THE JETHRO TULL CHRISTMAS ALBUM

The first full folk album from the Tull. In 2003... This is Ian's present to his daughter who was born on a 25th December and whose birthday (like all the ones alike) was a bit overshadowed with the birth of "Mr. Jesus Christ" as Ian will tell.

OK, "Songs From The Woods" was also a folk album, but it was rocking as well, at times. No rock here. The Christmas mood. The marketing of the album was rather strange : to issue a "Christmas" album on September, 30th was not the brightest idea.

Since Christmas has no particular meaning for me, I cannot be overwhelmed with joy listening to this effort. Some old tracks revisited of which "Weathercock" is my fave, some traditional songs of which "Holly Herald" is the poorest one.

I quite like the opener "Birthday Card" : good rythm (it is the only of that type on this release). Very nice and speedy acoustic guitar : this song is very pleasant. I would have like to get more of these ones. This track was available as a bonus track on Ian's solo album : "Rupi's Dance".

Several intrumentals of which the jazzy "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" does not really give me a kick; "Pavane" is not too bad but it suffers from the invading orchestration. Some "cold" numbers : "Jack Frost..." a leftover from the "Broadsword" sessions and nicely re-arranged here and "First Snow in Brooklyn" which is a pleasant and tranquil song. Very melodious track with good fluting. Above average (even if the orchestration could have been skipped).

This work might appeal to some Tull fans, but not me. Do not expect anything progressive here : you won't find it. Just a bunch of songs to listen in front of the chimney fire drinking the bottle that Ian is asking to Santa Claus (but maybe that was the goal) ?

Tull did not produce any original work since 1999 with the average "Dot Com" album. On this one, only a few new titles. So the question is : will the Tull still release an original album in the future ? I hope so. Two stars for this Christmas "present".