Artist: Jethro Tull
Title: Nothing Is Easy: Live at the Isle of Wight 1970
Genre: Blues-Rock
Label: Eagle Records
Website

Back in the day when men were men and rock stars rocked, there was the legendary Isle of Wight concert. As Ian Anderson so eloquently states in the liner notes of Nothing Is Easy: Live at the Isle of Wight 1970-It was England's Woodstock and the last gig Hendrix played before his untimely demise. While this venue notates the end of an incredible decade for rock music, full of history, color, and culture, it also gave us one of the most significant live events in the history of the genre. It was a turning point for many bands just as its American counterpart.

Before Jethro Tull became progressive rock heavyweights with their classic album Thick As A Brick they were a hot n' eavy blues rock band with few rivals. It is amazing to look back while listening to this live gem, JT only had three albums out when they recorded this performance.

I always get a lot of feedback when I post a JT review and I am sure to the delight of those that feel the band have not recorded anything noteworthy since 1978 (which I think is nonsense) will be snapping up this dandy of a CD like a kid in a candy store. This is probably the best live JT performance I have ever heard. They were young, raw, hungry, and anxious to impress. I think once a band gets beyond that stage and they reach the sought after stardom with all the trimmings that come with it, it suddenly changes their attitudes, perceptions, motivations and musical output, well for most it works that way.

Martin Barre is on fire on all eight tracks. Each song has tremendous passion and all the elements of a blues-rock event reminiscent of Cream (who are reuniting for series of concerts in 2005) in their heyday...just awesome power and energy oozing out of every note. Anderson sounds as prolific as ever, leading the band with conviction. The year is almost over and it stands as one of the best albums I have heard in 2004, even though it is nearly 35 years old! What amazes me is the timelessness of some music. Then again, performances and bands like this come around once in lifetime and that is what makes it special for fans of the band.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

December 8, 2004

Rating 10/10

1. My Sunday Feeling (5:20)
2. My God (7:30)
3. With You There to Help Me (9:58)
4. To Cry You a Song (5:40)
5. Bourée (4:34)
6. Dharma for One (10:10)
7. Nothing Is Easy (5:36)
8. Medley: We Used to Know/For a Thousand Mothers (10:37)