I remember vividly how I was mad about this album the first time it came out in 1979 when I was an engineering student at Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. I bought the cassette version and it became my regular play everyday at my Fisher Tape Deck with NAD amplification and AR speaker system. The audio quality was not really good but I like the nuance this live set creates. You know what – the opening remarks by the master of ceremony of the show said it clearly in Italian language and followed with English part with Europe accent: “Good evening. Sit back and relax. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy an evening with JETHRO TULL!!! JETHRO TULL!!! …” oh man … what a rocking nuance the MC has created.
Right after the opening talk the band’s music flows in wonderfully with “No Lullaby” which sets the overall tone of this dynamic live set. I especially love the energetic and dynamic drumming with sort of staccato style combining multi-size of toms. Really great and rocking and it brings the vocal line enters the scene “Keep your eyes open …” WOW! It’s a great rocking part, my friend! This opening track flows seamlessly to the second set “Sweet Dream” with its continued energy as first track. What is another memorable part is the band’s introduction which comes just before “Sakting Away On The Thin Ice of The New Day” (Warchild) where Ian made the talk in his funny way. What makes this part memorable? It’s the way he introduced the band, something like: “Martin Barre on marimba… Martin Barre on marimba horrraaaaayyyy!!!” or “John Glasscock on electric guitar …horraayyyyyy …!!” Great work, Ian! I really like it very much and it has become the trademark of this live set. It rocks!
All tracks are performed excellently including my favorite “A New Day Yesterday” or “Jack In The Green” (Songs From The Wood) and oh yes … the legendary epic performed in edited version “Thick As A Brick”. The flute work, as usual, takes a very good shot in this live set and it takes great solo at track 7 of Disc 1.
Disc 2 also offers a great collection of JT classics like “Hunting Girl” (Songs From The Woods), “Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll Too Young To Die”, “Conundrum”. Oh yes, there is a very attractive performance of “Minstrel In The Gallery” especially on the guitar solo intro – it’s so rocking! “Cross-Eyed Mary” is another favorite of mine and it’s performed wonderfully. For those who don’t really know JT they must know this legendary “Aqualung” which once was a radio hit in the seventies and also “Locomotive Breath” which has been tributed by many bands including Germany’s HELLOWEEN through its album “Metal Jukebox”.
Definitely, this album is an excellent addition to any prog music collection.
Gatot (ProgArchives)
© 2000–2012 NoNaMe