Steven Wilson remixes appear on vinyl for the first time
Recorded during the WarChild sessions from 1973-1974, the collection of Jethro Tull tracks has been remixed by Steven Wilson and will be released on vinyl for the very first time as WarChild II on November 24th via Rhino. Chosen by Ian Anderson, these tracks are a selection of fan favorites that were included on the second CD of the War Child 40th Anniversary Theatre Edition from 2014.
“Verging uncomfortably on glam rock – at least in terms of stage clothes – JT was on the rebound from the excessively proggy A Passion Play of 1973,” Anderson reflects on the project. “Still having not quite got over my brief flirtation with the alto saxophone, I warbled through a few choruses and riffs with the wretched thing in an album of nice and mostly brief tunes.
“But looking back, the music and performances were no disappointment in hearing it all again – especially in its remixed form – and the fine musicality puts it up in the top few albums of the years with the Martin Barre, John Evan, Barrie Barlow and Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond line-up. David (as he then was) Palmer provided wonderful orchestrations for several tracks.
“I kissed goodbye to the saxophone after the final sessions and returned, to the relief of all, to the flute as my principal wind instrument of choice. Of course, my flute did feature on several of the WarChild tracks, but I always saw the album as representing the best of my sax-playing and being an important part of the instrumentation, especially in the slightly sleazy, clubby material of the title track. Dear old alto sax – RIP.”
The album features Anderson on vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, saxophone; Martin Barre on guitars, John Evan on keys, Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond on bass and Barriemore Barlow on drums and percussion.
Side A:
- Paradise Steakhouse
- SeaLion 11
- Saturation
- Quartet
- Good Godmother
Side B:
- WarChild II
- Tomorrow Was Today
- Glory Row
- March, The Mad Scientist
- Pan Dance
- Rainbow Blues
