TOO OLD TO ROCK 'N' ROLL: TOO YOUNG TO DIE!

This is the album critics and some fans like to put down as the first misstep in the JETHRO TULL collection. I have some news for you. It ain't!!! This is a WONDERFUL album, WONDERFUL music to my ears since the first day i bought it back then in 1976. I never got tired of it, loves ALL 10 featured songs .And quite frankly, i never understood the constant beating this album is getting, even from some JT fans.

I have to admit, even if i am a JETHRO TULL fan, i am not your regular next door fan. I barely listen these days to AQUALUNG, TAAB or great acknowledged JT releases such as SONGS FROM THE WOOD. The 4 albums that get a constant listening in my audio-system are this one, STORMWATCH, BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST and TIME WAS. Don't call a mental institution yet, please but frankly who can listen one more time to LOCOMOTIVE BREATH??

The sound of TOO OLD TO ROCK N ROLL is more streamlined than its predecessors, not too many prog elements in it. But i never really considered JETHRO TULL as a pure prog band. This is a band that put some prog elements in its music the same way they use classical or jazz music or old folkloric british traditional sounds. We have usually the nice acoustic songs, sweet ballads and some hard rockers. There are no suite, not too many time changes, no mayhem.

Maybe this is the polished sound and straight compositions that put some fans off,but one thing for sure , all the songs are great! You find a few hard rockers like QUIZZ KID, TAXI GRAB or BIG DIPPER with MARTIN BARRE at the helmet who plays on his turf. I never considered as a prog guitarist, he is more than that, he can play everything, but he is definitely a rocker, and a mean one at that! he loves his riffs and he loves them hard!

What is not to love with the beautiful acoustic piece SALAMANDER with its long guitar intro until the haunting voice of ANDERSON enters? magical! and what about the title track?TOO OLD TO RnR? A great guitar theme, a gorgeous memorable melody and wonderful string arrangements from once again DAVID PALMER! a real treat!!

And don't get me started on those magnificent ballads!! Just listen to FROM A DEAD BEATand the CHEQUERED FLAG!! simply gorgeous, nice melodies , lush arrangements and goosebumps guaranteed (at least for me). IAN ANDERSON can be so moving sometimes, especially on the last track. Listen also to PIED PIPER; a typical JT song half medieval sounding, half acoustic with a wonderful vocal performance from IAN.

There are 2 bonus tracks added to the new remastered CD version, but what a pair, especially the acoustic A SMALL CIGAR which might feature maybe, the best ANDERSON vocal prowess ...ever!!!amazing!

No this is not a complicated album!What you're getting are simple straighforward rock songs , lush ballads and some typical ANDERSON acoustic stuff, but you know what!! Music doesn't have necessarily to be complicated in order to be good. There are good songs on this album, ALL of them, all with melodies you can remember and whistle when walking outside. Always a pleasure for me to listen to this album, and believe me, i don't feel guilty about it.

4 STARS!

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