Customer Reviews

Jethro Tull Christmas Album (Bonus Dvd)

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are a fan of Tull's 70's albums, specifically the more acoustic leaning "Songs From the Wood", then you will LOVE this disk. It's almost as if Ian Anderson and company travelled back three decades and tapped into a sound all but lost with today's over-produced, and under-performed music. Songs like "Jack Frost", "Pavane" and "Last Man" could all have easily been inserted into earlier Tull disks like "Benefit" or "Minstrel In the Gallery". The forgotten classics included here; "Weathercock" and "Another Christmas Song" have been slightly updated, and are nice to re-visit. If you are tired of being beaten over the head with an Ashlee Simpson-Clay Aiken Christmas, then treat yourself to a group of real musicians, real songwriters doing what they do best. This is one Christmas album you won't want to put away after the holidays, and one that sounds just as good in July.

It is rare for rock artists to record a whole album of Christmas music although they like to record singles or tracks for compilation projects, especially where a worthy cause is involved such as the Special Olympics (A very special Christmas series). Thus, I was surprised to find a Christmas album by Jethro Tull, especially as I thought that they had long since faded into obscurity. In fact, although the seventies were their decade of fame, they have continued performing and recording through the intervening years. I am not especially familiar with Jethro Tull's other music (although this album has aroused my curiosity so I will remedy that situation some day) so I'll review this purely on its merits as a Christmas album.

The group's leader, Ian Anderson, has a pleasant if unexceptional baritone voice who plays flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin, piccolo and percussion as well as writing songs for the group. Clearly a man of many talents, it is his flute-playing that is the dominant feature of this album. When this album was recorded, the other members of Jethro Tull were Martin Barre (electric and acoustic guitars), Doane Perry (drums and percussion), Andrew Giddings (keyboards, accordion and keyboards bass) and Jonathan Noyce (bass guitar). Guest musicians were James Duncan (drums and percussion), Dave Pegg (bass guitar and mandolin) and the Sturcz string quartet.

Some of the tracks are instrumentals while others feature vocals. As the flute is ideally suited to Christmas music, the results are very enjoyable. There are a few familiar tunes here but they are very distinctive. Quite apart from the sound of the flute, the arrangements are sometimes different from the standard.

This album works well as background music when it comes across as a very upbeat album, but if you make the effort to listen to the lyrics, you'll find that they are not always upbeat as there a hint of cynicism. If you enjoy the sound of the flute and you're looking for a Christmas album unlike any other, this is for you.

I came across this album and decided to purchase because it was "something different". I could not have been more pleased!! Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull take some old favorites and give them a creative and memorable twist. The new tracks are also fantastic. This has become my family's favorite album of the season. My college age son took it to the dorm, and it was a favorite there also. My recommendation is to BUY THIS ALBUM RIGHT NOW if you don't already own it! You won't regret your decision!!

As one of those people who cannot stand to listen to non-stop christmas music from September to January, or even for a couple of hours at a holiday concert, I rarely even look at christmas albums unless I'm shopping for someone who's specifically requested one. This one caught my eye, though, and I figured if anyone could make christmas music bearable, it would be Jethro Tull. Boy, am I glad I bought it! Jethro Tull makes this not just bearable, but enjoyable. This might be my favorite christmas present this year.

There's an adage in the music business that you can always tell that an artist's career is over when they put out a Christmas album. Not so with Jethro Tull. This CD is alternately cheerful, moving, and thought provoking (if there's a more poignant Christmas song than "First Snow on Brooklyn" I want to hear it).
So forget all those pop and rock stars that put out CDs full of stale, overdone Christmas songs, forget the saccharine tear jerkers like "Christmas Shoes" and "Dear Mr. Jesus." Get this CD and you'll be listening to it long after the holiday is over.

This is a breath of fresh air. Sometimes, by the time Christmas rolls around the 24/7 Christmas music has gotten stale. This album offers a refreshing break from the ordinary. As expected the flute lead is enchanting. The songs are all perfectly recognizable, but with an interesting twist.

Although I am slightly biased since I have Been a Jethro Tull fan for 30 years- it is apparent that if you like this group and Ian Anderson- this will be your most played Christmas Album ever.

A Christmas album without the cheese. 99% of holiday-themed releases are chock full of self-indulgent fluff and meaningless drivel. Ian and the boys have put together an album of holiday music that goes beyond the false cheer and consumer mindlessness of the season. Mr. Anderson realizes that on Christmas morning there are lonely people crying into their gray flannel pillows. It's not a wholly dark work, but Tull knows that the sunshine is fleeting during wintertime.

Jethro Tull has successfully combined just about all of their musical influences into one great record. This album will put you in a very festive holiday mood, and is by far my favorite holiday record of all time. The flute, Martin's guitar, the classic holiday songs, and the holiday feel come together so naturally; creating a perfect blend of great songs put forth by Ian Anderson and Company. Ex-bassist Dave Pegg even plays on a few songs, as he was a key Tull member for 16 years from approx. 1979-1995.

Some of the songs are remakes from past albums, and those remakes are spectacular. Often times a remake or alternate take of a song is not as good as the original, but that notion must be cast aside when it comes to this album. The new versions of `Ring out Solstice Bells' and `Fire at Midnight,' from the 1977 record "Songs from the Wood" and `Weathercock' (1978 "Heavy Horses") are worth it just to hear how amazing they turned out some 26 years later. Bouree - from "Stand Up" (1969) - is played at a different speed and thanks to Ian, it still rocks after all these years. You can still hear him gulp for air just like always! `Another Christmas Song' - taken from "Rock Island" (1989) - sounds just as fresh now as it did then. `Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow' is a great song, and was originally a b-side during the Broadsword sessions in 1981-82. All other new recordings for this album are outstanding.

The liner notes are done very well, complete with photos, lyrics, who played what and on what song, and the story behind the album told by Ian Anderson himself.
Longtime Tull fans will enjoy, as will fans of the holiday season who want to spin those Christmas tunes. Get this album!
"Hey! Santa - pass us that bottle, will you?"

Jethro Tull plays Christmas? After the blasphemous Hymn 43 on Aqualung, and Ian Anderson's penchant for mocking religion, one might be a bit apprehensive. But fear not, O intrepid listener. This is a delightful collection of Christmas-oriented and seasonal songs, some original, others traditional, all with the familiar layered intricacy of Jethro Tull. The stylings of traditional tunes are great fun. Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow lends a nice dark edge to the mix. Bach's Bouree gets another fine rework, here in cut time. Martin Barre's "A Winter Snowscape" delivers a nice bit of acoustical guitar work to round out a very good album.

So light the log, ye lads and lasses, pour a draught of Christmas ale, kick back and enjoy this holiday alternative.