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Living in the Past

Jethro Tull - Living in the Past Audio CD

A fair review of the Jethro Tull "Living in the Past" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Jethro Tull reviews here, or go back to the Jethro Tull tabs.

Band: Jethro Tull
Title: Living in the Past
Rating:

Release Date: 2003-12-02
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Song for Jeffrey 2: Love Story 3: Christmas Song 4: Living in the Past 5: Driving Song 6: Sweet Dream 7: Singing All Day 8: Witches Promise 9: Inside 10: Just Trying to Be 11: By Kind Permission Of [Live] 12: Dharma for One [Live] 13: Wond'ring Again 14: Locomotive Breath 15: Life Is a Long Song 16: Up the 'Pool 17: Dr. Bogenbroom 18: For Later 19: Nursie

Earthy, Soft, and Sleepy.
Most would say that albums like Aqualung, Stand Up, or perhaps even Thick as a Brick would be the best introduction to Jethro Tull, but rarely does this album get its credit. This is a Jethro Tull that is often too overlooked by the public.

It may technically be a compilation album, but most of the songs on here you won't find on other Jethro Tull albums (although, nowadays with the bonus tracks, you just might, but it's not the same thing).

The album may very well be the most easily accessible of all of Tull's albums, especially because each and every song is undeniably a good one. The songs here produce an array of feelings and atmospheres that are earthy, gripping, soft, theatrical, serene, experimental, and sleepy.

Another cool thing about this album is that right in the middle of it, we have nearly 20 minutes of Jethro Tull being incredibly creative and playful on stage, and you can hear the crowd just loves it.

The album chronicles a very interesting, creative, free, and unique time in Tull's history, where Ian Anderson felt very open and inspired. .

This is it!!!
There are differences in the songs selected between the UK and US version, and YES the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab CD, is the one closest to the original vinyl (which I also own) only that they are actually adding one extra song: "Alive and Well and Living In" (from the album 'Benefit') not found on the original vinyl album - so what is this about?

Firstly this was originally a COMPILATION record, made up of tracks not previously released mixed with selected tracks from previously released albums, and viewed as such I think that this CD is a great buy because it only leave out tracks already found on original CD titles by Tull, living the essential tracks which makes up for a "new" Tull album with songs not found on other albums - except for a few tracks. Just to avoid any confusion I would like to state that I agree with the reviewer "From a True Tull Fan and Collector" - you don't need to have any worries what so ever, when buying this CD. Compared with the original vinyl release this CD ONLY leaves out 2 tracks and that is "Bour�e" (from the album "Stand Up") and "Teacher" (from the CD "Benefit").

So not to worry; this is a great buy and doesn't come any better as I believe that they way they put together these tracks, mainly not found on other Tull albums, makes up for another great Tull album instead of a album/compilation. And none of the songs is edited.

.

"...And That The Song I Sing...Will Lead You Astray..."
The set's title reflected what was inside - a ragbag of previously released albums tracks bolstered up with new live and studio songs, rare single sides and their non-album flips. The 2LP set "Living In The Past" was issued in July 1972 in the UK on Chrysalis CJT 1 and October 1972 in the USA on Chrysalis 2CH 1035 - both originals sporting hardback book sleeves with 12 pages of colour shots inside.

This 'full' 23-track 2CD version is an audiophile issue - a Mobile Fidelity ORIGINAL MASTER RECORDING housed in a card wrap with two gold ULTRADISC-2 CDs in two separate lift-lock CD cases. The detached oversized booklet slotted in beside the CDs replicates entirely the packaging and liner notes of the original double album - right down to the 'book' texture of the front and rear sleeve. Nice touches it has to be said. However, the liner notes get some details wrong which need clarifying. . .

Disc 1 (42:55 minutes)
Tracks 1 to 11 and 13 make up the 12 tracks of Side 1 and 2 of the original 'UK' double album using strict sequencing

You will notice that Disc 1 has 13 tracks and not 12. The reason for the extra song is that "Inside" (from the "Benefit" LP) appeared as track 5 on Side 2 of the original 'UK' issue, but the original 'US' issue replaced this track with "Alive And Well And Living In" (another "Benefit" track in the UK and the B-side to the UK 7" of "Inside"). Both have been included on this 2CD set for completeness.

Disc 2 (45:35 minutes)
Tracks 1 to 3 and 5 to 10 make up the 9 tracks of Side 3 and 4 of the original 'UK' double album using strict sequencing

However, you will notice that like Disc 1, Disc 2 also has an extra track. Track 5 is "Locomotive Breath" from the "Aqualung" LP - it appeared as track 2 on Side 4 of the original 'UK' issue. However, the 'US' issue replaced this track with another cut from "Aqualung" - "Hymn 43" - again both tracks are included on the Mobile Fidelity issue for completeness.

To confuse matters further, the official EMI release of "Living In The Past" on CD is a truncated single disc of 19 tracks with a crappy inlay and ok-only audio. . . So this USA-only Mobile Fidelity 2CD issue is the only way to get the full double album in one place - either the UK or US variant - and more importantly with truly great sound.

Speaking of which - when I compare "Locomotive Breath" and "Hymn 43" on the 1996 "Aqualung" remaster to these MF versions - the difference couldn't be more marked; the "Aqualung" remaster was to my ears one of the worst and dullest of issues - these MF versions leap out of the speakers. As the recordings vary from 1968 to 1971, the sound does so too, but the Mobile issue excels on them all - especially the beautiful acoustic turns "Just Trying To Be" (lyrics above) and "Up The 'Pool". In fact - excepting the excessive two live tracks, which took up all of Side 3, it's amazing how well the whole set holds together - even to this day.

Bottom line is - this Mobile Fidelity 2CD set has really great sound and the full compliment - it's just such a damn shame that it costs so much. . .

PS: Given the stunning sound quality on the Collector's Edition of "This Was" achieved by Peter Mew at Abbey Road - surely EMI - both this, "Aqualung" and "Stand Up' could do with the same treatment? It's infuriating that fans have to dig into their wallets to get quality sound.

Good if you like Jethro Tull
I think this particular style of rock may be an acquired taste. I happen to be a Jethro Tull fan (music of my youth and all that). But IMO it is worth acquiring. This album included studio cuts and some live stuff from their Carnegie Hall gig. Ian Anderson's voice has a kind of bluesy feel to it, but the music is more hard rock, though not heavy-metal-type.

In fact, I guess you'd describe their sound as a fusion of a lot of different styles, even classical (the first Carnegie Hall cut is practically a rock version of one of the more famous Beethoven piano sonatas, I think the Pathetique). Anderson also plays flute on many cuts, which helps give Jethro Tull their unique sound.

If you like 60s/70s rock but haven't heard of Jethro Tull, this is a good album to start with to see if you like them; another one to start with might be Aqualung. I've heard them both and own this one, so that should tell you something.

Good deal!
It was in very good condition. Very pleased with rapid delivery of cd. i would recommend this seller to anyone.

You can see a complete list of all Jethro Tull discography, or go back to the Jethro Tull tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.