CATFISH RISING

When artists such as Jethro Tull get to the latter stages of their careers, it must be difficult to produce the "wow!" factor in their music, certainly in the eyes of long-standing fans whose favourite moments may be from a couple of decades previously. However, it does occasionally happen that one of these artists, perhaps inspired by a new producer or some other factor, produces a magical moment that can excite its pre-existing fan-base. "Catfish Rising" is NOT such a moment from Jethro Tull!

To be sure, there is nothing particularly wrong with the album. I have had it for a number of years and always enjoyed listening to it, but it lacks the inspiration of many other Tull albums - which, I'm afraid, is an unforgiving yardstick.

The musicianship throughout is exemplary, as you would expect. Ian Anderson thinks that songs from this era are better crafted than the early material: that may well be so but it doesn't always result in more peasant listening - sometimes a bit of "grit" is needed!

"This is Not Love", the opener, sets the scene for the album, which is fairly pacey and rocky: The best moments are nearly all when Ian's sense of humour shines through - "Sleeping with the Dog" and "When Jesus Came to Play" being worthy of mention - but the most creative and best song by far is the slower, 8-minute long "White Innocence". This has an interesting musical development with an effective keyboard "bridge" and a strong musical arrangement - probably worth getting the CD for this alone.

Overall, pleasant but not brilliant. Worthy of the "Jethro Tull "brand".