Jethro Tull’s 1982 album ‘The Broadsword and the Beast’ will be celebrated in a brand-new 4LP set. The 40th Anniversary packages include new mixes from Steven Wilson, demos, rough mixes, live recordings and sessions from 1981.
The 40th Anniversary packages includes new mixes from Steven Wilson, demos, rough mixes, a 1982 live recording from Germany and sessions from 1981 with five CDs and three DVDs forming the Monster Edition and the four-disc vinyl edition. An accompanying 164-page booklet tells the tory of the album and accompanying tour with the band and crew plus an accompanying reproduction tour programme from the 1982 tour.
Originally released in 1982, “The Broadsword And The Beast” featured a distinctive blend of rock, folk, and progressive influences accompanied by Ian Anderson’s storytelling lyrics and unmistakable flute,
‘The Broadsword and the Beast’ is a cross between the synthesiser sound of the 1980s and the folk-influenced style that Tull had in the previous decade.
this album’s masterful storytelling, accompanied by Ian Anderson’s unmistakable flute melodies, garnered critical acclaim and has become a fan favourite over the years. The album mixes electronic sound, provided by Peter-John Vettese (a characteristic that would be explored further on the next album under wraps) with acoustic instruments. “There was some great playing on it by the band,” Anderson recalls. “I think that was very much to do with the rhythm section of Dave Pegg and Gerry Conway, it was very solid and positive. Peter Vettese’s inclusion on the album was also very positive in the way that he brought some thoughtful musicality to it. And Martin Barre did what Martin was getting better and better at doing throughout the eighties, which was being an amazingly good guitar player.
“Regarding “The Broadsword And The Beast” in relation to other Jethro Tull albums, personally I would definitely put it in the upper half, in terms of there being some really good songs, and a definite feeling of there being a slight return to that more conceptual thing, without it being too heavy-handed. Overall, I think that the music was amongst some of our best.”
Jethro Tull’s 1982 album “The Broadsword And The Beast” is the latest of their albums to receive the 40th Anniversary deluxe treatment, with a new eight disc CD/DVD version and a four-disc vinyl reissue to be released through Warner Music on September 1st. Limited Edition 4LP Vinyl and in a 5CD+3CD Set.
The massive 5CD+3DVD ‘Monster Edition’ includes a new Steven Wilson stereo mix of the album, plus a host of associated recordings, also newly mixed by Wilson (CDs 1 & 2). The third disc offers demos, master mixes, rough mixes and more, while CDs 4 & 5 deliver a live set from Germany performed in 1982.
The Fat Angel Sings 