Eclectic Collection of Early Tull
Lonnie E. Holder | Columbus, Indiana, United States | 04/14/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album fills in holes in Jethro Tull's early music, including tracks not a part of their earlier albums and adding more music at a time Tull was riding high on the success of 1971s "Aqualung." While some reviewers advise that you need not buy Tull's earliest recordings if you have "Living in the Past," I have all those recordings as well and do not believe this CD replaces them. Further, "Teacher" and "Bouree" were left off this CD due to time constraints (the CD is near the limit at over 75 minutes long). Both "Teacher" and "Bouree" are worth having, and there is other music on the earlier CDs worth having as well.
This CD offers a range of music, from hard rockers to mellow folk and Tull's signature renaissance-flavored folk rock. "Living in the Past" offers a jazz-like piece with Ian Anderson's flute prominently displaced. It was the range of music Tull played that has always made Tull hard to fit into a particular genre. While Jethro Tull is often classified as hard rock because of songs like "Teacher" and "Sweet Dreams," as well as most of "Aqualung" and "War Child," Tull more likely fits into a genre of their own as they play music of all types, and they seem to do so in a pattern of their own.
Like the true artists that they are, Jethro Tull created music as they felt moved to create. The result is creative and interesting music, often satirical, nearly always at least good. It may be tempting to think that in retrospect that some of the music on this CD indicated that Jethro Tull was moving in a harder rock direction. Possibly. However, as music from CDs such as "Minstrel in the Gallery" and "Songs from the Wood" indicates, Tull's style has always been eclectic, with hard rock being only one of their numerous styles.
Note that there are several versions of this CD in existence. This particular edition is an import. Before purchasing this CD I suggest learning the versions available and choosing the version that best meets your needs.
This collection is a great introduction to a group that refuses standard classification, and has only been recognized as one of music's greats in the last few years. While this CD is now hard to find, I recommend this CD highly if you've liked what you've heard of Jethro Tull's non-commercial music.
"
You got to be kidding me!!!!
Old Tull Fan | Cincinnati, OH | 01/31/2007
(1 out of 5 stars)
"$76 for a CD that isn't even a faithful reproduction of the original album? Unbelieveable. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves...."
"Living in the Past" - for the record...
allemande | Columbia, MO USA | 07/15/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Reading the other reviews here, I'm not sure everyone is discussing the same version of this album--the writer questioning the $76 price tag certainly is, but perhaps not everyone else.
This is the Japanese 2-CD set of "Living in the Past". It comes packaged as a miniature version of the original LP release. The embossed gatefold cover has a booklet containing pictures and session information bound inside. The label side of the CDs replicates the Chrysalis Records label from the early 1970s, the design featuring a bright orange butterfly and logo against a green background. As in the original LP, the discs slip vertically into pockets at the front and back of the inner booklet. This CD release also includes poly sleeves for the discs, a thoughtful touch and apparently standard in Japanese LP replica releases.
The sound of these CDs is very good, about as good as the early LP pressing I once had. The track selection is just a bit strange, an evident attempt at compromise between the USA and European versions. For example, "Inside" is included here, but was not on the USA LP set; "Alive and Well and Living In" is conspicuously absent (and missed), but is available after all on the remastered "Benefit" CD.
What is special about this release is the inclusion of the U.S. remix of "Teacher". Currently available nowhere else (to my knowledge), this version sounds quite a bit different from the one found on the "Benefit" CD (and original LP), and has a later fade. Americans evidently made "Teacher" an FM radio favorite, and this special mix seems to have been created for them, but it appeared only on the original "Living in the Past" LP set. I was very pleased to find it available again.
Is this CD set worth $76? Well, mine cost about half that amount and I still held my breath before paying it, so each buyer must make his own judgement here. But I can tell you that this is a beautifully packaged CD set, and it sounds right to my ears. You might have emptier pockets after purchasing it, but I doubt you will be disappointed in the quality."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
