"You mean you disagree with W. S. Gumby?"
The Comments and
Dissenting Opinion Page

Disagree with my reviews? E-mail me and tell me why you think I'm completely wrong (or, if you'd like to write and say "Gumby! You are a genius! I agree with you completely!" that's OK too). If you write to say "Gumby, you suck!" you probably won't find your message here, but intelligent, thoughtful comment will appear on this page.

I would just like to add a few comments to your comment bin.  I don't
want to sound negative and I want you to know that I really appreciate
your page and the work you have done.

The live tracks on Living in the Past are from Carnegie Hall, not Madison
Square Garden {Thanks for pointing this out, I've corrected this-W. S. Gumby}.
And I think that they are two of  the best live Tull tracks recorded. This
particular version of 'Dharma for One' is considered a classic by many of our
fellow Tull fans.

When insulting A, dont forget Uniform, and Batteries Not
Included.

Four stars for Catfish Rising?   This is only my opinion, but
this is the second worst(or third) next to Under Wraps.  I could only
salvage a couple of songs off of this one.

That wasn't that bad, was it?  Other than that, I almost totally agree
with you.  Please respond if you feel you need to.  I look forward to
communicating with other fans.
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This is my signature.

James Mayer  (scribbly)

Hey, fellow Tullian! I was just reading your album reviews. I just want to
say that in my humble opinion, THIS WAS deserves much more devotion and
enthusiasm, and that Tull really can't be critiqued by us mere mortals
(j/k), but that's besides the point. I want to comment on the comment you
made about Ian's fluting style. Some throat and voice experts believe that
his deep, breathy-humming technique probably was the main factor in the
deterioration of his exquisite voice. Really very sad.  But I think It was
worth it, all those amazing flute solos!

Matthew White

     Hello, and thanks for your entertaining reviews.There's something very gratifying and of course edifying about reading reviews of familiar and beloved materials!

     My only dissent would be your comparatively poor rating for Warchild, which gives me almost as much pleasure as any other Tull album. "Back-Door Angels", "Sealion", and "The Third Hurrah" are, in my opinion, among Tull's finest.
     Thanks again for the effort!

Mike Sturgill
Well I have to say right off the bat-why doesn't anyone like bungle in the jungle? Just because it sounds like regular radio music doesn't mean it's bad; well anywise I like it. Now
onto Under Wraps, maybe it's just because I left it running while I was
doing some work, but I don't think Under Wraps was that bad of an album.
It's just like most of their albums, they take a few listenings to really
like. Maybe under wraps takes about 20 more times than most but Every once
in a while I get a Hankerin' for some Under Wraps. Thanks for your time.
Troy Kellogg or
Troyfjord P. Kellogg
Hi,
I would never intend to come across in a disrespectful manner to another
Tull fan. However, I do have a comment about the review of This Was.  I
always thought that it was called This Was because of the quote you use at
the end of your comments.  Because the album shows that this was what Tull
sounded like.  At the time they had no idea of the impact they would have.
It seems to be put in a very 20/20 hindsight kind of way.  You are correct
that the sound does change but I would doubt that they would say "after our next few albums we will sound really different."  (Ian's Fat Man comments about Mick might have even been a real joke at the time this album was titled.)  I might even go so far as to say the title reveals a very human side of self doubt that a second album would come at all.  Thankfully, for us all albums have be forthcoming ever since.  Just an opinion, Thank you for your time.
Matt N.








First, let me say that Jethro Tull has produced some outstanding albums
over the years like Thick as a Brick, Passion Play, Stand Up, Songs from
the Wood, and more. But Roots to Branches doesn't get more than two and a half stars from me.  All of the songs on Side 1 and Side 2 totally turned
me off every time I listened to them. On the other hand, I found all of the
songs on Side 3 and Side 4 quite satisfying and appealing after I listened
to them a couple of times.

Gumby, you really miss the mark when you call this a "brilliant" album.
Mediocre is the more accurate term that describes this sometimes most
disappointing album. Better luck next time, Ian, if you are listening.

Craig A. Miller

Actually, I agree in almost every review you made. BUT, I disagree with
your Broadsword and the Beast opinion. I find this to be one of the
worst Tull albums ever made. OK, Pussy Willow, Slow Marching Band even
Cheerio are good songs but the rest of it is just a failed try to combine
synths with acoustic. At least Under Wraps went all the way into synths.
By the way I think European Legacy is another good song from this album,
but I can't say that for any other song. Well, that's it. I agree with you almost in everything else and I support your 4-Ian rating for Catfish Rising. I don't know why people don't like it. Do you? {Nope. - W. S.Gumby.}

                                           Long Live Jethro Tull

                                               Ignacio Ferreyra
                                         Biggest Mexican Tull fan

One way to measure an album's greatness is to look at the level of lp
damage created by your turntable cartridge stylus.  It is my opionion, to which
I am entitled, that I rate the Jethro Tull (seventies only) records as follows:

This Was - **         The record is in very good condition
Stand UP - ***1/2   Played many times - First Side is in pretty good
                               condition - I just could not listen to the beginnig of 'A New Day
                               Yesterday'
Benefit       ****      Played over and over again for a period of time,
                                then I stopped.
Aqualung   *****     I went through several copies - also had the cops
                                come once and tell me to lower the music.
Thick as a Brick ***** I mangeled two records just tryng to figure out what
                                was going on.
Living in the Past ***** I destroyed both records - a supreme collection in
                                every respect.
A Passion Play  ****   I did a number on this album-I used to play it every
                                night before going to bed.
Warchild    ***        I gave up early trying to ruin this one.
M.U. Best of JT *****  One of the best, greatest hits records of all time.I
                                played this puppy when either I was in a kick a-s mood
                               or down in the dumps.  Surface noise now resembles
                               the sound of waterfalls.
Minstrel in The Gal ***1/2  Started to destroy this record but getting my
                               driver license cut down on the damage.
Too Old, Too Young***  Quizz Kid, Pied Piper, Taxi Grab and Big Dipper are
                               ruined - some of the other tracks are in good shape.
Repeat Best of JT - n/a  - Never bought this record - One record withh 'A
                               New Day Yesterday' and 'Warchild' is enough
Songs from the Wood*****  I must clean this record with solution every time
                               I wish to play a single track in the hopes of hearing
                               anything at all.  Oh well , I shall have to listen to the CD.
Heavy Horses   ***  Good condition - If I need a buck , I could
                               sell it (only kidding).
Bursting Out      **1/2   Live version of Aqualung is in pristeen
                               condition--only listened to once.
 Stormwatch       n/a  Never purchased this one - I was thinking
                              that I might end up in Afghanistan.

Scott Gordon
Nice page, dude!!!  I am not into Tull as much as you guys but I must
say they are in a league of their own!  I like older Tull better than
newer Tull.

Your reviews were great.  Yeah, I could sit here and say that I liked
this song and you didn't so you are wrong.  But, that's just
nit-picking.
I think, in general, you have captured the feel of each album.

Keep it up!

Michael A. Keller

I like your site, I'm tired of sites with just pictures and lyrics.
Lyrics are nice, but the band is all ugly anyway (I'm not gay so it
shouldn't matter, besides they were musical geniuses). I think you have a
good taste in music (not since you are a tull fan, but what you like
about Tull) However, I really have to disagree with you on Rock Island.
You shouldn't be too afraid to give an album just an Ian and a half for
the only one and a half good songs, Rock Island and Another Chr______
____.  I like your review for "A" I'm glad I only spent $3.60 on used
record at Cheapo for that one it's the kind of techno crap that those
junior high Prodigy fans should get into.  However, give it only half of
an Ian.

                                                    -Isaac Erickson

I for the most part agree with your album reviews. I was glad to find people who
realize the brilliance of A Passion Play and Minstrel in the Gallery.
These albums for me, showcase everything wonderful about Ian Anderson,
his songwriting, multi instrumental ability and sharp wit. Also I'd like
to concour with you on Roots to Branches. The album is stunning.
Musically its as tight as they have ever sounded before. As for
Divinities....I can't say enough. These later releases quiet anyone who says Tull is washed up.

                                    Ian Anderson White
                                    (p.s. my parents are
                                     also big fans)

I am yet another of those Tull fans who also has a pleasure for the flute
and the odd bit of Hey Hey!! I love the Quality of his moods and melodies
which obviously I think is more a personal diary of Ian's feelings which I
share myself. I love his Medieval stlye and Folky overtones that I still think is
evident even in his later music. Ithink he has refined that more (like the
maturing of a good wine). Anyway it is a pleasure to hear other Tull fans
without being accused of being sad and by the way I had a facination with
Ians beard shape and manic eyes. (no I'm not gay) I also think that had an
integral part in his character. Any way I hope you made some sense out of that.
Cheeeeerrrriiiiiooooo!!

Anthony Greentree
Notts, England

I wont comment on your reviews much.  Just wanted to live in the past for a moment with some Tull fans.  I saw Tull in the Benefit concert just before aqualung came out.
It was fabulous!! I sat behind a poll in the Rhode Island Auditorium way up in the balcony, and had to stretch my neck around the pole to catch a glimpse.. but It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen regardless. Of course we all know how great Aqualung is , so I need not go into it.
A local music paper was sold on the mall where all us teenagers hung around in the early to mid 70s in Providence and there was an interview with Ian Anderson , basically commenting on the _new_ direction he was headed in with _Thick as a Brick_ we were all very excited about this and could not wait to see what this genius would do next.  Well I was disappointed ,Anderson left the hard edge out of the music, in my opinion and If I remember correctly , thats when Jethro Tull started to loose airplay and album sales. I pretty much forgot about Tull after that.  I did buy the WarChild album for skating away.. I agree that bungle in the jungle was pretty sad.
I have heard a number of songs here and there over the years that I thought were very good and now I think for sure I will make up for lost time.  At one time Tull was my absolute favorite band..Congratulations on your good taste!!

Richard McElveen

Gumby...I enjoyed your reviews..very interesting..and I agree with  much
of what you say.  I have been a Tull fan since 1968 and own all the  music.
I accept A and Under Wraps as flights of fancy.  For me..it goes back to Heavy Horses,
Songs from the Wood, Passion Play and TAAB.  However..there is so much
that is good. I believe Crest of a Knave is a triumph.  I saw Tull several times when
the band consisted of  Barlow, Glasscock, Palmer and Evans...they were the best
of a great lot.  Barrie's militaristic style of drumming still draws me
back to those tunes 20 years later.

Nice work, Gumby.

Languay
Excellent page.
Here are some comments on the reviews (that maybe you will print!)
First of all, I'd give a slightly higher rating to This Was.  Although
I disagree with you that it still sounds "fresh" (actually, I think it
sounds awfully dated), I think that it is a very good nugget from that
era of music history.  A blues-inspired album that (unusually) recalls
the Beatles more than the Stones, I think it is a very interesting
artifact. 4 stars for me.
As for APP, I just can't rank it among the top-line Tull albums, and
think your 5 stars is too many.  Lyrically, it is dense and obscure to
the point of just being sloppy.  I don't think that much coherent (or
interesting, for the most part) is going on in the story, although the
music is excellent, and is what I play it for. 3 1/2 stars for me.
As for the SFTW and Heavy Horses album duo, I've always been partial to
the latter, and it gets the 5 stars from me; SFTW getting 4.  SFTW, for
me, has a flaw in that the music is so ornately arranged, played and
produced, that it sounds almost prissy.  HH, on the other hand, has a
grainy, off-the-cuff feel that brings an earthy element to the songs
that I think the other one lacks (which is important for albums with
nature themes, I think).  Ian's treated vocals (at least, they sound
treated) give his voice a gruff timbre that perfectly complememts the
looser feel this album has -- contrasted to the pristine
e-nun-ci-a-tions that can be found on much of SFTW.
Anyway, if you are docking points for repeating successes, then at
least be consistent and knock an "Ian" off Passion Play :)
I like Bursting Out, but don't think that I could give 5 stars to a
live album that cheats on several of the songs.  I don't want to hear
shortened versions of Minstrel or SFTW, and if the band doesn't value
these songs enough to play the entire thing when performed live, I'd
look elswhere for material when compiling a live album.
"A" I might rank just a little higher -- 3 stars -- because I think
that nearly half of it is really good, despite the new line-up and
sound.  Plus, is has a real aura of professionalism to it.
Broadsword, on the other hand, I'd dock from 4 to 3.  The garish synths
and thumping tempos of some songs conjure up nightmarish images of a
"Jethro-Journey" hybrid.  I think that the material here is good -- and
would have been a very good Tull album had it been made in 1976 (or
even 1996), but Ian's succumbing to the "in-sound" of synths in 1982
doomed this album, for me, as far as being a major Tull work.
In short, very good material put to sometimes wince-inducing
arrangements equals a decent album that should have been better (as
evidence, when Tull has played these songs live recently, they sound
much better than the album mixes).
I have little else to add, except that 2 stars is probably generous for
either Walk Into Light or Under Wraps, two terrifically awful albums,
IMO, and I'm not very much impressed with Divinities (although Roots to
Branches *is* a wonderful return-to-form for the band!)

                                                    Matt P

There is one JT album that you forgot to mention that is very good.  That one
is A Classic Case: The London Symphony Orchestra Plays the Music of Jethro
Tull.  It is very good and beautiful.  Very nice, loud, thundering trumpets on
Locomotive Breath.  Elegy is very beautiful.  Bouree is very catchy, a nice
symphonic rendition of an Ian Anderson flute classic.  Fly By Night is
beautiful, and at the beginning, the sound you hear kind of makes you think of
sparkling lights.  The Teacher/Bungle in the Jungle/Rainbow Blues/Locomotive
Breath medley is very beautiful.  Warchild, however, is nothing like the
original song.  In all, this is a must have, if you'd like to hear some
classic Tull tunes put to symphony.

                                                    Jeremy Root

Hi W.S., I fully agree with your review of Under Wraps. I have been listening to it over and over again for three days to reevaluate my opinion, and I have come to the following conclusion: I HATE the album, apart from three good songs. The album has no atmosphere, it is too artificial, and Ian lacks 'the holy fire of inspiration' that is so present at all the other albums. The synth-sound makes it sounds sterile, unreal (thank God PJVetese was laid off), the drums are dead as a door and even the lyrics - which I studied thoroughly - are beneath Ian's level. It has become clear to me that Ian's musical crisis - which started on Walk Into Light - came to a climax on this album. He must at that time have lost contact with his roots or with himself maybe. I think the rating should be one. Apart from that I am a true blood Tull-fan since 1968 and will remain so till the day that The Slow Marching Band will play my final hour.

Jan

Well, I concur with all your opinions with hardly an exception.  TAAB was also the pivotal album for me (although Benefit was given to me by a friend's older brother who went off to become a deadhead and I had permanently borrowed Aqualung from my cousin).  I got TAAB as a
selection from Columbia Record Club so technically it was the first Tull album I had actually bought (although I don't "actually" remember payng the bill...).  After "Brick" hit it's mark, I rushed down to the E.J. Korvettes upon the release of APP.  Paid cash this time, but it took a
while for this album's power to overtake me.  Had the same "delayed reaction"  later w/ Minstrel as you've mentioned.

Ssoooo, when I won "A" from a radio contest a few years later, I kept waiting for that same awe to strike.  Instead, I found myself, after years of having to listen to Tull albums from start to finish, actually skipping songs (Batteries Not Incl., 4wd and yes, Working John et al).
So, I spent some quality time w/ Black Sunday, FL Flr and Pine Marten's Jig and quietly appreciated the change of pace.

I had similar reactions to Tull albums once or thrice throughout the years since then, but was more than pleased w/ RTB which is a phenomenal work IMHO.

One more thing: I inadvertently got some young newbies (adult ESL students of mine) hooked on Tull by way of IA's Divinities which was playing in my car one day.  And though I'm thrilled to see them discovering my fav band in their tied-dyed Aqualung tees, I resist the urge to try to orchestrate their experiences.  Tull's musical diversity certainly provides something (once bitten) for every taste.  I'll wait and watch the new roots take hold.

P.S.  Could you make me any more envious of your Tull singles collection?  ;)

Ron in CT
 
 





If a guy gives APP five Ians; he's alright by me. I gave it five Ians, a double stand-up Jeffrey, a wobbly-but-fun John Evan, a bombastic heavy Marty B-squared, and a quadruple espresso bomb of a Barry B with a twist of lemon served over a bed of mushrooms.

Kram

Well, I have to confess, as much as I like the layout of your page- the
forced-start midi (lovely midi though it is,) conflicted with my
ever-playing MP3s of Ian, and became annoying when they reloaded every
time I back and forthed from one link to another. (I admit- I've got one
on my own page, but I'm taking it down post haste, upon seeing how
annoying it can be. *S*) [OK. They're gone. I was getting tired of them anyway-W. S. Gumby]   As for the reviews, well, I'm still reading,
but in general, I've tended to agree with you... and I'm grateful also
for the tidbits concerning exactly why A was so... different...
 
I was born the same Year as Jethro Tull... Mom, (too old to Rock and
Roll,) loved them, so I could honestly say, I've been listening since
birth. My very first Live Concert experience was mom's sweet 16 present, Under
Wraps Tour. Yes, it's true that the album leaves a lot to be desired,
and is almost unanimously considered the worst of Tull, (though I'ts
neck & neck w/ Bursting Out,)  I have to remind a few folks who got to
see it- The tour totally ~rocked~! I admit, I'm biased, but it was a
wonderful show,  even if he did blow his voice rather badly in the
process.  There's just no such thing as worthless JT.

In general, I'm thrilled to have come upon so lively and active a
community of Tullites, and am excited to learn that I'm not alone. I'll
probably be posting a tull page myself... if I can find something that
has not already been said or done by all you lovely folks!

                                                                       Chaosred
                                                                       Aka;
                                                                       The Schizophrenic Ghost

And the W. S. Gumby "Have You Ever Heard Of Decaffeinated Coffee?" Award goes to:

 YOUR GONNA DIE BUDDY!!!!!!!!

What the hell is wrong with you?  You only gave Crest of A Knave 4
Tulls????????  Are you insane???  That is one of Tull's best albums.
 From some jamming rock of Steel Monkey to the mellow tunes of
Farm on The Freeway, and it all ends with the energized raising steam.
I seriously suggest that you raise that rating or you are no Tull fan at
all and I hope you burn in hell.

Travis


W. S. Gumby

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