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Post by futureshock on Dec 26, 2018 0:03:28 GMT
Whats the criticism against the album? Well I think anyone who is not a Tull fan would find the album dark and depressing not realising the quality of the song writing. Certainly the people I worked with at the time of the album’s release were, in the main part, anti the album. Being the only Tullie in a drawing office full of Simple Minds and Ultravox fans was not my idea of heaven. There is also the view held by some Tull fans that as this was the album before the big split, and as John’s death had happened at the same time, that this was all IA’s fault and that he should be the scapegoat for what occurred. It’s a view that, with reservations, I don’t hold. OK so he messed up with the photocopied letters to the band announcing the “sackings”, but the idea that somehow he didn’t fully deal with the aspects of John’s death is fanciful. IA would have been dumb struck at his passing in the same way as everyone else connected with the band - it was IA who attended the funeral and stood quietly at the back of the cemetery while the committal was taking place. No “Hello” style press release or photo shoot which lesser “celebrities” would have signed up for. IA’s been criticised for his “up front” bass playing on the tracks of the album where he deputised for the ailing John G. Doesn’t wash with me. Had John played on all the tracks of the album I don’t think that there would have been much difference in the final mix. It’s certainly not an album to listen to on a hot sunny day, sunbathing in your back garden with plenty of alcoholic beverages around, for that you’d want Songs From The Wood or Crest Of A Knave. But for cold wintry evenings, sitting in front of a log fire with the wind howling outside, it would be ideal. I don't want to anger anyone, so I hope I can say this correctly >>>>> I find there is a basic and HUGE difference between "dark" topics and feel, vs what is "depressing". Some people, and I think it means they're possibly shallow, or perhaps really NOT wanting to deal with dark issues (perhaps they already are and don't need any more problems, I totally understand and appreciate that common situation, lots of people have more than enough problems going on already!!!). In life's endless list of experiences and all the shades of perception we have about what degree of pleasure or pain they involve, I find that facing and getting right into the heart of "dark" things, prevents them from becoming misinterpreted and often, by avoiding such topics, they get worse, affect us worse, and leave us shallower and more confused and suffering people for not having faced them. "Depressing" is almost a completely different topic. Example: think of things you've experienced that caused a lot of effort but there was a long delay before they were completed and any pleasure involved was long delayed. Perhaps there was significant number of pains to be had along the way, but the vision of what you're aiming for elevated you, it didn't depress you. The light at the end of the tunnel comes from what you learn while immersed in the "dark" side of things, dealing with them, being right in the thick of things and fully aware of them, in control of yourself too, enlightened perhaps, as well as from elsewhere, and you and everything else involved gains a great deal by your immersion in the situation. You know what you get if you avoid the dark side and live mostly in denial, in a cocoon, never grapple with reality in all it's rich range of aspects and only expect the most superficial and transient of pleasures, to be had as easy as popping a coin in a music machine on a restaurant wall in 1975? You get DISCO music. Stormwatch, according to the National Weather Service Of Musical Afficiandos, is the exact opposite of disco, and can be played at high volume through speakers previously used for disco, to recondition them back for normal service to project quality experience once again. A musical purgative, rejuvinant.
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Post by JTull 007 on Dec 26, 2018 2:05:36 GMT
Stormwatch, according to the National Weather Service Of Musical Afficiandos, is the exact opposite of disco, and can be played at high volume through speakers previously used for disco, to recondition them back for normal service to project quality experience once again. A musical purgative, rejuvinant. In other words ... CRANK IT UP !!!
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Post by nonrabbit on Dec 26, 2018 22:28:13 GMT
I like the dark v depressing analogy.
Sometimes it helps to explore negative feelings and thoughts by (really) listening to 'deeper'lyrics as well as listening to something 'lighter' in order to distract and/or relax.
What about chords?
What's the darker chords?
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Post by steelmonkey on Dec 26, 2018 23:54:35 GMT
I agree...without dark there isn't light. Good to keep the whole range of feelings unatrophied.
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Post by maddogfagin on Jan 1, 2019 7:34:57 GMT
Arrived in my Google alerts folder this morning, so an excellent start to 2019 😃 stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/steven-wilsons-new-year-update-2019/STEVEN WILSON’S NEW YEAR UPDATE 2019DECEMBER 31, 2018 On the classic album remixing front, I’ve reluctantly had to decline most projects of this kind recently in order to concentrate on my own music. But one project I did take on was a substantial Tangerine Dream box set focussing on the golden 70’s Virgin Records era – although this is strictly speaking not a “remix” project, as the majority of my work was selecting and mixing previously unreleased studio recordings, 3 full CD’s worth in fact. For a TD fan this should be a pretty mind blowing release, and if all goes to plan it should be out in the Spring. I have also been slowly moving towards finishing another remix in the XTC series, as well as one more Jethro Tull album, 1979’s Stormwatch, I would expect both to be late 2019 releases.
It only remains for me to say thanks for all your continued support over the last year and have a wonderful 2019!
SW – 31st Dec 2018
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Post by schubertmachiavelli on Feb 26, 2019 10:44:23 GMT
Sooner than all that! Summer 2019.
Excited now.
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Essan
Master Craftsman
Posts: 293
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Post by Essan on Feb 26, 2019 12:37:36 GMT
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Post by steelmonkey on Feb 26, 2019 16:11:35 GMT
This is going to be a really good one......I feel like there will be some huge addiitons, on the level of 'Old Aces' and 'Sailor". to our Tull stashes.
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Post by tullpress on Feb 26, 2019 22:07:03 GMT
A reminder:
"This year we completed an album's worth of material, and then we went away to America — and when we got back, we listened to it again and it wasn't there at all. There was nothing in it. So we all decided to start again." -- Martin Barre, Oct 1979
Suggesting they recorded an album's worth in Jan-Feb-March of '79.
A
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cecil
Journeyman
Posts: 162
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Post by cecil on Feb 27, 2019 23:44:40 GMT
This is going to be a really good one......I feel like there will be some huge addiitons, on the level of 'Old Aces' and 'Sailor". to our Tull stashes.
The new goodies from the remixes have made Tull even stronger. My faves of the latest extras are Foot of the stairs, Good godmother, Commercial traveller, Salamander ragtime, A small cigar full version, Old aces die hard, Living in these hard times 1 and 2
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Post by steelmonkey on Feb 28, 2019 0:07:17 GMT
Yes, the extra half minute of A Passion Play was, for me, Christmas and Birthday prezzies for that year.
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cecil
Journeyman
Posts: 162
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Post by cecil on Mar 1, 2019 22:27:33 GMT
Yes, the extra half minute of A Passion Play was, for me, Christmas and Birthday prezzies for that year. It's great to have so many double albums worth of tunes. The weakest albums have the best amount of extras so it all evens out. So far 1971, 73, 74, 78, 79, 81 have 2 albums worth of unrepeated tracks. The only year that had a few weak bonus tracks was 78
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mary71
Prentice Jack
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Post by mary71 on Mar 2, 2019 1:07:58 GMT
This will be special
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Post by maddogfagin on Mar 9, 2019 16:43:02 GMT
From Poland
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argentull
Journeyman
Live Detective
Posts: 239
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Post by argentull on Mar 10, 2019 16:07:41 GMT
I have read a release date in September from a good source.
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Post by maddogfagin on Mar 10, 2019 16:27:04 GMT
I have read a release date in September from a good source. Yep, Carsten Bergmann on Laufi's site I would hazard a guess. Very reliable in the past and one of a few who I'd trust with such details. Excellent photographer as well
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Post by steelmonkey on Mar 10, 2019 21:00:27 GMT
For years I thought that well informed, impressive Tull world participant 'ten cars' was some wealthy guy honoring his motor vehicle hoarding. I don't remember who explaind that 'ten cars' was common German first name, Carsten....and, yes. His information is SOLID.
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argentull
Journeyman
Live Detective
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Post by argentull on Mar 21, 2019 22:59:04 GMT
Well, I have right now the freshest news, courtesy of David Rees...
"...in fact the project is not quite advanced. The final mixes are not expected until June (SW is, as ever, ridiculously busy) and far from being finished, the artwork hasn´t even been started-although huge amounts of preparatory have been done and Old Webly has undertaken to submit his draft narrative and other stuff before he goes off to climb Mt Everest in April. A more likely reñlease date is mid-September. But Ian ios right in saying thate there will be the usual offerings of previously unreleased bonus material and very likely some live concert recording, so it should be worth the wait. There are -or were- plans to issue benefit in the book format. SW hgas already worked his magic of course on the set released a few years ago, and the book would need only a reworking of the existing small format book, but it´s possible that som elive recordings couod be included -if there are any to be found! If it matrerialises I imagine it would be before Stormwatch. Fingers crossed on that one..."
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Post by maddogfagin on Mar 22, 2019 8:01:08 GMT
Well, I have right now the freshest news, courtesy of David Rees... "...in fact the project is not quite advanced. The final mixes are not expected until June (SW is, as ever, ridiculously busy) and far from being finished, the artwork hasn´t even been started-although huge amounts of preparatory have been done and Old Webly has undertaken to submit his draft narrative and other stuff before he goes off to climb Mt Everest in April. A more likely reñlease date is mid-September. But Ian ios right in saying thate there will be the usual offerings of previously unreleased bonus material and very likely some live concert recording, so it should be worth the wait. There are -or were- plans to issue benefit in the book format. SW hgas already worked his magic of course on the set released a few years ago, and the book would need only a reworking of the existing small format book, but it´s possible that som elive recordings couod be included -if there are any to be found! If it matrerialises I imagine it would be before Stormwatch. Fingers crossed on that one..." The countdown clock has started Link
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argentull
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Post by argentull on Apr 12, 2019 20:39:31 GMT
Thanks to folkfreak form The Steve Hoffman forum for posting.
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Post by maddogfagin on Apr 20, 2019 6:22:14 GMT
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Post by maddogfagin on Apr 21, 2019 6:41:51 GMT
From www.ministry-of-information.co.uk14 September 1979 UK & US releases of 'Stormwatch' Highest chart position: 27 (UK) 22 (US) Support for most, if not all, of the fall N.American tour: UK 5 October 1979 Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto, Canada Live In Toronto 1979Support: UK. Dave Pegg's Tull debut. Intro (incl. Warm Sporran (tape))/Dark Ages, Home, Orion, Flying Dutchman, Old Ghosts, Elegy, Dun Ringill, Something's On The Move, Aqualung, King Henry's Madrigal/Drum Solo, Heavy Horses, No Lullaby/Flute Solo (w. flute solo, incl. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Kelpie, Bourée), Keyboard Solo (Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier), Songs From The Wood, Jams O'Donnell's Jigs, Thick As A Brick, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Cross-Eyed Mary, Guitar Solo, Minstrel In The Gallery/Locomotive Breath/Dambusters March/Minstrel In The Gallery (reprise), Orchestral Warchild (prerecorded (from 'A Classic Case'), played as audience left). See also en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_Leaf_Gardens
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Post by rredmond on Apr 21, 2019 17:14:23 GMT
So why is the sporran warm?
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Post by Equus on Apr 21, 2019 17:58:57 GMT
So why is the sporran warm? It's Ian being funny... The sporran is placed right in front of the private parts... It therefore warms the parts that they never mention... something like that... Ha, ha... Very funny Ian
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Post by maddogfagin on May 14, 2019 6:06:31 GMT
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Post by hymn41 on May 20, 2019 20:10:43 GMT
Don't know where to come down on the dark vs depressing debate, but do agree Stormwatch is a winter album, and this new set will do nicely when the weathers on the turn
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Post by magusperde on May 23, 2019 20:05:11 GMT
SFTW = summer, HH = Autumn and SW = winter?
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Post by maddogfagin on Jun 24, 2019 6:36:58 GMT
While we wait the release of the remixed album due later this year, the following from 2010 is eminently readable www.sputnikmusic.com/review/38615/Jethro-Tull-Stormwatch/Jethro Tull Stormwatch3.5 greatReview by vanderb0b USER (63 Reviews) August 19th, 2010 | 101 replies Release Date: 1979 Review Summary: “The weather’s on the change...” Stormwatch’s album cover always seemed to me to be rather prophetic of Jethro Tull’s near future. A seafarer clad in a mournful black, raindrops dripping from his ragged beard, defiantly and undauntedly gazes through binoculars into the coming tempest, prepared for the approaching storm. This mariner is not unlike Ian Anderson, whose band was on the very brink of collapse by the time that the album was released. Bassist John Glascock was ailed by a cardiovascular disorder that would soon prove to be deadly and cause drummer Barriemore Barlow to fall into a deep depression (one that would ultimately end with his departure from the band). Furthermore, progressive rock would soon fall out of favor and, to stay relevant, Anderson would be forced to adapt to new music trends, throwing in superfluous synthesizers and vocoders into his music. And yet, despite the impending anguish, the band is just about as focused as ever on Stormwatch, which saw the band leaving the seventies with quite a bang. Not only did Stormwatch mark the end of Jethro Tull’s seventies output, but it also concluded their so-called “folk trilogy”. Unlike the first two installments, Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses, which contained light-hearted, pleasant tunes, Stormwatch is quite dark-in fact, it’s arguably the band’s most somber album. Doleful songs of nostalgia, longing and lamentation find themselves in the place of jolly, pleasant ditties about mice reading books and running on treadmills, causing the album to sound much more serious than it’s precursors. The change in tone makes Stormwatch a remarkably (perhaps even deceptively) unique album in Jethro Tull’s catalogue, especially when one considers that the band’s sound remains largely unchanged. The lively flutes, invigorating, yet unobtrusive, strings arrangements, peaceful acoustic guitars, and folky melodies are all still here, and the band still fuses elements traditional English music with progressive rock, but it all seems incredibly different from what came before. That said, as refreshing as the change in tone is, the album is grievously marred by inconsistency, much in the same way as Too Old To Rock ‘N’ Roll: Too Young To Die! was. Towards the beginning and end of the album, once can find some of the band’s greatest compositions: the appropriately elegiac and mournful Elegy (the band’s best instrumental save Bouree) and the longing, lonely Home, which features some of orchestrator David Palmer’s best work, instantly come to mind, as does Dun Rungill, one of the band’s best acoustic numbers. However, the middle half of the album, consisting of Dark Ages, Warm Sporran, and Something’s On The Move, is home to some of Anderson’s most insipid and lifeless songwriting. None of these tunes contain a single memorable melody or riff, aside from the former, which, admittedly, has in it’s nine minute-long runtime a few interesting ideas (they’re stuck among six or seven minutes of meandering drivel, though, so don’t get your hopes up). Still, despite the fluctuating quality of the songs, Stormwatch remains quite an interesting album for fans of the band. Not only does it present a darker, more serious side of Anderson’s persona, but it also contains a rather larger amount of compelling, if not incredibly innovative, music. One, however, can’t help feeling that of Jethro Tull’s folk trilogy, Stormwatch is obviously the weakest link. 3.6/5 Recommended Songs Dun Rungill Home Elegy North Sea Oil Postscript: The remaster is, as usual, the way to go with this album. Of the three bonus songs, two (Kelpie and King Henry’s Madrigal) deserved to be on the original version of the album, and for the life of me, I can’t understand why Anderson and co. chose to include bores like Dark Ages when they had such jolly tunes ready for release. Remastered Edition Recommended Songs Kelpie King Henry’s Madrigal
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Post by jethrotull on Jun 24, 2019 16:56:50 GMT
I agree with the review above - having seen Tull on every tour beginning with Aqualung, I left the concert I attended in 1979 feeling that the "magic" of Tull was slipping away, especially after the two fantastic shows I saw during the SFTW tour a couple of years earlier. The Stormwatch tour felt like the beginning of the end of my favorite band.
The reviewer states "Dark Ages, Warm Sporran, and Something’s On The Move, feature some of Anderson’s most insipid and lifeless songwriting." Yes, except Something on the Move is the one song on the album that actually rocks, where we hear for perhaps the last time that magical driving flute/electric guitar interplay that defined Jethro Tull. The live version was explosive.
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argentull
Journeyman
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Post by argentull on Jun 24, 2019 21:33:03 GMT
I am sure that the remix reissue will do everything for people to reappreciate Stormwatch.
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