SLIPSTREAM (DVD)

Slipstream was Jethro Tull's first official live video release, released in 1981 following the A album. It features only 10 songs altogether, mainly representing the band's most recent handful of studio albums at the time plus some older classics. It is not strictly speaking a live video as several tracks features pre-recorded visuals that are more music video- like. As such, one could easily think that this would be a horrible experience, but it is actually very good. The visuals are sometimes cheesy, yes. But oh so charming! And the audio is fantastic! Slipstream cannot be compared with the live masterpiece that was the Bursting Out double live album from a few years earlier, but it is indeed a very nice companion and a visual counterpart to that great live album. They may have looked ridiculous in the early 80's, but they sure could still play their music live with amazing passion and power!

Interestingly, the line-up includes Eddie Jobson of UK fame on keyboards and electric violin. His violin in particular brings a whole new and very nice touch to some of the songs. Two numbers, Black Sunday and Fylingdale Flyer, were taken from the A album. The haunting Dun Ringill represents 1979's dark Stormwatch, and the respective title tracks from 1978's Heavy Horses, 1977's Songs From The Wood, and 1976's Too Old To Rock 'n' Roll, To Young To Die represent these albums. 1975's Minstrel In The Gallery is sadly overlooked, but 1974's War Child is represented by its best track Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of A New Day. The live standards Aqualung and Locomotive Breath are not surprisingly closing the set, but Sweet Dream is the oldest song and one of the best from the band's early days.

Slipstream has since been released on DVD included as a bonus disc to the CD reissue of the A album. This is a great way to get this video and almost needless to say it is better than the A album itself.

Highly recommended even if a bit on the short side

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