The next big box.

"Minstrel in the Gallery" does not belong to the kind of hit albums of Jethro Tull, but you also find anybody who does not like it. Except maybe Ian Anderson, of the plate or similar times as "to introvert" Marked. One can somehow guessed what he thinks (perhaps also due to the substantial absence of choral singing) - but never mind.

After the previous albums were somewhat controversial even with fans, there was after the surreal epic "Passion Play" and the theatrical verkünstelten "War Child" again a bone-dry rock and acoustic mix like "Aqualung" and song lengths, with which both Rock and Progressive fans could live well.

What I really like about the plate, is the songwriting: There are always plates of JT, where individual songs to me fussy, too rustic, too corny or are simply advised to doof. Led by "Too Old ...", followed by the two Landliebe plates and also a little "War Child". Here I find the other hand, not a single weak point, although perhaps lacking an over-hit.

Ok, tastes differ. So rather have a few comments on this issue, once again reshuffled by wunderkind Steven Wilson. Without having to compare directly to me as usual (except for the pushy "Overseer" on "Passion Play") any spectacular differences. Wilson puts yes sometimes more emphasis on the original atmosphere as Anderson himself and rather focuses on the elimination of noise and other defects on the original tapes, as in some 'new perspective', which nobody needs. What worked better here definitely than in "Passion Play".

There are a few more bonus tracks than on the previous releases, but nothing spectacular, only alternate versions and the BBC session was complemented by 'Aqualung'.

CD 2 contains a concert of 1975. Quite useful sound. We will be happy with, even if Anderson's announcements are not overexcited as beautiful as "Bursting Out".

On the two DVD's there all over again in 5.1 (I can not judge for lack of conditioning) and thankfully the original LP-Mix (Stereo and Quadro).

The box comes in the same format as in the 3 predecessors, the gigantic booklet is a grab bag of information, through which I have not bitten me. But you can probably assume that it has the usual Unterhaltunswert.

The conclusion therefore hardly surprising: For the tasteful fan once again a new jewel for the Oak cabinet wall - then in the wing chair, meerschaum and off you go. Show the less privileged youth at what the then so it did! Where is my ceiling ...

Yo, Finn, Grandpa fell asleep. - Did he say anything else? - I do not know anything about the war or something. - Krass, Digger. Let's go shopping? - But in any!