Published on Jul 27, 2004
Jethro Tull is a very prolific band. Therefore, they have
created much fodder for record companies. Record companies like
compilations and greatest hits packages. Since they are typically
previously recorded material, they often completely bypass any
studio costs, and often, the responsibility of paying royalties to
the artists. So, they have become a big cash cow for record
companies.
Original Masters is a fine compilation, and is a good choice
for a fan that wants to have a respectable set of Tull music
without buying 10 different albums. It would also be an excellent
introduction for a new fan. However, it’s also a double-edged
sword. On one hand, every song on the disc deserves its place here
— on the other hand, it completely ignores the bands first three
albums. Perhaps their intent was to capitalize on the latter part
of the bands career to date, as much of their earlier material is
included in their first compilation,
Living In The Past. Odder still, two of the songs on this
disc were unreleased tracks that originally appeared on, oddly
enough,
Living In The Past. The logic of this escapes me, but then,
the wankers that run record companies generally don’t know Shinola
about good music, and often even less about their stable of
artists. One saving grace, they are both excellent songs, so the
more exposure they get the better.
The material they do present here is among the best of Tull’s
career. The ubiquitous “Aqualung” and “Locomotive Breath” are here
of course. Along with “Songs From The Wood,” that trio probably
represents the most popular songs in the Tull catalog. At least,
those are the ones that are staples on classic rock radio.
Alongside those tracks (which are all great songs, and anything I
say about them would be pointless hyperbole), there are some
lesser-known gems, and some other well-known classics.
Staring off the disc is “Living In The Past.” This track is a
great showpiece of the band’s early style. The combination of
subtle blues and jazz elements, a distinctly Tull-ish rhythm, and
Anderson’s flute weaving in and out of the melody perfectly display
the disparate elements that come together in stellar synchronicity.
Listening to this track for the unknown-thosandth time, it’s no
mystery why Tull got as big as they are. This song alone can appeal
to many different tastes on many different levels.
Two pseudo-semi-autobiographical songs make nice additions to
this set. “Minstrel In The Gallery” stars off with a
medieval-flavored acoustic treatment, and by the time end of the
track is a blistering shred-fest feast featuring Martin Barre’s
masterful guitar work. “Too Old Too Rock ‘N’ Roll: Too Young To
Die” is another overlooked classic. The story of the aging rocker
trying to make a graceful transition between his greaser roots and
his country-club future, and be at peace with both facets of
himself, is both humorous and rather touching as his aging biker
hero sets off for one last ride.
The creepiness of “Sweet Dream,” an early track also culled from
Living In The Past, has always been a personal favorite, and it’s
inclusion here is well deserved. The lyrics of Anderson’s tale of
clandestine seduction has just the right quality of dark romance
and menace, as Anderson entices his lover away from her watchful
family: “You’ll hear me calling in your sweet dream / Can’t hear
your daddy’s warning cry.” Like every parents worst nightmare,
Anderson coaxes “Get out and get what you can / While your mummy’s
at home a-sleeping / No time to understand / ’cause they’ve lost
what they thought they were keeping.” Perfectly paired with
menacing instrumentation, this lost classic has been sadly
overlooked.
Another lost gem, and one of my favorite Tull tracks ever, is
the clever “Witches Promise.” The dreamy acoustic arrangement and
Andersons’ cryptic lyrics combine to make another showpiece of
Tulls style. Perfectly combining folk and rock elements like only
they can. This song would have slipped perfectly into Songs From
the Wood, even though it was written a decade earlier.
Two songs from
War Child make an appearance. “Bungle In The Jungle” is
often overlooked as a novelty song, but a careful listen will
reveal a subtle Orwellian lyrical twist, and a surprisingly complex
instrumentation. The beautifully arranged “Skating Away On The Thin
Ice Of A New Day” is a staple of the Tull live catalog, and one of
their most charming songs.
An excerpt from “Thick As A Brick” is a great intro to this
lengthy masterpiece, and should give the casual listener an
enticement to investigate the rest of the album. “Life’s A Long
Song” is another excellent acoustic number that showcases the
lighter side of the band, and their knack for creating a softer
song that still has power.
The exclusion of most of their earlier works is a shame. The
addition of some of early tracks like “Nothing Is Easy,” “Teacher”
or “Song For Jeffrey” would make this a much better, more rounded
collection. However, in combination with the earlier compilation
Living In The Past, the two together make an excellent
record of the first two decades of the bands career. It’s still a
great set, and if you’re looking to add some classic Tull to your
collection, this is a fine choice.