THE BEST OF JETHRO TULL: THE ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION

Like many others here, I don't usually buy "best of" collections, but at the time, I was managing a CD store, and our CEMA rep was a Tull fan who enjoyed handing out their promos (and getting us invited back stage), so I own a copy of this one.

First, let me comment on the packaging. Two years prior to this release, on A Little Light Music, Ian Anderson commented on how old he and Martin Barre were getting. He, and his record company, should have known better than to print the song list and booklet in a font so tiny, his aging fan base would have trouble reading it.

The song selection is actually pretty good. It covers every period of Tull's ever-changing lineup right through Catfish Rising. The only real complaint, as others have mentioned, is the short shrift given to two of Tull's best albums, Thick As A Brick and A Passion Play. Three minute excerpts just don't do justice to either album.

And to all of you who added Tull albums to this site: the keyboardist back in the seventies was John Evan (no "S" at the end). Look it up. :P