Jethro Tull’s career has spanned nearly 40
years. Throughout that time they have remained innovators.
Jethro Tull’s influence on modern rock and blues
can’t be denied. The Grammy award winning eclectic
rock band remains active and alive, and there is no
better evidence than “Live at Montreux 2003”.
Released on both CD and DVD, Jethro Tull offers a
mammoth set of classic songs. Nineteen tracks showcase
Tull as a breathing, changing organism. Well known
songs are delivered with the bluesy, changing dynamics
of the world’s greatest jam band (envision the
Grateful Dead walking away, heads hung in shame).
“Living In The Past” is revived as a free-flowing
blues masterpiece that still remains true to the original
recording.
This seems to be just how Jethro Tull rolls. Many
of their songs sound revitalized with more blues and
jazz influence than the original recordings. “Fat
Man” and “My God” both swing to
a sometimes bizarre rhythm that Ian Anderson and company
manipulate with creative abandon. While some songs,
such as “Life Is A Long Song” remain relatively
unchanged by the live experience, this seems to be
rare.
“Live at Montreux 2003” is everything
one would expect from Jethro Tull. Racing flutes,
shifting tempos and frolicking guitars abound. Even
the liner notes are a joy, full of Ian Anderson’s
wit and sarcasm. Longtime fans will be pleased with
this release, whether on CD or DVD.
Key Tracks: “Life Is A Long Song”, “Living
In The Past”
Reviewed by Jim McDonald |
