Customer Reviews

Little Light Music

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A Little Light Music is a cool Jethro Tull concert experience that mostly redefines the songs rather than attempts to replicate them verbatim. I don't view the songs as truly 'unplugged ' versions, but rather slightly more toned down performances that come off sounding a little more intimate than your usual big hall concert presentations. Then again some do rock out, like This is Not Love and A New Day Yesterday for example, but then it's always good to have some variation of mood and tempo or it could all come off sounding like one long Kraftwerk song. In fact the rocking middle section that explodes from out of the otherwise quiet performance of From a Dead Beat to An Old Greaser is one of the many highlights for me on this record. Some songs are taken through an instrumental variation, either completely or partially, like the new acoustic instrumental introduction to Too Old to Rock and Roll, but the band always manage to carry off these changes with their usual professional charm, finesse, and playfulness. Even though the songs have been slightly altered they still feel just as warm and comfortable as a sweater pulled fresh from the dryer. The one new track, a Jethro Tulled version of John Barleycorn, is of course excellent. What a surprise, eh?
I have to admit that I prefer this live recording to the Bursting Out record, due to the playful variations presented here, and also for the inspired song selections. One White Duck has always been a favorite, and although that song doesn't sound too different from the studio version, as presented here the mood of the song is slightly more eloquent (at least it is to my delicately old and worn down ears.)

I've been listening to Tull since the early '70s, in concert since the mid '80s, own about 30 Tull albums and CDs, and this is the coolest CD around. It's about as close to "Tull Unplugged" as you'll get. Not all of the pieces are acoustic, but many of them are.

Some groups are studio groups, and Ian Anderson & Co. do okay there, but these guys are performers first and foremost, and excellent anywhere. I love the bits in between songs where Anderson talks to the audience. "Rocks in the Road"s flute solo at the end is rock anthem quality. Most of us expect that from Ian. And Martin Barre offers his usual solid guitar presence, both electric and acoustic. David Pegg on bass is groovy throughout and seems to have the audiences by the heart. And this CD has the best version of "Bouree" out there.

I notice that XM Radio "Eclectic Rock" runs these cuts (along with Anderson's "Divinities" solo work) quite a bit. Sure, the songs individually are great but this album really shines when you have time to enjoy the whole experience.

Jethro Tull showcase their folksy side on this live CD, in which the majority of the tracks are played acoustic or semi-acoustic. For those of you who get tired of mid-70s Tull's long and cheesy keyboard solos this CD is a must-buy: the numbers are short, musicianship superb and pared-down sound truly kind on the ears. Dave Pegg plays outstanding bass and mandolin while the drummer cum glockenspeil player (whose name I forget) also makes the most of a very basic kit (a bass drum, a snare and a cymbol by the sound of it). To my ears, this CD is one of the few that truly doesn't have a bad song on it. Highlights include instrumentals Under Wraps & Bouree, and Ian in fine voice on Rocks on the Road & John Barleycorn. Still I shouldn't overplay the 'easy listening' side of the album - Martin Barre rocks out on several numbers (Locomotive Breath, Pussy Willow), and Ian's flute takes off like a rocket throughout. This disc is a must buy for all Tull fans, and a great introduction for those who want to insert themselves at the shallow end.

Do not and i mean DO NOT pay any attention to anything negative said or written about this recording! Ive been a Tull fan for 30yrs+ and this is by far one of the best recordings by this band i've ever heard!I'm not gonna critque any of the songs i'm just gonna say to any Tull fans out there,GET THIS while it is avalible, you'll never regret it!

Not sure I would refer to this as the "best 'live' album ever", but I sure wish Ian would do a remaster on this one, and make it more available. This is far better than "Bursting Out" or "Live at Hammersmith". Definitely the best "live" TULL CD ever.

Traffic still does a much better version of "John Barleycorn" but all other cuts are top notch and have the boys in fine form. Ahhhhh---when will we ever get a new Tull studio album. Based on the excellent recent solo releaes by both Ian and Martin, we shouldn't hold our breath.

If you really enjoy Tull's music, you definitely need to pick up "A Little Light Music". You won't regret it.

Since when have the critics been right about Tull anyway? Listen to what their fans say about this release!

A Tull fan forever but never considered buying this album simply because it was all songs that I had in different versions on different albums. Not until I read the reviews HERE did I think I may have missed something. It has become by far my favorite live album and one of my favorite Tull albums! And I have tons of them. Thanks to all who wrote these reviews!

I am not a huge fan or live albums, so when I set out on a quest years ago to get all of Jethro Tull's albums, "Bursting Out" and this one were pretty low on the totem pole. What a mistake, as another reviewer stated, this is not only the best Tull live album, but possibly the best live album of all time. Jethro Tull continue to amaze fans by livening up classics like "Locomotive Breath" and "A Christmas Song", throwing in some new "classics" like "Rocks on the Road" and "This is not Love", and giving us some fantastic instrumental versions of such great songs as "Liviing in the Past" and "Under Wraps". My personal favorite is the beautiful acoustic version of "Pussy Willow". If you are a Tull fan, you have to own this record. (...)

When I first became aware of this CD,I for some reason assumed it was a bootleg.Obviously,I was wrong.It's just that I've never seen it in ANY store.Total of seventeen Tull audio goods(duration 77:41),recorded from their 1992 tour of smaller venues,in cities like Frankfurt,Berlin,Jerusalam,Zurich,etc.Was sort of thrown off by their instrumental version of "Living In The Past",but this CD isn't like other live Jethro Tull releases.It's still a good piece to own,though.Tunes here I haven't heard in awhile were "Nursie","Too Old To Rock And Roll,Too Young To Die","John Barleycorn","Look Into The Sun"(from '69's 'Stand Up' album)and "From A Dead Beat To An Old Greaser".A couple of their classics present were,needless to say are "Bouree" and "Locomotive Breath".As I look at the track listing here,I realize they really did perform some true rarites.Not for the newer/casual fan,but for the more long time serious Tull followers.Line-up:Ian Anderson-acoustic guitar,flute&vocals,Martin Barre-guitar,Dave Pegg-bass&mandolin and David Mattacks-drums.A should-have.

I normally don't care for live albums however this is close to my favorite collection of songs live or not.
First of all the music is a eclectic collection of Tull from over the years. WOnderful pieces such as "One White Duck", "Too Old for Rock and Roll..." and "Life is a Long song" all done while Tull was on an Eastern Eurpoean tour.
I've had this for about 3 years now and has elevayed up to my top ten most played albums.

The first time I heard it I was amazed that it was a live album and thought to myself "the mixer was some kind of genius" it had none of the hollowness of most live albums and the range and tonal balance is just about perfect. Then I looked and my initial observation was confirmed - it was mixed by a genius: Ian Anderson.

Highly recommended even for casual Tull fans. Esstential for the long time Tull lover ( like me)

"A Little Light Music" is Jethro Tull's 1992 live album of semi-acoustic concert performances, recorded in such far-away places as Greece, Israel, Turkey, Czechoslavakia and Austria. Ian Anderson and company are in fine form, and their performances truly sparkle. Many Tull favorites are on this, including "Living In The Past," "Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll," "A New Day Yesterday" and "Locomotive Breath," as well as some lesser known tunes like "Under Wraps," "Rocks on The Road" and "This Is Not Love." The band even toss in an excellent version of "John Barleycorn," the old traditional song made famous by Traffic. There's also some very amusing inbetween-song banter from Anderson. My only criticism of "A Little Light Music" is that it feels a bit disjointed. The fade-outs inbetween the live tracks make it oh-so-obvious that these are *pieces* of various live concerts, so there's never a sense that you're listening to a complete show. I don't mind live albums that are recorded in various places---I just think that live material should be seamlessly edited together. It just sounds better to me, y'know? But other than that, this is an excellent Tull live album. Casual fans need not apply, but diehard fans of Jethro Tull should be quite pleased with "A Little Light Music."