Search - Jethro Tull :: Through the Years

A different kind of compilation from Jethro Tull

Robert Huggins | Suburban Philadelphia, PA United States | 07/24/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jethro Tull's "Through the Years" is a compilation album, though not the type that you would ordinarily associate with this "classic rock" mainstay. Other than "Living in the Past" and "Locomotive Breath" (both live versions, though LITP is not listed as live on the CD), many listeners might not be familiar with the rest of the material on this CD. What you really get is a sampling of how Jethro Tull has sounded in its various incarnations from its early studio albums in the late 1960s up through 1995. Perhaps the lack of "greatest hits" is the reason why this CD has never had an official US release and is only available as an import under the titles "Through the Years" or "Collection" from Britain's EMI label and the Netherlands' Disky label. Jethro Tull has an extensive back catalog of material and this compilation only serves to whet the appetite for more. If hearing "Bungle in the Jungle" or "Aqualung" for the umpteenth time is your thing, "Through the Years" will probably not be to your liking; try the "Original Masters" compilation instead . . . it's [inexpensive] and easy to find. For those who want to discover or rediscover Jethro Tull's rich musical legacy, "Through the Years" will whet your appetite for more. The band's playing is always first-rate and while Ian Anderson is one of the most unique and talented figures in the history of rock, one must also give due credit to Martin Barre who just happens to be one of the most versatile guitarists on the planet, as well as the other musicians who have played with the band over the years. This CD gets my four stars, rather than five, because there has been so much great Jethro Tull music produced over the years that a single disc simply can't do the band justice."

Not for the casual fan

E. Schreiber | Oregon Coast | 01/11/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I recently purchased this disk because I had enjoyed Tull in the 1970's and this disk included some of the classic music of that era, as well as material from later in the band's career that I was unfamiliar with. What you get here is a live version of Living in the Past (without vocals), an obscure version of Warchild (not as nice as the original US release), and a number of rather forgetable tracks that would only be for true collectors. The best cut is an inspired live version of Locomotive Breath. Runner up is The Whistler (from the Songs from the Wood album). The collection does include the 10-minute version of Budapest, which is not bad, but I can't stop feeling that this is a Dire Straits song instead of Jethro Tull.



Overall, there are better collections out there. Original Masters is great for the price, and Living in the Past contains the best cuts from the band's early period."