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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jethro Tull have exceeded themselves with this Christmas or Festive album as Ian Anderson puts it. It is in a class of its own and not as soppy as all the christmas albums out there. If you want something that is different for the Festive season buy this album.The only other albums that comes close to this is Enya's(6 track ep)and her new album, and Loreena Mc Kennit's Christmas album.
George Fazakas
George Fazakas
Format:Audio CD
Come December each year and I reach for this album. Ian Anderson has done a great job here conjuring up a series of festive delights without a trace of phony sentiment. Instead we get musical mulled wine, fending off the frost with good cheer and revelry. Having said that, there is a recognition of both the light and shade of Yuletide on many of the tracks. Highlights include 'Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow', some jaunty renditions of traditional carols and a reworking of some old favourites, all held together by the cinnamon blast of Anderson's mordant lyrics. Before the month settles down into its familiar pattern of over-indulgence and schmaltz, Jethro Tull's Christmas Album has always served me well in setting up the season properly. The album serves as the perfect antidote to the darkness and cold outside and reminds us equally well of both pagan and sacred aspects of Christmastide.
Format:MP3 Download
Jethro Tull's Christmas Album is something that you don't necessarily need to read any reviews for to know whether or not you will enjoy it, for example if the very notion of a Jethro Tull Christmas album offends you then just let this one slide and wait for their next real studio album, but if you are willing to give it a fair chance this is actually a great album.
I was pretty skeptical myself of how this could be any good, not overly being all that fond of Christmas music myself; but was actually surprised to find that there was indeed a lot of worthwhile and interesting music on here, for example the album opener `Birthday Card At Christmas,' is just a great little up tempo song with no sleigh bells or choirs and a good song besides, it would still be good if it were on either of their previous two albums Roots To Branches or Dot Com.
The music is all fairly pleasant and positive, and there aren't that many heavy and driving rock tracks to be found but even so it still works surprisingly well as a new Jethro Tull record... yes the tracks are united in sound and lyrical themes, but so too were all the tracks on the band's many concept albums so it isn't as unnatural as it first seems.
In addition to the new material there are some reworkings of classic and rare material from different periods in Tull's career, such as the late 60s track `A Christmas Song,' the late 70's tracks `Ring Solstice Bells,' and `Weather Cock,' as well as the early 80s `Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow,' and early 90s track `Another Christmas Song,' all of which are now connected by a shared vocal and production style on these re-recordings.
Overall; forget the whole Christmas thing for a second, if you enjoy Ian's post-70's voice, if you like Tull albums with a lot of flute work and instrumental quality then this is something worth at least a curiosity listen, I put it off for a few years too many and now regret doing so. Of course if you only like the band's 60s and 70s output, maybe give this album a wide berth.
***If you can, try and get the re-released version that features an extra disc with an entire Christmas concert, Christmas At St. Bride's 2008. An enjoyable and new way to hear Jethro Tull which features largely acoustic renditions of Tull music live inside a church (unusually with readings and choirs intact) that nicely pads out the set and adds more value for money.***
I was pretty skeptical myself of how this could be any good, not overly being all that fond of Christmas music myself; but was actually surprised to find that there was indeed a lot of worthwhile and interesting music on here, for example the album opener `Birthday Card At Christmas,' is just a great little up tempo song with no sleigh bells or choirs and a good song besides, it would still be good if it were on either of their previous two albums Roots To Branches or Dot Com.
The music is all fairly pleasant and positive, and there aren't that many heavy and driving rock tracks to be found but even so it still works surprisingly well as a new Jethro Tull record... yes the tracks are united in sound and lyrical themes, but so too were all the tracks on the band's many concept albums so it isn't as unnatural as it first seems.
In addition to the new material there are some reworkings of classic and rare material from different periods in Tull's career, such as the late 60s track `A Christmas Song,' the late 70's tracks `Ring Solstice Bells,' and `Weather Cock,' as well as the early 80s `Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow,' and early 90s track `Another Christmas Song,' all of which are now connected by a shared vocal and production style on these re-recordings.
Overall; forget the whole Christmas thing for a second, if you enjoy Ian's post-70's voice, if you like Tull albums with a lot of flute work and instrumental quality then this is something worth at least a curiosity listen, I put it off for a few years too many and now regret doing so. Of course if you only like the band's 60s and 70s output, maybe give this album a wide berth.
***If you can, try and get the re-released version that features an extra disc with an entire Christmas concert, Christmas At St. Bride's 2008. An enjoyable and new way to hear Jethro Tull which features largely acoustic renditions of Tull music live inside a church (unusually with readings and choirs intact) that nicely pads out the set and adds more value for money.***
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Its a Cracker
I guess most of us who have grown up with Jethro Tull enjoy the fact that Ian's music varies so much. This one I really enjoy over Christmas. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2010 by R. Elliott
The only Xmas album I own
...well apart from the Phil Spector one and that rarely get's an airing!!To be honest I was reminded of this album today due to Winter drawing in and the fact that Sting has just... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2009 by Mr. A. J. Skelton
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