AQUALUNG LIVE

This live representation of the whole album was a good initiative from XM Satellite Radio (one of the two major of the genre in the US). It was also a benefit event : profits generated by the CD were distributed to several non-profit organizations caring for homeless people (it is the second time that Tull does this, first one being with the "Nightcap" album).

The original album is one of my Tull fave (together with "Thick" and "Minstrel". I was quite enthusistic to hear this "remake" some thirty-four years. I must say that the result is rather satisfactory (but in this case I admit that I'm biased).

I really like this live representation. Even the short & accoustic songs which I considered as transition tracks on the original album sounds fresher and better here. Ian's fluting sounds cristal clear and has never been better (IMO). The highlights are "My God" of which an earlier version is available from their live contribution at the Isle Of Wight festival back in ... 1971. This version is far much better. Even the dificult part with the choir is brilliantly interpreted.

"Locomotive" and "Wind-Up" sound also great. The latter being more interesting since it was played very scarcely in its entirety (even during the "Aqualung" tour. Most of the times, it was either played as the intro or as a reprise (but played partially) or placed in a medley of songs.

I even find the interview parts interesting (even if there are some redundancy with Ian's interview on the remastered version of "Aqualung" in which he described extensively - over ten minutes - the genesis of the recording).

Ian's incredible sense of humour is also to be noticed when he says in his last words from the interview called "But Is This Any Good" : "Thanks again for coming and thanks to XM-radio for playing hosts of this quite lamentable indeed atrocious event, but we did our best for you" !

I have rated the original "Aqualung" five stars but since some numbers are not on par with the original (like "Cross-Eyed Mary" and "Mother Goose" as well as the title track) I will rate this one four stars.

This might well be one of last effort from the band (except new compilations or live records); since at the time of reviewing, no specific information is available on their web- site in terms of new material.

The good news (for me) is that their tour is going to stop in Brussels in June and that a Tull concert is something I would not miss at this time of their career (might be their last one, but I hope not). This also closes my Tull's reviews (thirty-five in total).

It was very emotional to travel through their entire work : from "This Was" to this "Aqualung" live. Lots of great albums, some weak ones (only two or three). Thank you very much Mr. Anderson and Mr. Barre and "Chapeau" (French for : I take my hat off for you) for your brilliant work.