5.1

The 5.1 mix is done by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree so you know its tasty.

I have this on tap right after I finish listening to the new VCMG cd.

Go all the way !

ok I have the DTS 5.1 version of TAAB2 on right now.....sounds great! Nice mix. Plus you get the lyrics on the tele.

Very good solid bass on this recording. It has that big muscular Tull sound we all love. Ian's voice sounds ok too.

Love how the album ends with the following lyrics:

So you ride yourselves over the fields and
you make all your animal deals and
your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick.

too.

The music on the album is good and very Tull but the lyrics aren't as catchy and memorable as the original (obviously). Maybe with time.

Here is the original's memorable lyrics:

Really don't mind if you sit this one out.

My words but a whisper -- your deafness a SHOUT.
I may make you feel but I can't make you think.
Your sperm's in the gutter -- your love's in the sink.
So you ride yourselves over the fields and
you make all your animal deals and
your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick.
And the sand-castle virtues are all swept away in
the tidal destruction
the moral melee.
The elastic retreat rings the close of play as the last wave uncovers
the newfangled way.
But your new shoes are worn at the heels and
your suntan does rapidly peel and
your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick.

And the love that I feel is so far away:
I'm a bad dream that I just had today -- and you
shake your head and
say it's a shame.

Spin me back down the years and the days of my youth.
Draw the lace and black curtains and shut out the whole truth.
Spin me down the long ages: let them sing the song.

I can't comment on the 5.1 since I'm not into that format, but will say that the album is growing on me. On first listen there was more about it that I did NOT like than I did like (giving it a "D" grade), but on 2nd listen I was able to appreciate more of it and found more to like than not. I really really dislike the parts with Ian talking though, I find that annoying.

In theory I was expecting to hate it without Martin being on it but the new guitar player is pretty good.

I grade it a "C" as of now. Not sure what to really make of it yet I guess, but consider it an essential part of the Tull collection for any longtime fan like me. Need to give it some more spins.

Thanks SlipKid and JohnG about the release. I see that their is a 30 minute making of on the DVD. That looks interesting.

Rick A.

I guess Gerald Bostock just isn't as talented as he used to be. So typical of former child prodigies!

The latest issue of Classic Rock Present Prog (now known simply as PROG) has an exclusive 8-page full-size edition of The St. Cleve Chronicle, with articles like "What's On Tullavision" and an interview headline of "Anderson Says: It's Not Going To Be Iron Maiden With A Flute."


I listened to the 5.1 mix last week, and it helped me to appreciate the album a little more. It's not a great album by any means, but it's surprisingly solid for an Ian Anderson solo album this late into his career.

Its a nice listen and pretty ambitious at this late date in his career but it doesn't have the magic of the original or Aqualung.
The 5.1 mix was done nicely by Steve Wilson. Let's hope gets to do the original TAAB in 5.1.

According to the interview on the DVD, Ian said that Steven Wilson worked on the mixes for the original TAAB, so I assume that meant a deluxe edition of that album (a la Aqualung) soon. Something to look forward to.

Last I read TAAB's reissue's coming in September.

So, as a moderate Tull admirer from afar, can someone enlighten me as to why this wasn't recorded with the band and done as a proper "Jethro Tull" release?

Reading a bit between the lines from pieces of interviews I've read from both Ian Anderson & Martin Barre, it seems the relationship has become strained to say the least, to the point that they've not spoken (or only barely) since the last Tull tour, so decided to go their own paths, at least for now. At least Ian felt he couldn't call it "Jethro Tull" without Martin, but still went with "Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson", I guess to sell CD's & have the connection with TAAB1.

Martin's gotten his own band together and will be touring (at least in Europe) doing a show of apparently mostly Tull music, although it sounds as if the set list will vary quite a bit from recent Tull tours. Martin's interviews alluded to dissatisfaction the past couple Tull tours, playing mostly the same setlist without much to engage him guitar playing-wise, while keyboards & a guest violinist took center stage more and more, at least to him. He apparently complained to Ian about this but Ian runs the show & wouldn't budge.

It's a big bummer to me, a life-long Tull fan, and I can only hope fences are mended & they find themselves able to regroup once again as Tull (and a studio album of new Tull material would be nice-- it's been a long time!). That's looking more & more unlikely & even seeing Ian and Martin on stage together again may be a pipe dream at this point. Just my 2 cents!

I have to say-as a Tull nut this album doesn't do much for me. It's reasonably good, but I'm not finding it very interesting and very much missing Martin Barre. I also find little connection to the original album. Glad I didn't buy it.