For 25 years, my favorite Jethro Tull albums have been "Songs from the Wood" and "Heavy Horses"-and no other two records have had such a cumulative effect on my musical, perhaps cultural, interests. The only contenders in the vast scope would be two from Frank Sinatra or Louis Armstrong, but even these fall behind somewhere.
Of course, I've loved a lot of subsequent Tull, especially "Stormwatch," "Broadsword and the Beast" and "Roots to Branches," all of them fabulous fusions of rock, blues and ethnic folk. But I waited 25 years for something as fantastic as "The Jethro Tull Christmas Album." It is a perfect Tull record, particularly impressive released right on the heels of Ian Anderson's superb solo album "Rupi's Dance."
More than 20 years ago, I compiled my own "Jethro Tull Christmas Album," on a cassette I always played on Christmas Eve and, occasionally, at other points during the year. The collection was added to at various times, whenever Anderson decided to release another Yuletide-oriented number. Sometime during my 20-plus years of corresponding with and meeting Ian after gigs, I actually mentioned the subject of a Tull Christmas record. Honest, I did!
Well, it's here-and a real Yuletide gift-and (like so many Tull records) unique. Unlike the usual Christmas offerings from pop musicians who slog through the old songs with the same tired, syrupy arrangements, the material on "The Jethro Tull Christmas Album" is eminently suited to the style and strengths of the band. My love of traditional British Isles music (engendered in large part by Tull back in the `70s) has always hankered for such a trad-oriented Tull album, mixing the ancient sounds with jazz, blues and rock-as only the Tull lads can do-and in abundance on this record.
When Tull recorded new arrangements of some of their classics in 1993, the results were interesting and welcomed, but a bit varied. (I do love the remake of "My God," in particular-due in part to "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" turning up in mid-tune.) The fresh arrangements of the "old" Tull numbers on Christmas Album are all superb; and both "Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow" and "Weathercock" improve on the originals.
As always, Andrew Giddings contributes substantially and brilliantly. The versions played anew by the current band consistently benefit from Andy's recreations of the earlier Tull keyboardists' sounds merged with his own prowess, inventiveness and taste. His work on "Jack Frost" is reminiscent of a traditional British brass band; and his take on David Palmer's original portative organ on the new "Weathercock" is stunning. This track, for me, is the highlight of the album-and one that nearly captures the feeling of live Tull. "Weathercock" has always been a personal favorite, but the new version adds a heap of power and majesty to the sublime beauty of the 1978 track. (This version may overtake "Acres Wild" as my all-time top Tull track.)
"Weathercock" and "Jack Frost" also benefit from Martin Barre's legendary style, as does the rearranged (again!) "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman." Anderson's other innovative instrumental arrangements of traditional English carols-"Holly Herald" ("Holly and the Ivy," a lovely tune, and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing") and "We Five Kings" ("We Three Kings" in 5/4 time, reminiscent of "Living in the Past" and vintage Dave Brubeck)-are equally fresh and charming, as are the exquisite "Pavane" and the umpteenth rearrangement of "Bouree," this time done primarily in, not a swing, but a blues, tempo.
My old pal, "Honest" Dave Pegg, even turns up on two tracks that he sometimes played with the band during his 16-year tenure-"A Christmas Song" and "Another Christmas Song." Anderson's son, again billed as James Duncan, provides an economical percussive contrast to the powerful stylings of good ol' Doane Perry; and Andy Giddings plays bass, too, when Jonathan Noyce goes missing from time to time. There are also some very good new Ian Anderson songs, especially "First Snow on Brooklyn," featuring the Sturcz String Quartet (who contributed wonderfully to Rupi's Dance) and "Last Man at the Party" (with references to curried goat and Frank Sinatra!), and even a Martin Barre original, "A Winter Snowscape," which also is featured (sans Anderson's flute) on his solo album Stage Left.
Three new albums from the Tull chaps in short order is a treasure trove indeed. Thanks, guys-for making Christmas come a little early this year. (The old cassette is no more!)

Brand	N/A
Rating	4.7 (338 ratings)
Price	$29.39
Category	Vocal Non-Opera

The Jethro Tull Christmas Album

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