Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It does what it says on the tin., 3 April 2007
I just dont get why other reveiwers are knocking off stars because its another Jethro Tull compilation and not new material. A jethro Tull compilation does remind people that Tull are still around and after 39 years on the road thats something to be thankful for. There is talk that a new album will be around at the end of this year, so for now, this will keep us going.
Tull have always been an interesting and complex band, some people are totally into their music and some just dont get it. Probably because in general, to listen to Tull, takes a great deal of concentration and at times patience. This works well as a fantastic introduction to Tull, or for someone like me, who has every album released, an excellent collection of the softer side of their music.
The collection has most of the more familiar pieces of acoustic work, with a couple of poorly edited segments of Thick As a Brick and Cold Wind to Vallhala, but i would rather they were on the CD, than not. I do agree that this could have been released as a double CD, as plenty of excellent pieces of work, are missing. But this is a great album with a fine body of work, classic songs such as Wond'ring Aloud, Cheap Day Return and Dun Ringill, sit well with Jack a Lynn and a couple of Ian Andersons solo tracks, Rupis Dance and The Water Carrier. Two exclusive tracks only found on this album, means that Tull completist's will have to shell out again to get them. A rather pointless re-recording of One Brown Mouse, and a live track recorded in Denamark "Pastime with Good Company".
In short, if you like acoustic music and are new to Tull, this is a great start. Anyone wanting to hear Jethro Tull with the amps turned up could do worse than purchase Bursting Out, a live record from 1978 and provides a snapshot of Tull in their prime.
If you are a die hard like me, stop moaning,you have the choice to buy it, or leave it alone. Its an excellent piece of work, I for one, have been waiting for a best of acoustic Tull album, for twenty odd years.
Now come on Ian, lets have a new album please...........
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
There's more to Tull than Aqualung & Locomotive Breath!, 19 April 2007
As a serious fan and a completist collector of Tull I picked up this compilation as a matter of course. However , it strikes me that this particular compilation is the perfect selection for those who only know Jethro Tull for Aqualung or Locomotive Breath, who think that band leader Ian Anderson is really named Jethro Tull or who haven't listened to Tull since the seventies. Tull, at full force, is not an easy listen for the uninitiated and some of the rock bluster could put new listeners off.
This acoustic set, however, perfectly captures the delicate, disciplined music majesty of Tull and includes songs from across the nearly 40 years of their existence, including all the various genres that Tull dabbled with. The playing order is in chronological order so it offers a virtual walk through of the band's history from the early days (Fat Man etc),the heights of Mother Goose (off Aqualung)and Thick as a Brick from their commercial peak, Dun Ringill and Jack Frost from the "rural/folk-rock" period, Under Wraps from the (brief) dalliance with electronica and Water Carrier from the more recent world-music influences on Ian's solo album Secret Language of Birds (which is highly recommended). An eclectic journey indeed but all underlining the brilliance of the musicians making the journey!
Most of the classic acoustic numbers are here but inevitably my selection would have been slightly different. Missing (for me) is an acoustic version of Rocks on the Road from Catfish Rising which remains one of Tull's most special moments (IMHO). But the inclusion of One White Duck, Dun Ringill, Jack Frost and Broadford Bazaar restores one's faith.
The final track Pastime with Good Company is the only song not available elsewhere, and it is worth having, as it demonstrates (again) the Tull's musical palate is so much more extensive than their peer group, as they effortlessly do justice to this Henry VIII composition. Those who own the 20th Anniversary 3CD set will already have the other song from this genre, called King Henry's Madrigal, of which Anderson said "If Henry VIII had a rock band this is what it would sound like..".
For the convenience of having all the "gentler" Tull in one place this compilation is great, and a marvellous way to expose new listeners to the lesser known side of rock's most inventive band. (Not that I'm biased you understand).
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
UN-PLUGGED MUSIC FOR THOSE WITH UN-PLUGGED EARS, 25 Mar 2007
This latest in a long line of compilations over new material may seem a pointless release to the legions of hard core TULL fans out there, craving a long time coming album of new material.
However, this release serves an important role in showcasing to the "casual" or "non convert" listener the unique and rewarding music Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull have been recording and performing (with varying degrees of success!)over the past almost 40 years.
For anybody who enjoys what in modern times seems to be the forgotten craft of quality song-writing, and who is prepared to judge the music on its own merit, detached from terms like 'prog rock' , then this album will prove to be a rewarding experience......
From 3 proud TULL converts,
Andy Godden, Anthony Watts and Gary "the Rottweiler" Smilie
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