one of my favorite venues in Albany NY, Anderson and his marvelous band entertained a packed house. I got my T shirt and tour book keepsakes and even a bonus shirt that I gave to some unsuspecting fan as a gift. It’s always a joy to do some random nice thing to a total stranger, try it sometime, it feels good. The Holiday season is rapidly approaching but you don’t need that for an excuse to do a good deed.

It has been 11 years since I sat in an audience to enjoy the music of Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull. This night was no different than in the past, I looked forward to it for many months. I was not disappointed in the least by the time the show was over.

You know it’s a prog rock concert when you have to wait in a long line to use the men’s room at break and there is literally not one woman in front waiting to use their facilities. This was quite the opposite of most concerts I have attended in the past. This is rather funny actually and we had a good time joking about it in line. Speaking of lines, if you do not want to wait in line to get your car at the end of the concert, I wouldn’t use the parking lot in front of the venue. They give you a ticket, you hand them your keys then you wait in a long line to get your keys back so you can leave! The only good thing about it is there isn’t a mad dash by everyone to leave at the same time. Perhaps that is why they do it that way besides for general security precautions.

It was all worth it in the end though as Ian and his spot on band presented quite a show. They kicked it off with selections from Ian’s solo album Homo Eraticus. What I found interesting and quite enjoyable was the overall multimedia presentation made throughout the show. Prior to the opening song there was a presentation of several bands on a huge screen. I had never been to show that did this before, I thought it was a unique albeit modern way to present different acts to an audience before the main attraction started in lieu of having a solitary opening act.

The show opens with a short film of the band dressed as doctors in a sanitarium and Ian is the disgruntled patient. It is humorous and the band then comes out on stage all dressed as they were in the film then Ian comes out the show begins. It is all so very theatrical and most entertaining. Anderson has a different sense of eccentricity and humor which is very English (even though he is from Scotland). I always found it similar to that dry crazy Monty Python type of comedy yet very original.

Ian still moves across the stage nimbly and plays the flute with one foot carefully placed on his other leg. I thought long ago that by now he would not be doing that once he was headed towards his seventies but he still has a lot left in the tank. At a mighty spry 67 he just keeps on going for the love of the music and the process of creating it. This is what drives the man and keeps thousands of fans coming back for more at every corner of the globe.

The new solo material is as impressive live as it is in the studio. Ian and his band bring it all to life as if it was natural for them to do so. Any great band of musicians is able to translate what is created in the studio into something special and bring it to fruition with new life on the stage. This is what took place all night long.

Many of the classic fan favorites were presented such as “Living In The Past,” “Teacher,” the incredible “Thick as a Brick,” and of course the ultimate curtain closer “Aqualung.” But wait, what about the encore? A rousing interpretation of “Locomotive Breath” magnificently filled the venue with the power of prog rock. It was a rocking good end to one special evening for all in attendance.

This is an amazing group of musicians and the now with added touch of theatrics and the additional voice of Ryan O’Donnell, it gives some added textures to the music and Ian a break once in a while on the vocal duties.

If you are looking for a great night out with friends or loved ones and are open to meeting some friends you have not met yet, give Ian Anderson and his band a try. You will never regret it.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder Prog Rock Music Talk, Write A Music Review, New Age Music Reviews and Rate The Tracks

Setlist:

        Doggerland

        Enter the Uninvited

        Puer Ferox Adventus

        The Engineer

        Tripudium Ad Bellum

        The Browning of the Green

        Cold Dead Reckoning

        Bourée

        Thick as a Brick

        Living in the Past

        With You There to Help Me

        Sweet Dream

        Teacher

        Critique Oblique

        Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die

        Songs from the Wood

        Farm on the Freeway

        Aqualung

        Encore:

        Locomotive Breath

Prog Rock Concert Review: Ian Anderson At The Palace Theater-Albany NY

Ian Anderson And The Best of Jethro Tull

In Concert At The Palace In Albany, NY
November 2, 2014

Ian Anderson (Flute, Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals), David Goodier (Bass guitar and double bass), John O’Hara (Orchestral conductor, piano, keyboards and accordion), Florian Opahle (Guitar), Scott Hammond (Drums and percussion) and Ryan O’Donnell (Vocals and stage antics) are all part of the Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull lineup in present day. They perform solo material from Anderson’s latest release and some of the best of Jethro Tull since the band’s inception.

Last evening at the beautiful Palace Theater, one of my favorite venues in Albany NY, Anderson and his marvelous band entertained a packed house. I got my T shirt and tour book keepsakes and even a bonus shirt that I gave to some unsuspecting fan as a gift. It’s always a joy to do some random nice thing to a total stranger, try it sometime, it feels good. The Holiday season is rapidly approaching but you don’t need that for an excuse to do a good deed.

It has been 11 years since I sat in an audience to enjoy the music of Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull. This night was no different than in the past, I looked forward to it for many months. I was not disappointed in the least by the time the show was over.

You know it’s a prog rock concert when you have to wait in a long line to use the men’s room at break and there is literally not one woman in front waiting to use their facilities. This was quite the opposite of most concerts I have attended in the past. This is rather funny actually and we had a good time joking about it in line. Speaking of lines, if you do not want to wait in line to get your car at the end of the concert, I wouldn’t use the parking lot in front of the venue. They give you a ticket, you hand them your keys then you wait in a long line to get your keys back so you can leave! The only good thing about it is there isn’t a mad dash by everyone to leave at the same time. Perhaps that is why they do it that way besides for general security precautions.

It was all worth it in the end though as Ian and his spot on band presented quite a show. They kicked it off with selections from Ian’s solo album Homo Eraticus. What I found interesting and quite enjoyable was the overall multimedia presentation made throughout the show. Prior to the opening song there was a presentation of several bands on a huge screen. I had never been to show that did this before, I thought it was a unique albeit modern way to present different acts to an audience before the main attraction started in lieu of having a solitary opening act.

The show opens with a short film of the band dressed as doctors in a sanitarium and Ian is the disgruntled patient. It is humorous and the band then comes out on stage all dressed as they were in the film then Ian comes out the show begins. It is all so very theatrical and most entertaining. Anderson has a different sense of eccentricity and humor which is very English (even though he is from Scotland). I always found it similar to that dry crazy Monty Python type of comedy yet very original.

Ian still moves across the stage nimbly and plays the flute with one foot carefully placed on his other leg. I thought long ago that by now he would not be doing that once he was headed towards his seventies but he still has a lot left in the tank. At a mighty spry 67 he just keeps on going for the love of the music and the process of creating it. This is what drives the man and keeps thousands of fans coming back for more at every corner of the globe.

The new solo material is as impressive live as it is in the studio. Ian and his band bring it all to life as if it was natural for them to do so. Any great band of musicians is able to translate what is created in the studio into something special and bring it to fruition with new life on the stage. This is what took place all night long.

Many of the classic fan favorites were presented such as “Living In The Past,” “Teacher,” the incredible “Thick as a Brick,” and of course the ultimate curtain closer “Aqualung.” But wait, what about the encore? A rousing interpretation of “Locomotive Breath” magnificently filled the venue with the power of prog rock. It was a rocking good end to one special evening for all in attendance.

This is an amazing group of musicians and the now with added touch of theatrics and the additional voice of Ryan O’Donnell, it gives some added textures to the music and Ian a break once in a while on the vocal duties.

If you are looking for a great night out with friends or loved ones and are open to meeting some friends you have not met yet, give Ian Anderson and his band a try. You will never regret it.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder Prog Rock Music Talk, Write A Music Review, New Age Music Reviews and Rate The Tracks

Setlist:

        Doggerland

        Enter the Uninvited

        Puer Ferox Adventus

        The Engineer

        Tripudium Ad Bellum

        The Browning of the Green

        Cold Dead Reckoning

        Bourée

        Thick as a Brick

        Living in the Past

        With You There to Help Me

        Sweet Dream

        Teacher

        Critique Oblique

        Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die

        Songs from the Wood

        Farm on the Freeway

        Aqualung

        Encore:

        Locomotive Breath

Prog Rock Review: Jethro Tull-A Passion Play- An Extended Performance

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Label: Rhino

Website

The Jethro Tull remasters continue with A Passion Play from 1973. Steven Wilson returns to sit behind the sound board and make his magic happen yet again. This special book edition is subtitled An Extended Performance. Ian Anderson has all the faith and trust in the world for Wilson and with good reason; he has proven to be asset in restoring some of the early Jethro Tull back catalog already.

This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book includes 80 pages with vintage photos. The expanded edition includes the original album, and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions, both mixed to amazing 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Mr. Wilson.

 

As stated on the band’s website: Like its predecessor, Thick as a Brick, A Passion Play is a concept album with a single song (which was split into two parts on the original vinyl LP release). The theme of the concept is the spiritual journey of one man in the afterlife. 

That pretty much sums up the album’s meaning on a conceptual level however the music is another matter entirely.

There was not a good reaction from the press at the time of this album’s release, but as usual they were dead wrong and this went on to be an unheralded prog rock classic and it still stands up quite well today. This is very complex music set to an interesting story (of course). And what would one expect from Ian and the boys anyway? To hear it all again now remastered in 5.1 surround sound is indeed a blessing as it brings out a lot of the original intent more clearly and concisely than the original recording.

The presentation itself is as grand as the recording and as such deserves all of this special treatment. Some great information becomes available throughout the 80 pages of text included with this book version. You get an inside look at the recording process and some of the challenges involved where they did the initial recording session. I won’t go into detail to ruin the experience for anyone that has not purchased this yet, but rest assured it is all very entertaining.

A few tracks in and the realization that Passion Play is a brilliant slice of prog rock hits home with more impact than ever. “Critique Oblique” is a classic prog rock workout reminiscent of its predecessor TAAB. “The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles” I am sure was fun to record but it still sounds very strange to me (and the short film provided is even more so but alas it was theater). It is part of the story so it couldn’t be a track that never made it to the album then reemerge as bonus track. “The Foot of Our Stairs” is a proper return to form, now with the addition of 2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel. Things continue on from there with so many transitions it would make any worthy musician or intent listener’s head spin. And to that I say well done lads!

“Magus Perde” is powerful and engaging as it gets. It has some fantastic keyboard passages and the guitar sound is different than usual while standing out very well. Also found on the first DVD and your choice of remastered tracks is the intro and outro film used during the tour. I can imagine many audience members freaking out at the time watching what the ballerina does. Her starting position was laying on her back looking at you with her head upside down and moving her limbs every so slightly for several minutes until finally getting into the position to dance. Then eventually she finds a mirror and jumps into it only to come crashing back through the other side to end the show. I cannot imagine the wow effect it had on the many completely stoned audiences back then.

The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions fills the second discs (CD & DVD) and it is a new Steven Wilson stereo mix that stands out. The DVD with its different surround sound versions includes scrolling pictures of the band as the music plays. A few tracks that never made it on Passion Play but on to War Child are featured in their native form. “Skating Away” and “Solitaire” provide a window into what War Child would become. All of this music was definitely worth revisiting and I think fans will appreciate hearing it. 

The new discovery factor and then the realizations of new sounds 40 years on comes rushing at you proving it is still a big part of what these sets have to offer. After listening to this great music of the past it is reaffirmed that Jethro Tull was a unique band and Ian Anderson’s vocals and all around talent was the core driving force. I plan to continue to enjoy all of this older music coming back to life and the new music on offer from the incredible Mr. Anderson and company.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Critique Oblique (all versions), Magus Perde, Skating Away

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk Founder

August 17, 2014

Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk


Tracks: 

CD 1 – A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix):
01. Lifebeats/Prelude
02. The Silver Cord
03. Re-Assuring Tune
04. Memory Bank
05. Best Friends
06. Critique Oblique
07. Forest Dance #1
08. The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
09. Forest Dance #2
10. The Foot Of Our Stairs (+ 2 extra verses found on end of multi-track reel)
11. Overseer Overture.
12. Flight From Lucifer
13. 10.08 to Paddington
14. Magus Perde
15. Epilogue

CD 2 – The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix):

01. The Big Top
02. Scenario
03. Audition
04. Skating Away
05. Sailor
06. No Rehearsal
07. Left Right
08. Solitaire
09. Critique Oblique (Part I)
10. Critique Oblique (Part II)
11. Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental] 12. Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental] 13. Law Of The Bungle (Part I)
14. Tiger
15. Law Of The Bungle (Part II)

DVD 1 (Audio & Video):

Contains A Passion Play mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo. A flat transfer from the original master at PCM 96/24 stereo and video clips of The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles an intro and outro film footage used in the Passion Play tour of 1973.

DVD 2 (Audio only):

Contains The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.
In the 80 page book:

* An extensive article by Martin Webb on the preparation and recording of the album and the ‘Chateau disaster’ sessions that preceded it.

* Steven Wilson’s thoughts on mixing the recordings.

* Memories of the cover shoot and Hare filming by dancer Jane Eve (Colthorpe)

* The Rev’d Godfrey Pilchard’s recollections.

* 1973 tour history.

* Recollections of touring and PA systems by sound man Chris Amson.
 

Prog Rock Review: Jethro Tull-A Passion Play- An Extended Performance

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Label: Rhino

Website

The Jethro Tull remasters continue with A Passion Play from 1973. Steven Wilson returns to sit behind the sound board and make his magic happen yet again. This special book edition is subtitled An Extended Performance. Ian Anderson has all the faith and trust in the world for Wilson and with good reason; he has proven to be asset in restoring some of the early Jethro Tull back catalog already.

This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book includes 80 pages with vintage photos. The expanded edition includes the original album, and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions, both mixed to amazing 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Mr. Wilson.

 

As stated on the band’s website: Like its predecessor, Thick as a Brick, A Passion Play is a concept album with a single song (which was split into two parts on the original vinyl LP release). The theme of the concept is the spiritual journey of one man in the afterlife. 

That pretty much sums up the album’s meaning on a conceptual level however the music is another matter entirely.

There was not a good reaction from the press at the time of this album’s release, but as usual they were dead wrong and this went on to be an unheralded prog rock classic and it still stands up quite well today. This is very complex music set to an interesting story (of course). And what would one expect from Ian and the boys anyway? To hear it all again now remastered in 5.1 surround sound is indeed a blessing as it brings out a lot of the original intent more clearly and concisely than the original recording.

The presentation itself is as grand as the recording and as such deserves all of this special treatment. Some great information becomes available throughout the 80 pages of text included with this book version. You get an inside look at the recording process and some of the challenges involved where they did the initial recording session. I won’t go into detail to ruin the experience for anyone that has not purchased this yet, but rest assured it is all very entertaining.

A few tracks in and the realization that Passion Play is a brilliant slice of prog rock hits home with more impact than ever. “Critique Oblique” is a classic prog rock workout reminiscent of its predecessor TAAB. “The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles” I am sure was fun to record but it still sounds very strange to me (and the short film provided is even more so but alas it was theater). It is part of the story so it couldn’t be a track that never made it to the album then reemerge as bonus track. “The Foot of Our Stairs” is a proper return to form, now with the addition of 2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel. Things continue on from there with so many transitions it would make any worthy musician or intent listener’s head spin. And to that I say well done lads!

“Magus Perde” is powerful and engaging as it gets. It has some fantastic keyboard passages and the guitar sound is different than usual while standing out very well. Also found on the first DVD and your choice of remastered tracks is the intro and outro film used during the tour. I can imagine many audience members freaking out at the time watching what the ballerina does. Her starting position was laying on her back looking at you with her head upside down and moving her limbs every so slightly for several minutes until finally getting into the position to dance. Then eventually she finds a mirror and jumps into it only to come crashing back through the other side to end the show. I cannot imagine the wow effect it had on the many completely stoned audiences back then.

The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions fills the second discs (CD & DVD) and it is a new Steven Wilson stereo mix that stands out. The DVD with its different surround sound versions includes scrolling pictures of the band as the music plays. A few tracks that never made it on Passion Play but on to War Child are featured in their native form. “Skating Away” and “Solitaire” provide a window into what War Child would become. All of this music was definitely worth revisiting and I think fans will appreciate hearing it. 

The new discovery factor and then the realizations of new sounds 40 years on comes rushing at you proving it is still a big part of what these sets have to offer. After listening to this great music of the past it is reaffirmed that Jethro Tull was a unique band and Ian Anderson’s vocals and all around talent was the core driving force. I plan to continue to enjoy all of this older music coming back to life and the new music on offer from the incredible Mr. Anderson and company.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Critique Oblique (all versions), Magus Perde, Skating Away

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk Founder

August 17, 2014

Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk


Tracks: 

CD 1 – A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix:

01. Lifebeats/Prelude
02. The Silver Cord
03. Re-Assuring Tune
04. Memory Bank
05. Best Friends
06. Critique Oblique
07. Forest Dance #1
08. The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
09. Forest Dance #2
10. The Foot Of Our Stairs (+ 2 extra verses found on end of multi-track reel)
11. Overseer Overture.
12. Flight From Lucifer
13. 10.08 to Paddington
14. Magus Perde
15. Epilogue

CD 2 – The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix:

01. The Big Top
02. Scenario
03. Audition
04. Skating Away
05. Sailor
06. No Rehearsal
07. Left Right
08. Solitaire
09. Critique Oblique (Part I)
10. Critique Oblique (Part II)
11. Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental] 12. Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental] 13. Law Of The Bungle (Part I)
14. Tiger
15. Law Of The Bungle (Part II)

DVD 1 (Audio & Video):

Contains A Passion Play mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo. A flat transfer from the original master at PCM 96/24 stereo and video clips of The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles an intro and outro film footage used in the Passion Play tour of 1973.

DVD 2 (Audio only):
 
Contains The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.
In the 80 page book:

* An extensive article by Martin Webb on the preparation and recording of the album and the ‘Chateau disaster’ sessions that preceded it.

* Steven Wilson’s thoughts on mixing the recordings.

* Memories of the cover shoot and Hare filming by dancer Jane Eve (Colthorpe)

* The Rev’d Godfrey Pilchard’s recollections.

* 1973 tour history.

* Recollections of touring and PA systems by sound man Chris Amson.
 

JETHRO TULL: A PASSION PLAY (EXTENDED PERFORMANCE) 2CD/2DVD Set, Vinyl, & Digital Download Available July 1

In 1972 Jethro Tull were riding high on the crest of a popularity wave, they sold out huge arenas on the back of their critically acclaimed fifth album Thick As A Brick. The question was:  “How do you follow a concept album comprising a single 44-minute piece of music?” The answer was: “With a double album of separate songs of course.”

For the first time in their five year career, Tull went into the studio with an unchanged line-up. Founder member and undisputed leader Ian Anderson was still writing songs on flute, acoustic guitar and now saxophone, and he was again joined by guitarist Martin Barre, bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, drummer Barriemore Barlow and keyboard player John Evans. But which studio to use?

The first criterion was that it had to be abroad. The second criterion was that the studio of choice had to have a good reputation.  The 18th century Château d'Hérouville near Paris had previously been used by Elton John to record Honky Château and by Pink Floyd for Obscured By Clouds. It contained living accommodation as well as studio facilities, and so seemed the ideal choice. What could possibly go wrong?

The choice was a disaster. First up, there were technical problems with the studio itself. Then there was the accommodation... the band all slept in a dormitory, it was very basic which might have been tolerable, had they been the sole occupants of the rooms. Unfortunately, they had unwelcome company, of a bed-bug variety. And then to make matters infinitely worse everybody got food poisoning from the in-house catering.

Unsurprisingly the band decided to go home and the decision was made to ditch the hour or so's worth of music recorded in France. They decided to start from scratch and write a whole new album, instead of trying to somehow regenerate everybody's interest and commitment to something that had already struggled.

And so to A PASSION PLAY, an album that evolved into a 45-minute piece of quasi-prog rock, with complex time-signatures, complex lyrics and, well, complex everything, really. With a mere nine days left in the studio before the next tour, the pressure was on to produce something quickly. The concept explored the notion that choices might still be faced in the afterlife. It recognizes that age-old conflict between good and bad, God and the Devil.

This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book expanded edition of A PASSION PLAY includes the original album and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions both of which have been mixed to 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Steven Wilson.

A heavyweight 180-gram vinyl edition featuring the new stereo mix of the original album is also available.

JETHRO TULL
A PASSION PLAY
2CD/2DVD TRACK LISTING

Disc One - A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix)
1. Lifebeats /Prelude
2. The Silver Cord          
3. Re-Assuring Tune 
4. Memory Bank          
5. Best Friends                
6. Critique Oblique          
7. Forest Dance #1    
8. The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
9. Forest Dance #2          
10. The Foot Of Our Stairs
(2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel have been added back in)    
11. Overseer Overture.
12. Flight From Lucifer    
13. 10.08 to Paddington    
14. Magus Perde          
15. Epilogue    

Disc Two - The Château d'Hérouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix)
1. The Big Top
2. Scenario
3. Audition
4. Skating Away
5. Sailor
6. No Rehearsal
7. Left Right
8. Solitaire
9. Critique Oblique (Part I)
10. Critique Oblique (Part II)
11. Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental]
12. Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental]
13. Law Of The Bungle (Part I)
14. Tiger
15. Law Of The Bungle (Part II)

DVD 1 (Audio & Video)
Contains:
o     A Passion Play mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.
o     A flat transfer from the original master at PCM 96/24 stereo
o     Video clips of 'The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles' an intro and outro film used in the Passion Play tour of 1973.

DVD 2 (Audio only)
Contains:
o     The Château d'Hérouville Sessions mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound
o     PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.

In the book:

*An extensive article by Martin Webb on the preparation and recording of the album and the Château sessions that preceded it.
*Steven Wilson's thoughts on mixing the recordings.
*Memories of the cover shoot and Hare filming by dancer Jane Eve (Colthorpe)
*The Rev'd Godfrey Pilchard's recollections.
*1973 tour history
*Recollections of touring and PA systems by sound man Chris Amson.

JETHRO TULL: A PASSION PLAY (EXTENDED PERFORMANCE) 2CD/2DVD Set, Vinyl, & Digital Download Available July 1

In 1972 Jethro Tull were riding high on the crest of a popularity wave, they sold out huge arenas on the back of their critically acclaimed fifth album Thick As A Brick. The question was:  “How do you follow a concept album comprising a single 44-minute piece of music?” The answer was: “With a double album of separate songs of course.”

For the first time in their five year career, Tull went into the studio with an unchanged line-up. Founder member and undisputed leader Ian Anderson was still writing songs on flute, acoustic guitar and now saxophone, and he was again joined by guitarist Martin Barre, bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, drummer Barriemore Barlow and keyboard player John Evans. But which studio to use?

The first criterion was that it had to be abroad. The second criterion was that the studio of choice had to have a good reputation.  The 18th century Château d'Hérouville near Paris had previously been used by Elton John to record Honky Château and by Pink Floyd for Obscured By Clouds. It contained living accommodation as well as studio facilities, and so seemed the ideal choice. What could possibly go wrong?

The choice was a disaster. First up, there were technical problems with the studio itself. Then there was the accommodation... the band all slept in a dormitory, it was very basic which might have been tolerable, had they been the sole occupants of the rooms. Unfortunately, they had unwelcome company, of a bed-bug variety. And then to make matters infinitely worse everybody got food poisoning from the in-house catering.

Unsurprisingly the band decided to go home and the decision was made to ditch the hour or so's worth of music recorded in France. They decided to start from scratch and write a whole new album, instead of trying to somehow regenerate everybody's interest and commitment to something that had already struggled.

And so to A PASSION PLAY, an album that evolved into a 45-minute piece of quasi-prog rock, with complex time-signatures, complex lyrics and, well, complex everything, really. With a mere nine days left in the studio before the next tour, the pressure was on to produce something quickly. The concept explored the notion that choices might still be faced in the afterlife. It recognizes that age-old conflict between good and bad, God and the Devil.

This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book expanded edition of A PASSION PLAY includes the original album and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions both of which have been mixed to 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Steven Wilson.

A heavyweight 180-gram vinyl edition featuring the new stereo mix of the original album is also available.

JETHRO TULL
A PASSION PLAY
2CD/2DVD TRACK LISTING

Disc One - A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix)
1. Lifebeats /Prelude
2. The Silver Cord          
3. Re-Assuring Tune 
4. Memory Bank          
5. Best Friends                
6. Critique Oblique          
7. Forest Dance #1    
8. The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
9. Forest Dance #2          
10. The Foot Of Our Stairs
(2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel have been added back in)    
11. Overseer Overture.
12. Flight From Lucifer    
13. 10.08 to Paddington    
14. Magus Perde          
15. Epilogue    

Disc Two - The Château d'Hérouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix)
1. The Big Top
2. Scenario
3. Audition
4. Skating Away
5. Sailor
6. No Rehearsal
7. Left Right
8. Solitaire
9. Critique Oblique (Part I)
10. Critique Oblique (Part II)
11. Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental]
12. Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental]
13. Law Of The Bungle (Part I)
14. Tiger
15. Law Of The Bungle (Part II)

DVD 1 (Audio & Video)
Contains:
o     A Passion Play mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.
o     A flat transfer from the original master at PCM 96/24 stereo
o     Video clips of 'The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles' an intro and outro film used in the Passion Play tour of 1973.

DVD 2 (Audio only)
Contains:
o     The Château d'Hérouville Sessions mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound
o     PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.

In the book:

*An extensive article by Martin Webb on the preparation and recording of the album and the Château sessions that preceded it.
*Steven Wilson's thoughts on mixing the recordings.
*Memories of the cover shoot and Hare filming by dancer Jane Eve (Colthorpe)
*The Rev'd Godfrey Pilchard's recollections.
*1973 tour history
*Recollections of touring and PA systems by sound man Chris Amson.

Prog Rock Review: Ian Anderson-Homo Erraticus

Release Date: April 15, 2014

Label: Kscope Music

Website

Ian Anderson is back at it again with a follow up to the surprising sequel to Thick As  A Brick, the strong TAAB2. That stout showing with a different band gave Mr. Anderson as much authority as one would expect being the driving force behind Jethro Tull since their inception. So what does the prog legend do for an encore now? Under the banner of Ian Anderson, which equates to Jethro Tull to most of us longtime listeners, we now have the persnickety Gerald Bostock taking another journey on Homo Erraticus. Note that it is not referred to as Homo sapiens but our species gone a bit astray or erratic.

Anderson and band are back in fine and witty form on this release. He colorfully describes the gist of the story on their website and it gives the perspective audience a window into what is going to happen upon listening to the new progressive rock journey. In summary…The now middle-aged Gerald Bostock after a trip to Mathew Bunter’s Old Library Bookshop in Linwell village, the two gents came across a dusty, unpublished manuscript, written by local amateur historian Ernest T. Parritt, (1873 -1928), which is entitled “Homo Britanicus Erraticus.” Then from there the album jumps into three suites as the story moves along. Part One: Chronicles is comprised of tracks 1-8, Part Two: Prophecies tracks 9-11 and then rounded out with Part Three: Revelations with tracks 12-15.

Anderson brings back the talented Florian Ophale to lead the way on lead guitar along with David Goodier (bass, and double bass), John O’Hara (orchestral conductor, piano, keyboards and accordion), Scott Hammond (drums and percussion) and Ryan O’Donnell (additional vocals). 

Anderson continues to burn the midnight oil while opting to explore new avenues and challenges rather than resting on the laurels of previous accomplishments. His voice is the perfect complement to the most entertaining music found on this new album. The pace of each track is ever changing and the scope is broad with artistic strokes of progressive rock, metal and folk to create the backdrop to the story, all with energetic purpose. I think Ian has adjusted well to losing some range in his vocals over the years and the music more than compensates for that change. He is a storyteller supreme and the music is the proverbial icing on the cake.

”Doggerland” leads things off nicely and sets the tone for a proper Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson outing and from that point it gets “progressively” more interesting whilst moving into each suite. As usual Ian’s flute adds an entirely different dimension to the music and it just would not be the same without it of course. The different moods and atmospheres are placed properly throughout and the story masterfully told by the master himself. “The Turnpike Inn” is likely to remind you of the heavier JT with the guitar playing, it still works very well. As much as I respect Martin Barre and have enjoyed his work over the years I cannot see where he is missed, particularly on this rocker. Ophale does more than an adequate job and most certainly Ian would take no less than the best musicians to work with to perform his compositions. “The Engineer” picks it up again with some strong guitar lines and Ian’s voice is very capable here. “Tripudium Ad Bellum” keeps the fires burning with rapid flute lines to kick off the proceedings then the intro takes a turn with some nice jazzy guitar as Ian has some fun leading the way with his flute. Suddenly it changes again with some driving passages like TAAB had to offer. It is an instrumental foray that introduces you to the second suite in a most classic prog way. “The Browning Of The Green” rounds out the final suite. It is a drive you home number with great music from all points. The combinations of instruments and unique vocals created in this recording take the best of what Anderson and band has to offer. The rock, folk and metal combined is what you would expect and that is exactly what you get on this entertaining excursion. “Cold Dead Reckoning” ends the opus most appropriately with the classic JT sound and flair. The title has finality to it and the music lures you in and hits hard leaving you to think what could possibly come next but alas this story is over. In the end what you get is an all-encompassing state of man set to music that surely has another chapter to tell down the line. I don’t think we have heard the last of Gerald Bostock…that is if man made it out of the desolate land he walked upon as the curtain closes one more time.

I must admit upon first listen I was not too sure about this album but after several more subsequent spins it grew on me a few notches upon the ladder of approval. This is not music you can listen to in the background; it demands your complete attention to be appreciated as an entire work of art. It’s never cut and dried with Mr. Anderson and you will find once you consume every bite of this full course meal that Homo Erraticus is yet another triumph. This is indeed a musical story that deserves repeated listens. Is this another prog rock classic? I have no doubt that it is. You must add the album to your collection if you have a place in your heart and soul for progressive music.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Doggerland, The Turnpike Inn, The Browning Of The Green

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk Founder

April 11, 2014

Tracks:
Part One: Chronicles
01. Doggerland      
02. Heavy Metals      
03. Enter The Uninvited  
04. Puer Ferox Adventus  
05. Meliora Sequamur  
06. The Turnpike Inn  
07. The Engineer  
08. The Pax Britannica  
Part Two: Prophecies  
09. Tripudium Ad Bellum      
10. After These Wars      
11. New Blood, Old Veins
Part Three: Revelations      
12. In For A Pound      
13. The Browning Of The Green      
14. Per Errationes Ad Astra      
15. Cold Dead Reckoning