Reviews
Artist:Jethro Tull Album: Fresh Snow At Christmas
Label: Inside Out
Tracks: 16
Website: https://www.jethrotull.com/
Without looking at the calendar, I can tell it is November here. The nights are long, the cold is getting into the bones and I have a Christmas album to review. This is however a Christmas album with a difference.
If you are a fan of an album with singalong festive carols, then this is not the one for you. What you will find is a seasonal flavoured production from one of the most influential and progressive bands that the UK has produced, Jethro Tull. The band was formed in the 1960s and still tours today under the guidance and drive of the supreme Ian Anderson. The man, that along with Ray Thomas of the Moody Blues, made the flute an almost obligatory instrument for rock music.
“Fresh Snow At Christmas” was originally released in 2006 under the title of “The Jethro Tull Christmas Album.” It has now been remastered and issued in a variety of formats and offerings, and will be available in December.
Ian Anderson writes “Some of the tracks are not necessarily Christmas songs; they’re more seasonal so that gives a broader window. And then there are a couple of them that I quite often play in the middle of summer and say, ‘It’ll soon be Christmas – it’s in the diary. So, let’s kick it off now.’ And that’s part of what I’ve done over the years since October of 1968 when I went into record ‘A Christmas Song’. So, yes – it goes back a long way.”
Some of the songs pay homage to Christmas carols with short clips of recognisable music but you will not find yourself singing along with them. What you will get is some brilliant and very different interpretations of well-known festive songs all delivered with the immediately recognisable sound of the band. If the aim was to demonstrate what a remarkable band they are and what a virtuoso of the flute Ian Anderson is, then this is an unqualified success.
A few instrumental only inclusions take this album to a whole new level. Both “HollyHerald” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” are outstanding, the latter with its strong jazz influence, although Christmas carol purists might not agree with me on that. “Greensleeves” is a traditional folk song the music of which was used for the carol “What Child Is This.” Also included here is “Greensleeved” an instrumental interpretation of this classic piece of music by the band. A wonderful version of Gabriel Faure’s “Pavane” has a stunning arrangement and again proves what a talented flautist Ian is.
So, despite the title and seasonal inference of the album title, this can be played and enjoyed at any time of the year although it obviously has more relevance in December. It is a supreme demonstration of an innovative and very influential band at the top of their game and one that will stand the test of time and continue to attract more fans. If you are not already aware of the versatility and skill of Jethro Tull, then give this album a listen. I defy anyone not to be blown away by its innovation and quality.
Rory M Stanbridge
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