 Radio broadcast from Jthro Tull's 'A' tour in 1980
Format: CD / Cat No: WKMCD051 / Released: 09/09/2022
Track Listing: 1. Crossfire (4:00) / 2. Songs From The Wood (3:55) / 3. Heavy Horses (7:21) / 4. Batteries Not Included (3:48) / 5. Protect And Survive (5:58) / 6. Bungle In The Jungle (4:10) / 7. Aqualung (11:23) / 8. Locomotive Breath (6:50) / 9. Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of A New Day (16:22) / 10. Uniform (6:42)
More information: Jethro Tull’s 13th studio album, A, was released on 29 August 1980 in the UK and 1 September in the United States. Initially written and recorded with the intention of being frontman Ian Anderson's debut solo effort (hence the album's title: the master tapes were marked "A" for Anderson during recording), however the record was eventually released as a Tull album after pressure from Chrysalis Records. Anderson has since stated that he regrets allowing the album to be released under the Jethro Tull name.
Presenting a departure from prior Tull works, the new recordings adopted more of an electronic rock sound with heavy use of synthesizers, although still retaining the band's trademark folk influence and Anderson's flute playing. Lyrically, the album saw a similar departure from the fantasy and folklore themes of previous Tull work, instead emphasizing contemporary matters such as the Cold War, then still raging.
The album was the first album released following a large line-up change which saw drummer Barrie "Barriemore" Barlow and keyboardists John Evan and Dee Palmer departing the band in 1980, while bassist John Glascock had died from heart complications the previous year. The album instead features Glascock's touring replacement Dave Pegg on bass in his first recorded appearance with the band, plus Mark Craney on drums and Eddie Jobson on keyboards (with Jobson credited as a "special guest") and electric violin.
In the wake of the album’s release, the new line-up hit the road in October ’80, beginning the ‘A’ Tour in the US on 5th that month, in Maryland. Tull stayed in the States until the 12th of November, concluding the US leg with two nights at the famous LA Sports Arena.
This recording is taken from their concert at the Checkerdome, in St Louis, MO, on October 26th, recorded for live FM radio broadcast at the time. Previously unreleased but now available in its entirety on the new CD for the first time.
Note: Recording quality can vary on FM broadcast releases.
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