Jethro Tull - Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll : Too Young To Die!


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Chrysalis/Capitol
Catalog Number: 41573
Format: CD
Total Time: 49:24:00

This is the very first Jethro Tull album in the series of remasters that I was not in awe of. The odds have it that eventually there had to be some kind of a letup or break in their endless flow of excellent albums. This was a good recording mind you, just not a real great album like all of the prior releases. There are some fine moments found on this CD, enough to give it a whirl on your stereo and add it to your collection.

Ian Anderson discusses in his continuing stories of how each album started and ended and how originally Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll: Too Young Too Die! (1976) was intended for a musical about an over aged biker. The liner notes include a comic strip to tell the story. This planned event was brilliantly rock 'n' roll in concept but it never happened. Well, at least not until the album became a reality.

"Quizz Kid" has some great rockin' guitar parts courtesy of the great Martin Barre, and the title track is irresistibly catchy and classic JT in every aspect. I am sure that you have it heard at some point even if you have not collected the band's recordings over the years. The bonus tracks are not so generous on this release; there are only two, "A Small Cigar" and "Strip Cartoon." They are quite different and enjoyable as usual. One of the album's sleepers is "Chequered Flag (Dead or Alive)," it is also one of the more interesting tracks musically and lyrically. It will suddenly catch you off guard. It is about racecar driving and how wonderful it is to see that flag waving and being in the winner's circle of life enjoying all the adulation whether you are dead or alive. As if to say it would not matter, even if it kills you, winning the race is the most important thing. I always enjoyed the way Anderson wittingly looks at life square in the eye and builds his stories around his feelings and thoughts. The funny thing is that it always hits home and it will be somebody's truth, if it happens to be humorous or not.

With straight As in the class of progressive rock, I would have to say that their grade was a B this time out. It was a very nice gesture on Ian's part to dedicate this remastered version of the album to their short-lived bass player John Glascock, whom died suddenly of heart failure before he had a chance to go back into the studio to record another album.

First released in 1976 by Chrysalis (CHR 1111)


Tracklisting:
Quiz Kid (5:09) / Crazed Institution (4:48) / Salamander (2:51) / Taxi Grab (3:54) / From A Dead Beat To An Old Greaser (4:09) / Bad-Eyed 'N' Loveless (2:12) / Big Dipper (3:35) / Too Old To Rock N Roll: Too Young To Die (5:44) / Pied Piper (4:32) / Chequered Flag (Dead Or Alive) (5:32) / Bonus Tracks: Small Cigar (3:39) / Strip Cartoon (3:19)

Musicians:
Maddy Prior - vocals
Ian Anderson - electric and acoustic guitar, flute, harmonica, percussion, vocals, producer
Martin Barre - guitars
Angela Allen - vocals
Barriemore Barlow - percussion, drums
John Evan - piano, keyboards
John Glascock - bass, vocals
David Palmer - synthesizer, keyboards, saxophone

Discography:
This Was (1968)
Stand Up (1969)
Benefit (1970)
Aqualung (1971)
Thick As A Brick (1972)
Living In The Past (1972)
A Passion Play (1973)
War Child (1974)
Minstrel In The Gallery (1975)
M.U. The Best Of (1976)
Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll: Too Young To Die (1976)
Songs From The Wood (1977)
Repeat - The Best Of Jethro Tull Vol 2 (1977)
Heavy Horses (1978)
Bursting Out - Live (1978)
Stormwatch (1979/2004)
'A' (1980)
The Broadsword And The Beast (1982/2005)
Under Wraps (1984)
Original Masters (1985)
Crest Of A Knave (1987/2005)
20 Years Of Jethro Tull (1988)
Rock Island (1988)
Catfish Rising (1991)
A Little Light Music (1992)
The Anniversary Collection (1993)
25th Anniversary Box Set (1993)
Nightcap (1995)
Roots To Branches (1995)
J-Tull Dot Com (1999)
The Very Best Of (2001)
Living With The Past (2002)
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)
Classic Masters (2003)
Stand Up/This Was (2003)
Essential (2003)
Nothing Is Easy: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004)
Aqualung Live (2005)
Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson (2005)
Extended Versions (2006)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2007)
The Best Of Acoustic Jethro Tull (2007)
Living With The Past/Nothing Is Easy (2008)
This Was (expanded) (2008)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004/2008)
The Anniversary Collection/A New Day Yesterday (2008)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2008)
Live At Madison Square Garden (2009)
Christmas Album (2009)
Live In Switzerland 2003 (LP) (2014)
A Passion Play - An Extended Performance (2014)
War Child - 40th Anniversary Theatre Edition (2014)
Minstrel In The Gallery - 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition (2015)

Living With The Past (DVD) (2002)
A New Day Yesterday: 1969-1994 - The 25th Anniversary Collection (VID/DVD) (1994/2003/4)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (DVD) (2005) Live At Montreux 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Jack In The Green - Live In Germany (DVD) (2008)
Live In Bethlehem, PA, 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Their Full Authorized Story (DVD) (2009)
Live At AVO Session 2008 (DVD) (2009)
Live At Madison Square Garden (DVD) (rec 1978, rel 2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: December 15th 2002
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.jethrotull.com
Hits: 2795
Language: english

  

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