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Jethro Tull - Roots to Branches Audio CD

A fair review of the Jethro Tull "Roots to Branches" 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.

Jethro Tull Band: Jethro Tull
Title: Roots to Branches
Rating:
Release Date: 2006-10-31
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Roots to Branches 2: Rare and Precious Chain 3: Out of the Noise 4: This Free Will 5: Valley 6: Dangerous Veils 7: Beside Myself 8: Wounded, Old and Treacherous 9: At Last, Forever 10: Stuck in the August Rain 11: Another Harry's Bar

Putting down deep roots
"Roots To Branches," Tull's final album in their multi-decade tenure on Chrysalis records, is one of the band's best 90's albums, in a league with Catfish Rising and Crest of a Knave. Ian Anderson has always seemed older than his years, from the Man V God introspection of Aqualung to being one of the first major bands to embrace folkier elements (even during the rise of punk-rock) with Songs from the Wood, so it is no surprise that their later music has aged as well as their earlier classics.

This was also an album where Jethro Tull stretched out musically. Anderson's new-found fascination with Middle Eastern music pushes some of these into sonically rich territory ("Rare and Precious Chain," "Dangerous Veils"), while some of the extended arrangements sound alot like old fashioned fusion music, especially the title track and "Veils. " Martin Barre is still a guitar monster whose lead blasts show an artist that should get a lot more recognition that he does.

Anderson's turf is as defined as it has always been. He remains lyrically obtuse as ever ("Beside Myself") and delightfully cantankerous. His smirking "Wounded, Old and Treacherous" could easily have been a part of Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die! II should such an album exist. And the thinly disguised parable of "Valley" (world conflict as a battle for water between mountain communities) is wonderful. The lost world of old haunts, "Another Harry's Bar," is a quintessential old man's lament from a man who's penned his share (with echoes of classic Dire Straits). Also, if you were wondering, Anderson's flute playing is a predominant as ever.


Definitely, the Best of their 90's Material
It's got tons of Flute on it! And, lots of nice orchestral arrangements leaving behind any remnents of the 80's sounding synths and electronic drums. This is truely one of the, if not the best, modern Tull albums. There is a slight middle eastern flair to many of the songs, which works perfect with Ian's flute playing. Very enjoyable to listen too. The lyrics have a real original feel to them, with no reliance on repeating similar stylings or sections from their past works. This one deserves the high ratings it has received, 4 1/2 stars actually. It's just not quite a masterpeice, but close.


Jethro Tull's Outstanding Roots
Ian Anderson & company sound SO inspired and rejuvenated on this album. Even though it didn't sell all that well back in 1995, "Roots To Branches" is easily one of Jethro Tull's greatest works. They rock out with great aplomb, and their musical chemistry here is spot-on. These are GREAT, expertly-written & performed songs, all of them, from the great rock of the title track, to the piano-jazz flavored "Dangerous Veils," to the sharp blues-rock shuffle of "Wounded, Old And Treacherous" (featuring Anderson doing a cool, assured-sounding blues "rap"), to the album's winning nightcap closer, "Another Harry's Bar. " And, for the cherry on top, Ian Anderson's singing voice, which hadn't been quite so strong on the last three studio albums (due to vocal problems Anderson suffered in the mid-80's), seems to be fully recovered on "Roots," his voice once again sounding very rich and commanding, just like in the good 'ol days. "Roots To Branches" can proudly stand tall alongside Jethro Tull's very best early albums, like "Stand Up," "Aqualung" and "Thick As A Brick. " It's that good. If you like Jethro Tull, I guarantee that you will *love* "Roots To Branches. " Well done, lads! (One final note, though: why was keyboardist Andrew Giddings not given a credit anywhere in the CD booklet??? He's featured in both of the band photos on the inside, but I've gone over the booklet's text with a fine-toothed comb, and Giddings' name is nowhere to be found. So, let's now give this talented Tull musician credit where credit is due---Andrew Giddings: Keyboards. Thanks!) .


One of the best Tull records
This is Tull at a very mature and profound point. This album is DEEP folks. Lyrically and musically a masterpiece. Considering that it was written 6 years prior to 9/11, the title track, (and the song "Valley"), show what a genius Ian Anderson is at getting to the "root" of the matters of the world in 5 or 6 minute musical epics!

Many long time Tull fans do not give the later era records enough attention, and this is one worth digging into. If you can afford it, buy it new--make sure EMI keeps it in print.


Not good moral effect
I cannot say anything about moral effect of this album. "The flute is not an instrument which has a good moral effect; it is too exciting" (Aristotle). Maybe it's not too exciting. Maybe not so loud either. But really pleasant, especially after I listened to it for the second time. A "Tull" with a bit of Middle-Eastern spices.


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.

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