A

Jethro Tull

Prog Folk

3.24 | 736 ratings

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Slartibartfast

Aaaaaayyyyyy!

Jethro Tull goes all 80's on your ass.

I've had both the LP and the Slipstream VHS for more than a few years. I was very excited to get a combo of those in CD and DVD format and recommend getting that package if you can. I'm going for a combo review.

Originally intended as an Ian Anderson solo project, A is sort of a transitional album for the band. I liked it at the time and still do today, if maybe in part in a more of a nostalgic way. Eddie Jobson was on board (key) and provided a major role in the band that resulted in a more synthesizer driven sound. (I swear this guy was stalking Darryl Way, who played on two Heavy Horses tracks and, of course, with Curved Air after Darry left).

It's possibly heretical to some old JT fans but Tull has always been in an evolutionary process, with Ian as the core as Robert is to Crimson and this was either an important step forward or could be viewed as an unfortunate diversion.

Even if you don't like the direction Tull took with A, you might just want to get your hands on the version that has Slipstream in DVD format. A decent selection of blasts from the past only "marred" by one track off the A album - Flyingdale Flyer. I'd have personally preferred swapping out Too Old To Rock 'n" Roll for something from Thick or Passion, but those probably would not have worked right with this band lineup. The video is a concert mixed with supplemental visuals, so it is not a pure concert video. The visuals that were added post show don't detract from the show as far as I'm concerned.

All in all, a digitally remastered, though not great, CD combined with concert DVD makes this just short of essential.

Slartibartfast | 4/5 | 2009-8-4

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