Jethro Tull’s A get the full treatment for a 40th anniversary edition “A La Mode” (get it….?). And what a package it is.
The original album remixed by Steven Wilson with some extra tracks. The show from the LA Sports Arena in 1980 over two CDs, A DVD with various remixes and a remixed version of the Slipstream DVD featuring a number of live and video performances.
And as if that’s not enough – it comes in a sturdy A5 sized hardback book format including lavish 104 page book with all sorts of articles, features, interviews, lyrics and more. All well worth the money.
A was something of a transitional album for Tull at the time. The preceding album (Stormwatch) being the last of those folksy progressive efforts which defined Tull. Then along came A with a more straightforward style expanding out in to the use of more electronica. Line-up changes too with the addition of Mark Craney to the drum stool, Eddie Jobson as a “special guest” on keyboards and violin and Dave Pegg on bass after he fulfilled that role on the Stormwatch tour.
A was intended as an Ian Anderson solo album though was put out as a Jethro Tull album appearing on the shelves in 1980.
The change in style did divide opinion at the time, however A is a fine album, does take a bit of getting used to and has stood up to the test of time.
Crossfire is a great opener. A punchy, catchy rocker dealing with the famous action by the SAS to sort out the Iranian Embassy stand-off. Fylingdale Flyer has all the classic Tull hallmarks beefed up a bit by the outstanding drumming of Craney and the always excellent Martin Barre’s guitar. This time the lyrics are around another famous incident, this time from the cold war, when a glitch nearly set off world war three.
Working John, Working Joe is going back to the familiar semi-acoustic folksy style dealing with both the upside and the downside of hard work. Then Black Sunday is a majestic fast-paced rocker which became a Tull classic. The mid-section is especially good with Barre’s solo and more fantastic drumming from Craney.
Have a listen.
The electronic stuff and Jobson come more to the fore on the next few cuts. Protect and Survive poking a bit of fun at the old government advice about what to do in the event of a nuclear attack (basically hide under a table and hope for the best). It’s quite catchy too.
Batteries Not Included, Uniform and 4.W.D put together a nice trio of songs with the electronic influences more to the front and Ian’s playful lyrics looking at the frustrations of gifts requiring batteries to work though being supplied without those batteries (a big frustration back in 1980 if you’re old enough to remember) and the, er, delights of the four wheel drive car.
The Pine Marten’s Jig takes us back to the folksy stuff again. A jaunty instrumental. And Further On closes it out in a brooding, atmospheric style.
The live discs from that 1980 show in LA are excellent. And a fine set list indeed. The Slipstream DVD is a great watch too. And the 104-page book is a delight to read.
For any Tull fan this is an essential purchase.