Search - Jethro Tull :: Jethro Tull A+ (w/ Bonus DVD)

Making the Grade

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 08/16/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What was slated by Ian Anderson to be a solo effort, the September 1980 release for Jethro Tull found the band riding the new wave that was sweeping the music industry of synthesizer-driven material.



With the assistance of keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson and new band members Dave Pegg (b) and Mark Craney (d) - the only holdover was guitarist Martin Barre - the innovative sound was a huge step forward into uncharted territory, which was probably one of the reasons that the record label, Chrysalis, wanted the name Jethro Tull on the album cover.



The standouts are Flyingdale Flyer, Black Sunday, Batteries Not Included and And Further On, as the classic folk-influence was not forgotten with the inclusion of The Pine Marten's Jig.



The A+ remastered edition includes the DVD, Slipstream, which features the band recorded live during the A tour. This is the only authorized release of the cutting-edge video on DVD.



An underrated release due to the direction of the music, it shows Anderson as ambitious as ever to expand the vision of a mainstay on the arena rock circuit.



"

Excellent Musicianship By Guest Players

R. C. Whiteley | Louisville, KY USA | 08/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know "Stormwatch" was the end of the "classic" Jethro Tull period, but it wasn't the swan song for some fantastic Tull music. Guest drummer Mark Craney was excellent on the "A" album, and stand-in keyboard player/violinist Eddie Jobson was superb! I really enjoyed the violin solos on the "Slipstream" dvd! It added a whole new dimension to Jethro Tull music when applied. The new bass player Dave Pegg demonstrated his versatility on this album. To me, the "funky" bass line was the most noticeable variation on "A," completely unlike Tull music of the past. No, it is not disco! It was a style of playing that was very popular in 1980. It is not the easiest way of playing the bass guitar either. Pegg's versatility would become obvious on the next Jethro Tull album "The Broadsword and the Beast," where his bass playing would become more straight-forward. Anyway, the addition of Craney and Jobson to the mix on "A" made it a spectacular cd, in my opinion. The dvd, "Slipstream," was a pleasurable, yet dated, addition. I wish there had been bonus tracks from the "A" sessions for the cd, especially because of the exceptional guest musicianship! But, the dvd, dating back to 1980, was a glance at the band in concert and/or in conceptual video. It was a visual bonus for anybody who has never seen Tull live, including a lot of younger fans who will never have the opportunity."