Various Artists - To Cry You A Song A Tribute To Jethro Tull (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

Entertaining and well-produced tribute album

Michael Rawdon | 03/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While I wouldn't especially recommend this album to a non-Tull fan, it is a very solid set of tributes which should delight most Tull fans. The covers mainly focus on the 1968-1971 period - not unexpected since three of the contributors are Mick Abrahams, Glenn Cornick and Clive Bunker, the other three original members of Tull. Luminaries like Keith Emerson, Phil Manzanera, Dave Pegg and John Wetton also contribute.The liner note feature comments from many of the artists regarding who they are and their remarks about Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull, which sometimes makes for interesting reading.The standout track is a superlative rendition of "Minstrel in the Gallery". Although I'm unfamiliar with Robert Berry, his arrangement and performance is outstanding, putting a new and slightly Celtic spin on the guitar-heavy classic while also giving it a stronger beat.Renditions of "Aqualung" and "Teacher" toe the line of the originals fairly closely, although Magellan's little additions to the former work quite nicely. Roy Harper's minimalist "songwriter's confessional" spin on "Up the 'Pool" is unexpected and works quite nicely. Mick Abrahams lets his guitar go on one of Tull's earliest popular tracks, "Cat's Squirrel". And Emerson joins Abrahams, Bunker and Cornick on an instrumental version of "Living in the Past".The album closes out with a quirky but somehow touching cover of "Life is a Long Song" by Dave Pegg and his son Matt.Your mileage may vary, but I'm willing to bet that fans of early-era Tull won't regret having this one in their collections."

An excellent tribute to a legendary band - a real treat

David Lusher | London England | 02/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
This is a wonderful collection of Jethro Tull's music, all penned by Ian Anderson, who unfortunately does not appear on this disc. However, the good news is that three of Tull's original line-up do (Mick Abrahams, Glenn Cornick and Clive Bunker) and if you add artistes like Keith Emerson, Glenn Hughes, Roy Harper, Dave Pegg, Phil Manzera, John Wetton (the list goes on!), you have some idea of the talent on display here. This disc is a must for any Tull fan - it's a real treat. The musicianship is excellent, the arrangements work well and the songs cover a good deal of Tull material (from 'A New Day Yesterday', through 'Teacher' and 'Cat's Squrrel', to 'Minstrel in the Gallery'). If you are not so familiar with Jethro Tull's music, then this would be a good place to start. Some of the songs here are almost as good as the originals, but not quite! Jethro Tull have long been one of Britain's, indeed the world's, favourite bands. This album is a high quality homage to their talents, and the genius that is Ian Anderson."

Great -- could have been even better

Mark from Monroe | Monroe, NY United States | 05/29/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To me, anyway, the highlights on the album are the songs in which artists used different and interesting approaches to familiar material (Up the Pool, Life's a Long Song are standouts). The others range from competent covers to well-rendered tributes (Mother Goose is one). Worth getting if you're a fan of the band. You won't be disappointed."

"This Was" an "A"

T. Pasio | Valencia, Ca | 01/13/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"OK, my qualifications for reviewing this cd. I've been a rabid Jethro Tull fanatic since 1971, and have seen them live every year since 1973, (Passion Play). I don't want a cookie, but just so you know I'm far from a casual Tull fan.

I would highly recommend this cd if you are a hardcore fan. Some songs are re arrainged more than others.

1) About the same and Excellent!:

-Aqualung: Some minor teaking, more like the live version, and extremely well done.

-Nothing is Easy: Updated and excellent

-Teacher: The same. Not crazy about the vocalist, but extremely well -Mother Goose: A face lift is given to Mother Goose, with an interesting time change which changes it, but not in a bad way.

-Minstrel in the Gallery has been re arrainged, but is extremely well done. Very interesting treatment.

-Locomotive Breath is also somewhat tweaked, but only the beginning. You don't want to screw with a classic too much, and they didn't.

- Cat's Squirrel: Re done by the original members. If you like the song, you should love this version.

The not so hot:

-Cry You a Song: Musically it is outstanding, but the second half screamed by Glenn Hughes, (Deep Purple), and takes away from the mood of this song.

Up the Pool & Life's a Long Song are not done well at all. Dave Pegg sings Life's a Long Song, so I would have expected a much more spirited effort, and better performance.

I love that Clive Bunker, Mick Abrahams, Dave Pegg & Glen Cornick are part of this tribute. Other immortals include Keith Emerson, John Wetton Wetton & Ian McDonald.

I think you'll really appreciate this Tribute. It's not Jethro Tull of course, but a cool spin on the songs. All in all a 4-5.

"

Tull Under the Covers

William E. Houser Jr. | Fort Lauderdale, FL United States | 07/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is pleasantly surprising. For the most part, the album catches the spirit of Tull, and no wonder, as there are four former members of the band guesting here. Not a single note for note renditon, and each song is lovingly reworked in the idiom of the guest artist while keeping the flavor of the composition.

Musically, the playing is inspired and no quibles to the musicianship. My only quibble is with Glen Hughes singing on "To Cry You a Song." The producers needed to get at least one more take, IMO.

Highlights are Aqualung, Up the 'Pool, Teacher, and Lifes a Long Song.

Liner notes are thorough and interesting anecdotes are given as to the person's exposure to Tull and/or Ian Anderson.

If you like Tull and are open minded, you will enjoy this disc as I do."

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