Author:Mark Blake
Jethro Tull have set a high bar with their excellent ongoing program of cd reissues, but this super book has no problem in meeting that standard. Encased in what can only be described as a cushioned cover, it gives for the first time the official authorised history of the band. Although author Mark Blake pulls the strings to provide the narrative of the story through the words of the thirty odd players who’ve passed through the Tull camp at one time or another, it is unsurprisingly Ian Anderson’s voice that is heard most often, either through his own contributions or via interjections in to the recollections of others. There are certainly some revealing insights into life in the band in this chronological trip through their sometimes tempestuous career – Dave Pegg, for example, contrasts life in a group of mates who play music (Fairport) with life with a group of musicians who aren’t mates at all. The earlier years of the band’s career, up to the late seventies, are covered in most detail, unsurprisingly given this was their most creative and successful era. However, as we move past 1980, the detail becomes noticeably less forensic, although Anderson interestingly comments that he regards Broadsword rather than Stormwatch as the true final part of the band’s folk rock trilogy – perhaps that bodes well for a future deluxe version of that album. The last twenty five years though are somewhat disappointingly rather skirted over, and perhaps surprisingly there’s scant mention of Anderson’s solo work. However, these are minor gripes because overall I thoroughly enjoyed this sumptuous book, lovingly presented in coffee table type format on top quality thick paper, with a fine selection of photographs and period press cuttings supplementing the main text – in fact this will undoubtedly become the definitive pictorial and anecdotal history of this eccentric band, who produced such a run of great music in their heyday. I very much doubt we’ll see their like again.
Length of Read:Medium
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
Tull’s music over the years.
One thing you’ve learned
If you’re a fan of the mighty Tull, then make certain this is on your Christmas list – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Oddly whilst I am a fan (who knew) I’m not buying this, at least for now. I know it will be lush but I’ve read a few Tull books and the books in the reissues sets which are excellent, so I’m not sure what else there is to say. Also I’m having a “not buying more stuff” phase so this one is on hold for me.
That could be the most shocking thing I’ve read this year – Twang says “Tull? No thanks”
Probably more accurately “not yet”.
I’m concerned that somone has hacked the Twangmeister’s AW account… 😀
I don’t think you’ll be missing much on this one Twang. It’s a beautiful object, but boy is the text large, the paper thick, the detail small and – for me at least – the attention given to the classic era skimpy. Interviews avoid key issues, IA airs his never-changing grievances and grudges and band members are disappeared without their or anyone else’s side of the story in the pursuit of IA’s self-serving mantra that Tull’s story belongs as much to hired hands like Scott Hammond, Gerry Conway or Martin Allcock as it does to Barlow, Evans, Barre, Hammond, Bunker, Cornick and Glascock. Good on the early years, before never explained ‘tensions’ begin to play their part.
This seemed like an essential purchase – until I saw this vid. Although it looks nicely done, it seems like thin pickings for 40 quid.
Hmmm my instincts were correct then.
Yup. Pretty large hole where Martin Barre and Barrie Barlow’s contributions should be too.
Mine has been bought and will be opened in 15 days time although the “Prog” magazine special of a couple of months ago has probably the same information,
Which I have. @colin_h take note.
Ditto. I too felt, though, that the content in the box set series has been enough and that without the active involvement of the 70s guys, the book would be pointless.
Apparently my restraining order is rather more restrictive than I first thought so all I am allowed to say is “top notch review of a top notch redacted redacted”.
Lady W loves Tull and therefore so do I. I have to say that forty quid seems redacted redacted redacted but I can just see her face on Christmas Morning. Who needs one of them little blue Tiffany boxes, not my girl that’s for sure!
For anyone who wasn’t able to get hold of a copy before the run sold out, the book will appear in a paperback edition in November.
It seems the next release in the album reissues won’t appear until 2021 now.’