What does it sound like?:
The 40th anniversary of Tull’s eighth studio album is marked by the issue of this 2cd/2dvd set.
The original album has been remixed by Steven Wilson, and is supplemented by the Summerday Sands B side together with three tracks recorded for BBC sessions (previously unreleased) and three early takes of tracks on the album, these also being released for the first time.
The second cd is a Paris concert from July 1975, also unreleased until now. This shows what many would describe as the band’s definitive line-up performing at the peak of their powers.The tapes have been restored to pristine condition by King Crimson guitarist Jakko Jaksyk, who also remixed the recent ELP reissues.
The two DVDs add various 5.1 mixes of the two albums, plus an unseen till now eight minute film of the band on stage performing the title track.
The package is completed by a lavish illustrated 80 page book with numerous articles and interviews with those involved with the album, which is a great read.
What does it all *mean*?
As with the Passion Play and War Child rereleases, this album has really benefitted from being remixed and now has a less compressed sound – there seems to be more space between the various instruments and the different layers of sound are crystal clear.
Goes well with…
If you are a Tull fan, then this is yet another compulsory purchase – one of their classic period albums is now rendered even better! A very worthy addition to the band’s catalogue of reissues.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
Please check out Twang’s podcast (and the accompanying article) featuring an exclusive interview with Ian Anderson on this album and on all things Tull. It’s an excellent listen and is highly recommended!
*shakes with glee*
Really looking forward to this one.
In the vernacular, it’s fucking brilliant. I’d neglected it because I’m an idiot, and it comes back what a brilliant album it is. The extras disk is worth the price of admission alone.
I’m looking forward to this one also. Been really enjoying these Tull reissues.
Likewise. Expecting a copy in the post any day…
I’m awaiting my copy of PP to arrive, this will be next, with WC following. I do hope their much overlooked TOTRn’RTYTD gets the same treatment.
Afterword lifelong fan Twang interviewed Jethro Tull’s front man, songwriter and leader Ian Anderson as part of the promo for the impending re-issue of their 1975 “Minstrel in the gallery”. The album was recently remixed by Steven Wilson and comes with a plethora of extras including 5.1 surround mix and a never before heard Paris concert and BBC radio session from the same year.
Listen to the podcast for the full discussion…
Afterword: How do you feel about “Minstrel” now, given stories abound that you felt the band were slightly unfocussed during the recording?
Ian Anderson: Well, I’m not sure I said that…we recorded the album with my new Maison Rouge mobile studio at a radio station in Monte Carlo. In practice, whilst we were very focussed on the recording and concerned with making a good record, the contradiction of the demands of making a good record in the studio distractions of sun, sand and sea aren’t always conducive to a good working environment.
AW: Certainly the band sound fantastic on the remix – you’d been on tour so much beforehand, the band is on fire!
IA: All the members of the band were in a good place, musically. It was all slightly overshadowed by the fact that Jeffrey Hammond had let it be known that this was to be his last album – he’d said he’d give it five years, and at five years his stint was up. In fact a few years later he came in and tried playing something with Marin Barre and I but after a few minutes he just stopped and said “I just can’t do this anymore – I don’t have the technical understanding to do it any more”.
AW: Did you write with a plan in mind, or was the album just what you had at the time?
IA: I did intend to have one long piece which was “Baker Street Muse” which I wrote after I lived in that area of London, which I always considered to be “my” area…it was fertile ground for observational “Streets of London” style singer/song writing.
AW: I think of it as a spiritual successor to “Aqualung” more so than “Warchild”, “Thick as a brick” or “A Passion Play” which preceded it, with the mix of acoustic solo material and band workouts.
IA: I think that’s absolutely right, “Thick as a brick” was very much a band album where we rehearsed and recorded it in the studio. “Minstrel” was written in hotel rooms on tour and led me to return to the approach on “Aqualung” where I’d go into the studio and lay down acoustic and other parts then the guys would come in and add to it.
AW: How did you get so good on the flute so quickly? You started in 1967 and by ’70 you had a fully formed and developed style. Did you do scales or have a book or something?
IA: Remember I played guitar already so I basically transferred guitar like lines to the flute and used basic fingering whilst bending notes into tune by overblowing. In the early 90s I relearned with “correct” fingering, but if we play some of those old tunes I have to relearn how to play them “badly” as that’s the only way to get the notes. All flautists have to do that, but if you’re a classical player you probably call it “alternate fingerings”!
PS it is a fantastic package. The remix is wonderful and the extras are superb.
Ordered this evening….I almost literally can’t wait…..my all time favourite Tull album….
These Tull re-issues show how it should be done, I think.
Where’s this podcast? Am I missing a link?
I can’t get out!
Keep watching – it’s on its way soonest!!
Listening now. It really is very good and a well put=together package. I’m feeling an almost overwhelming nostalgia though. And not because I listened to it a lot in my youth – but because I didn’t listen to it at all.
We were dedicated Tull fans but had between us all – Aqualung, Songs from the Wood, Heavy Horses, Bursting Out and Living in the Past. From the trusty NME Encyclopedia of Rock, we knew that other Tull albums existed but did not have access to them. Buying an album was an event and there were other bands too. In any event, choice was limited to what was in the local John Menzies. And there was no chance of hearing that sort of stuff on the radio.
So we could only look at the titles and wonder what aural treasures lay within – longing, absolutely longing, to hear them one day. And here I am with with it all at my fingertips.
Separated at birth me and you man.
And I’m serious as cancer.
*fist bump*
Minstrel in the Gallery was my favourite Tull album at the time and still is or is a close tie with War Child. I want the cd and the bonus disc but do not want the dvd as I don’t have a DVD player. In fact I am pretty pissed with all the releases containing DVD’s – I am pretty sure most people watch once and then put them on a shelf. Why can’t I have the option of just audio content?
The 5.1 mixes need DVD discs AFAIK
the dvds usually have no, or very little, in the way of visual content. they are needed, as mentioned above, for the 5.1 surround mixes etc.
I am contemplating buying a home cinema system so I can listen to my prig remix/reissues. The family watching blockbusters is an additional benefit. 🙂
Do it man! If you regret it, I’ll refund your dosh. BTW get a Blu-ray, they’re boss. I gave my mate a £200 Spamsung as it was too antwacky to use and bought a £64 ex-demo 3D Smart LG (as new) off e-bay. Not only is it easier to work, the picture and sound are better. You can get good gear for a very reasonable price. My 42″ telly is a 3D LG too, maybe not the most glamourous of makes but boy are my mates impressed when they come over.
You won’t regret it – all of the Steven Wilson 5.1 mixes I’ve got are ace and of course there are others as well.
Just watch out – I find music in 5.1 is very demanding of the system, more so than a film soundtrack. I have a cheap-ish Samsung and it can be a bit shrill at the top end.
Yes it is taking shape in my mind, and shamefully I have been enlisting Twang Jr in support of the business case….(“imagine “Spiderman 3″…”we don’t have it”…we could get it…”). Never mind the APP remix.
A very philanthropic plan to improve life for your family as a whole, and if it should also happen to provide a better listening experience for you then surely that is just a fortunate side effect 🙂
Indeed. Benevolent collateral damage I call it.
I got this set in the post yesterday and have just listened to the stereo mix. It is quite wonderful. The ‘additional’ instrumentation – woodwind, strings, percussion etc sounds a little more pronounced in this new mix and I like that a lot.
On the various prog and JT forums that I have lurked on it seems that most of their albums (with the exception of maybe Stand Up, Aqualung and TAAB) split opinion among fans quite radically and ‘Minstrel’ seems to be one that is debated quite a lot. Some people outright hate it. Each to their own, but to me it seems to contain everything that makes JT what they are. I’ve never understood why a fan would feel so strongly negative about it.
In any case, I’m looking forward to diving into the 5.1 mixes, extra tracks and booklet later. As I’ve said before, these re-issues are great value for money. I’ve paid under $30 for each of them so far. Worth every penny.
It’s a mystery to me how any Tull fan could not like Minstrel.
Bought it!
Online from Burning Shed, I have to own this.
A brilliant album and Ian’s lyrics were never better, especially Baker St. Muse.
I already have Minstrel on vinyl – is it worth splashing out on the new version?
Yes for sure – worth every penny for the improved sound, the bonus tracks and the live album! Not to mention the most excellent book of interviews etc.
OK, I’m convinced! Vinyl version for me though – I don’t have a 5.1 system so the DVDs are totally wasted for me.
I don’t know why I even considered not getting it mind you; I had Benefit already and ended up buying a new version – same with Passion Play…
Plus I note that the Wilson remasters of Thick as a Brick and Aqualung are being reissued on vinyl in June. More temptation…
I am now the proud owner of a 2CD/DVD set of The Mince n’ Tatties in the Gallery and it is a lovely package.
Just War Child and TOTRn’R to go. 😀