Jethro Tull - Minstrel In The Gallery 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition


Year of Release: 2015
Label: Chrysalis
Catalog Number: 2564615720
Format: CD/DVD
Total Time: 153:45:00

Minstrel In The Gallery (1975) was Jethro Tull's follow up to the fantastic War Child release from the previous year. For this listener it was a time of discovery for all kinds of rock music and I remember clearly playing the vinyl version of this release quite often. I particularly enjoyed the opening title track when the bass kicked in then the guitar began to lead the way. This was Jethro Tull in their prime doing what they knew best. They had quite a run in the 70s and this album kept the train rolling right along.

The second disc features a live recording of Jethro Tull performing at the Olympia in Paris on July 5, 1975, a few months prior to the release of Minstrel In The Gallery. During the show, the band played songs from several of its albums, including War Child and Aqualung, as well as an early performance of "Minstrel In The Gallery," which is superb (note the live video provided here for your pleasure). The live performance was mixed to 5.1 and stereo by King Crimson guitarist Jakko Jakszyk.

This 40th anniversary book style version of the original album includes two CDs and two DVDs with seven bonus tracks, six previously unreleased and two mixed to 5.1 surround, and all in stereo by the resident remaster king Steven Wilson. The album expansion includes the B-side "Summerday Sands," several studio outtakes, and alternate session material recorded for a BBC broadcast.

My favorite tracks were and still are "Minstrel In The Gallery," "Cold Wind To Valhalla" and "Baker St. Muse." These tracks in particular are the core sound of the band and do quite a wonderful job of showcasing the talents of each member. The complexities and nuances somehow come together to make sense while pointing to stellar musicianship and consistently interesting song writing. They had the knack of taking pieces of the past and applying it to modern day life. It is Mr. Anderson's wink and a nod to the days of kings and court jesters and how we still have those in this day and age however in a much different context.

So those are some of the highlights but hardly all the details of this beautiful and comprehensive set. I can assure potential listeners that this will be the first time this release will really pop out in such a way that every detail and nuance of the instruments used in each track are crystal clear.

I think what is most exciting about these 40th Anniversary editions is that it serves as an ongoing journey through the history of Jethro Tull in more detail than any music fan has had the pleasure of enjoying before. The 80 page meticulous recollection of the recording sessions and such will bring you right back to that time. The additional tracks and various versions of the album and the concert help to make this the ultimate Minstrel In The Gallery package thus far. So it's definitely about the journey and not the destination when it comes to these jam packed musical treats. The band was never stronger in this decade in my humble opinion, which I keep on stressing in all of my coverage. Ian Anderson has carried the torch to this day bringing us new music while celebrating the music that got him to where he is today. Although Anderson has always been the main cog in the wheel we all get an up close look at the JT family tree during each recording.

So once again I have had the honor and great pleasure of enjoying yet another set from the archives with the opportunity to share what I have found. Get your copy post haste and start your own Jethro Tull journey!

Detailed Highlights Taken From The Band's Website:

* Original album plus seven bonus tracks (six previously unreleased), two mixed to 5.1 surround, and all to stereo by Steven Wilson
* Flat transfers of the original LP mix at 96/24 plus additional track "Summerday Sands"
* Flat transfer of the original quad mix of the LP plus additional track "Summerday Sands"
* An eight and a half minute film of the band performing "Minstrel In The Gallery" in Paris from 1975
* Presented in a case-bound DVD book that includes an 80-page booklet featuring an extensive history of the album, track-by-track annotations by Ian Anderson, recollections by roadie Kenny Wylie, Maison Rouge maintenance engineer Pete Smith, and string section member Liz Edwards plus lyrics, tour itinerary and rare and unseen photographs.

Heavyweight vinyl and standard CD editions of the album will be issued as well.

Key Tracks: Minstrel In The Gallery, Cold Wind To Valhalla, Baker St. Muse

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck; review provided by and originally published May 4, 2015 at Prog Rock Music Talk


Tracklisting:

Disc One - New Steven Wilson Stereo Remix:: Minstrel In The Gallery (8:16) / Cold Wind To Valhalla (4:17) / Black Satin Dancer (6:53) / Requiem (3:43) / One White Duck/010 = Nothing At All (4:39) / Baker St. Muse (5:09) / Baker St. Muse - Pig-Me And The Whore (1:30) / Baker St. Muse - Nice Little Tune (1:09) / Baker St. Muse - Crash-Barrier Waltzer (3:09) / Baker St. Muse - Mother England Reverie (5:45) / Grace (0:36) / Summerday Sands (3:42) / Requiem (Version 1)* (3:42) / One White Duck (Take 5)* (2:26) / Grace (Take 2)* (0:40) / Minstrel In The Gallery (BBC version)* (8:27) / Cold Wind To Valhalla (BBC version)* (4:21) / Aqualung (BBC version)* (8:01)

Disc Two - Live at The Palais Des Sports, Paris, July 5, 1975 (A Jakko Jakszyk Stereo Mix): Introduction (The Beach Part 2) (0:54) / Wind Up (3:01) / Critique Oblique (4:05)/ Wond'ring Aloud (5:16) / My God - Flute Solo Including: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/Bouree/Quartet - Living In The Past - My God (Reprise) (11:34) / Cross-Eyed Mary (4:05) / Minstrel In The Gallery (9:23) / Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day (4:39) / Bungle In The Jungle (3:17) / Aqualung (9:41) / Guitar Improvisation (3:29) / Back-Door Angels (6:06) / Locomotive Breath with improvisation and including Hard Headed English General and Back-Door Angels (Reprise) (11:50)

* Previously Unreleased

"Minstrel In The Gallery" Live in Paris 1975



Musicians:
Ian Anderson - flute, acoustic guitar, vocals
Barriemore Barlow - drums, percussion
Martin Barre - guitars
John Evan - organ, piano
Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond - bass, string bass
Rita Eddowes - violin
Elizabeth Edwards - violin
Bridget Procter - violin
Katharine Thulborn - cello

Discography:
This Was (1968)
Stand Up (1969)
Benefit (1970)
Aqualung (1971)
Thick As A Brick (1972)
Living In The Past (1972)
A Passion Play (1973)
War Child (1974)
Minstrel In The Gallery (1975)
M.U. The Best Of (1976)
Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll: Too Young To Die (1976)
Songs From The Wood (1977)
Repeat - The Best Of Jethro Tull Vol 2 (1977)
Heavy Horses (1978)
Bursting Out - Live (1978)
Stormwatch (1979/2004)
'A' (1980)
The Broadsword And The Beast (1982/2005)
Under Wraps (1984)
Original Masters (1985)
Crest Of A Knave (1987/2005)
20 Years Of Jethro Tull (1988)
Rock Island (1988)
Catfish Rising (1991)
A Little Light Music (1992)
The Anniversary Collection (1993)
25th Anniversary Box Set (1993)
Nightcap (1995)
Roots To Branches (1995)
J-Tull Dot Com (1999)
The Very Best Of (2001)
Living With The Past (2002)
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)
Classic Masters (2003)
Stand Up/This Was (2003)
Essential (2003)
Nothing Is Easy: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004)
Aqualung Live (2005)
Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson (2005)
Extended Versions (2006)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2007)
The Best Of Acoustic Jethro Tull (2007)
Living With The Past/Nothing Is Easy (2008)
This Was (expanded) (2008)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004/2008)
The Anniversary Collection/A New Day Yesterday (2008)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2008)
Live At Madison Square Garden (2009)
Christmas Album (2009)
Live In Switzerland 2003 (LP) (2014)
A Passion Play - An Extended Performance (2014)
War Child - 40th Anniversary Theatre Edition (2014)
Minstrel In The Gallery - 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition (2015)

Living With The Past (DVD) (2002)
A New Day Yesterday: 1969-1994 - The 25th Anniversary Collection (VID/DVD) (1994/2003/4)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (DVD) (2005) Live At Montreux 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Jack In The Green - Live In Germany (DVD) (2008)
Live In Bethlehem, PA, 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Their Full Authorized Story (DVD) (2009)
Live At AVO Session 2008 (DVD) (2009)
Live At Madison Square Garden (DVD) (rec 1978, rel 2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: August 30th 2015
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.jethrotull.com
Hits: 4654
Language: English

  

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