Search - Jethro Tull :: Minstrel in the Gallery

Very nice remastering job

John S. Ryan | Silver Lake, OH | 01/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I said in my 7 January review (below) that I planned to buy the remastered version of this release even though I already had the older CD version. Well, I bought it, and I'm just submitting this follow-up review to say that I'm very, very glad I did.



It's not just for the extra tracks, although those are nice. The two live tracks are no big deal; they're just the introductory acoustic portions of the two songs. Of the three studio tracks, two have been previously released and are of course good to have; "Pan Dance," previously unreleased [or is it? see comments], is an instrumental featuring Ian Anderson's flute and a fine orchestral arrangement by David Palmer. All well worth having, at any rate.



But the album itself is so good that it's worth having the remastered version just for the improved sound quality. I thought it was fine before, but compared to this one, the old one sounds like it was recorded through a bucket of mud. The remastering is so crisp, clean, and clear that you can hear every single sonic detail, from Anderson's acoustic guitar to Barrie Barlow's subtle percussion. And Martin Barre's electric guitar, which was penetrating enough on the older release, is now so sharp it's like an ice pick in your mind.



There's also (as in all these recent remasterings) a short set of liner notes by Ian Anderson himself. The lyrics are included twice -- once in a copy of the old album insert, and once in a set of new pages. (It's good that they're both included, as the new pages inadvertently omit a verse here and there.)



If you're a Tull fan, it's well worth picking up even if you already have the old one. Just thought you'd like to know."

One of my all-time favorite Tulls

John S. Ryan | Silver Lake, OH | 01/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't yet bought the newly remastered CD with all the extra tracks, so this review will comment only on the content from the older CD and the original LP.This is one of my favorite Tull albums. I personally think that this is where they were really hitting their stride as a _great_ band.The personnel at this point: Jeffrey Hammond is doing his last turn on the bass, Barrie Barlow is on drums and percussion, and John Evan is handling the keyboards. (David Palmer is here, as always, doing orchestral arrangements, but he's not yet a full member of the band.)The content: searing electric rock and acoustic balladry, in a seamless mix that blends the influences of British folk music and modern rock into an organic whole. Turn it up and stand back.The major highlight here is, of course, "Baker Street Muse," one of Ian Anderson's most autobiographical pieces (and the title of which makes a punning reference to the Baker Street mews in which he lived at the time). By turns bawdy seamy, earnest, cynical, and self-parodying, this sprawling, multifaceted opus continues Anderson's deeply ambiguous exploration of the harsh realities of poverty, homelessness, and such, with no easy resolution anywhere in sight.There are also some delightfully gentle acoustic tunes alongside the serious rockers. Martin Barre shines, too, taking center stage as needed with his blistering electric-guitar work and also doing some subtle acoustic stuff when nobody is looking.This album is good enough, in short, that even though I already have it on CD, I plan to buy the remastered one _anyway_. 'Nuff said."

Astounding!! But a Warning!!

ThrEaD NUGENT | Newport Beach, CA United States | 11/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1st of all I must warn anyone looking to buy this that the 'live' bonus tracks are studio snippets from a radio program already released on the 20th Ann. Box Set. So forget about them, they fade out after a min. or so....however, this to me is one of Jethro Tull's most amazing lps. the inclusion of Summerday Sands and Pan Dance only enhance it's beauty!! Absolutely recommended!!"