For many, 1999’s J-Tull Dot Com is the final studio album from Jethro Tull. After that, Ian Anderson disbanded the group, went solo for a couple albums, then revived the Tull name with a new lineup (i.e., his solo backing band) and three more albums — The Zealot Gene, RökFlöte, and Curious Ruminant — to date. J-Tull Dom features longtime (since 1969) guitarist Martin Barre, keyboardist Andrew Giddings, drummer Doane Perry, and bassist Jonathan Noyce. Now an expanded version called J-Tull Dot Com: Another Cast Of The Net features the original album, new mixes by Bruce Soord in stereo, 5.1surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and a wealth of bonus material.
Ironically enough, despite the Dot Com in the title, which could lead one to believe they will hear the latest in samples and digital effects, the album is filled with plenty of exotic non-tech elements. Tull was always a band that felt comfortable with mandolins, acoustic guitars, and, of course, flutes. Across the 14 songs here, we get bits of tabla, sitars, even didgeridoos.
“Spiral” opens the record up with a bright flute and riffing guitar, while a more sprite flute and a few power chords drive “AWOL,” a prime example of solid and studied hands. The popping background behind Anderson’s spoken-word vocal on “Hot Mango Flush” is kind of fun. The floaty guitar noodles Barre executes on “Bends Like A Willow” show the guitarist’s tasty range. Oh, how I miss Barre in Tull.
Bonus material includes a short instrumental of a plodding and previously unreleased “Aborted Soliloquy” and a quick flick of “Dot Com Acoustic.” The last three tunes — “Hunt by Numbers,” “Dot Com,” and “AWOL” — are great sounding live selections (and unique historical documents) from a 2000 show in Katowice, Poland. The J-Tull Dot Com: Another Cast Of The Net package also includes extensive liner notes by Martin Webb and archival photos across 36 pages. Here’s another glorious, expanded volume to add to your Jethro Tull library.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
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J-Tull Dot Com: Another Cast Of The Net
