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Rejoice, loyal fans of Jethro Tull
By Nancy Dunham
A two-disc Collectors' Ed-ition of "This Was," chock full of plenty of rarities, will be released tomorrow. As Tull fans know, "This Was" is the first album Tull recorded, well before the perfect storm of fans and festivals discovered the British band and launched it into rock stardom and a recording contract.
The original "This Was" recording was made in 1968 when Tull's line up included vocalist and flute-player-extraordinaire Ian Anderson, guitarist and blues lover Mick Abrahams, bassist Glenn Cornick and drummer Clive Bunker. Anderson recalls that at the time the band was a bit in flux, struggling to establish its musical roots in rock or blues. Although this album was mostly blues, the band soon planted itself solidly into rock (and bid farewell to Blues lover Abrahams, who later joined Bloodwyn Pig).
However, don't think that sifting through the tunes Anderson made with his mates when they were fledgling musicians competing with The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, and other super groups for listeners' attention, was a trip down bittersweet memory lane.
"So many of these songs are in our set lists over the years, it is sort of like visiting old friends," said Anderson. "Of course, some friends you don't want to visit for too long."
Anderson's comment aside, it's fascinating to hear the rich, full textures of the mono versions of such songs as "Some Day the Sun Won't Shine," "A Song for Jeffrey" and "It's Breaking Me Up." The songs are gritty, raw, and emotion-filled, just like the time of which they were born. That's also clearly evident on the nine BBC recordings from John Peel's "Top Gear," which are included on this two-disc set. (Note to fans: Anderson said that as far as he knows, these are all the "Top Gear" recordings available; he is not aware of any others.)
What's arguably even more interesting, in this time of drum machines and pitch correction, is the musical virtuosity with which Tull performed. Yes, the members were clearly old musical souls right out of the gate.
Those who see Tull today, some 40 years after the group formed, will likely find more similarities than differences in the sound quality of the music. While many of the super groups of the 1960s and 1970s reside on the oldies circuit or the "Where are they now?" file, Tull still draws the crowds. Kudos to master showman Anderson who has not only stayed limber as a teenager but knows how to use his voice to its fullest advantage - unlike others who've strained theirs to the brink.
Anderson entertains the band's all ages audiences with modern spins even on vintage songs. While Anderson and his mates embrace this journey to old musical friends, it's clear they have no interest in
living in the past.
War Child - Jal Emmanuel
By Nancy Dunham
In a world where Hip Hop star Lil Wayne has a smash hit with the song "Lollipop," it's interesting to hear the work of Emmanuel Jal and watch it receive some media attention.
Music in the same genre can be polar opposites, and that's the case with the latest offerings by Lil Wayne and Jal who just released a 13-track CD called WarChild. As anyone who's recently watched some of the popular music channels knows, Lil Wayne's song (and album) celebrates fame and excesses in today's culture. Suggestive lyrics, hot women, and fancy cars all around please.
Jal became a solider in Sudan at age 6. Since he doesn't know his exact birth date, he can only guess. When he was about 13, he and about 400 other child soldiers deserted. Jal was one of 16 that made it to a refugee camp. He channeled the horrors he felt and the relative freedom he enjoyed through rhythm and music.
As you can imagine, some of the songs on the 13-track CD are beyond sorrowful. In several songs including "Forced to Sin," Jal takes the listener into the war with him as he paints vivid pictures with lyrics such as "I lived with an AK-47/By my side/Slept with one eye open wide/Run/Duck/Play dead."
Yes, it's an intense CD but it's also beautifully done. In several songs, Jal uses the lyrics to the 23rd Psalm "As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death," to illustrate both his journey then and now.
In other songs, notably "Skirt to Short" and "No Bling," he celebrates freedom, chastity and other more conservative values. There's even a bit of a plea to fellow hip hop artist 50 Cent to serve as a better role model for his fans.
While many who have listened to Jal's CD are moved by the words and emotions the songs evoke, they are concerned that the buzz of it will die down quickly, leaving it as a soundtrack of a life marred by war and listened to only by intellectuals.
How sad if so many that consider themselves socially and internationally conscious only want to live in the world of Lollipops.
Artist You Need to Know: Crosby Loggins
By Mona Loring
Whether you are willing to adopt a "nature" or the "nurture" theory, it is clear that singer-songwriter and guitarist Crosby Loggins pulls evenly in both regards. Musical talent obviously runs through his veins, but this guy's clearly done some things right in his career. Regardless of your point of view, the eldest son of two-time Grammy-winner Kenny Loggins, was voted America's fan favorite on MTV's "Rock the Cradle" for a reason. The new reality show was based on nine MTV superstar children performing before a panel of judges who were there to critique the contestants while viewers voted for their favorites each week.
Crosby Loggins' genuine artistry set him apart from his competitors, and throughout the season judges commented that he was a consistent performer displaying solid creative growth. It is apparent that Crosby's numerous international shows throughout 2007-08 gave him the experience he needed, swaying the votes at the end through his charismatic musicianship. When asked why he thought he deserved to win, Crosby humbly replied stating he was just concentrating on staying true to his music. What more can anyone ask for? Good answer.
Prior to the show, Crosby had been on tour supporting his independently released debut album, "We All Go Home" as Crosby Loggins and the Light through the label J&R Adventures. Although there had been plans to tour extensively after the show, plans were obviously sidetracked after Crosby won the show-and a sweet deal from Jive Records.
Valley Scene Magazine took a few minutes with Crosby to find out what he'd been up to since the show wrapped up.
VS: Ok, honestly- did you think you would win?
CL: I honestly thought there was no way. From the very first day I was always joking with the crew about my slim chances. I mean, I was just playing a guitar and singing songs... Everyone else had wild wardrobe, abs and choreography... I didn't know if I could keep up with that on MTV.
VS: How does it feel winning the show?
CL: Incredible. So much stress has been lifted off my shoulders. I can't wait for what's ahead of me.
VS: We've heard you say that on the show, you focused your attention to "the music," what does that mean exactly?
CL: There are a lot of elements to what performers do on stage these days that don't actually involve being able to sing or make music very well. I want to stay focused on being a strong musician first, and support that with any stage performance abilities. Not the other way around.
VS: You've tried to separate your career from your father's; was it difficult being on a show when the premise was based on being a rock star's offspring?
CL: Absolutely. You kind of can't overstate this. It was a huge stress that I might step intentionally into his shadow and just fall flat on my face. I'm so lucky it went well for me.
VS: We heard you turned the show down four times, what finally convinced you to do it?
CL: At the end of it all, it was a gut thing. I just recognized that this was a huge opportunity to propel my career forward, and all that was keeping me from it was that I was afraid. I don't think that's ever a good enough answer, so I just made up my mind I was going to do it.
VS: Are you glad you did it now that you've won?
CL: I'm so so lucky that it went the way it did. Any one of those kids could have potentially pulled it off. I was just in the right spot at the right time. Yeah, I'm very, very glad that I took this show :).
VS: What's up next for you?
CL: Music music music! For me, its all about a great record, so I'm talking with Jive about what we can do to get an album recorded and released as soon as possible. I'm really excited for the future...!
For more information on Crosby Loggins, please visit:
www.crosbyloggins.com
www.myspace.com/crosbyloggins.