Customer Reviews

Broadsword & Beast

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Finally, after many years of waiting, my favorite band has released the remastered B&B and I can complete my Jethro Tull collection! Now you might say "wait a tick, Broadsword and the Beast has been out on CD for years." That's true, but the original CD release was nearly unlistenable, and certainly the weakest disc in the collection. It sounded a bit like it was recorded with a hand held microphone inside a wet felt sack - muddy and of inconsistent quality.

This release is much superior to the original! Broadsword & the Beast was a moderate success in the United States, but in Germany and other European countries - this was "THE" Jethro Tull album to have, eclipsing Aqualung, Thick as a Brick and all the rest in sales and chart ranking. With perhaps the best artwork on any album cover, ever - this disc became quite popular and the menacing pixie like image of Ian still adorns concert tee shirts.

While the tone of the album took the guise of Scandinavian or Celtic themes, this album was definitely a stinging commentary of contemporary times. Among the several notable songs on this collection, THE CLASP and FALLEN 0N HARD TIMES both got a respectable amount of radio play in 1982. Both songs referred to the troubled times in which we were living, both economically and politically. An ailing Leonid Brezhnev was the General Secretary of the still thriving Soviet Union, only to be replaced by an equally threatening Yuri Andropov later that year. Reagan and Thatcher had formed a powerful, yet decidedly unsettling alliance in the west. These were scary times folks, and Ian's lyrics reflected the uncertainty we were all feeling!

Other great songs on the disc include BROADSWORD, a song that harkens back to ancient times, and speaks of protecting home and family from external threats. PUSSYWILLOW became a favorite on the touring scene for a while, though I haven't seen it performed in years. The last song on the original release was the peaceful, almost comforting CHEERIO, in which Ian and the lads wished us all "the best of luck till we meet again, mate." This song has been used as the closer for almost every concert appearance since.

I would be remiss not to mention the wonderful stage set used on this concert tour. This was the final bombastic, over the top stage presentation Tull would ever mount, and it was wonderful! The stage was a full blown Viking ship with the dragon masthead shown on the cover painting - complete with smoking nostrils and glowing eyes. Other memorable moments from the show included an actual "BEASTIE" sitting on Ian's shoulders as he sang that song, and a huge BROADSWORD he flailed about that had to be as tall as Ian himself. During WATCHING ME WATCHING YOU, the stage was completely dark while Ian scanned the audience, pointing a powerful hand held spotlight out to look at us watching him! It was a great show!

I will wrap up with a mention of the bonus tracks, all of which have been available on other releases. These are a nice collection of songs all recorded around the time of this album. The most notable of these are JACK FROST AND THE HOODED CROW, a tune that most recently reappeared on the Christmas Album, and JACK A LYNN, a touching and lovely song Ian wrote in tribute to his wife Shona (it's her middle name.) MAYHEM MAYBE is a fun little ditty, and OVERHANG is a riffy, enjoyable piece as well. Enjoy this disc, it is a treasure!

THE BAND: Ian Anderson (vocals, flute, acoustic guitar), Martin Barre (electric & acoustic guitar), Peter-John Vettese (piano/keyboards/synthesizer), David Pegg (bass, mandolin), Gerry Conway (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1982) Originally 10 songs clocking in at approximately 39 minutes, this digitally remastered (2005) version features 8 bonus tracks pushing the entire listen to just over 64 minutes. Included with the disc is a 10-page booklet with original album artwork, song titles/credits, song lyrics, a 2-page intro from Ian Anderson, and thank you's. Label - Chrysalis Records.

COMMENTS: This album is an enigma to me. I like "Broadsword", but simply can't and won't put it on the same lofty perch as my favorites "Songs From The Wood", "Aqualung", "Minstrel In The Gallery", "Warchild", or "Thick As A Brick". "Broadsword" pulls you in many different directions. Anderson himself is quoted in the liner notes, "It was our fastest selling and biggest album in Germany, and did well through Europe... (however) the ho-hum response in the U.S. was a mystery." For me, the different line up personnel may have had something to do with it. The 70's were gone - and so was the magic of Tull's best drummer ever Barriemore Barlow, John Evan (keyboards), John Glascock (bass, R.I.P.), or any of those stunning orchestral arrangements from David Palmer. Two things I really found disappointing with this album was the heavy emphasis on keyboards and electronics, and the total lack of Ian's skilled flute playing. I know 'change' is inevitable. Jethro Tull's previous album "A" (1980) was a huge change in direction - a completely different sound... and in my opinion disappointing. While I admire Anderson for taking chances... it doesn't mean I have to enjoy the album. With "Broadsword" I feel Tull took a decent step forward and found a way to return to the more classic Tull style and sound. Great songs include the mellow "Flying Colors", the anthem-esque "Slow Marching Band", the up and down "Pussy Willow" and the story of the title track. However, there are several songs here I'd label as filler - "Beastie", "Watching Me Watching You" and "Fallen On Hard Times". Several of the Tull compilations features songs from this album - "Broadsword", "Jack-A-Lynn" and "Pussy Willow" made it to the 2-disc set "The Best Of Jethro Tull" (1993); while the title track and "Cheerio" made it to "Very Best Of Jethro Tull" (2001). Since I was only an average fan of the album, the remastered sound and bonus tracks made me buy this new edition - "Jack Frost & The Hooded Crow" is a wonderful song (making it to their 2004 "Christmas Album"), the medieval "Mayhem Maybe" (could have been on "Songs From The Wood"), the slow rocker "Overhang", and my favorite here "Jack-A-Lynn". Not quite a Tull 'classic' in my book, but still a good album... especially this remastered edition... also one of my favorite Jethro Tull album covers (4 stars).

After their controversial "A" album from 1980, Jethro Tull charged into the year 1982 with their outstanding release, "The Broadsword And The Beast." Truly one of the group's very best works, "Broadsword" saw Jethro Tull acquire two new band members in the forms of keyboardist Peter John Vettese and drummer Gerry Conway. Vettese added a more keyboard-heavy, synthesised gloss to Tull's trademark folk-rock, and the combination works amazingly well. "Broadsword" also features some of the best material Tull frontman Ian Anderson had written since 1977's "Songs From The Wood." Lots of Tull goodies on this one, such as the marching rock of "Beastie," the catchy "Fallen On Hard Times" (which the band appropriately released as a single), the anthemic "Broadsword," the fun of "Watching Me Watching You," and the atmospheric punch of "The Clasp" and "Seal Driver." Also, this new remaster of "Broadsword" comes with a very generous helping of *eight* bonus songs all recorded during the sessions for the album, including the Christmas-themed "Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow," the part-ballad/part-rocker "Jack A Lynn," and the excellent "Overhang" and "I Am Your Gun." The album's early-80's production is top-notch, and Jethro Tull themselves sound truly inspired on this set. All the way around, "The Broadsword And The Beast" is a great Tull classic.

BAtB is a great blend of classic Tull and early 80's arcade keyboard rock. Stunned it wasn't big in America. Contained in what I think is one of the best sleeves of all time (I own 2 pristine vinyl copies) BatB has it all: Rockers, ballads, flute, no flute, something for everyone. The arrangements are more straightforward than previous classic Tull records.

I do have one minor gripe however...There were tons of songs recorded in the '81 Maison Rouge sessions for BatB..8 are included as bonus tracks and 7 left off. Why? I have no idea these 7 tracks are just as good or better than the album tracks....no kidding! To have these remastered would have made this release INSANE! Ian A. could've taken advantage of cd technology and included these songs for a 2 cd set along with the 7 tracks released on the 20 and 25 Anniversary box sets of '82 Hamburg BatB Tour. Well I made my own cdr and call it BatB Part II. For those completists out there:
Studio tracks are:
1. Crew Nights
2. The Curse
3. Commons Brawl
4. No Step
5. Drive on the Young Side of Life
6. Lights Out (not the UFO song)
1-6 from the Nightcap cd set.

7. Motoreyes (from 20 Ann. Box.)

Live tracks
8. Sweet Dreams
9. The Clasp
10. Pibroch/Black Satin Dancer
11. Fallen on Hard Times
12. Aqualung
13. Locomotive Breath
8-13 from 20 Ann. Box Set

14. Seal Driver (from 25 Ann. set).

BatB will now always be a 2 cd set but if you're not into the extra stuff this is still a wonderful Jethro Tull remaster....arguably their best of the 80's.

I am still looking for the extremely simple-minded individual that condemned prog-rock to the "pretentious and excessive" musical universe. What is it with these people? Have they no ears? Have they no sense of aesthetic taste? OOOHH! I keep forgetting that they waste their lives within punk (one, two, three and lets go!) This recording surges from urgency. From the need to go forward in a changing (for the worse) musical scenario.

B & B is such a balanced approach to musical rendition. Past and future are at once present. Just listen to the jem, "Watching Me Watching You", a composition that blends both worlds effortlessly. Monsieur Barré works magic with texture and execution all along the recording. Listen to "Seal Driver" and Flying Colours".

I love STAND UP and SONGS FROM THE WOODS above all Jethro Tull recordings, but certainly BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST must bue listened to with sharp and critical criteria. Enjoy it.

This is by far the best Tull album from the 1980s. Every song is strong, and Anderson's soaring flute and Barre's screaming guitar solos never sounded better, especially on the classic "Seal Driver." As a history buff, I also love the dark story Anderson tells in "Broadsword", looking back to bloody Viking raids across Europe during the Dark Ages. After visiting Ireland last year and learning how the Norsemen pillaged and burned their way across the countryside, I really appreciate this song now. There are also eight terrific bonus tracks on this cd, including "I Am Your Gun", which features the witty line, "It's not the gun that kills, but the man behind!" One my favorite bonus tracks is the last one, Down at the End of Your Road, which is an absolutely hilarious account of a nasty guy trying to get rid of his snobby neighbors. Other highlights include Jack-a-Lynn, a touching romantic ballad dedicated to Anderson's wife with a hard rocking ending. This cd is a must for any serious Jethro Tull collection and will not disappoint.

This album has been much underappreciated it seems and the poor mastering on the original CD release didn't help ... however, this remastered version is here to set the record straight ... not only do you get a nicely remastered CD you get 8 bonus tracks, none of which are simply filler ... in fact, I enjoy the bonus tracks every bit as much as the previously released ones ... Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow has become one of my absolute favorite Tull tracks ... I cannot see where a true Tull fan would be without this CD remaster ... it is essential Tull in my book ... plenty of flute, lots of folk influence, good balance of electric to acoustic, nice mandolin and great writing and musicianship abounding ... enjoy!

- Scriptor

The odd thing is I don't remember hearing about this album at all when it came out. I think it received little or no support from N.Y. radio. When I finally heard the songs , I wondered why only the germans seem to have gotten it. The material here is,in my opinion,very good. The songs run from very powerful to soft and interspective. "Slow Marching Band" is one of Ian's finest and evokes alot of emotion. So many extra tracks too!I agree with another fan that too many compare the various Tull works. In the sense that Ian and company are a "forward thinking" group, I think they always strive for "newness". This may indeed frustrate fans that are looking for "AQUALUNG #2". I also believe that Ian revisits certain "themes" or "motifs" throughout the years that remind one of earlier works.

this album is absolutely fantastic & the overall package very well put together, visually & musically.
the music is so melodic, catchy & foot-tapping.
his voice is pure folk with a growling edge (like a lamb that swallowed a lion!) -
The songs themselves: the tracks all flow together,
& the inteligent lyrical content of a superior high quality.
fave tracks include "Beastie" - easy to identify with, amusing in a wry way; "Clasp" - sad, but true! - "Seal Driver" has the sound & lyrical description that you are out battling the waves with ian & his crew! "fallen on hard times" sounds like a traditional folk song from 100s of years ago! - (you can just imagine all the villagers skipping along the path playing lutes & mandolins) with a matey verbal message of "chin up"!. "Cheerio" - rounds it off nicely with ian elegantly taking off his hat & making an elaborate bow to the listeners.

I don't know what happened Amazon, but you deleted the review of Broadsword that I did a few days ago, so I guess I'll give it another shot! This is the second Tull album that I listened to in it's entirety, and boy is this a gem. Some fair weathered Tull fans say this is a horrible release, but I just can't see why they would think such a thing. This is great cutting edge progressive rock. Some people love the worst of the Tull catalog, and hate the best of it. I just love the whole kind of medieval vibe that exists throughout this cd. I just bought this remaster with the 8 bonus tracks, and it sounds a great deal better than the one that I had purchased in the mid-80's. I understand that they recorded 8 or more tracks in addition to the original tracks at these sessions, so that's why this has so many bonus tracks. A few of these bonus tracks sound pretty excellent, but I see why they thought that they wouldn't fit the original album. I think the best songs are "Watching me, watching you", "Pussywillow", "Broadsword", "The Clasp", "Fallen on hard times", and "Flying colours". On their next release Under Wraps they would be on a definite decline from this, but they got back on track with Crest of a Knave in 1987. So hush up you haters of BROADSWORD, and go to music school or have a lobotomy, because you're not thinking right in my book! Enjoy!!!