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Remember Jethro Tull? No, Jethro Tull is a rock group, not a person. Actually, there was a Jethro Tull (1674-1741), who was a British lawyer/farmer famous for introducing new farming methods, including a drill invention for planting seeds in a row (his name was the inspiration for the band), but that fellow has nothing to do with this fantastic holiday CD. If you're reading this music review, you very probably already know this.

The Jethro Tull Christmas Album is wonderful classic rock--with a twist. Ian Anderson, the founder and leader of Jethro Tull since its inception in the British blues boom of the late 1960s, has always been the odd-fitting piece in classic rock's puzzle; after all, his principal musical instrument is the flute, and most rock bands steer clear of wind instruments entirely. If you consider the other musical elements on this album--stringed instruments such as the mandolin, acoustic guitar, violins, viola, and cello--you can appreciate just how different this rock is. The unique sound is absolutely genius (at least for a Jethro Tull fan like myself).

The cuts are relatively lengthy for holiday songs; most exceed four minutes. Of the 16 numbers, nine were composed by Ian Anderson, and one was penned by band member Martin Barre. The remaining six are Anderson's creative takes on traditional numbers, including one rousing instrumental medley. From the very first song, Anderson's flute soars. The underlying style is rock throughout, but reflects other traditions as well, including jazz and folk music.

The liner notes are generous, providing full lyrics and abundant details about each number. Since Jethro Tull is known for its complex, cerebral messages, this comprehensive approach is especially valuable here. And speaking of lyrics, this holiday music has a definite edge, although the tone never slips into dark despair. In fact, quite the contrary is true. One song will raise hard questions, then the next will present upbeat instrumental arrangements of well-loved carols, and all are performed with top-notch professionalism.

Favorite pieces abound on The Jethro Tull Christmas Album. This CD is so well produced and tightly crafted that the entire package is extremely impressive. In a sense, each and every cut qualifies as a favorite of mine. The second number, entitled Holly Herald, is a terrific, seamless blend of The Holly and the Ivy with Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Since its introduction in the 1970s, I have always loved Anderson's A Christmas Song, a powerful and memorable song cautioning "that Christmas spirit is not what you drink." Whatever the Christmas spirit is, you can find it flowing strongly in this music.

If you seek only quiet performances of well-known holiday standards, steer clear of this one. If, on the other hand, you are familiar with Jethro Tull (Ian Anderson), enjoy classic rock, and/or just enjoy hearing excellent musicianship on a set of inspired and adventurous Christmas tunes, then you cannot go wrong with this CD.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2003)

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From the liner notes:

"Two days before Christmas 2002, I received an e-mail from Fuel 2000 record company boss Len Fico suggesting the improbable scenario of a dedicated Tull Christmas album for the following year."

"If you liked Boutee and the Songs From The Wood record, you will love this Jethro Tull Christmas Album. The aim was to find some uplifting traditional Christmas Carols, some new songs and to re-record some old Tull pieces on the Christmas topic."

"My views on Christmas? Well, I'm not exactly a practicing paid-up Christian but I have grown up and lived with a so-called Christian society for 55 years and still feel great warmth for the nostalgia, festive occasion and family togetherness, so much a part of that time of year. Maybe without Christmas we would have that much less to celebrate and enjoy in this troubled old world. But it's really all the Winter Solstice and the re-birth of nature overlaid with the common sense and righteous teachings of Mr. C."

"A Christmas in this modern world should, in my view, accommodate the leisure needs and affections of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists and agnostics, as well as Fido the family dog and Felix the cat. Throw in a few lost cousins and that dreadful man from next door and you have it! Sip the slow gin, pull a cracker (so long as she's not the daughter of that dreadful man from next door), kiss and cuddle under the mistletoe, toss Vegan disciplines aside, gobble the turkey (steady on, now) and have a therapeutic respite from the rigours of daily life."

"Christmas--an aspirin for the soul or cold-turkey celebration of the birth and life of Christ? It has to be a measured bit of both, doesn't it?"

"And, if you can cope with it, a Happy New Year." --Ian Anderson

The Jethro Tull musicians are:

Ian Anderson: flute, vocals, acoustic guitars, mandolin, piccolo, percussion

Martin Barre: electric and acoustic guitars

Doane Perry: drums and percussion

Andrew Giddings: keyboards, accordion and keyboard bass

Jonathan Noyce: bass guitar

The guest musicians appearing are:

James Duncan: drums and percussion

David Pegg: bass guitar and mandolin

The Sturez String Quartet

• Gabor Csonka: 1^st violin
• Peter Szilagyi: 2^nd violin
• Gyula Benko: viola
• Andras Sturez: cello

Jethro Tull

The Jethro Tull Christmas Album

Artist link

Track List