Brutal & subtle: in 2015 the Minstrel has fishing

Recorded in 75, at a time when Ian Anderson was trying to find a viable direction for Tull, after slating criticism Passion Play and War Child, Minstrel In The Gallery is a homecoming of Aqualung songs with electronic acoustic who do not hesitate on occasion to flirt with a punchy hard rock.
Both say right away: remastering (Remix) Steven Wilson has once again worked wonders. The sound very "clean" of the original has gained in clarity and - especially - in dynamics. The Les Paul guitar of Martin Barre in benefits particularly in the first two tracks with steep drenched riffs and harmonics that put wonderfully highlight the originality of these little masterpieces that are Minstrel In The Gallery and Cold Wind To Valhalla . And Black Satin Dancer flights of orchestral show us that the glasses remixer talent really knows no limits. All clear: fluttering flutes, voluptuous strings, guitar solos, acoustic skyscraper, voice, drum (the huge!) Barrymore Barlow, piano, bass. Very very great art!
This record, I bought it was released in 1975 and he remained top choice of the great Tull, for its alternating intimate pieces (Requiem, Grace, One White Duck) and its dazzling rock (particularly Minstrel). Often referred to by critics as a solo album of Ian Anderson, who offers here (as usual) all the creative freedoms. It is also the record that sees Barre finally find his voice guitarist with a new sound that was going to epic proportions in the trilogy Songs / Heavy Horses / Stormwatch.
True, following Baker Street Muse, which occupies a large part of the two face, do not bring anything new to tullien charts. But it remains a work finely crafted, lovingly crafted by artisans unparalleled musicians.
Remixing Steven Wilson is equally successful to the wonders he had performed for Aqualung (but here it must be said, the original records were much better).
The 2015 version of this piece of art is much higher than the previous edition (2002) and now appears as a classic rock smart mid-seventies.

To accompany this emerged was of course entitled to some bonus: the b-side Summerday Sands we already knew well, some "alternative" versions (Requiem, Grace, etc.). And three BBC recordings, including one with a little Aqualung arrangements "modernized" particularly interesting.

And then, of course, there is this wonderful concert in Paris July 75. A historical document of 77 minutes who presents the best training Jethro Tull (with string quartet!) In top shape. A pleasure that can not be refused. Registration is (much) more rustic than Bursting Out, but is still above the level of the best bootlegs. Thank you to mix Jakko Jackszyk.

After Minstrel, Anderson was briefly go astray with the wobbly Too Old To rockn'roll, before offering a second life to his group with folk sublimate Songs from The Wood. But at 75, he already had a very large disc, which gives a particularly skillful remixing the finery today.
Not to be missed!
Especially if you already think you know this album.