A CLASSIC CASE

It does not take you to be a Tull fan first before enjoying this album as the music is quite accessible to many ears, I think. But if you are a fan of Tull, this CD is a must. It's common that when you love certain band you would be wondering on what if the band's original composition is re-written for an orchestra arrangement. In most cases I always purchase the CD with such package as it gives me different listening pleasure due to improved textures - even though the vocal section is removed. This CD is a collection of great Tull songs (and one Ian Anderson's solo "Fly By Night") composed by David Palmer - the band's active members in the early years - with The London Symphony Orchestra. Even, if David Palmer is not doing anything here with orchestra composition, this is still a worth-buying "The Best of" CD that you should buy. This means that David Palmer was quite selective in determining which songs to be included in this package.

This compilation is similar with what Yes has done with "Symphonic Music of Yes" where the orchestra gives a chance to the band's original members to play with the LSO. In this case you will still hear the tumbling flute from Ian Anderson. So, don't worry about it - you still can enjoy Tull's sound. For me personally, there is no such thing as bad composition here with this compilation. My first favorite when I got this album in cassette version was "Elegy". But it grew on me as I also liked all other tracks. That's why I upgraded the format to CD couple of years later.

Take "Bouree" for example. Observe how brilliant the composition as the original music has been enriched wonderfully and we still get the essence of the original music. Yes, you still can enjoy flute work direct from Mr. Ian Anderson. On track that was actually not Tull as it's Anderson solo "Fly By Night" - it's more attractive this version than the original studio version. "Aqualung", "Locomotive Breath", "Too Old To Rock'n'Roll Too Young To Die" are other examples on how excellent the composition was made for an orchestra. I also enjoy the Medley part. "Thick As A Brick" does not really touch me as I don't like any "edited" version of this song. I think, Mr Anderson needs to rerecord "Thick As A Brick" in its entirety using orchestra - that would be wonderful!

Overall, it's an excellent addition to any prog music collection that Tull fans "must" have. If you never heard the music of Tull, you still can enjoy this album as it basically offers a stream of "classical" music. But, I have a question for you: How come you never heard any music of Tull? It's legendary and it's a must! Proggers, don't you agree with me? Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW