The DVD concert (only previously available on mono VHS) is an amazing freebie. Check out the considerable talents of ex members such as Dave Pegg and HUGELY talented Mark Craney who sadly died very recently. One viewing of Black Sunday or Aqualung will reveal how good a drummer he was...


Underrated Gem   June 18, 2004
 10 out of 12 found this review helpful

This was the second Jethro Tull I bought after Broadsword many moons ago. I honestly think the first 4 tracks are as good as anything Jethro Tull have done. Eddie Jobson is a cracking keyboard player, particularly on the piano and he really lights up this album. Considering this was mostly a new band this is a really tight group; just listen to the musicianship on "The Pinemarten's Jig". It's just as good as the previous JT line-up. The second half of the CD does suffer from slightly weaker song-writing but there's still plenty of fun to be had from the likes of "4WD". As far as the concept goes I thought there was a very strong cry against modern (early 1980s) society running through these songs. At the time there was a very materialistic society being created by the government and commuting and working long hours (if you could get work) was taking over people's lives. Hence "Working John" and "Black Sunday" rally against working yourself to the bone, "4WD" and "Batteries not Included" were really about greed, and Fylingdale Flyer and Protect & Survive ridiculed our defences against the ever-present nuclear threat. Overall these are songs about middle-class suburbia in the early 1980s and very good ones too!


DVD 'A' Saviour   May 13, 2004
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Jethro Tull released the album initially intended to be an Ian Anderson solo project in the early eighties. I must say it is my least faviourite album with not one song that really grabs you. Also, as much as I admire Eddie Jobson's talents, I can't help but feel that I resent him for taking the great John Evan's place in the band. This is also true for Barrie Barlow. This absense is especially noticable on the DVD. Which brings me to the highlight of the buy.
The DVD is Slipstream, the half concert half vidio extravaganza that was shown during the same time as 'A' was released, and is of high quality and makes the album worth getting. It is, as mentioned in over reviews, worth buying by itself let alone free! Three cheers for Mr Anderson I say. What a bargain. It makes this album go from a one star to a four star in my opinion. If you don't own this then I strongly suggest you get it!