SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JETHRO TULL – AQUALUNG LIVE (REMASTER 2025)

JETHRO TULL
AQUALUNG LIVE (REMASTER 2025)
INSIDE OUT RECORDS

In 2004, Jethro Tull recorded a show for Sirius XM’s Then Again Live series at their studio in Washington, DC. As the title would suggest, the show highlighted bands performing older material live. The 2004 lineup of Jethro Tull consisted of Ian Anderson (vocals, flute, guitar, mandolin), Martin Barre (lead guitar, mandolin), Doane Perry (drums, percussion), Andrew Giddings (keyboards, backing vocals) and Jonathan Noyce (bass). Obviously, Jethro Tull were not going to perform songs from their most recent album, 2003’s The Jethro Tull Christmas Album. What they decided to do, instead, was to perform the entire Aqualung album from beginning to end. Every song in the order of the original album.

The performance was released in 2005, on CD, with the title Aqualung Live. Although the album was welcomed, and did very well in Germany, it quietly disappeared from circulation over time, so this re-release is not only timely but essential. Here the album makes its debut on vinyl. This was an interesting lineup for Jethro Tull. From 1995 through to 2006, they only recorded two studio albums, but they toured a lot. They were a tight and technically fantastic lineup.

This is a very basic live rendition of the album. There is little difference between this live performance and the original album. But the differences are significant. Anderson’s voice was not exactly the same, but he could still put the emotion into the songs when necessary (especially the title track). And his vocals are still fantastic. Perhaps the songs were not as heavy as the originals, but Barre still provided his trademark solos that seemingly came out of nowhere.

Songs like “Mother Goose” have a more live feel with some excellent flute playing from Anderson. It is a simple acoustic performance, and it works on every level. Songs like “Wind Up” are much more gentle and not as angry as the original studio album. It shows that Anderson and Barre had changed and perhaps mellowed a little (and I do mean a little) bit over the 30 years since the original album. Of course, “Crosseyed Mary” and “My God” are every bit as powerful as the studio, but throughout the album they do tend to tone it down, just a bit. Anderson introduces “Hymns 43” as featuring ‘amendments. Again, it is not as heavy as the original studio version and Anderson’s flute solo is absolutely brilliant.

Aqualung Live is a great reminder of a period of the band’s history. Jethro Tull continues to tour without Barre, and has recorded two stunning albums over the past three years; Anderson is still a force of nature. But in 2004, the band did not get the recognition it so richly deserved. While they packed concert halls, few might not have regarded just how good this configuration was. Aqualung Live demonstrates a strong, tight band giving an outstanding performance. Although there is no bonus material, it does not matter. The concert and album are perfect the way it is. I am glad Aqualung Live is back for all to enjoy

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