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Review Summary: This is a great live album and a must have for all Jethro Tull’s fans. It’s one of the better “rock meets orchestra” projects available in our days. “Ian Anderson Plays The Orchestral Jethro Tull” is the debut live album of Ian Anderson, as a solo artist, and was released in 2005. It features the Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt Orchestra, conducted by John O’Hara. Joining Ian and the Orchestra we have the drummer James Duncan, the bassist David Goodier, the keyboard & accordion player John O'Hara (who also is the conductor of the orchestra), and the guitarist Florian Opahle. They form a very fine unit, and while they may not be Jethro Tull, these musicians certainly have a handle on these songs and work very well with the Orchestra. It has also the participation of three members of the orchestra as soloists, Kathrin Troester in flute, Sibylle Wähnert in bassoon and Astrid Cienia in oboe, on some tracks. It was recorded from a live show at the Rosengarten in Mannheim, Germany, in 2004. This concert was part of a series of concerts with the same name. Anderson and the orchestra toured Europe and USA throughout 2004 and 2006. It was also released as a DVD which contains the same tracks in the same order. In addition to the concert, the DVD has also an interview with Anderson.
The Anderson’s debut live album leads the charge through 2 CD's of past and present of many Jethro Tull’s classics, as well as a few solo favourites from his career, once again following a popular trend of mixing rock with the classical music. Of course, there's no doubt that the music of Jethro Tull would be a perfect fit for this format, and the resulting set is a lot of fun, offering up varying versions of the songs that almost all of us know very well and that we love, too.
As you can see by the track list, there are plenty of classic songs here, as well as some of the holiday tunes that Jethro Tull has recorded. From the Jethro Tull’s tracks, we have: “Bourée” of “Stand Up”; “Wondr’ing Aloud”, “Cheap Day Return”, “Mother Goose”, “Aqualung”, “My God” and “Locomotive Breath” of “Aqualung”; “Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day” of “War Child”; “Up The Pool”, “Life Is A Long Song” and “Living In The Past” of “Living In The Past”; “Budapest” of “Crest Of A Knave”; “We Five Kings”, “Pavane” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” of “The Jethro Tull Christmas Album”. From the Anderson’s solo tracks, we have: “In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff” of “Divinities: Twelve Dances With God”; “Boris Dancing” of “The Secret Language Of Birds”; “Eurology”, “Calliandra Shade (The Cappuccino Song)” and “Griminelli’s Lament” of “Rupi’s Dance”.
Anderson is a great showman, and while he may not race around the stage like he did 20 or 30 years ago, he still brings what would be a fairly calm orchestral evening to greater heights thanks to his energetic stage presence and with witty commentaries. I love the version of the classic “Mother Goose”, completed with bassoon, oboe, and accordion, as it gave a wonderful flavour to the piece. Of the orchestral tracks, there's a ton of highlights, namely “Budapest”, “Living in the Past”, “Life is a Long Song”, “My God”, “Locomotive Breath”, and the holiday pieces “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “We Five Kings”, are especially timely. In short, this is really an excellent live show with great fun, too.
As I wrote before, the live concert exists in CD and DVD formats. If you have the 2 CD set, then you have basically everything on it. Anyway, the DVD is a great companion to the CD. On the DVD you have the explanations of the story and the lyrics of the tracks, always with the excellent humour of Anderson. On it, you can see the perfect harmony and communion between all musicians and how Anderson is deeply respected by them. You can also see a 48 minute interview with Ian in the studio where he talks about his decision to record these classic songs with the orchestra and the other musicians. Hearing his thoughts on how much perfectionist he has been all over the years, yet admitting that he made numerous mistakes on stage every nights. It’s also great to include his comments about the limitations of his voice and his decision to concentrate on the flute in the early years. He brings up the opinion that when Peter Gabriel stopped playing flute in Genesis, it was good for him because then he couldn't be compared to him, which is funny to hear, and may be true. This is Ian being very personal for the camera and I’m sure that you will love this part of the DVD.
Conclusion: “Ian Anderson Plays The Orchestral Jethro Tull” is mainly focused on three studio albums of Jethro Tull, “Aqualung”, “Living In The Past” and “The Jethro Tull Christmas Album”, plus several songs that belong to his solo musical career. All the songs are great and magnificently performed. Some songs are only performed by the band members but most of them are also performed by the orchestra. Joined by the orchestra, Ian and his solo band, run through many Jethro Tull and Anderson hits, and when joined by the orchestra, the sound seems to be magic. This is a highly recommended stuff for all Anderson and Jethro Tull enthusiasts and is one of the better “rock meets orchestra” projects available in our days, I think. I'm sure that you will not regret your time spent with it.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
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Album Rating: 4.0
And now, let's return to something more classic and melodic. Some time ago, I noticed that this concert wasn't yet on Sputnikmusic. As I know it a couple of years and I love it, then I decided to add and review it, soon as it was possible.
So, here it is. This is a great live show, very funny, the humour of Ian is really wonderful, and when we can see Ian in a great shape, despite the years that have passed and how he is really admired, even in our days. I really think this is one of the best musical projects, between rock and orchestra, I've ever heard and saw.
I sincerelly hope that you can enjoy it as it happened to me. If you like prog/folk and you are a great fan of Jethro Tull and Ian Anderso, I'm sure that you will not go by misspent your time listening or seeing to it.
By the way, as I explain on my review, I suggest you to see the live show instead to listen to the album. It's much more fun see and hear Ian in his best.
As usual, your comments are very well received, especially in this case. Somehow, I'm a bit responsible to bring this concert to you. And I must say that I don't regret to do so.
You can see all the concert on YouTube.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Great man. I'm glad that someone put this live concert here on Sput.
About the album, you are right. This is an excellent live concert, very amusing and with Ian in a great shape. It's a pity has called few attention, till now.
About your review, I liked it. It's more light and simple than your usual reviews. It's perhaps due to be a live album.
So, my congratulations by the idea and the review. Have a pos and I hope you continue your good work.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Thanks, dude. I'm very glad you liked it.
Yeah, since a while I decided to review it. In relation to the style of my review, I think you're right. It's probably more simple and light than usual. But I didn't changed my style. Of course this is due to be a live show and because this is really a very funny and light concert. Relatively to the enthusiasm on this live show, this isn't properly a fashion album from a fashion band. So, I'm not really surprised.
Cheers, man and thanks for your comment. I really appreciate it.
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nice nice, strange review choice : )
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Thanks, smaugman. Yeah, you're right. But I'm a great fan of Jethro Tull and particularly of Ian Anderson.
Cheers, dude.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
During around the year this was made, I've seen Jethro Tull twice in the interval of 2 or 3 years. During these years, they continued to tour worldwide even if they stopped releasing albums. Anderson has the same physical appearance in the actual live show. We see him in top shape with his powerful flute prestations and his theatrical stage presence, and his voice is not bad considering the throat surgery he endured in the end of the 80s. So yes, his vocals are still ok, and they are sounding a bit like Dire Straits, which is not bad at all, but one can still feel he's forcing his voice at some point. (I noticed you mentioned his vocal limitations in your review)
Another great one, mate. Have a pos.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Thanks, Jethro.
Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to see Jethro Tull or Ian Anderson live, neither in the 70's. So, you are really a fortunate guy.
About his voice you are right. It's not really the same in these days, but it's still ok, also for me. But what impresses me most on this live show, is his presence, his very humoristic jokes and especially the way how he is admired and respected by the most young musicians and by the members of the orchestra. The guy is really a truly institution as a prog rock artist. I don't know if you have had the opportunity to see this live show, yet.
As always I appreciate your comments, which are always very interesting and complete. I also learn many things with you, dude.
Cheers.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
It's always a pleasure to comment in your threads, dude. And I'm happy to help. And yes, my last comment was directed to that actual show given by Anderson. Excuse me for the confusion, only my first two sentences were directed to the Jethro Tull shows I've seen.
So yes I've seen all your stuff on you tube. I enjoyed it. It was a well balanced show with old and less old material. The symphonic orchestral gave a unique touch to it all. And Anderson is top shape as usual!
I'm gonna rate it soon.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Thanks man for your clarifications. About the show, I can see that we think the same. Great.
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They are holding a consert in Oslo opera, but the show was sold out so quickly :'(
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I don't knew that. It was a pity to you. Perhaps you or even your parents were interested to see it, I suppose. But it wasn't really a great surprise to me that the show was sold out so quickly. Jethro Tull and Ian still have a great number of fans, even today.
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Ahah my dad has this album on cd, i spotted it from the cover! Good review buddy :]
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Sounds good, need to check it out.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Great stuff e21, pos.
Gonna give it a shot.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ danielcardoso
Thanks man. I really appreciate that you came to my reviews, especially because we are both two Portuguese guys. Yeah, if you want you can listen to your daddy's CD. However, it's better to see the live show. You can do it on YouTube, buddy.
Saudações fraternas.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ TWIG
Thanks buddy and do that man. It deserves it.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@ manosg
Give it a shot really, dude. It's really a very amusing and a fine concert. You will not regret.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Watching this atm. So enjoyable, so feelgood. Ian is on great form indeed.
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e21, ahah cumprimentos amigo :]
You're a tull fan manos buddy?
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yeah, undoubtedly. Since the 70's man.
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