Last weekend I picked up an import copy of Aqualung Live. I couldn't resist an opportunity to hear such an influential album live. I don't have too much a frame of reference for live Tull. I saw them live in high school, which makes that almost 20 years ago. The show was ok and they quit early because Ian Anderson lost his voice.
My only other reference for live Tull is the band’s appearance on the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus. That performance is five star dead on perfect Tull in my book. So, I was expecting great and got ok with this disc.
The musicianship is both capable and faithful to the original. The vocals are where my major problem is. The vocals are terrible on every level. I understand it has been 30 years since Aqualung was recorded, and Anderson's voice may have changed. To me, though, it no longer resembles anything like his old recording voice. If it wasn't for the excessive showboating on flute, I wouldn't have even known it was Tull.
My next beef is how he sings the songs. This disc was recorded very recently and it shows. He used to have such a powerful, strange, scary and wonderfully evocative voice. He sings the songs as if he has sung them for 30 years and is dead tired of it. He phones the whole performance in, as if he is doing chores. Frankly, I am pretty bummed. I am not bummed about spending the $20 on the disc (which a portion of apparently goes to charity). I am bummed because this could have been the greatest live document of one of the most important albums in history. I can think of few albums better than Aqualung, which I am enjoying now. I strongly feel Anderson could have done much better with his vocal performance, and that is what hurts.
All the important songs are here, of course. My favorite are absolutely the acoustic stuff from the second side (I guess I dated myself on that one. Albums don't have sides anymore do they?). “Cheap Day Return,” “Mother Goose,” “Wondring Aloud,” “My God” is the good stuff. They are all represented here with amazing acoustic accuracy.
So, I guess if you are some crazed Tull fan... you can get this. I'd just recommend upgrading your vinyl and cassette to CD of the original Aqualung.
Article comments
1 - Tan The Man
Sux...
The studio album is amazing...
:(
2 - Baronius
Could be interesting, but I've heard the Big Three (Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, and Crosseyed Mary) too many times. They're great songs; I just don't enjoy them anymore.
I strongly recommend "A Little Light Music" for anyone who enjoys reworked versions and acoustic Tull.
3 - Victor Lana
Lono,
I've seen Tull live a couple of times (admittedly in the 70s & 80s). They were totally awesome back then. I still feel their work is largely ignored compared to other bands, but it deserves your attention.
Thanks for a great post!
4 - Vern Halen
Yep - crazed Tull fan - must get or hear. Tull goooood...... no matter how old/bored/tired.............
5 - Rob
I remember listening to the original record over and over again. You're right Lono, the second side is brilliant stuff. Very influential, for me anyways. I don't think Tull gets their due. They were a great band and it's too bad this live version falls a little short.
6 - wastedwonder
Back in 72, a true Tull fanatic told me Ian's voice was already ruined after Benefit. Personally he could still croon until Thick as a Brick. But by War Child he knew he was history. But whata flutist! I saw them at least 10 times every couple of years since 75 and plan to see them this November in Chicago. No voice left notwithstanding.