ROOTS TO BRANCHES

This album heralds the longest period of uninterrupted quality in Tull's career. As much as their highest of high points were in the seventies, there were more low ones. I believe everything Ian's touched since this one in 95 is of high quality and would find its home in the upper quarter of Tull's releases. I'm including the IA solo or orchestrated recordings of very recent vintage in this wonderful string. This one would probably rate a bit higher even than top quarter, several gemstones in this recent period but pressed to it I would say this along with Living with the Past would get particularly high marks, and the Christmas Album would rank only behind Brick and SFTW in the massive Tull canon. Although Roots was recorded beautifully it is always interesting to see what Ian's upcoming remastering, I believe fall 06 will do for this outing, plus if I remember right this one had a bunch of unreleased stuff, which in Tull's case, often means you're in for a very good surprise. For instance the unreleased tracks from Broadsword, already an excellent record, were in many cases superior to the standard release. Basically lucky to have been on the planet at the same time as people like Ian, Garcia, Coltrane, Miles Davis, the Fabs, Ellington and Jimi. They are gifts that do not cease to give. Need a special Hall of Fame for those guys where their rightful neighbors would be JS Bach and Turloch O Carolan. I'd also include dear old Fairport in their many guises in this hallowed hall. Almost makes me want to celebrate being alive. Now i shall dance my little bejeezus off (in savage ceremony)