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| Jethro Tull - The Very Best Of... |
 Released: 2001 Label: Chrysalis / Capitol Records Cat. No.: Total Time: 78:10 | |
Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, September 2001 How many best of Jethro Tull packages are there? Well there are a few, but this one claims to be the definitive collection all on one disc. Does it live up to its advertisement? I say yes, and resoundingly so. This is an excellent career retrospective. Considering the band came together over thirty years ago and has gone through several changes, the music has always managed to hold up well and progress with each album released. This is of course due to the collective talents of one Mr. Ian Anderson. Anderson has expertly given direction in every facet of the recording process. He plays the flute, guitar, sings, and writes interesting lyrics. Jethro Tull was one of the original progressive rock bands. Never before had the flute been implemented with rock music in such a thought-provoking and original way. What separated the band from everyone else was their unusual combination of rock, folk, blues, Celtic, and classical influences (via Anderson's flute). They were scoffed at by the critics and adored by their fans. Classic albums like Aqualung, Warchild, Passion Play, and Thick As A Brick stand as monumental achievements in the annals of recorded music. All of the tracks are 24-Bit digitally remastered from the original analogue tape. There is a nice mix of tracks spanning the group's career on this CD. Appropriately, "Living In The Past" is the opening track. Arguably that one song is their most famous and could easily be tagged as a trademark song, although "Bungle In The Jungle" is a contender as well. "Minstrel In The Gallery" is my personal favorite. The song defines rock and roll in the light of the progressive influences and nuances that are so beautifully blended by the group. The song really captures the genius of Anderson's flute playing, and you can envision his acrobatic displays on stage. The mischievous Anderson's lyrics and voice helped Jethro Tull to create their own special niche in music. "The Witch's Promise" and "Heavy Horses" never sounded so good; they stand as the highlights of the disc in reference to sound and clarity. The music is all at once enchanting, moving, and magnetically powerful. They have been one of my favorite bands since the release of War Child. After discovering that wonderful release I uncovered the rest of their catalog and have been enjoying them ever since. Ian Anderson is the focal point and heart and soul of the group. He managed to surround himself with some of the best talent available in the music business and subsequently kept the group afloat until present day. Anderson is truly the original minstrel in the gallery, and no doubt a court jester reincarnated. This collection is a treasure chest of progressive rock just waiting to be opened by your anxious ears. [See also Bobo's and Marcelo's reviews -ed.] More about The Very Best Of: Track Listing: Living In The Past (3:19) / Aqualung (6:35) / Sweet Dream (4:02) / The Whistler (3:28) / Bungle In The Jungle (3:35) / The Witch's Promise (3:49) / Locomotive Breath (4:24) / Steel Monkey (3:36) / Thick As A Brick (3:) / Bourée (3:44) / Too Old To Rock'n Roll, Too Young To Die (Edited) (3:54) / Life Is A Long Song (3:16) / Songs From The Wood (4:51) / A New Day Yesterday (4:08) / Heavy Horses (Edited) (3:19) / Broadsword (4:59) / Roots To Branches (5:11) / A Song For Jeffrey (3:17) / Minstrel In The Gallery (Edited) (3:49) / Cheerio (1:10) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.jethrotull.com Discography
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