Broadsword and the Beast – Tull album from 1982 – becomes the latest of Tull’s back catalogue to get the big box anniversary set treatment. This one being the 40th anniversary “monster” edition – and it is indeed a monster…..
As always with these big box sets it is a lavish affair of the toppest of top quality and particularly if you’re a Jethro Tull fan as I am you won’t mind shelling out the sixty English pounds or so to get your hands on it.
Mine arrived on release date (1 September 2023) to add to my collection of the previous Tull box sets.
First – the music. Broadsword was something of a transitional album for the band as they moved away from the folk/prog style of say Songs from the Wood and more towards a bit of electronica.
Well, this was the early 1980s and a bit of electronica was the style at the time.
That said, the folky elements remained combining nicely with the prog/folk making a very fine album. The darkly brooding Beastie a striking opener with the synth intro before the rockier stuff stars. Ian Anderson spitting out the lyrics (particularly the word Beastie) and the always excellent Martin Barre on guitar with the riff and one of his effortless solos. Check it out:
Clasp mixes the electronic and the typical Tull folky stuff again very well. Fallen on Hard times in my opinion has some of Ian Anderson’s finest lyrics and a catchy jaunty feel. Flying colours also rocks along nicely with Barre at his economical yet effective best.
Broadsword is haunting with the basic thumping drum giving an ancient tribal feel underneath Ian’s measured vocal and delivery of the lyric. Marvellously effective. Pussy Willow makes me think of Hunting Girl from Songs from the Wood a bit. Seal Driver an excellent punchy rocker before the slower Cheerio becomes the ideal album (and indeed concert) closer.
A superb stand-alone album which has stood the test of time and with so much more to enjoy in this 40th Anniversary “Monster” edition. So what’s in the box……?
The usual sold hard backed book style contains five CDs and three audio only DVDs. Also the 164 page book printed on high quality gloss paper with detailed articles, contributions from the band, lyrics, a re-creation of the Broadsword tour programme, lots of photographs and more.
Disc one is the remix of the album. Steven Wilson (who else….?) handled that. Brings new clarity to the music. A crisp sound all round. The bloke can do no wrong.
Disc two has 21 tracks of associated recordings from 1981. I guess songs which were considered for the album though excluded presumably because you can’t fit them all in.
Disc three has various demo recordings – many of songs which made the album, some original master mixes and some rough mixes.
Discs four and five contain a live performance recoded in Germany in 1982. All previously unreleased. A phenomenal listen.
The three audio-only DVDs have various format remixes of the album, various associated recordings and the Live in Germany.
All in all this being titled the “Monster” edition is certainly appropriate. All power to Ian Anderson for continuing to get these box sets arranged and issued. No shirking on quality or content whatsoever. And reasonably priced (paid around £60) at issue compared to some of the competition.
Wonder which one will be next of the Tull back catalogue to get the treatment? Under Wraps perhaps. I think that’s a much under-rated album. Give us a clue Ian….! In the meantime – enjoy the Broadsword “Monster” edition.