Live at Montreux 2003

Jethro Tull | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 21, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Eagle Records
• ASIN: B000TE8BP8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,484 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Jethro Tull is one of the most successful British acts of all time with a career reaching from the late sixties to the present day. In 2003 they made their first (and so far only) visit to the Montreux Festival. Split into a semi-acoustic first half and a full on electric second half, the concert was a triumph combining newer songs such as "Dot Com", "Pavane" and "Budapest" with classic favorites. As ever Ian Anderson leads from the front with his instantly recognizable voice and inimitable style of one-legged flute playing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Live Tull Release Since the 70's, September 10, 2007

By 

James S. Morris "TheOverseer4003" (Durham, NH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live at Montreux 2003 (Audio CD)

There aren't too many bands around that can say they've been performing together for 40 years, but in just a few months Jethro Tull will be able to. Of those bands, even fewer can claim to be actively pushing their music in new directions, experimenting with new styles and arrangements, and even occasionally tampering with revered classic rock anthems. Tull, however, have always been able to make that claim.

This new release, recorded in 2003, is a true delight. Don't be fooled by the similarities between Live at Montreux and Living With the Past. Any true music lover could immediately tell the difference. I've never cared for Living With the Past, as it always sounded much too safe and professional to be an accurate representative of my all-time favorite band. Live at Montreux, on the other hand, is positively RAGING. Ian Anderson, at 60, is singing better than he has in 25 years, and continues to assert his ingenius mastery of the flute all throughout. Indeed, it seems that much of the warmth and range has returned to his voice in recent years (fans will remember the disastrous throat infection that left him sounding like Mark Knopfler in the later 80's and 90's). While virtually every song is a showcase for him, he truly shines in numbers like "Life Is A Long Song," "Bouree," and the much newer "Dot Com." As always, Ian is accompanied by the incomparable Martin Barre on lead guitar, whose fiery riffs and exquisite acoustic work provide the most important non-flute element of the music. His "Empty Cafe" is a great addition to the set since it's always been a little tough to appreciate him on his own (ie: without Ian). I consider Doane Perry to be a veteran member too at this point (he joined in '86 for cryin out loud) and he is particularly awesome on Live at Montreux, and is responsible for much of the youthful intensity found on the album.

It's worth noting that the rest of the band members really come into their own here. It seems that messrs Giddings, and Noyce have finally started playing more like real band members, not just professional replacements for guys who left in the 70's (although it's clear that John Evan and Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond will never be truly replaced). Regardless, there's an energy present here that Tull fans will be thrilled to experience. Check out "Living in the Past," in what is easily its best incarnation to date, sporting several intense new variations on the familiar melody.

Live at Montreux is a landmark release for Jethro Tull, being the definitive recording of the band's current lineup, as well as one of their most satisfying albums in the last 20 years. Though the choice of songs is a bit predictable, there are moments of real inspiration that make it essential for fans. Just listen to "Hunting Girl" and you'll surely agree that Tull are quite far from retirement indeed.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Well Rounded Live Set, August 25, 2007

By 

David J. Koukol (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live at Montreux 2003 (Audio CD)

Jethro Tull have been around for nearly forty years and are hard to pigeonhole, which means almost by definition that they will be much loved by some and unfathomable to others. Who else but Ian Anderson would front a rock band by playing the flute?

This concert contains material from throughout the band's career. Almost perversely (considering Ian Anderson's reputation as flute player) he chooses to open the show with the bluesy "Someday The Sun Won't Shine For You," on which he plays the harmonica. He gets to do much excellent flauting through the remainder of the show, as well as turns on acoustic guitar and mandolin. The entire band sounds at the top of their form and the concert is very well recorded, although the keyboards are a little low in the mix on one or two tracks, but it is not enough to detract from the quality of the recording overall.

There's something for every kind of Tull fan here: gentle melodic numbers, hard driving rock anthems and several tracks that mix these approaches along with a number of additional musical styles together in a coherent package.

Also worthy of note are Ian Anderson's witty and informative liner notes. A very worthy addition to the range of live Tull CDs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!!, September 16, 2007

By 

Manuel E. Cabezas - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live at Montreux 2003 (Audio CD)

Even though many of this songs ca be found in previous CDs/DVDs by Tull, the performance is quite excellent, and the sound quality is superb. A great night at Montreux, with a band that always finds a way to surprise me.