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| Jethro Tull - Living With The Past |
 Released: 2002 Label: Fuel 2000 Cat. No.: 302 061 201 9 Format: DVD Total Time: 140:00 | |
Reviewed by: Eric Porter, June 2002 Tull's first official DVD release offers classic Tull songs in concert, mixed with band dialogue and a few surprises. The bands extensive catalogue gets tapped fairly, representing all eras of the band's career. Standards such as "Thick As A Brick" (where Ian jokes about progressive rock and concept albums) and "Cross-Eyed Mary" appear alongside newer tracks like "Hunt By Numbers" and "The Water Carrier" from Anderson's recent solo outing. If I may say so, no matter how often I hear "Aqualung" Martin Barre's guitar solo never fails to send a shiver up the old spine. Never one without a trick up his sleeve, Anderson transforms two acoustic tracks "Wond'ring Aloud" & "Life Is A Long Song" by arranging music for accompaniment by a string quartet. Maybe I am getting old, but this intimate setting is one of my favorite moments. The reunion of the original band members (Mick Abrahams, Glenn Cornick, & Clive Bunker) takes place in a pub, showing off the bluesier roots of the band. Who would not enjoy sitting in an English pub, downing a few dark ales while these guys perform? The concert footage was taken from the 2001 tour. The band appears to be in fine form. A powerful rendition of "Roots To Branches" establishes it as an essential track in the band's repertoire. "Jack In The Green" stays true to its original arrangement, and has always been a personal favorite. "Budapest" is the only track from the band's 80s output, but it stands up with all the rest. The music is timeless, whether it is the blues of "My Sunday Feeling" to the balls out "Locomotive Breath"; the songs are all played with passion and fire. The dialogue is mixed in with the live performances, offering enjoyable banter from the members on their experiences, and the love they have for the music. The biggest disappointment is in the bonus material, and that is only because there is not enough of it. Just as the section titled Tull Talk gets going, it is over, with only one spot for each member. The live clips featuring Ian with Uriah Heep and Fairport Convention are only about 30 seconds long; I would have loved to see the whole track. These are only minor complaints, and the DVD is well worth the price for the concert footage alone. There is also a CD released with the same title (reviewed here), and it does have a few songs that do not appear on the DVD (clever marketing, damn) making it a must have for the Tull collector. The title Living With The Past is most appropriate. Tull is a band who realizes the value of the body of work they have created, and yet they continue to move forward with new music, not forgetting where they have been. So, crank up the surround sound and let the band work its magic upon you. [See also Keith's review - ed.] More about Living With The Past: Track Listing: My Sunday Feeling / Cross Eyed Mary / Roots To Branches / Someday The Sun Wont Shine For You / Jack In The Green / Thick As A Brick / Wond''ing Aloud / Sweet Dream / Hunt By Numbers / Bouree / A Song For Jeffrey / The Water Carrier / A New Day Yesterday / Life Is A Long Song / Budapest / New Jig / Aqualung / Locomotive Breath / Living In The Past / Protect and Survive / Cherio Musicians: Contact: Website: http: www.jethrotull.com Discography
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