Delightful
Everett H. Bigwood Jr. | New Market, VA USA | 12/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Should you pursue this for the second disc: "Jethro Tull Live/Christmas at St. Bride's 2008"? I must qualify my opinion: I collect both Jethro Tull and select Christmas recordings, so this issue should be a "can't miss" for me--and it is. The St. Bride's disc alternates between gorgeously rendered Tull offerings, tasteful St. Bride's choir pieces (four voices:quaint and charming), and provocative seasonal readings. Ian reads an excerpt from Walter Scott's "Marmion," and his son-in-law (on the occasion of his wife's birthday) reads a piece called "Christmas." "The Ballad of the Breadman," though, is especially provocative. A surreal moment? How about when Tull plays "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" for the offertory, and it's interrupted for a blessing?
The set is tastefully packaged. Gone are the lyrics from the original "Christmas Album," but Ian and the reverend of St. Bride's contribute essays dated August 2009. This may be the only time the Tull lineup of Anderson, Barre, O'Hara, Goodier, and Duncan is recorded on a commercially available disc; if so, I would say it carries on a remarkable legacy most suitably. At the time of this posting, English "Marketplace" merchants are offering the collection for under twenty dollars, and mine arrived in seven days. Don't hesitate to buy it."
Great Tull xmas cd
John W. Allen | Australia | 02/17/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Have all of Tull's records since the first one in '69. Same great music and simply the best way to get into the Christmas mood [with a hot toddy as well]. Bring on next solstice Mr Anderson"