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A Stocking Full of Trouser Snakes

Eugenius Dobson | from a global perspective I'm right here. | 10/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ever since Songs From The Wood there has been something about the music of Jethro Tull that has more often than not felt akin to the moods and sentimentality of the winter holidays. In fact I have always wondered why a Jethro Tull Christmas Album hadn't happened before now, although in retrospect I am thankful it didn't. While I have always enjoyed Ian Anderson's singing, even through some of the rougher moments of recent years, it has been reemerging again of late into the voice of old over the past couple years and with this release it can be safely stated that he has regained that voice back in full throttle and then some. And while the singing has never been better it's equally matched by the skill of the musicians and the quality of the music, all of which is classic Tull dressed up in a Kris Kringle costume. Listening to this disc you can almost smell the pine and feel the warmth of a fire crackling while outside the snow gently covers the ground in a white blanket on the eve of that one particular December eve.
Do I rave because I'm a Jethro Tull fan and therefore apt to like whatever is released under that moniker?
To some degree perhaps I do. Although I can say that there are a couple--not many--but a couple of releases by Jethro Tull that I'm not exceptionally fond of, so I don't tend to praise simply because it wears the name "Jethro Tull" on the cover. And then again pretty much anyone reading these reviews are probably already Jethro Tull fans anyway so my slant here isn't to say that you should buy it because the music is great, because if you already enjoy the Tull you probably already know that this is going to be of that same high quality style of musicality that we've grown to love and expect over the years. If it was something radically different you would get comments like, " It's another Under Wraps" or something.
Nowadays I think what most people want to know about a Jethro Tull record is, how is the singing voice and does the music rock?
Well, the answer to the first question I have already given. Ian sounds like he has given his voice a shot of Viagra. It's fantastic.
Does it rock? Well, not in the vein of say Aqualung or Locomotive Breath, but then it is a Christmas record and it tends to keep to a mood best suited to that genre, although the lead track does rock the sled pretty good. Musically it is similar to what you would expect from Ian on the heels of Rupi's Dance.
If you're already a fan of Jethro Tull and their style of music to begin with then you will almost certainly love this record. The only other question I can think of right now that some fan reading this might want to ask about this Tull recording before committing to buying it is does it play well beyond the confines of a Christmas record?
All I can say is that is not only is this one of the best Christmas albums out there, it is also one of the best recordings by Jethro Tull, period."

Happy Holidays From Jethro Tull

Alan Caylow | USA | 11/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The holidays have gotten even brighter with Jethro Tull's marvelous offering for this time of year, "The Jethro Tull Christmas Album." Ian Anderson & company serve up a hearty yuletide blend of new Tull Christmas originals, including the terrific "Birthday Card At Christmas," "Last Man At The Party," and "First Snow On Brooklyn," as well as new re-recordings of old holiday-themed Tull favorites like "A Christmas Song," "Another Christmas Song," "Ring Out Solstice Bells," and the signature Tull tune, "Bouree." Along with that classic instrumental, the band give us some more wonderful instrumental tracks, like the brilliant jazz take on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Pavane," "Greensleeved," and the beautiful closer, "A Winter Snowscape." The band play brilliantly, and Anderson's voice and flute are still in pristine form. "The Jethro Tull Christmas Album" is a magnificent gift from one of rock's most enduring acts. Happy holidays from Jethro Tull!"

Best Tull in 25 Years

johnnyribcage | Mein Mo Mountain | 09/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In spite of the fact that this is a Christmas album (i typically loath christmas music), this is still hands down the best Tull since Heavy Horses. I've heard the phrase "return to form" applied to some of their efforts since the mid eighties, but here, it actually can be said without any "buts" or "excepts." The whole disc has that same shimmering, woodsy, seventies feel that Songs from the Wood and Horses had, those two albums being my favorite Tull discs and I get the impression I'm not the only one. Besides the great arrangments, one other thing is shockingly apparent - Ian has regained almost all of the timbre and range of his younger days. His unique qualities as you may know were robbed by throat problems around '84. Well, it's basically back to full steam. There's even some of the great layered vocal arrangments with Ian harmonizing with himself, as he did on the late seventies albums, from bass to tenor. This produces a very original effect, one I personally find mesmorizing. I think I speak for legions of Jethro Tull fans when I say, thank god, and hopefully this is a signpost of things to come. I would love to see a couple more albums in this vein (not Christmas, but this style), it has the sound that made me love Tull to begin with. A whimsical, hypnotic disc. If you like Jethro Tull, pick it up - I can't understand how you could be dissapointed."