The Montreux floodgates have been blown open over the last year or two, and Eagle Rock continues to bring rock fans more CD's and DVD's of solid concerts from the famous festival, this time around the legendary band Jethro Tull. Surprisingly enough, this longstanding British act has never played the famous festival, even though they spent many days and months in Switzerland recording various albums, so 2003 was indeed a first for the band. This 2CD set covers the entire show played that evening, the first CD is mostly acoustic versions of some Tull classics, like "Bouree", "Fat Man", "Life Is A Long Song", and "Pavane", as well as some newer numbers like "Dot Com", "Eurology", and "Empty Cafe". Some surprises abound in this first set, those being "With You There To Help Me" ( a real golden oldie from the band's catalog), the explosive "Hunting Girl", and a charming rendition of their holiday staple "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman".
CD 2 sees the band rocking out quite a bit, and provides a good contrast to the more pastoral first set. Of course, all the gems are here, like "Aqualung", "Locomotive Breath", and "My God", plus some equally classic but not always played songs like "Nothing Is Easy", "Budapest", and the excellent "Beside Myself", one of Tull's strongest songs from their solid 1995 album Roots to Branches. The band is in fine form, led by Ian Anderson's flute and cunning acoustic guitar, the virtuoso guitar work of Martin Barre, Andrew Giddings majestic keyboards, and the solid rhythm team of drummer Doane Perry and bassist Jonathan Noyce. While Anderson's vocals are not nearly as strong as they used to be many years ago, he has settled into a comfortable delivery over the last decade that still does these songs justice.
As Jethro Tull have slipped into their 5th decade as a band (quite the feat!), it's only fitting that they officially have now played one of the most prestigious music festivals in the world. Check this live set out and hear why this longstanding band is still relevant today, and while you are at it pick up the companion DVD as well. Who says it's all about living in the past?
Track Listing
Disc: 1
1. Some Day The Sun Won't Shine For You
2. Life Is A Long Song
3. Bourée (Version de Noël)
4. With You There To Help Me
5. Pavane
6. Empty Café
7. Hunting Girl
8. Eurology
9. Dot Com
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
11. Fat Man
Disc: 2
1. Living In The Past
2. Nothing Is Easy
3. Beside Myself
4. My God
5. Budapest
6. New Jig
7. Aqualung
8. Locomotive Breath
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
