Cleopatra Records: Animals Reimagined: A Tribute To Pink Floyd - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Animals Reimagined: A Tribute To Pink Floyd and it's quite interesting. Opening with Pigs On The Wing, Part 1, Cutting Crew vocalist, Nick Crew is paired with Jethro Tull's Martin Barre for an ethereal acoustic intro that nicely wets the appetite. The first of three major compositions on the release, (17 minute) Dogs, features Rainbow's Graham Bonnet on lead vocal, UFO's Vinnie Moore on guitar, Utopia bassist Kasim Sulton, Dream Theater key player Jordan Rudess and King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto. This is a really cool idea of bringing together contemporary progressive players to reinterpret these masterpieces. We've got a different lineup for the 2nd of the major compositions, (11 and a half minute) Pigs (Three Different Ones) including Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie, Return To Forever and major solo artist Al DiMeola on guitar, Blue Oyster Cult bassist Joe Bouchard, Moody Blues  key player Partick Moraz and session man, Mahavishnu Orchestra and extreme drummer soloist, Billy Cobham. Very cool. The third of the masterworks is (10 and a half minute) Sheep featuring Arthur Brown on lead vocal, Yes and key/synth phenom Rick Wakeman, Focus and major guitar soloist Jan Akkerman, Bahaus bassist David J., and Cactus, Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck and solo drummer, Carmine Appice. Extensive soloing on all three compositions are flamboyant, exciting and not overly self indulgent. Wrapping the release is Pigs On The Wing, Part 2 matches Yes vocalist Jon Davison with Eric Clapton and session man, soli guitarist Albert Lee on guitars and Billy Sherwood on acoustic guitar and effects. This was a well conceived project in 1977 and quite enjoyable in 2021.

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50 Years of Jethro Tull - Martin Barre - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 50 Years of Jethro Tull, from Martin Barre and it's surprisingly fresh. Like most everyone, I was a Tull fan in the past but have more recently tired from hearing them over and again. I was quite surprised when I started listen to this release how new and interesting it sounded. Opening disc one with My Sunday Feeling,  Martin Barre, one of the first guitarists with Tull plays guitar with Dan Crisp on vocal and guitar, Alan Thomson on bass, Josiah J on keys and Darby Todd on drums. With it's tight boogie like delivery, this is a super opener for this new release. Barre's guitar lead is free and flowing. Love Story is a cool rocker with power guitar riff and a British sound but lacking much of the drama present in a lot of the Tull work. Very cool. Song For Jeffrey has me rocking in my seat with it's driving beat and scorching guitar riffs, driven hard by Todd on drums. The duplicated guitar intro on Nothing Is Easy is really nice and the bass line by Thomson is compelling. Barre handles the guitar solos with more contemporary riffs breathing new life into an early rock track. New Day Yesterday has taken on a new life with the rework by Joe Bonamasa in his own sets but the drum work on this track brings it back home. This is a super closer with power keys and scorching guitar soloing by Barre. Excellent! Disc 2 is a whole new ballgame. With Alex Hart and Becca Langsford on vocal over the tight acoustic string work of Barre, this is beautiful. Life is A Long Song is another acoustic track that, with only a fresh voice, takes on a new life. Cheap Day Return has such character and vocal blending with Barre's string work behind... terrific.  Breaking from the light, female vocal blending, Still Loving You Tonight features John Carter on lead vocal and Barre on naked electric guitar lead over acoustic rhythm. Home is a really nice, mostly acoustic ballad with flute melody by Frank Mead and understated electric guitar work and clean acoustic guitar lead by Barre. Locomotive Breath maintains much of the original arrangement but with acoustic instrumentation and strong female vocals by Hart and Langsford. With angelic backing vocals and mandolin under the track, hit definitely breathes fresh air.  Very clean and powerful.  The release is wrapped with live cuts of 4 heavy hitters from Tulls largest period, War Child, Bungle In The Jungle, Heavy Horses and Songs From The Wood. The tracks are new and different but not unrecognizable if you're a Tull fan. I've heard that this is a must have for Tull fans. 

 Ponder this...If you haven't listened to a Tull release in 30 years, this may renew your interest.  

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