LIVE - BURSTING OUT

After playing this album for literally months, I have finally sat my skinny arse down to lend some ink to the wonderful JETHRO TULL recording "Bursting Out - Live". It is now remastered -- thank you very much Chrysalis/Capital records for doing so, and Ian ANDERSON, of course, for being there to supervise and lend your personal touch with colorful liner notes.

This was JETHRO TULLl at their peak; I have no question in my mind regarding that, particularly after some of their strongest releases prior to this, "War Child", "Minstrel In The Gallery", "Songs From The Wood" and "Heavy Horses". It certainly was a vintage musical renaissance for the band and progressive rock. In this wonderfully productive period, arguably the best JT lineup emerged. I am sure there are many JT fans that will disagree with my assessments for favorites, but that is the beauty of being a TULL fan, there are so many great albums and lineups to choose. Well, I have added another album to my ever-growing favorites list.

This is the band in top-flight form and the remastering certainly gave this recording a newfound crispness and clarity. Ian is in splendid voice and the band is as tight as it was going to get on that particular tour. For those of us who wish we were there (yours truly) and those that were, this double CD set is a must have acquisition. You cannot say you are a true JT fan if this album is not in your collection. This collection of live tracks epitomizes the JT sound of that era.

[* EMI and Capitol/Chrysalis both released this in 2004, UK and US; this version is said to be 15 minutes longer than the original release (and any subsequent reissues), though the added content, marked with a *, doesn't make up that difference.]