To coincide with the release of the Jethro Tull DVD of the same name, Ian Anderson and the boys have decided to also put out their first live CD in ten years. For the Tull purists, both the DVD and CD are must haves, as the CD contains extra tracks not included on the DVD. The performances here are collected from various shows over the last few years, the bulk from a powerhouse show at London's Hammersmith Apollo in late 2001.
The band have done a good job of including songs from throughout their storied career, some which may not have been heard live in a long time. Sure, the mainstays like "Aqualung", "Locomotive Breath", "Living in the Past", and "My Sunday Feeling" are all here, but there are a few surprises. From 1999 is a scorching version of "Nothing is Easy", done quite heavy with Martin Barre's guitar way up in the mix and Ian's flute never sounding better. One of the stronger songs from the last decade, "Roots To Branches", is done quite admirably, as well as a quirky version of "Jack in the Green." A few tracks from the last studio album Tull.com are included, namely the charming "The Habanero Reel" and the excellent title track. There are a bunch of acoustic tracks, like the perennial favorite "Life is a Long Song", as well as "Wond'ring Aloud", and the classic "Fat Man." A reunion of the original band from 1968, including Mick Abrahams, Clive Bunker, and Glenn Cornick, perform "Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You" from the very first Tull album This Was.
It is evident that Jethro Tull are still alive and well in 2002. The band has had a stable line-up for quite a few years now that includes Andrew Giddings on keyboards, Doane Perry on drums, and Jonathan Noyce on bass, alongside Anderson and Barre. Apparently there is a new studio album in the works for 2003, but this live album will do just fine for now.
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