ReviewsQ (6/02, p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...LIVING WITH THE PAST spends many of its tracks delivering robust versions of old favourites...'Aqualung'-still the most rewarding heavy metal riff ever written..." Mojo (Publisher) (7/02, p.96) - "...Fundamentally strong performances..."
Additional informationJethro Tull: Ian Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, concert & bamboo flutes, harmonica); Mick Abrahams (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars); Martin Barre (acoustic & electric guitars, flute); Andrew Giddings (accordion, keyboards); Jonathan Noyce, Glenn Cornick (bass); Doane Perry (drums, percussion); Clive Bunker (drums). Additional personnel: Brian Thomas, Justine Tomlinson (violin); Malcolm Henderson (viola); Juliet Tomlinson (cello); James Duncan (drums). Includes liner notes by Ian Anderson. Not to be confused with 1972's LIVING IN THE PAST, this PAST is a collection of live recordings from 2001, largely taken from a performance at London's Hammersmith Apollo in November of that year. What makes this particular live performance noteworthy is that they bring back several original members - Mick Abrahams, Glen Cornick, Clive Bunker, and Dave Pegg - for guest appearances in something that will surely delight longtime followers of the band. And on that level, this works quite well. Perhaps the sound is a little too clean, with each instrument clearly defined and detailed, and perhaps the performance leans more toward the professional than the inspired, but it's enjoyable all the same, proving that Tull remained a strong live band well over 30 years after their heyday.