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Post by 2old2standup2fat2try on Apr 27, 2009 15:35:32 GMT
Why so much hate for this album? I'll admit that when I first heard of it I thought "oh no", but it's seriously not that bad, it's nowhere near as bad as some of the stuff they did in the eighties, it reminds me of the Songs From The Wood/Heavy Horses/Stormwatch period, it's got a few new songs (something that should be encouraged, it's always a good thing when it happens, which is rarely these days), some good versions of a few classics, and a few nice instrumental pieces. It is, admittedly, a mixed bag, but it's a worthy addition to the canon, in my opinion. So why all the hate? Could it be simply because it's a Christmas album? Ian Anderson's affection for Christmas isn't exactly something that he has been hiding from us for all these years, they've released a couple of Christmas-related EPs in the past. Could it be because it's not all new material? Well, I like the new versions, and, again, they've done it before (Beacon Bottoms, and that was a whole album's worth!), I even think that the new versions of A Christmas Song and Jack Frost are better than the originals (sacrilege, I know), although it's not my favourite version of A Christmas Song (that honour goes to the Zurich dressing room version). I like Last Man At The Party, Birthday Card At Christmas is a really good song too, Greensleeved is a nice twist on Greensleeves, and surely everyone likes Pavane. It's a solid album, not among their greatest, but surely not among their worst either. Am I the only one that likes this album?
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mix
Journeyman
Posts: 136
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Post by mix on Apr 27, 2009 16:55:23 GMT
I must admit when I first heard about it I cringed a little. When I first listened to it I thought what's the point? I mean, for me, I've always had a soft spot for "Fire at midnight" and to see Ian covering himself didn't do too much for my confidence that he was still a relevant recording artist.
But over time I've mellowed and as you say it's not half bad and includes a couple of goodies.
But I still feel the last 10+ years Ian has spent this time living in the past, milking the legacy bla bla bla. I guess, like most folks, I'd rather Ian was recording new material than re-recording old material.
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Post by nonrabbit on Apr 27, 2009 20:34:24 GMT
Hello and Welcome Mix and 222 (can I call you 222? ) I like the Christmas Album and the only slight criticism I would have is what someone else posted here recently that it could have been better. Perhaps just a teeny bit more originality with some of the songs other than that it gets it's airing at the end of the year !
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Post by 2old2standup2fat2try on Apr 28, 2009 9:31:33 GMT
I guess you can call me "2old", "2fat" or something like that, or Steve - that's my name. You can call me Susan if you like, heh heh, whatever floats your boat, mate.
Milking the legacy? I suppose he has been a little (Extended Versions, in particular, seemed like a bit of a rip-off to me), I think that he's entitled to it after forty-odd years, but, yeah, we'd all like to see more new material, we've had a couple of solo albums (which should have done a bit for your confidence in him, Mix), I pretty much class them as Tull albums, and Barre has had some solo stuff too (most of which I, shockingly, still haven't heard yet) but it has been ten years since an album of completely new songs by Jethro Tull has come out, which is far too long, and it's been five or six years since the Christmas album itself came out. Hopefully, Mr Anderson will do something to rectify the situation shortly, but, somehow, I don't think it's going to happen any time soon. Sometimes you just can't write though, maybe he's just not feeling it right now, or maybe he can't be bothered with it, and who could blame him? I expect he's living a pretty good life up there.
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mix
Journeyman
Posts: 136
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Post by mix on Apr 28, 2009 13:45:56 GMT
I guess you can call me "2old", "2fat" or something like that, or Steve - that's my name. You can call me Susan if you like, heh heh, whatever floats your boat, mate. Milking the legacy? I suppose he has been a little (Extended Versions, in particular, seemed like a bit of a rip-off to me), I think that he's entitled to it after forty-odd years, but, yeah, we'd all like to see more new material, we've had a couple of solo albums (which should have done a bit for your confidence in him, Mix), I pretty much class them as Tull albums, and Barre has had some solo stuff too (most of which I, shockingly, still haven't heard yet) but it has been ten years since an album of completely new songs by Jethro Tull has come out, which is far too long, and it's been five or six years since the Christmas album itself came out. Hopefully, Mr Anderson will do something to rectify the situation shortly, but, somehow, I don't think it's going to happen any time soon. Sometimes you just can't write though, maybe he's just not feeling it right now, or maybe he can't be bothered with it, and who could blame him? I expect he's living a pretty good life up there. Well SLOB was record before Dot Com I believe? That means the only proper album since dot com, which is coming up for ten years old was Rupi's dance. I liked RD and I'm sure most would agree that SLOB is very Very good. But had SLOB & RD been Tull albums with Martin and others contributing I think the end result would have been even better. For what ever reason, Ian decided to really push the whole solo thing around the time of that god awful Rubbing Elbows tour. I'm guessing a couple of years ago he figured out that Ian Anderson was not as good a brand as Jethro Tull. Anyway, I digress. Ian can do and go in any direction he wants. He's one of the greatest and a hero to me. I just find it sad that I'm only drawn to his past rather than his present. I hope he comes back with something relevant and surprises us yet again. I sure miss that feeling of listening to one of IA/TULL's latest songs and being blown away.
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Post by 2old2standup2fat2try on Apr 29, 2009 8:38:19 GMT
"I hope he comes back with something relevant and surprises us yet again." Mix.
Same here. Hopefully soon.
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coolraven
Journeyman
Money Speaks Soft Hearts Lose Truth Only Whispers
Posts: 91
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Post by coolraven on Apr 29, 2009 10:33:06 GMT
I've snatched this comment by Jerry Machinot from another Tull board, but it shows you how desperate fans can become for NEW material.. Quote 'Why not invest our energy into a commission of new music by our own Ian Anderson. No strings attached, strings attached- whatever! Wrecken we could come up with $50,000 for a 40 minute piece? would Ian go for it? What press he might get, his loyal fans want new music so much they would actually pay for it! I personally think he is enjoying playing live at this point and might not consider it, but you never know unless you ask. I'm in for at least $1000 to see a creation of a new piece of work by our favorite composer and I'm a poor artist who makes very little. One humble idea- a piece in four or five movements based on the seasons of the year, instrumental, vocals, tull, anderson, whatever form Ian chooses. ( apologies to Vivaldi). I think it would be a natural for Mr. Anderson who has given us such wonderful images of nature all these years. What a great notion to be part of the creation of something new by someone who has moved us and given us so much!' Unquote.
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Post by 2old2standup2fat2try on Apr 29, 2009 15:17:38 GMT
Jesus! Now that's a fan. I don't think that, even if I could afford it, I would do that. I should be able to spare ten quid by the time the next Tull album comes out, but that's about it.
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