A taster for the upcoming reissue, although not an album I really listen to that much.
Coming soon…Under Wraps
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Musings on the byways of popular culture
Musings on the byways of popular culture
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A taster for the upcoming reissue, although not an album I really listen to that much.
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I saw the concert in 1984. It started off a bit Gary Numan, but soon got into proper ‘Tull. I’m sure it was “ironic”, as was his earlier prog, and his subsequent “Dire Straits” pastiche, “Budapest”.
Surely the most obvious Dire Straits pastiche was She Said She Was a Dancer? I remember Anderson acknowledging the similarity himself.
That’s the one I meant!
Jethro Tull – ‘Under Wraps: The Unwrapped Edition’
5CD & Blu-Ray
Including Ian Anderson’s ‘Walk Into The Light’
Set includes…
Brand new ‘2026 Drums’ and ‘Original Drums’ remixes of ‘Under Wraps’ & ‘Walk Into The Light’ by The Pineapple Thief’s Bruce Soord
Rarities & unreleased tracks
Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 1984 BBC Radio 1 Concert
100 page book
Released 15th May
Jethro Tull ‘Under Wraps: The Unwrapped Edition’ brings together two of Ian Anderson’s most ambitious and fearless albums – 1984’s ’Under Wraps’, a Jethro Tull album, and his debut solo album ‘Walk Into The Light’ released in 1983.
These two albums hold significant importance in Ian Anderson’s vast body of work, marking a notable shift from Jethro Tull’s established sound. Already recognised as one of his generation’s most innovative songwriters, Anderson embraced cutting edge technology, integrating synthesizers and drum machines. This was a considerable move away from the band’s traditional folk roots and illustrated their ability to adapt to the evolving musical landscape.
This comprehensive 5CD & Blu-Ray set has been overseen by Ian Anderson and includes both original albums extensively remixed twice by Bruce Soord – ‘2026 Drums’ and ‘Original Drums’ remixes. These discs also include associated recordings from that period. The fifth CD is a live recording from a BBC Radio 1 concert at The Hammersmith Odeon in 1984 and the Blu-Ray contains stereo and DOLBY ATMOS mixes, along with promo videos from the era. The set comes complete with a 100-page book offering an extensive article on the making of the records.
Additionally, ‘Walk Into The Light’ is available as single vinyl featuring Bruce Soord’s 2026 Drums remix and includes its own booklet. All versions are now available for pre-order from here.
‘Under Wraps’ is perhaps one of Jethro Tull’s most misunderstood albums, where the band fully embraced the electronic and synth-pop sounds of the ’80s focusing heavily on keyboards, drum machines, and a polished, synthetic production. Once reflecting on this period, Anderson said “We wanted to do something completely different with ‘Under Wraps’. It was about exploring the technology of the time and seeing how far we could push our sound into new territories. It was an experiment, and not everyone was ready for that kind of change from Jethro Tull.” Tracks like ‘Lap of Luxury’ show Anderson’s attempt to fuse his lyrical storytelling with the cold, often detached soundscapes of the era, creating a unique, if divisive, chapter in their discography.The album has grown to be appreciated for its bold experimentation, showcasing Anderson’s willingness to risk the band’s established identity for artistic exploration.
‘Walk Into Light’ combines sophisticated, cutting-edge electro-pop songs with typically pointed and uncompromising sociological lyrical observations. This album was a brave reinvention of an established identity – made in conjunction with keyboardist Peter-John Vetesse – the album reflected Anderson’s growing fascination with modern life, technology, and isolatio
Tracklisting:
Under Wraps: The Unwrapped Edition
5CD & Blu-Ray
CD1: Jethro Tull
Under Wraps (2026 Drums)
Remixed By Bruce Soord
1. Lap Of Luxury
2. Under Wraps #1
3. European Legacy
4. Later, That Same Evening
5. Saboteur
6. Radio Free Moscow
7. Nobody’s Car
8. Heat
9. Under Wraps #2
10. Paparazzi
11. Apogee
Associated Recordings 1983-1984 (2026 Drums)
12. Astronomy
13. Tundra
14. Automotive Engineering
15. General Crossing
16. Lap Of Luxury (Demo Version)*
17. Bring Back The Waltz*
18. Her Love Is Strange*
CD2: Jethro Tull
Under Wraps (Original Drums) Remixed By Bruce Soord
1. Lap Of Luxury
2. Under Wraps #1
3. European Legacy
4. Later, That Same Evening
5. Saboteur 6. Radio Free Moscow
7. Nobody’s Car
8. Heat
9. Under Wraps #2
10. Paparazzi
11. Apogee
Associated Recordings 1983-1984 (Original Drums)
12. Astronomy
13. Tundra
14. Automotive Engineering
15. General Crossing
16. Lap Of Luxury (Demo Version)*
17. Bring Back The Waltz*
18. Her Love Is Strange*
19. Under Wraps Intro
CD3: Ian Anderson
Walk Into Light (2026 Drums) Remixed By Bruce Soord
1. Fly By Night
2. Made In England
3. Walk Into Light
4. Trains
5. End Game
6. Black And White Television
7. Toad In The Hole
8. Looking For Eden
9. User-Friendly
10. Different Germany
Associated Recordings 1983 (2026 Drums)
11. Raincoat Man*
12. In Dark Tunnels*
13. Elizabeth In White*
14. User Friendly (Version 1)*
15. Toad In The Hole (Alt. Vocal)*
16. Clean Away*
CD4: Ian Anderson
Walk Into Light (Original Drums) Remixed By Bruce Soord
1. Fly By Night
2. Made In England
3. Walk Into Light
4. Trains
5. End Game
6. Black And White Television
7. Toad In The Hole
8. Looking For Eden
9. User-Friendly
10. Different Germany
Associated Recordings 1983 (Original Drums)
11. Raincoat Man*
12. In Dark Tunnels*
13. Elizabeth In White*
14. User Friendly (Version 1)*
15. Toad In The Hole (Alt. Vocal)*
16. Clean Away*
CD5: BBC Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 1984 (Remastered)
1. Under Wraps Intro
2. Locomotive Breath (Instrumental)
3. Hunting Girl
4. Under Wraps #1
5. Later, That Same Evening
6. Pussy Willow
7. Clasp
8. Living In The Past
9. Thick As A Brick
10. Aqualung
11. Locomotive Breath
12. Too Old To Rock’n’roll: Too Young To Die!
13. Different Germany / Thick As A Brick (Reprise)
Disc 6: Blu-Ray
Jethro Tull
Under Wraps (2026 Drums) & Associated Recordings 1983-84 (2026 Drums) Stereo LPCM 96/24 / Dts Hd 5.1 / Dolby Atmos
Under Wraps (Original Drums) & Associated Recordings 1983-84 (Original Drums) Stereo LPCM 96/24 only
Ian Anderson
Walk Into Light (2026 Drums) Associated Recordings 1983 (2026 Drums) Stereo LPCM 96/24 / Dts Hd 5.1 / Dolby Atmos
Walk Into Light (Original Drums) & Associated Recordings 1983 (Original Drums) Stereo LPCM 96/24 only
Videos: Lap Of Luxury (Promo Video)
Tour Rehearsal (Promo Video)
*Previously Unreleased
Odd that they haven’t included the audio of the whole Hammersmith concert, and the show below would have been a good addition to the bluray disc
I’ll give it a miss but Ian was never afraid to to try new technology and styles as they evolved and I respect him for that. I just don’t live this one. Gay Woods, folk singer par excellence, joined a synth pop band and whilst she hugely improved it I just don’t like the sound.
Crikey, there’s a name I’ve not heard for decades. I got given a copy of this picture disc, 40 years ago, in Harlequin Records, Enfield. I wonder if it is still hiding in my Kallax?
I listen to Walk Into Light much more often than Under Wraps because of 2 stone-cold Anderson classic songs: Looking for Eden and Made in England.
Well, I’m in. I was at the Hammersmith concert and thought it was great. I think I have a BBC transcription album somewhere.
As I’ve possibly said before, the concert began with IA removing covers to reveal the band members who had been – you’re ahead of me – under wraps. The final one revealed a naked lady, who promptly ran offstage.
I saw them on that tour – at the Apollo in Glasgow. I remember it being an excellent show (with the same opening sketch). I’m also in, for much the same reason. Also for the Walk into Light album!
I’m very fond of Walk Into Light too. It’s got a great spooky, nervous and futuristic vibe. Under Wraps is just as good. I think it got a lot of stick from old time fans who didn’t like the band to move forward. Peter-John Vettesse was practically bullied by some fans.
PJV got it right on Broadsword that’s for sure.
I shall give the synth two another listen out of fairness.
I think we’re all agreed that a Crest of a Knave box set looks nailed on after this. But what about after? I have to admit that was the point where I stopped buying the albums (though kept going to gigs).
I’m quite interested in the idea that the electronic drums have been replaced by real drums.
Drum replacement is now fairly easy. It’s possible in Logic Pro and can transform a track… I’ve done quite a bit of this. However the downside is that things can sound homogenous… but I think Bruce Soord is the right man for this. He knows what he’s doing and I trust his ears.
I’d hope it’s actually a real drummer playing drums, not DAW hanky panky. I haven’t finished watching the interview so he might cover this. Drum samples triggered by the original drum machine is probably a bit better but barely. (Revises idea of buying it).
It’s not a real drummer, sorry. It’s a drum hit replacement job but done with some artistry/sensitivity. Similar to PF’s Animals remix (I believe).
Yes I did some googling and you’re right. Well it’ll be interesting to hear it. Drum machines aren’t terrible by default but they’re usually programmed (or were back then) by people who thought boom tish was good enough, plus the sounds were terrible. Hopefully Ian did a better job. From the interview it seems the original had additional nasty 80s processing on the drum sounds which has been removed so maybe the unadulterated e drums will sound better. For thin crappy 8 bit sampled e drums.
I think in for this. The “single” Last lap of Luxury with the 2026 drums is so much better without the horrible drum sound. This is great.