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37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than it ever got credit for, January 5, 2003
This old Tull release was written during a transitional period for the band; among other things, Jeffrey Hammond had left and been replaced by John Glascock (who died tragically a few years later).For Ian Anderson too, these tunes were something of a departure. Having already tried his hand at a surreal-parody "concept album" (_Thick As A Brick_) and a more serious one (_A Passion Play_, plus the previously unreleased tracks on _Nightcap_), here he attempted a stage musical. The musical itself was never performed or even completed, but this album was released. It's always been something of an oddity in the Tull catalog and fans' attitudes toward it have been deeply divided. I'm surely not going to settle any arguments here; all I'm going to say is that I like it just fine myself. (I also enjoy the guest appearances, especially the backing vocals by Steeleye Span's Maddy Prior on the title track. And I hope someday someone writes a complete history of the cross-fertilization among Tull, Steeleye, and Fairport Convention.) The main reason I'm reviewing it now, in fact, is to comment on the high quality of this recent remastering. It's terrific; the recording is clearer and crisper than the original release, and the two extra tracks are a hoot. ("A Small Cigar" is also on _Nightcap_, but I'd never before heard "Strip Cartoon". It's on the twenty-year anniversary collection, but I haven't got that one.) If you're new to Tull, you probably don't want to start here. Personally, I'd recommend beginning with _Songs from the Wood_ and _Heavy Horses_, which I think are their two greatest albums. But don't let all the bad things you've heard about this one put you off; Anderson's/Tull's worst is better than most bands' best. Give it a listen and make up your own mind. Anderson & Co. have always demanded a lot from their listeners, including a willingness to pay extra close attention when Anderson steps outside of his own cliches.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Much, much better than I was led to believe, June 18, 2006
This 1976 album has been criticized by a number of prog fans, including certain "academically-oriented" progressive rock writers. To tell you the truth, I am not entirely clear as to why this album is criticized and with such vigor. It is actually pretty darn good and initiates a period where some fairly incredible music was being cranked out by Mr. Anderson and company.
With respect to the lineup at this point, Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond left the group after Minstrel in the Gallery (1975), leaving the band without a bassist. The late John Glascock replaced Jeffrey and the tone that John gets out of his Fender Musicman bass is very tight and punchy and the interplay with virtuoso drummer Barriemore Barlow is truly something to behold. Speaking of Barriemore, his drumming during the mid - late 1970's was simply jaw dropping - those of you that need proof are urged to check out his solo on "Conundrum" from the live Bursting Out album (1978). As such, his performances on Too Old to Die: Too Young to Rock n' Roll are excellent, although he does not play on every track. Come to think of it, the performances by all of the band members are all fairly inspired and Ian even plays a solo on a harmonica along with some semi-jazzy riffs on the saxophone. In addition to the core members, string and brass arrangements are featured here and there and Steeleye Span vocalist Maddy Prior provides backing vocals on the title track.Personally, I feel that the subtle changes in instrumentation were a nice addition.
The music on this album is characteristic of the blend of acoustic textures and thunderous prog that started with Minstrel in the Gallery and culminated with albums like Songs from the Wood (1977) and Heavy Horses (1978). One other thing worth mentioning is that the use of melodies increased dramatically on this album and they are actually very nice.
The remastering is superb and features incredibly good sound quality along with loads of band photos, liner notes, pretty good bonus tracks, and restored cover/gatefold art.
All in all, I found this album to be very enjoyable and certainly not nearly as bad as people say it is. Recommended along with the excellent Songs from the Wood and Heavy Horses.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You're Never Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll, December 9, 2002
Although somewhat-overlooked in the band's catalog, 1976's "Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll, Too Young To Die" has always been one of my very favorite Jethro Tull albums. It was originally conceived as a soundtrack album to a planned stage musical about an aging rocker in his late 50's named Ray Lomas (whose story is told somewhat by the amusing comic strip included inside the album, AND whose face has a passing resemblance to Tull leader Ian Anderson). The stage musical never happened---you'll have to ask Ian Anderson for the reason why---but the album survived, and it's a true rock beauty. Since the songs were originally intended for the theater, Anderson had to take extra care in making these tunes hummable (even the harder-edged stuff), and hummable they most certainly are. While only the cheerful title track of the album was any sort of hit for the group, every single song here is a memorable winner. There are great melodic Tull rockers on display like "Quizz Kid," "Taxi Grab," "Big Dipper," "Pied Piper," as well as whimsical songs like "Crazed Institution," "The Chequered Flag," and the aforementioned title song. And Ian Anderson lays down some beautiful acoustic numbers as well, like "Salamander," "From A Dead Beat To An Old Greaser," & "Bad Eyed And Loveless." Great songs, all of them, and all played to perfection by Anderson, Martin Barre, John Evan, Barriemore Barlow, and their new bassist at the time, the late, great John Glascock. David Palmer's handsome orchestrations to some of the songs is also a plus. And not only has "Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll..." been remastered for better sound quality, but there are now two terrific bonus tracks included at the end---the outstanding Anderson acoustic showcase "A Small Cigar," and the fun "Strip Cartoon," both songs guaranteed to make you smile."Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll, Too Young To Die" is a great Jethro Tull album, certainly ranking somewhere in the band's Top 10 best. Like Ian Anderson himself says, you're *never* too old to rock 'n' roll. :-)
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