Watch the Bach-inspired flutist of rock 'n' roll's beard turn gray. Jethro Tull's latest DVD, Jack in the Green: Live in Germany, is a varied collection of good, and good enough performances spanning 22 years. Laying it down on the mandolin, harmonica, or Tull's trademark flute is frontman Ian Anderson as he leads the English rock band of 40 years to success across Germany.
Anderson has personally approved every clip in this DVD, which features performances ranging in style from rock to blues and folk. A Tull concert is a simple one, absent of smoke, lightshows, and the like. The showmanship is less than spectacular, yet quite more than lackluster. Since 1970, Tull has enjoyed "a wonderful relationship with Germany and our German fans," according to Anderson. That country, of course, is where each show in the DVD took place.
Nine of the DVD's 18 songs are from Rockpop in Concert, held in 1982. Groomed in the manner of a hobo, Anderson performed rather enthusiastically as the band was on top of their game. I found it lame when Anderson played air guitar on his flute alongside guitarist Martin Barre. On the other hand, performing as a conductor with his back to the audience was a sharp if not brilliant touch.
Mania swept the vast audience when the opening notes of "Aqualung" were struck and Tull had them by the balls with "Locomotive Breath," which directly followed. These songs, arguably the best in Tull's repertoire, were dazzlingly played and form the climax of this concert, a performance which many viewers — although not myself — would consider the highlight of this DVD.
Ironically, Tull reveals a glaring flaw in their live work by striving to impress, shown throughout the DVD. Barre and company are on a screaming rampage with their respective instruments, unencumbered by vocals as they let loose and lay it down. And yet I don't care. Lynyrd Skynyrd they certainly ain't. Tull's instrumental free-for-alls are repetitive, bland and lacking in creativity. They probably thought they were really smokin', but my mind just languished as I hoped an end was near.
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