Customer Reviews

Warchild

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When first released in 1974, I recall many being disappointed with Warchild, in comparison to its illustrious predecessor, A Passion Play, but over the years this view has changed considerably and the album is rightly considered one of Tulls best offerings.

Warchild is essentially a collection of outtakes from the Passion Play sessions and from the soundtrack to the ill fated Warchild movie. Similarities with APP abound, especially in the use of saxophones and lyrical themes. There are Piano accordians in the mix, too and the album has a humorous, surreal English Music Hall / circus feel.

Standout tracks from the album proper, include the magnificent Backdoor Angels which features some savage guitar from Martin Barre; the classic Skating Away ( on the thin ice of a new day ); hit single Bungle in the Jungle and the sardonic Only Solitaire - an acoustic jingle, part self parody part searing attack on the rock press.

This remastered version features some outstanding bonus tracks ( 7 in all ) culled from various collections, all of which are regarded as cult classics by the Jethro Tull cognescenti and the album would be worth buying for these alone. Add all the original tracks and the pristine, crystal clear remastering job and you have what can only be described as an essential album.

Strangely this was the album that got me into Tull after I borrowed it from a friend rather than Aqualung or Songs from the Wood which seem to be the usual roads in. Listening to the remastered version I remembered really how good this album is, the lyrics are just great, full of puns and yet never fail to hit their intended target and the music is full of great hooks and yet opens up layer by layer on each listen. The remaster has worked really well on the seperation so theres a real dynamism when instruments come in. Its good to have the extra tracks in context (even if they were on 20 years of Tull and Night Cap). My one niggle is the sleeve notes which give no info on the writing of the tracks or why some were left off originally. Most annoyingly is Warchild Waltz which I know nothing about and the sleevenotes enlighten me no further. All in all though its the music you just cant fault.

One of the (many) excellent, unique, masterful albums from the legendary Jethro Tull.
Their musicianship (even though the line-up changed over the years) is never less than stunning, the songs range from gentle ballads to all out heavy rock, via folk, jazz and classical.
I have been listening to Tull albums over the years (ever since "This Was") and (apart from a couple of synthesier oddities in the '80s) have been delighted, amazed and awe-inspired by them.
I saw Ian Anderson's tour last year (with most of Tull) and they are still wonderful...

A typical Tull CD of the time, infused with unique brilliance and idiosyncratic indulgences. I love their music, and their stage shows are still worth travelling many a mile to see. I'm not sure how many young people listen to Tull, or whether many under 40 would get them if they did. Sadly many over 40 don't get them either, and too many have forgotten all about them. This is a real pity, they are missing out on a lot.

I don't feel this is Tull at their absolute peak, but that said they continued with this album to show what an excellent band they were, with the leadership of Ian Anderson constantly pushing them into exploring new ground. There is terrific musicianship and some fabulous songs as you would expect, and although occasionally elements of some of them might now appear self indulgent and a little obtuse (a bit prog rock) this is still a collection of songs that will immediately reward hearing. Very much worth a listen.

If you love anything about Jethro Tull, you need this.If you don't know anything about Jethro Tull...you may not need it...but listening to it will take you some place you've never been before.I think it's a fantastic bunch of songs.

I first heard this album at one of those "Party Seven" parties in the 70's when I was more into glam pop than anything even remotely progressive. However, it shone out like a beacon and I loved every track and could hardly wait to buy it myself. While I often wonder where nearly 40 years went, this still stands out as one of those great albums that I never ever tire of listening to which, like several 70's albums, never had a bad track you needed to skip. It is sublime.
I confess I'm not a huge Tull purist so maybe it is more commercially accessible and I do find their later melodic stuff preferable to the early self-indulgent stereotypical prog rock. Anderson has a great voice and while I found his "acting" on TOTP and other shows a little "disturbing", the music has never lost it's quality or appeal.
Another "must have" for your collection.

On listening to this album, it doesn't strike you as typical Tull until perhaps 'Sealion' and 'Skating Away' make an appearance. It is the sort of album that eventually grows on you. I recommend the remastered expanded version as it has some great bonus tracks.

It's difficult for me to put down any album by the progressive rock band Jethro Tull. And Warchild is no exception- even though it was largely created from default.

The previous year, 'Passion Play' was let down due to technical errors - and the band's decision to live abroad in tax exile. However, not one to give up, Ian Anderson decided that the excluded sections should be adapted to Warchild: it was one of the best muscial decisions he ever made.

In my eyes, Warchild was that final climax before the band faded into a two year obscurity, or what I term 'The Limbo Years'. I'm sure Jethro Tull were uncertain of their future, but they kept on composing, playing, and recording new tracks. Nothing could keep them down for long.

As to the main theme: it was the first album to spark off Tull's folk and acoustic side. 'Queen and Country', for example, is an upbeat sea ditty with traditional accordion, while 'Ladies' adopted a more Spanish sound with guitars. 'Skating Away...' was one of those plesant treats you normally find on every Tull album and employed almost every instrument they had, with well-written lyrics. 'Bungle in the Jungle' is pure folk rock with originality, as Ian takes you on safari in Livingstone's footsteps. 'Solitaire' is a beautiful acoustic rendition of a very odd fellow indeed.

Then, we come to the 'heavier' side of this album: 'Warchild' is a daunting waltz of a song, wheras 'Sealion' - one of my all-time Tull faves on this album! - is more upbeat and feverish, as Ian takes his frustrations out in a circus ring (or the 'world'). 'The Third Hoorah' is a curiously loud affair, that isn't unpleasant, and may have started out as a mad jig, but then Ian incorporated a harpsichord (!) into the overall sound, and it became more aristocratic. I often feel this song is describing a gentlemen's rugby club (see if you can spot a clue to this in the absolutely weird - of course! - picture).

One more thing: Ian mentioned on Tull's 20th Anniversary video that he didn't like showbiz - but this album proves quite the opposite: Jethro Tull lived by amateur theatricals and insane comedy. It was all part of the essential, original nature that made up the band. And I'm of the personal opinion that Ian, in his younger days, was an inventive lunatic! But one well received, it seems...

When other Progressive Rock Giants fell by the wayside and/or changed direction, JETHRO TULL never changed, they continued to release thought provoking conceptual Prog Rock, that's why they're so revered. Their productivity and creativity throughout the 1970's can't be equalled by any artist from any genre. So how on earth do you choose a favourite album from such a rich back catalogue?, you can't, it's like choosing your favourite child, there's so much to love about them all. 1974's WAR CHILD though is much overlooked, in the mainstream, other Tull albums are far better known, this has always been a mystery to me because WARCHILD is right up there with the best of them. Maybe it was overpowered by it's predecessor the bewildering and complex Magnum Opus PASSION PLAY. Nevertheless WAR CHILD is a stand alone work, with the usual concept running through it, a far more easier listen than PASSION PLAY, a more intimate whimsical tale with the usual biting dry humoured lyrics. The CD also has seven bonus tracks on it all worthwhile, the restrictions of vinyl prevented these songs being on the original LP. If your a TULL fan you already own this, if your thinking about buying a TULL album for the first time, then WAR CHILD is the perfect place to start. "WAR CHILD" by JETHRO TULL was another Immense album Outstanding Ability, by Craftsmen of their Art. It certainly is up there with THICK AS A BRICK and SONGS FROM THE WOOD. A must buy CD.

As far as Tull albums are concerned, this is by far one of the best! Different musical journeys abound this masterpiece. The use of several different instruments throughout this album only enhance the genius that is Jethro Tull. For the Tull enthusiast, this album is a MUST! For those of you who have only sampled a bit, this album proves to be quite a treat. (Besides, how many 'rock' albums do you know that would have a bagpipe processional included?)