IN CONCERT

Not a bad album, all in all. I guess it depends on how many live Tull albums you have already, since there is a good bit of duplication among the various choices out there. Admittedly, the versions of the best songs here are similar to those on other live efforts. This CD can be found in the "used" bins of record stores, which makes it worth getting. The sound is good, and the performances are about what you'd expect from this era.

Recorded live at London's Hammersmith Odeon in fall of 1991, just at the time "Catfish Rising" album was released, this CD is proof Jethro Tull was taking its positions again, soundind closely as in years before 1973. After some harder albums (even getting Grammy award for "best hard rock / metal performance" for "Crest of a Knave" album), both on this concert and mentioned album old but polished Tull prevailed. Searching for stable lineup, this 1991 Tulls were full of energy and ready for the future, emphasizing shortly on the very beginning they are "minstrels in the gallery", free of imperative to make records that someone wanted, but the ones they did. Only moments of somehow lower performance quality are too hard rock sounding and in a hurry played version of "Heavy Horses", and pale version of "Thick as a Brick" medley.

Good, and essential to devoted fans of Jethro Tull, particularly for including some songs that can't be found on other live albums.

What will deliver the Tull with this album ? Some more little light music or some more rocking one ? The latter, fortunately.

This CD starts with a combined effort of "Minstrel" and "Crossed-Eyed Mary". Fair enough. But, why the hell do they need to emasculate "Minstrel" to a mere twenty-five (25) seconds ? I have no clue. This is a great track and it does not deserve such a treatment. "Crossed-Eyed Mary" is, as most of the time in live versions, harder than the studio album (this is a general remak for the Tull, and I pointed this out already in past live efforts). OK though. Same for "Rocks On The Road" (brilliantly introduced by Ian). I quite prefer this version than the studio one actually. Very good.

First highlight with "Heavy Horses". It was one of my fave from this album (together with "Lullaby" which would ahve fit perfectly on a live album BTW). The acoustic passages are very well rendered. The vocal part being on par I must say. Good job during the intro, really. When the song develops, the band plays harder and harder (I quite like it). But don't be afraid, the song is not denaturated. It's seriously rocking : that's all.

Another two songs from their last album "Catfish Rising" (at the time - remember this live album was recorded in 1991) which is not really my fave Tull album. While "Tall Thin Girl" could have been avoided in a live performance, "Still Loving You Tonight" is a great song with a very strong guitar play from Martin. Slow-paced, just to cool down. Very emotional solo.

A bit of "Thick" (7'48"). I prefer the version from the MSQ in New-York (available on the remastered version for "Thick". A bit too short for me (I prefer my sixty-eight minutes version from Tokyo...).

Back to the bluesy roots with "New Day Yesterday" from "Stand Up" (not my fave either). Let's go on with a "Blues Jam". A well titled instrumental blues jam. Not quite necessary. "Jump Start" from "Crest" follows. Bluesy as the original but quite alright in this live version.

And that's it for this release.

The full track list of the concert was as follows : Minstrel In The Gallery/Cross-Eyed Mary, Kissing Willie, Rocks On The Road, This Is Not Love, Heavy Horses, Like A Tall Thin Girl, The Whistler (inst.), White Innocence, Still Loving You Tonight, Doctor To My Disease, Sleeping With The Dog, Paparazzi (inst.), Thick As A Brick, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Bourée), Look Into The Sun (inst.), Farm On The Freeway, Jump Start, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Black Sunday (inst.)/Minstrel In The Gallery (reprise). I understand they skipped "Locomotive" and "Aqualung" but maybe "Kissing Willie" and "Farm On A Freeway" would have been a better choice to replace two average tracks like "Tall Thin Girl" or the "Blues Jam".

To summarize my feeling, I would say that there is not enough great Tull song here to make this record memorable. Of course, it was the supporting tour for "Catfish Rising" which is one of their poorest album since ages (excluding of course "A" and "Under Wraps", the absolute lower in their career).

I'm afraid I can not go higher than two stars.