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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 23, 2019 6:33:18 GMT
Stormwatch: 40th Anniversary Force 10 Edition also includes a previously unreleased recording of Jethro Tull’s concert at Congreßgebouw in the Netherlands on March 16th, 1980. The career-spanning performance mixed new Stormwatch tracks (“Something’s On The Move,” “Home” and “Elegy”) with older hits, like “Locomotive Breath,” “Aqualung,” “Thick As A Brick” and “Minstrel In The Gallery.” From wikipedia: It [The World Forum originally known as Nederlands Congresgebouw] was opened in 1969 and was designed in the Dutch functionalism style by architect Jacobus Johannes Pieter Oud. His son, Hans Oud, completed the construction after his father's death in 1963. In 2006 a part of the convention center, including the Statenhal, was demolished to make place for the Europol building. Many concerts and festivals had been held there before, such as the annual North Sea Jazz Festival, and the Eurovision Song Contests of 1976 and 1980. Between 2006 and 2010 The Hague Jazz festival was held at the World Forum (to replace the moved North Sea Jazz festival, which is now held in Rotterdam). Since 2011 the festival is held in the Kyocera Stadium. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Forum_(The_Hague)
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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 23, 2019 7:03:30 GMT
Hi all, this is my first post on the forum (except my "hello from South Yorkshire" post) I am new to Tull and from what I can gather Stormwatch, like "passion play" appeared to have been savaged by critics after its release. ( For the record I love Passion play and it is already right up there as one of my all time favourite albums). I would be curious to know if anyone can remember, why the critics did not like the Stormwatch and do any on here actually agree with the critics? They [the critics] didn't like Jethro Tull at that time or any artist with any originality, especially prog rock bands etc. They were still wondering why punk's high point had been and gone, and the electro-pop bands of the 80s were about to gate crash the party
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2019 13:43:01 GMT
I would be curious to know if anyone can remember, why the critics did not like the Stormwatch and do any on here actually agree with the critics? IIRC, by the late '70s JT albums just didn't get good reviews in the UK, period. Even 'Heavy Horses' only got three and a half stars (out of five) from the relatively favourable John Gill in 'Melody Maker'. [Edit: thinking about it, I reckon that review appeared in 'Sounds', not MM] I bought SW the day it came out, got it home, played it immediately and was majorly disappointed with it. Having said that, it had the near-impossible task of living up to SFTW and HH - basically, two perfect albums. But I thought it sounded a bit tired/laboured and the songwriting lacked the usual zip. The two tracks that DID grab me immediately were SOTM and Dun Ringill. They're still my favourites from SW, but I only give the album an occasional spin. Overall, I'd say it was third-tier Tull (out of four, arbitrary, tiers!). Just for info, my first-tier Tull comprises (in chronological order) 'Stand Up', 'Benefit', TAAB, SFTW, HH and 'Under Wraps'. But OF COURSE I'll get the new boxset.
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eridom
Prentice Jack
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Post by eridom on Jul 23, 2019 16:56:15 GMT
The Stormwatch Tour was Tull at its finest. I had just broken up with my girl and it made me feel much better. Not trying to be sexist but Tull has so much testosterone and they’re great for the male psyche. As for the album Dun Ringill, Dark Ages and Flying Dutchman are grade A. With Orion and Old Ghosts not far behind.
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Post by steelmonkey on Jul 24, 2019 1:40:48 GMT
As much as I loved SFTW and the portly ponies...Stormwatch came as a relief...a step away from Steeleye Span back towards rock with folk elements vs folk rock. I instantly identified Dark Ages, Orion and Dun Ringhil as top ten Tull songs ( Orion and DH have been eclipsed,,,Dark Ages remains top ten). I was used to Tull being derided and underappreciated by critics and didn't care a fig but still winced that my least favorite songs opened sides....everyone else loves Something on the Move but it somehow feels generic to me. I know this is a minority opinion. To this day I think it is one of their best albums...the tour was red hot despite admitted band weariness and Glascock demise. The end of the peak Tull era but start of much other musical excitement since. The box will be BIG NEWS at my house.
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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 24, 2019 6:36:38 GMT
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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 26, 2019 7:00:31 GMT
The latest info from Burning Shed with what seems to be an amended release date.
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Post by nonrabbit on Jul 26, 2019 18:04:13 GMT
There's been so many stories and myths about this album (see the start of this thread for some of them) that it's gone down in Tulldom as having a reputation and maybe not all good. I think that's b*ll*cks (excuse my small dose of testosterone) it's a majestic album with some of the most haunting and clever songs that the band has ever produced. "Each to their own - there's plenty to choose from." Ian Anderson (just a random Ian Anderson - not the real one!) i67.images obliterated by tinypic/16c782e.png[/IMG]
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greg
Prentice Jack
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Post by greg on Jul 27, 2019 12:32:48 GMT
Who do we think mixed the concert material, as there seems to be no reference to Jakko J. or anyone else in the publicity material so far...?
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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 27, 2019 14:18:32 GMT
Who do we think mixed the concert material, as there seems to be no reference to Jakko J. or anyone else in the publicity material so far...? Good question. I would surmise that as the source seems to be a Dutch radio broadcast of the concert painstakingly recorded off air then any mixing of the recording would be nigh on impossible apart from some tweaking here and there. However if an original copy came directly from the radio station (which I doubt) then some audio enhancement may have been possible. We live in interesting times.
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argentull
Journeyman
Live Detective
Posts: 239
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Post by argentull on Jul 27, 2019 15:42:25 GMT
Yeah, good question about the 1980 show source. The Stockholm tape included in the SU elevated edition was a mono tape recorded by swedish radio, but they did not say if the actual release used the original tapes. The sound of course is really bad, but its inclusion was significant from a historial point if view. And the same might happen with Den Haag 1980, the audio won't be extremely good but the band plays a stunner.
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greg
Prentice Jack
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Post by greg on Jul 27, 2019 19:01:17 GMT
Thanks both, I'd not thought of that (d'oh!). If they're just using the radio recording, there's not a lot to mix!
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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 28, 2019 6:27:41 GMT
Thanks both, I'd not thought of that (d'oh!). If they're just using the radio recording, there's not a lot to mix! And on top of that, with so much radio and TV material lost or trashed over the years both by the BBC and other broadcasting companies both in the UK, Europe and the USA, "off air" broadcasts such as this should also be a welcome gift back to the organisation it originally came from.
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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 30, 2019 6:30:25 GMT
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Post by schubertmachiavelli on Jul 30, 2019 14:02:42 GMT
That photo of Dave Pegg with the rest of the group is a new one on me… was that in the Stormwatch Tour programme?
After the bonus tracks we've heard on SFTW and HH… between 'Old Aces Die Hard' and 'Horse-Hoeing Husbandry', it's like we've been made privy to the conception and gestation of 'Dark Ages'… I suspect the early version of 'Dark Ages' on this release will prove highly revealing, to name but one song.
I should add that I heard Stormwatch for the first time about ten years after it was released, and knew nothing of the negative reviews it had received at the time, but it left me a little cold after the joyousness that crops up frequently in SFTW and HH. Also, I puzzled over why John Glascock wasn't present for the whole recording and wondered if there had been ructions during the recording sessions (and oh boy, how I learned about THAT the hard way!) and the David Palmer song stuck out like a sore thumb to me then (although I love it now).
I FULLY get it now.
There's chill, certainly. There's a dour Scottishness aplenty, indeed. It's a sinister and bleak listen in places, undoubtedly. But these are absolute plus points in the repertoire; as an album to play on a tempestuous night in mid-winter, it is unbeatable, and there's a warmth if one is prepared to look for it. It is indivisible from the other two albums in my eyes and ears now; a third panel of the triptych.
The 'folk trilogy' is a stunning, self-contained creation. All seasons and life are contained within; all is past, present and future; a kaleidoscopic collision of nature with the banal, stark reality of business and the occasionally brilliant, but often destructive hand of mankind — and always, lurking in the wings, and flapping its own wings in shadow above all: the magical, the mystical, the traditional and the supernatural.
Really excited for this!
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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 30, 2019 15:05:42 GMT
That photo of Dave Pegg with the rest of the group is a new one on me… was that in the Stormwatch Tour programme? If you are referring to this one, yes it's from the tour programme.
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Post by schubertmachiavelli on Jul 30, 2019 15:38:52 GMT
Oh, that's a corker, too. Yes, I've never seen any posed group shots of the Anderson/Barlow/Barre/Evan/Palmer/Pegg lineup, so that's two in one day for me! Thank you.
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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 31, 2019 6:28:49 GMT
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 2, 2019 6:09:17 GMT
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 3, 2019 6:41:40 GMT
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Post by tullpress on Aug 3, 2019 21:07:00 GMT
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 4, 2019 6:06:24 GMT
That could be the one - good call Sir
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 4, 2019 6:24:57 GMT
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 8, 2019 6:16:30 GMT
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 9, 2019 6:16:49 GMT
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 11, 2019 6:22:46 GMT
Spoiler alert from the classic rock forums, original author unknown: www.classicrockforums.com/threads/jethro-tull-official-thread.3314/page-148Dark Ages (Early Version) - I truly think this is one of the all time great Tull pieces. This demo-ish version has a much longer, atmospheric intro before the piano part we are all familiar with begins. Otherwise, most of the arrangement is the same as the final version, and all lyrics identical. No flute or backing vocals, but it's a fiery version, and Ian practically snarls some of the vocals. It gains a lot from its lack of polish. It's a fantastic version of the song, and like Dun Ringill I might even prefer this one! Time will tell. A Single Man - Beautiful piano intro from John Evan (a throwback of sorts to Locomotive Breath in that sense, but while that one was bluesy in feel, this one is more classically-inspired) gives way to upbeat instrumental piece with all members playing off each other. A fun little track with memorable melodies that would have been a welcome addition to the album. I like it a lot. Orion (Full version) - The track that a lot of Tullheads have been waiting for since this set was announced. Probably the highlight or centrepiece of the whole box. Somewhat doomy minute-long intro intially chopped has been restored, before the main song kicks in (seems to be an extra verse at the beginning too), then suddenly veering into a lengthy, complex and energetic instrumental section before closing out the same way the edited version does (since that's what we're going to call it now after 40 years [IMG] ). Quite amazing to hear this track in its original nine minute form. Urban Apocalypse - Some fans will be familiar with this song from last year's Dee Palmer album where she re-imagined it to fit with the style of her solo album Through Darkened Glass. On that latter-day version, we have solemn choirs, the sounds of galloping horses, and Palmer earnestly singing greatly expanded lyrics over a much different arrangement. Here, it is wildly different, a much more traditional-sounding 1970s Tull piece with Anderson nearing the top of his range, underpinned by the band banging out a heavy, complex rock track. Why it never saw the light of day until 40 years after its recording is anyone's guess. The Lyricon Blues - The second of four instrumental pieces unearthed for this set, this one does have a faint bluesy feel at its core, but it's quirky, late 70s Tull, so anyone expecting Buddy Guy will be disappointed. Well, nobody will be expecting Buddy Guy, so it's a moot point. But it's a nice track that very slowly builds in intensity, and as it does the blues flavour fades and we are into that more complicated prog-rock territory again. Man Of God - Yet another lost track in an astonishing line of "Never Heards" that were recorded and then never released. Strong enough for the album, but perhaps not fitting with its general themes... file alongside tracks like Commercial Traveler, Tomorrow Was Today, etc. Rock Instrumental (Unfinished master) - Does what it says on the tin. A very typical piece of Tull music from the period. Barlow absolutely shines, as always. Maybe similar in style to that live instrumental by the band minus Anderson from the '77 era on YouTube, but this one has his flute. Prelude To A Storm - I'm waiting on a copy of the booklet so I can read more about these pieces, but I assume this would have been the leadoff album track? I'm not sure yet. Here, it has been mixed to fade into the closing track on the disc, a live version of Sweet Dream.
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 12, 2019 6:08:27 GMT
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Post by steelmonkey on Aug 12, 2019 19:15:18 GMT
The preview on redoubles and quintuples my impatience.
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cecil
Journeyman
Posts: 162
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Post by cecil on Aug 12, 2019 22:40:57 GMT
Looks like an exciting bunch of songs. 5 instrumentals amongst the extras but plenty vocal tracks. Is Prelude to a storm a live track?
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Post by magusperde on Sept 17, 2019 7:04:20 GMT
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