A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC

Previous to this live album, the Tull had only released two of them : the excellent "Bursting Out" and the poor "Live at Hammersmith" (recorded in 1984 but released only in 1990). This one belongs rather to the second category. As the title mentions, we get some light, acoustic music here for most of the numbers (but not only).

Since I prefer the rocking Tull, it is no wonder that I do not really appreciate this effort. Track list is poor. Almost second to third class songs. Fortunately, there are some exceptions.

The good tracks IMO are "Living In The Past", "Bouree"(the best ones with great fluting), "Too Old...", and "Locomotive" although this is not the best live versions for it. Some nice flute moments as well in "Pussy Willow". We also get the superb "From a Dead Beat to an Old Greaser" one of the best number out of "Too Old..." But only six good tracks out of seventeen is a bit sub-par, right ?

I do not say that we always need to listen to the same songs in their live sets. No. But, their repertoire is so extended that they could have produced more interesting official live records than what they actually did. But as Ian mentiones on the booklet for "Bursting Out" : live albums have never been a Tull priority. This one confirms this.

What also annoys me (I noticed this already in their "Bursting Out" album), is that this effort is a collection of live songs from different concerts (one song, one venue - with the exception of Caesara in Israel from which four tracks are recorded). This leads to a desunited work.

As far as I am concerned the greatest live albums were taken during the same concert. They provide a better feeling and are more spontaneous. I'm referring for instance at "Live At Leeds Remastered Edition - The Who", "Rock'n'Roll Animal - Lou Reed", "Genesis Live", "Uriah Heep Live 73", "Keys to Ascension - Yes) and "Made In Japan" (Purple) even if this one is the result of a compilation of three concerts but recorded in three days with the same atmosphere.

Two stars.