The musical bridge between yesterday and today

Jethro Tull are more than one of many decent rock bands of the 70's with the one or other hit. Young music fans is this realization today but made difficult because you except occasional games of "Locomotive Breath" in any Oldie broadcasts in the media Ian Anderson's work hardly brings to attention. Me personally but has something mysterious history and love of nature image of the band very interested, and frankly at first, I the stylishly designed medieval design of "Minstrel in the Gallery" album to occupy myself with the music Jethro Tull. And one can only say: This board is a respectable masterpiece that was produced so professional that it sounds timeless, though the songs seem deliberately nostalgic.
I will limit myself in the following to the description of the pieces already contained in the first publication and leave the bonus tracks of digital remastered edition in assessing the work outside in front:
The title track initially shows the creative genius songwriter Ian Anderson, the purely acoustic tells the story of the "Minstrel in the Gallery" in the first part to then pass to a crashing and virtuosic instrumental parts in which especially lead guitarist Martin Barre and may drummer Barriemore Barlow demonstrate their skills. In this part follows the last passage that sounds like potential hit rock song and repeats the textual elements of the beginning with a catchy melody. In the 2nd song "Cold Wind to Valhalla" Anderson reaches lyrically the Nibelungen saga and combines this serious subject with the straightest and fastest convincing composition of the album, which starts acoustically and subtly in order to expand later to a thrilling rock spectacle in the example of the drummer has to play more than just beats blaring transitions, resulting in an exciting and restless atmosphere, which you can not escape.
A contrast this offers the ballad "Black Satin Dancer", which knows how to inspire with accompanied by strings spine-tingling melodies and another virtuoso instrumental part.
This is followed by 2 pure folk songs ("Requiem" and "One white duck"), in which Anderson himself recites on guitar accompanying melancholic melodies.
Creative highlight of the album is undoubtedly the autobiographical-inspired, fifteen-minute epic "Baker Street Muse", which combines 5 individual songs to a self-contained work of art on London's famous Baker Street,
to which one must get involved as a listener. It requires time to get this album, and to lead especially the last song in an adequate manner to heart. For the common rock listener has "Minstrel in the Gallery" apparently relatively heavy going, but playfully revealed by oftmaliges hearing desired by music lovers qualities:
catchy melodies, credible communication of emotions and associations and musical skills and a pleasing, thrilling sound.