Search - Ian Anderson :: Ian Anderson Collection

Not a "Best of" or "Greatest Hits" cd

Alfonso Molina Ch | Pavas, Pavas Costa Rica | 07/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The secret language of birds and Rupi's dance cd's wrapped togheter in a box. Some acoustic Jethro Tull songs at the end of each cd not advertized in the song list."

Good, but only half of the story

G-Dexter | Lakewood, NY United States | 10/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This collection of Ian Anderson songs is in reality a repackage of his last two solo albums: THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF BIRDS and RUPI'S DANCE. Both of these albums are excellent and if you don't already own them, by all means grab up this collection - you will not be dissappointed.



I cannot tell that the discs have been remastered or altered in any way from their original release, but why would they? TSLOB was released in 2000, RD in 2003, meaning they are completely digital recordings of already impeccable quality.



The material shows the maturity and craftsmanship of Ian's songwriting ability, leaning more heavily towards skilled and entertaining song craft than the `rock-n-roll' bombast of his earlier Jethro Tull material. His fascination with the Asian & Indian culture and music comes through in many tunes adding interesting textures and nuances. No song more exemplifies this style than THE WATER CARRIER, a song often heard in concerts.



Some of the more evocative tunes from these albums include: A BETTER MOON, SANCTUARY, OLD BLACK CAT and GRIMINELLI'S LAMENT. There are indeed a few Tull songs thrown in as bonus material, which is nice but mostly unnecessary filler.



As I stated in the title, this collection is only half of the Ian Anderson solo story. There were two previous discs that were not included, but I wish they had been. The 1995 release DIVINITIES - TWELVE DANCE WITH GOD is a masterful group of entirely instrumental songs that include, in my opinion, some of the finest music Ian ever wrote. And then there was WALK INTO LIGHT, a techno rock solo work he released way back around 1983 (as I recall). This was an interesting but not essential album that many IA/JT fans regard with mixed emotions. I would personally love to hear that album remastered, enhanced and possibly embellished with out-takes or discarded tunes. Understandably, an equal number of fans would just as soon forget that one as an aberration.



In the end, half of THE IAN ANDERSON COLLECTION is better than nothing and well worth the investment. However, if you're looking for new material - you won't find it here.

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