MUSICIANS CORNER

Here we are again with a look at some of the non Genesis related music which fills TWR HQ in between Genesis listening sessions...

First up a somewhat divisive album... if you are a Jethro Tull fan. Which of course, as you all know, I am! Under Wraps was released in 1984 to the horror of many traditionalist Tull fans. Ian Anderson and the band has thoroughly embraced the up and coming synthesiser technology over the preceding couple of Tull albums and of course, Ian's first solo album – Walk Into Light (more about that in a moment). So why is Under Wraps so universally reviled by most of the fan base? I think it must be quite simpy down to the drum machine sound which, even I admit hasn't aged too well since the album was released.

So this was the one Tull reissue which I had some trepidation about. Was it justified? Not a bit of it! In fact the reissue has given the album a brand new lease of life and sounds surprisingly fresh to my ears not least because of Bruce Soord's sympathetic treatment of the percussion. NO, it has not been done with REAL drums, instead the existing mixes have been revisited and given a more organic “feel” which makes for a much more convincing package. The songs themselves are every bit as good now as they were back in 1984 and Ian's songrwiting is augmented by the contributions of longstanding guitarist Martin Barre and keyboard player Peter John Vettesse both of whose contributions are excellent.

In addition to this, we also get the reissue of the aforementioned solo album; Walk Into Light which was an instant favourite of mine back in 1983. Being so familiar with this one, I was somewhat afraid that the revised album might detract from the original but once again not a bit of it. In fact once again, Soord has managed to bring nuances to light which were hidden on the original and make it a genuinely exciting listening experience and once again, the way in which the percussion has been treated makes it altogether more convincing.

By comparison we also have an expanded disc from the BBC's recording of one of the shows from Hammersmith on the Under Wraps tour. It is great to hear extra tracks from this show and also it serves as an illustration of just how good the Under Wraps and Walk Into Light material was in the live context and also the last chance to hear Ian in full voice before the vocal problems whch have dogged him ever since set in.

We also get the usual selection of previously unreleased tracks and an expanded and expansive esssay on both albums lavishly illustrated and telling the story of both albums through the thoughts and observations of all the participants. Another well thought out and prepared effort. One which I think will have many Tull fans re-evaluating both Walk Into Light and Under Wraps at last!

Jethro Tull: Under Wraps - The Unwrapped Edition Parlophone Records 5021732955098 5 CD/1 Blu Ray set.

Claire Hammill's name will be well known to most of our readers from her lengthy and illustrious career in which she has worked with such alumni such as Jon Anderson well as John Martyn and King Crimson to name but a few. Her solo work has been universally admired and she is back with a brand new album – A House Among The Trees.

The album gets off to an emphatic start with The Beautiful, rhythmic and melodic an excellent start.

It's Really You really showcases the talents of the entire band which Hamill has assembled around her, Sean Elliott's guitar and Sonny Flint's drums really drive this little rocker along – this one will be destined to go down well in the band's upcoming live shows.

My Snakeskin Lover is where Hamill meets Shania Twain – and it does impress me much! A country rocker with its tongue firmly between its teeth. Love, and revenge a trip to the bordelands way down south Mexico way – arriba! This one would not have been out of place in Reservoir Dogs.

The Werewolf And The Maiden – great name for a Weatherspoons pub! A modern day folk morality tale, the story is the old one as traditionally told in Reynardine but given a new lick of paint and a different protagonist, and its a rollicking track full of drama and humour.

Wings Of Freedom features former Dire Straits man, David Knopfler on piano , another slow paced country styled effort with just a hint of the blues .

Intoxicating is a glorious jazzy, stomping romp with the entire band having an evident blast playing this one. A rabble rousing toe tapper and another one bound to become a live favourite.Once again Sean Elliott impresses with some truly awesome licks while John Nicholls and Sonny Flint underpin everything with a rock solid rhythm section.

Up To The Moon slows things down for a moment with a quiet reflective number in which Hamill's voice is the only star in the night sky.

Obsession we get all dramatic next with this rocker, which reminds me of another song whose name eludes me. Slick, raunchy and superbly delivered this is another live favourite in the making.

Cool , once again we get slight echoes this time of Dire Straits' Sultans Of Swing but the similarity ends with the rhythm, the song is all Hamill's own and its a little cracker!

Your Name Is In The Wind, is another evocative song, here Hamill's voice brings real bathos to the performance, while the rest of the band construct a brilliant sound tapestry around it.

Don't Go Home Without Me picks the pace up again, jaunty, rhythmic with some fine guitar and percussion from Nicholls and Flint.

All We Have Now brings the album to an end and sums it album up perfectly, the music, the moment all sublimely recapitulated in another wonderfully evocative performance.

The end result is an extremely satisfying album which showcases not only Claire's strengths as a singer and songwriter but also the talents of the band she has assembled to bring it to life. There are some impressive performances here in exactly the kind of variety of styles which Hamill is known for. So do yourselves a favour, pour yourselves a drink, turn the lights down low and immerse yourself in this wonderful album.