Search - Jethro Tull :: Catfish Rising

Reeling in the Blues

Eugenius Dobson | from a global perspective I'm right here. | 12/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Catfish Rising came after the rock out that was Rock Island, and while it starts out as if it's going to be another record full of guitar bravado, with This is Not Love, it quickly moves itself off into bluesy musical territory, making Catfish Rising a completely different kettle of fish altogether. Less serious than Rock Island, Catfish playfully mingles the blues, with folk, rock, Indian and something else slightly twisted and mad. Mr. Anderson seems especially playful and wicked on Thinking Round Corners, one of my favorite songs on the album (as well as one of my favorite songs from any record, period.) He sounds like a crazed version of Popeye who has eaten way too much spinach, lusting after Olive Oyl while given to poetic flights of fancy. Gold Tipped Boots, Black Jacket and Tie is another mad rush through a folk/rock maelstrom that whirls and twirls breathlessly about. Meanwhile the more traditional blues-rock of Sleeping with the Dog tells the tale of the 'damned if you do and damned if you don't' story that every man who has ever been involved with a woman can probably relate to. In fact just the other day..., Er, um ... anyway, back to the review. Roll Yer Own is a country fried blues number that ambles through the backwoods of the deep south, while maintaining the purely English humour of the Tull. Rocks on the Road is a contemplative blues song from a road weary band, and another highlight on the record. White Innocence is an epic story song that features lush musical arrangements, and some of the most picturesque lyrics Mr. Anderson has ever written. Other highlights for me are Occasional Demons, Doctor to My Disease and When Jesus Came to Play.

As for the bonus tracks...

The song Night in the Wilderness, previously only available as a bonus track on the Rocks on the Road single CD (I think?) is now rightfully added on to this record. An excellent song that also includes a line related to the title of the CD. In fact there were many great songs written and recorded during this period, some of which can be found on their Nightcap CD (another excellent release that you should have in your collection.) The live version of Jump Start included here is one of the best performances of that song I've heard.



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Jethro Rising

Alan Caylow | USA | 08/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For 1991's "Catfish Rising," Jethro Tull get more into a blues-rock vein, and it's a highly enjoyable Tull album from start to finish. Many great rockers on this one, like "This Is Not Love," "Occasional Demons," "Like A Tall Thin Girl," and "White Innocence," as well as lighter but just-as-powerful songs like the excellent "Rocks On The Road," "Still Loving You Tonight," and the band's amusing tale of "When Jesus Came To Play." Although I personally think Tull's best album from the 90's is "Roots To Branches," "Catfish Rising" is still another great album from Ian Anderson & company."

Jethro Tull - Back To Blues Rock Roots

Steven Sly | Kalamazoo, MI United States | 06/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"By the time "Catfish Rising" was released in 1991 Ian Anderson had once again assembled a full large band as Jethro Tull. Along with Anderson, Barre and Pegg this version of the band also featured Doane Perry on drums, Andy Giddings on keys. Additional keys and bass were provided by David Pegg, longtime Who sideman Rabbit Bundrick, and Foss Paterson. The album is a decent one, but I would not rank it up with the band's best. The disc is somewhat a return to the band's early blues roots. Anderson and company mix in traditional blues with folk, progressive rock, and just plain strangeness at times to come up with an interesting mix of music. For me the two big highlights on this album are the prog rock-ish "White Innocence" with it's killer instrumental break in the middle and the album closer "When Jesus Came To Play" concerning a modern day Messiah playing music in a dive bar. It sounds odd, and you would probably have to hear it, but I think it is one of the cleverest songs Anderson has written in a long time. Other good ones are the rocking single "This Is Not Love", the road anthem "Rocks On The Road", and a few others. Maybe it is just me, but some of the lyrics on this disc have Mr. Anderson coming across like a dirty old man. He has always used sexual innuendo in his lyrics, but this time it just comes across as......for lack of a better word "creepy" at times. Overall I would call this a good, but not great Jethro Tull disc. Worth owning for fans of the band, but I wouldn't start out with this album if you are just looking to explore them."