JETHRO TULL: 'A' (a la mode) | 40th Anniversary | Unboxed | Reviewed

[@jupitermadcat]

I’ve always liked this album just because of the fact that it’s different and he wanted to do something different. These are the kind of people and bands I like the most.

[@mr.bloodvessel260]

With all the clanking sounds off camera I half expected your wife to say “Would you like another cup of tea dear?”

[@classicalbum]

Yes it would have been excellent

[@mulemusic]

Got my copy three days ago! It is wonderful! The live concert is incredible! The Wilson 5.1 is a treat as well!

[@JimGobetz]

Saw this tour I think before the album came out in the states, had no clue what was going on with the white suit. I was 19 so this brings back great and somewhat bittersweet memories. Taking the train into Madison Square Garden (Penn station in NYC is under the Garden), seeing Ian run out onto the stage, the effects of the various imbibements! Glad to see it got the Steven Wilson treatment, the original sounds at best OK, and his work on the other stuff has been stellar. Thanks as always Barry, it remains a privilege to support this channel.

[@nolongerthere]

I was there too, and also took the train to the MSG at 20, also didn't know what to expect. I'd seen them there in 79, and it was a very different Tull! I was thrilled at the show, although the A pieces didn't do much for me. Will need to listen to this new treatment- Wilson is a wizard, as well as being a helluva musician in his own right!

[@nsbd90now]

I remember walking into the record store and seeing "A" (I think I also bought Gary Numan's "Telekon" the same day.) Jaw on floor, plus sadness with the band gone. Saw the concert with Eddie Jobson which was astoundingly excellent. The "A" songs were much better live.

[@fourpoint64]

I was there at MSG too, the Album was out already, yes took the train in from Smithtown, risking getting grounded at age 16! Was an awesome show!!! They played at the Garden 2 nights and was their last appearance there. 82, Broadsword they played at the colleseum

[@JimGobetz]

@@fourpoint64 Wow, Me too, change at Huntington. Grew up in Hauppauge but kids who lived across the street went to Smithtown East. Small World!

[@fourpoint64]

@@JimGobetz wow I went to smithtown east class of 82, loved the A concert so so much

[@TheLastOilMan]

Not only did Ian have an incredible repertoire but he has catalogued is story. Magifivantly

[@micktownsend2155]

These Jethro Tull Book Sets I agree are indeed excellent - still want them to get Benefit out in the same format at some point - yes more stuff for the shelf! I held off watching your review as was waiting for my copy to come through and didn't want to know too much about it till it came - anyway has come and its a great package, great DVD and all round excellent release, the live recording always a treat on the sets and the amount of well written and informative text makes for great reading - as always have enjoyed your review and unboxing so many thanks, all the best

[@MrTahuna333]

Just listened to both discs of the live concert. Stunning. The band sound fresh and totally on their game.

[@timgainnes5534]

Whenever I think I'm the only extreme JT fan in the world I watch your reviews and realize you are far and away all the more a hardcore fan.

[@classicalbum]

I know, I need help.... I'll be interviewing Ian Anderson soon as well

[@stevenlornie1261]

Very nice! Looking forward to my copy. An album that deserves more praise than it gets.

[@jgdmlw]

I loved the A album and appreciated it even more after hearing them play those songs live. The sound in concert was mind blowing. I was so excited when Slipstream came out as I was at that very concert. One of the biggest disappointments in my life is in Slipstream the added weird videos and not enough film of the concert. I have always loved the live version of Sweet Dreams and did not mind that being thrown in. I agree…where is the rest of the live footage? I would love to see it. They filmed the whole concert as far as I remember. The concert and show was so freaking good. That big pink A was so cool. Heartbreaking. I do love the surround live disks in this set. Brings back memories. Thanks for reviewing this as I might not have ever known about this set.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I still appreciate the album 'A' after having owned it on vinyl since the early 80s with the song 'And Further On' being among my top 10 Tull songs .

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@jimmyhowe7883 " Saw fiery angels kiss the dawn ... "

[@fourpoint64]

I really like the MB guitar sound and work on it, and crossfire was a true story, did not know that for a long time

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@fourpoint64 I also didn't realise that 'Crossfire' was a true story. Very often 'A' isn't given it's proper credit but I have a lot of affection for it. In fact perhaps my favourite span of Tull albums is from 'Songs From the Wood' , 'Heavy Horses', 'Stormwatch', 'A', and the brilliant ' The Broadsword and the Beast'. Those are 5 great albums IMO.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

I love this album, it was never a great sounding record even back then for whatever reason but hoping it's slightly improved now. First then-new Tull release I ever bought so it's special for various reasons. They heavily promoted it on German TV, where I heard the singles first and went straight out and bought the LP. It's strangely underrated, not sure why exactly as it mostly sounds like classic Tull music to me with a few new 'modern' tricks.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@LarryFleetwood8675 I own 'A' on both vinyl and also CD and I would say that the sound quality is pretty good on both that I own. Funnily enough, I had bought 'The Broadsword and the Beast' as a single CD and the sound quality was very low and unclear . Then I got 'Broadsword' again as part of a Jethro Tull 5 CD set and the sound quality is actually fine !

[@justgivemethetruth]

I really enjoyed the Trio Instrumental track. That is one that you could only listen to once or twice in concert. that is why I used to love to see Tull in-concert because they would come up with these incredible improvised instrumentals that always blew me away.

[@LeeLucas]

It was never an album that really sat with me upon its release and an album that perhaps got the least attention in JT's discography. Though I will be looking forward to receiving my copy on Friday if all goes well with my preorder and it will give me a chance to revisit it in a fresh light knowing how remarkable Steve Wilson work in this field is. These packages are by far the best and are bang on for the buck or even "Book". I hope it's not too long before the repackaged 1970 album Benefit hits the shelves so to speak as well. Another GRAND! job done here Barry and thanks for giving us a detailed look at what to expect and roll on Friday for me...

[@classicalbum]

It sounds great. You're in for a real treat

[@kayleenilsson3825]

Seriously? Benefit never got this treatment? Does anyone know why it was skipped? My plan has been to get all of these eventually, won't feel right w/o Benefit in the bunch 😕

[@LeeLucas]

@@kayleenilsson3825 The reason really goes back to how these Book Editions started and they were not released in chronological order. Thick As A Brick Was the first of the albums to get the treatment and around that time they had already released 5.1 Surround Mixes of Stand Up. Aqualung and Benefit in Digipaks. I can only think that Ian liked how Thick As A Brick had been newly packaged in a book that he decided to do his entire catalogue with the same idea and started to put more out. They were not in chronological order until Songs From The Wood came out and the rest started to be released in chronological order. Because of the work being done on each of the packages, it's taken some time to get around to repackage and write about Benefit. But I do know that it is in the process of being done and I dare say that will also get released this year at some point. By the way, if you are intending to get them all it's going to cost you an arm and a leg most of them are out of print and you will end up paying silly money for them. When they first came out they were retailed around £17.99 and I picked up the first 3 brand new from Amazon for £14 each. They then went up to around £27.99 and now over the last few years around £35. The new one is the only one of them all I have saved the least money on and I pre-ordered every one of them on Amazon well in advance. I only saved 14p on 'A' (a la mode). Even Songs From The Wood cost me less than £20 when it was retailed around £34 on Amazon. Best of luck getting hold of them and it's a shame they are not re-issuing them.

[@kayleenilsson3825]

@@LeeLucas Oh okay, did not know they weren't released in chronological order, that explains it, thanks for the information, man 🙂 I feel slightly more at ease now about Benefit, guess I'll take your word for it 👍 (someone else mentioned it as well so...) Yes I know they are extremely expensive now unfortunately. Even though I've been a casual fan since about 8 years back I only just became a hardcore fan in the last couple of years and recently found out about these glorious must-have editions, so bad timing there sadly... However I live on the hope of one day being able to afford at least some of them. High priority goes to APP/Chateau, War Child, Minstrel, Stand Up, TAAB.... Oh screw it, I gotta get 'em all! 😫😤 Yeah I guess I been living in denial here... Think I'll just keep doing that actually, the truth is too painful 😭😛

[@lichteffektmagazin2811]

Very interesting to see that the unknown track Coruisk is almost 7 Minutes long. A forgotten Prog diamond? ;) An I agree - sad they did not include the whole video footage of the cocert. Anyway, thank you for the review and I am very much looking forward to holding my "A la mode" in hands :)

[@classicalbum]

Thanks for listening

[@melissakhalar1842]

Thank You for this wonderful review. ❤

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for watching

[@jobarrios]

Looks really nice, thanks my friend!

[@MrMojoRisin]

Jethro Tull do these editions very nicely. A beautiful edition of this album. Thanks for showing, Barry.

[@classicalbum]

Are you a Tull fan Peter?

[@MrMojoRisin]

@@classicalbum Hi Barry. Yes I am, but I only have Aqualung on vinyl. And I have heard Thick As A Brick. Must discover more of their discography because I enjoy those 2 albums.

[@c.a.t.732]

I once had the nice experience of meeting and getting to know a bit Chris Amson, a lovely guy who was Tull's chief live sound engineer on a number of their tours, including "A". He once remarked that recordings taken right off the main mixing board, with no special effects ("dry", as they say) in JT concerts were notable in being consistently note-perfect performances. From a fellow who had done sound for many bands from Zappa to King Crimson, this was high praise indeed.

[@tinostabile3256]

Thanks Barry, I cannot wait to receive mine. Another sumptuous reissue. God bless and keep well, Tino

[@classicalbum]

Enjoy it

[@jonmuse166]

I love this album but always thought it sounded flat. I'm really looking forward to hearing the new mix

[@RayAustria1911]

I hope we get something like this next year with "The Broadsword and the Beast"!

[@Baz63]

I hope there will be a vinyl release in due course

[@justgivemethetruth]

You get and idea about how impersonal and detached Ian is from his band - of employees, starting here, when he talks about seriously thinking Mark Craney was mainlining heroine when he was actually injecting insulin as a diabetic.

[@elliotwalton6159]

I have 5 of the Wilson remixes and enjoy them very much. The booklets included with the albums are classic. I'd love to hear the 'Passion Play' remix.

[@mikesclassicrock9745]

Can’t wait my copy

[@classicalbum]

Soon.

[@tonymcgeachin9906]

Your review has swayed me, Stormwatch was going to be my final JT deluxe set, never really having any love for "A". These 40th anniversary sets are so good I have to have this one to sit with the others, even if that is all it does.

[@classicalbum]

I shall be a bit cheeky and ask you to purchase via the links under this video

[@tonymcgeachin9906]

@@classicalbum I'm sorry, I've already ordered, but seeing as you asked nicely I will use your amazon link for my next purchase{s).

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Been ordered a while, roll on Friday. Not one of my favourite Tull albums, but these sets are sublime. Bought Martin Barre’s 50 years of J.T. Last week, if you don’t own it it’s worth buying.

[@trevdowson5810]

Thanks for that, Fylingdales 'Early warning station' is close to where I live. so this album, although IMO nowhere near the genius of Benefit, TAAB, Aqalung, Heavy Horses, etc. grew on me, because of that local connection I kept listening. As you advise, I do keep listening to you but only because it's well worth it, cheers.

[@rightchordleadership]

With the exception of the brilliant Black Sunday and Pine Marten’s Jig, “A” falls somewhat flat for me after the three masterpieces that preceded it. Having said that, however, this looks like a wonderful package. Enjoy!

[@jacekpajewski9976]

@Classic Album Review . Greetings from Calgary. Thanks for the presentation. Can you tell what is included on the Live instrumental and the flute solo?

[@classicalbum]

There's a flourish of TAAB I think at one point other than that just Anderson doing his stuff - there's no bouree

[@jacekpajewski9976]

@@classicalbum Thanks

[@justgivemethetruth]

One thing I don't like is how hard it is to get the blamed disks out of their packets ... I always feel like I am going to break the disk they are so hard to extract from the book.

[@siljeff2708]

My copy says it will be here Friday, but it has not shipped it yet. I can't wait to get my hands on this! I just hope the rumors are true and Benefit gets this treatment next

[@kayleenilsson3825]

It never got it? 😵 I thought he'd gone through all the 70's albums? Why would Wilson skip an album as great as Benefit? 🤯

[@qdaveq6597]

Benefit is confirmed for later this year and Broadsword for '22.

[@kayleenilsson3825]

@@qdaveq6597 Woohoo! Thanks man 👍

[@topofthetalks]

What do you think about the new mix? Both stereo and 5.1

[@classicalbum]

I'd love to be able to experience the 5.1 mixes, but I don't have a 5.1 system.

[@clivesilver463]

Another great Video, But could you tell me the quality of the live recording. Thank you.

[@classicalbum]

Excellent

[@clivesilver463]

@@classicalbum Thank You

[@qdaveq6597]

How did you get this so soon? I'm not watching until after mine turns up.

[@classicalbum]

I have my contacts

[@independenceltd.]

Still waiting on my copy. Dammit.

[@classicalbum]

Not released for another week or so

[@seankayll9017]

No need whatsoever to apologise for family sounds in the background.

[@SpaceCattttt]

Tull is a bit of a marmite band. And for me, their albums are also marmite albums. I can't stand marmite, but I do like Tull when they don't sound like marmite. I haven't heard this album but I've always admired the album cover whenever I've seen it. It has that "magic hour" light thing going on, and it's just very pleasant to look at. I'd buy the album for the cover alone. But this is a pretty sexy box set as well.

[@classicalbum]

It is great.

[@TractorCountdown]

Hopefully there'll be a single disc released of the Steven Wilson remix - that's the only way I'd be able to afford it anyway. But the book does look comprehensive!

[@independenceltd.]

The preorder is $50. Which isn't bad, considering the packaging and that there's 3 CDs and 3 DVDs.

[@qdaveq6597]

These sets rocket in value within a few months of release, so if you buy two or three to sell on, you could actually make a few quid and buy your own island.

[@TractorCountdown]

@@qdaveq6597 Good point!

[@independenceltd.]

I can attest that they do rocket in value. I wish I'd never found out about these things...lol.

[@TractorCountdown]

@@independenceltd. Tis a curse :)

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

Is that Angus Young in the photo @ 9:08 ???

[@classicalbum]

No ... but it is related to AC/DC

[@qdaveq6597]

Looks like David Mallet. He directed the Slipstream video and worked often (still does) with AC/DC.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@qdaveq6597 OK Thanks.

[@rushbravado1972]

Like this album but in my opinion the worst of my favorite Tull period from 1975 to 1987. I love these box sets they have released over the last few years. Hopefully we get Broadsword and others going forward.

[@justgivemethetruth]

The record company was right to make this a Tull album and continue the Tull branding, because otherwise Ian would not have sold anything past this album - been though they are all good, people knew him as Jethro Tull. I think his career would have gone down the toilet as an unknown except for the fanatical fans like me.

[@FundamentalsUK]

Eddie straight from the marvellous U.K of course!

[@classicalbum]

The live stuff on this set sounds excellent

[@FundamentalsUK]

@@classicalbum cool! Thanks for unboxing. Eddie Jobson is a keyboard hero of mine. Love Tull

[@jacekpajewski9976]

@@classicalbum Greetings from Calgary. Thanks for the presentation. Can you tell what is included on the Live instrumental and the flute solo?

[@sunsin1592]

Yeah, this is a bottom 3 Tull album for me. A couple good tracks, but a lot of mediocrity. And I don't hear much difference with the Wilson remixes. But I do love the booklets and I've never actually seen the Slipstream video so I may ask for this as a birthday gift or something.

[@justgivemethetruth]

I have and love almost everything about these wonderful booklet form factor anniversary editions .. except for the life of me I really do not see why Steve Wilson is so highly thought of. I think the only album I thought was actually better remixed was Stormwatch, all the rest of them I like the original mixes much better. Passion Play was the worst to me.

[@uncleambient]

These box sets are great, especially the books. I think these Steven Wilson mixes are a bit meh tbh, and in years to come they will be looked back upon as a bit of an embarrassment

[@AdamLB]

First view.

[@classicalbum]

Well done

[@비정한세상]

개처량한 세상.. 피 맺히는 음악..ㅣㅣ