Ultradiscs are mastered from the original master tapes using Mobile Fidelity's proprietary mastering technique, then plated with 24 karat gold and housed in a stress-resistant lift-lock jewel box.
Two years on from the conceptual innovations of THICK AS A BRICK, Tull had learned how to crystallize the creativity of that prog-rock masterpiece and incorporate it into more traditional song structures. Thus, the songs here are full of daunting time signatures and dazzling feats of instrumental derring-do, but all in the context of shorter, more concise composition. There's also a darker edge to things here, as introduced by the tumultuous title cut.
The band's fascination with medieval-sounding themes was also beginning to blossom here, blending with their folk and prog influences. In this sense, WARCHILD can be seen as the template for much of what followed in the Tull catalog. The two best-known songs here represent extremes of the band's sound. "Bungle in the Jungle" is a bit of humorous riffery heavy on the hooks. "Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day" is a poignant, folk-tinged ballad that harks back to THICK AS A BRICK's acoustic passages and ranks among Anderson's finest tunes.
24-bit digitally remastered reissue of 1974 album with 7 added bonus tracks 'Warchild Waltz', 'Quartet', 'Paradise Steakhouse', 'Sealion 2', 'Rainbow Blues', 'Glory Row' & 'Saturation'. Capitol. 2002.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Recorded at Morgan Studios, London, England.
Personnel: Ian Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Martin Barre (electric guitar, Spanish guitar); John Evan (accordion, piano, organ, synthesizer); Barriemore Barlow (marimba, glockenspiel, drums, percussion); Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond (bass guitar).
Liner Note Author: Ian Anderson .
Recording information: Morgan Studios, North London, England.
Arranger: Jethro Tull.
Jethro Tull: Ian Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, sopranino, soprano & alto saxophones); Martin Barre (electric & Spanish guitars); John Evan (piano, organ, piano accordion, synthesizers); Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond (acoustic & electric basses); Barriemore Barlow (marimba, drums, glockenspiel, percussion).
Additional personnel: David Palmer (conductor); Philamusica Of London.
Q (12/00, p.144) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A remarkably coherent collection...demonstrating the full recovery of frontman Ian Anderson's acerbic wit and musical devilment..."
Essential!!!! I didnt have the insight as Somewhere in England(above reviewer)However this is a great Tull album.Its one of there most whimsical sounding albums, but still retains Mr Andersons often subversive humor. Submitted by cg531 (NYC, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Warchild? WONDERFUL!!! To properly understand this album, we need to journey back to 1974. Those jolly Jethro Tull-type blokes had fallen on hard times...the previous 2 recordings had been "challenging", and the ever-fickle audience was looking to a return to form.
Ian Anderson himself was wondering himself whether the band had played too many trump cards all at once; he decided to retreat to the comfort of his local boozer with his note-book, trusty flute and a few quid...
2 weeks later he emerged £5,000 the poorer BUT with the bones of "Warchild" hastily scribbled in his book. And what a jem it is! Check out the title track, "Bungle in the jungle" and "Skating away...", possibly the best Tull tune ever!
The CD comes with bonus tracks as well!
Another definate must-have quality Tull treat. Submitted by a reviewer (Somewhere in England) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
All Of The Pleasure And None Of The Pain... Awesome Jethro Tull Album. All Great and Nothing Bad. Some really good bonus tracks too that make it even better.
A+ Submitted by Carrion (Save The Coral, FL) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
A relevant & timely statement that rocks Warchild has always been among the top Tull albums because of the songwriting ("Skating Away"), the songs with jams that rock ("Sea Lion"), and it's power right up there with Aqualung, Thick as a Brick and Benefit. A return to form after the uneven and at times embarrassing "Too Old to Rock & Roll..." album, here Tull takes aim against war, empire, dopey rock critics, conformity, and stupidity with witty words and Bowie-like sax (Ian Anderson plays them) and weird accordians that rock along with the guitars and organ. Check out 'Warchild' and 'Queen & Country' and the words and feeling from the Nixon era are as relevant today. This is the album you want to play every time your country or world gets into a pointless war and you feel blue about it. Plus, there's that perfect Tull balance of pretty acoustic songs with tasty smart words that make you think plus progressive rockers that rock out with classical, celtic & jazz elements as only Tull can do at their best. Submitted by Andrew M (Santa Rosa, CA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Fantastic album! I love every song on this album. Simply DYNAMITE! Ian is tongue-in-cheek with his lyrics. Musically, this is nothing short of astounding! Submitted by jgarner (Calgary, Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Warchild? WONDERFUL!!!
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