Jethro Tull - War Child


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Chrysalis/Capitol
Catalog Number: 7243 5 41571 2 7
Format: CD
Total Time: 63:25:00

Now it is time for the second installment of the Jethro Tull remastered back catalog. I really hate waiting for them and I wish they would just issue all of them at once, then again, it is so enjoyable that you relish every minute and look forward to the next round.

Warchild (1974) is a significant release for me personally; it is the first JT album I ever bought. At the time, they were playing "Bungle In The Jungle" a lot on the radio so that was a motivating factor for me.

This attractive remastered version will satisfy even the most hardcore JT enthusiast and all prog-heads will be basking in the glory of this fantastic music. The liner notes are superb as Ian Anderson continues to contribute the history and color of the sessions on this entire series, offering his expert assistance with the entire process. Some great color photos are included as well. Besides brand spanking new sparkling sounds, included are a generous helping of bonus tracks, which are all good. The bonus track "Sealion 2" was very different, it is a much shorter version but interesting nonetheless, then "Rainbow Blues" and "Glory Row" sound as if they could have made it onto any of their albums. Even the songs in the can are great, what more can I say? Every facet of the group bears bountiful on this album; in essence, they put the progressive into rock.

"Bungle In The Jungle" was a commercial success, and if I remember correctly "Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of A New Day" was the flipside of that single, the only reason I remember is because I had it! In addition, what I also recall is how everyone seemed to enjoy that song as much as the A side. Those two songs were the only ones that had a distinctly commercial edge; the rest of the album was vintage prog-rock and JT hitting their stride in a big way. This is a very strong album; actually, it is very difficult to find any weak spots on the entire recording. Now newly remastered it is that much better and even more enjoyable to hear. It is such a thrill to hear all of this music again in an entirely new way, and then to have the ability to recognize things that you never heard before is another added bonus. I have to seek out everything that they ever recorded, I like them that much, and they are one of those groups that take up an entire row on my CD rack.

Warchild was one powerful musical statement that stands on solid ground today as one of Jethro Tull's greatest works. I find it amazing that they were able to regroup and come up with such a consistent album after the phenomenal Passion Play. Do your self a favor and check out these remasters, they are unbelievable.

On deck: Minstrel In The Gallery

First released in 1974 on Chrysalis (UK: CHR 1067, US: PV 41067)


Tracklisting:
Warchild (4:35) / Queen And Country (3:00) / Ladies (3:17) / Back Door Angels (5:30) / Sealion (3:37) / Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of A New Day (4;09) / Bungle In The Jungle (3:35) / Only Solitaire (1:28) / Third Hoorah (4:49) / Two Fingers (5:11) / Bonus Tracks: Warchild Waltz (4:21) / Quartet (2:44) / Paradise Steakhouse (4:03) / Sealion 2 (3:20) / Rainbow Blues (3:40) / Glory Row (3:35) / Saturation (4:21)

Musicians:
Ian Anderson - acoustic guitar, flute, soprano and alto sax, vocals, producer
Martin Barre - electric and Spanish guitars
Barriemore Barlow - percussion, drums, glockenspiel, marimba
John Evan - organ, synthesizer, piano, keyboards, piano-accordian
Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond - bass, string bass
David Palmer - synthesizer, conductor, keyboards, saxophone, orchestration

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: November 17th 2002
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.jethrotull.com
Hits: 2636
Language: english

  

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