|
Under Wraps | 
| Artist: Jethro Tull
Label: Capitol
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $5.80
as of 9/9/2010 03:15 EDT details
You Save: $6.18 (52%)
New (34) Used (10) from $4.50
Seller: -importcds
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 79466
Format: Enhanced, Original recording remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 73415
UPC: 724347341502
EAN: 0724347341502
ASIN: B0007V3P5O
Release Date: April 26, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Tracks:
| • | Lap of Luxury | | • | Under Wraps #1 | | • | European Legacy | | • | Later That Same Evening | | • | Saboteur | | • | Radio Free Moscow | | • | Astronomy | | • | Tundra | | • | Nobody's Car | | • | Heat | | • | Under Wraps #2 | | • | Paparazzi | | • | Apogee | | • | Automotive Engineering | | • | General Crossing | | • | Lap of Luxury [Multimedia Track] |
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
 In defense of a much maligned gem - Redeux. April 19, 2005
G-Dexter (Lakewood, NY United States)
41 out of 42 found this review helpful
Many Tull fans unjustly shun this work as an aberration in the Tull catalog, a divergent work not really worthy of "Tulldom". I have a different view. First, I will tell you that this is the last album the band made before Ian's voice literally collapsed in the mid 80's, leaving his fans in serious doubt for many years to come as to the veracity of it's ever returning. So, when I think back on that concert tour, I recall with fond memories the final time I saw Ian sing with that wonderful full vocal range so prevalent in the highs of SONGS FROM THE WOODS and the sonorous lows of BAKER STREET MUSE. It was also really the end of an era of 'big shows' where staging and drama came as part of the Jethro Tull package. Ballooning budgetary concerns mandated a less ostentatious approach to putting on a show. Gone forever were arena venues featuring string quartets and the elaborate Viking ship stage sets.
Be it known, however, that this is really quite an amazing album that harkens back to a concept album format. Apparently at the time, Ian had read a lot of John Le Carre and Martin Cruz novels; the album absolutely drips with cold war rhetoric, international espionage and intrigue. The progression of the songs reads like chapters in book GORKY PARK. All the characters are there, from the saboteur, the sexy seductress, the double agent, and the turncoat general selling out his country to the other side. We, the listener play the role of the guileless common man helplessly swept along with the story.
The music is rich and complex. Electronic in places - yes, largely due to the keyboard influences of Peter Vettese, but also full of the signature sounds distinctive to Jethro Tull. Present are Martin Barre's soaring guitar solos, Ian's flute work, and the bass lines distinctive to our old friend, Dave Pegg. The album also serves as our introduction to the man who has played percussion for the band longer than any other, the amazing Doane Perry.
My favorite songs include EUROPEAN LEGACY, LATER THAT SAME EVENING, and UNDER WRAPS #2. The CD contains four songs not originally included on the vinyl, and they break up the flow a bit. Unfortunatly, they dropped AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING and GENERAL CROSSING at the end of the disc, rather than before the song APOGEE which worked perfectly as a closing chapter to the novel on the record. I was hoping that with this new remaster, the order of songs would be rectified, but alas...no. This new release really offers nothing new musically, though the sound may be slightly cleaner if you are fortunate to own a really amazing stereo system, but for most of us, the difference is negligable. The LAP OF LUXURY video is a nice inclusion, but probably not worth the $$ if you already own this CD.
Martin Barre has referred to this as the Tull album he listens to when he wants to listen to a Tull album. He absolutely smokes on HEAT, a song which I think could sit comfortably on any 'Best of Jethro Tull' disc. While not a perfect album, in my opinion it is still a great album.
Jethro Tull Meets The 1980s June 5, 2005
David R. Gaines (Rockville, MD, USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Ian Anderson deserves credit for constantly being open to new inspiration, new sound sources, new influences, and ways to stay at least somewhat relevant to what the current pop music climate is. 1984's "Under Wraps" is the best example of this. It's hard to believe that the same band (or at least the same band name) made both the "This Was" and "Under Wraps" albums. This remastered edition of "Under Wraps" includes the promo video for the album's single, "Lap of Luxury," which got a fair amount of airplay on MTV at the time, although "Lap" didn't chart very high and the band has never, to my knowledge, performed it since the tour for "Under Wraps." A welcome addition since only part of the video appears on the 20th anniversary Tull DVD/videotape.
In any event, guitarist Martin Barre has somewhat surprisingly said several times over the years (including a phone interview I did with him in 1988 for the Washington Times) that this is his favorite Jethro Tull album and the easiest one for them to make. The tracks "European Legacy," "Under Wraps" #1 and #2, "Heat," and "Lap of Luxury" are among my favorite Tull songs. I think it is the instrumentation - digital drum machine in lieu of a live drummer - that puts people off, since it adds to the somewhat cold, digital, super-precise feel of the album. The above-named songs would fit well into any Tull setlist with the addition of drummer Doane Perry instead of the drum machine (interestingly, Perry has said that Ian Anderson is the finest drum machine programmer he's ever come across). Certainly the overall tone is not what someone would ordinarily expect from Jethro Tull, but then it's hard to think of a band that varies its style so much from album to album. What IS the "real" Jethro Tull sound, anyway?
If it's good enough for Martin Barre, it's good enough for me. :)
infectious April 3, 2007
David April
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
At first casual listen I was quite disappointed, the 70's Tull sound now completely gone by this albums creation in 1984. But subsequent listens grabbed me. This is a great album! I can't even point my finger on it but there is something really enjoyable and infectious about this music. I've been listening to quite a bit of the other, mostly 70's, Tull albums and this one is refreshing for a change of pace when I discovered it recently. This was an album I wrote off before I ever listened to it, big mistake. Ian proves he can master the more electronic and synth influenced music and make it work- and work well. Kind of funny, but after listening to Under Wraps for a while, the other Tull material is what sounded 'different' and a bit off. Its all good but give Under Wraps a chance, look past some of that 80's vibe and you'll find some great timeless music. Just give it a couple of listens before you pass judgement...
I'M JUST A BIG STEREOTYPE! I-Spy dance party at Ian's.... May 25, 2005
t'amant (WA)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
Just kidding...thought I would finally review at least one cd from a favorite band that is not "well-loved" (but note the 4- star rating which means "I like it" at Amazon). This isn't a Tull album you would play for a rocker friend to get him/her into TULL...You might never hear the end of it! I am a very absorbed and appreciative TULL fan and have most of the albums (see my Amazon list) but find myself cringing at the style here! Under Wraps sounds more like Devo or The Buggles (not the Police like IA says) or something, which isn't horrible or anything, just strange for TULL! I'm trying to get my Tool/Floyd/Nirvana loving 14 yr old son into TULL and I will have to hide this one or it's over!! Actually, I've played it quite a few times now and he has heard it a bit to his snearing delight. Luckily I have a few hours everyday to play instruments and crank it up and, guess what, my TULL chromosome kicked in and I had a blast playing drums to this (the electro drums provide a metronome like quality)! AND, that is what is needed to cover up the electronic drums that disturb my 60's/70's rock sensibilities (I got into fusion jazz and blues in the 80's to avoid the silly crap that infected the rock world). It's hard not to like any work of TULL, I find, if it is given half a chance. The songs ARE quite fun and high energy but a little hyper sounding. If this album could be redone or had the drum track replaced with something soulfull it could be far more enjoyable. The keyboard work is interesting and the real live playing is very professional, as you would expect.
And Martin...God bless you! You're truly one of my favorite guitarists (I've been one for almost 30 yrs), but how could this be your favorite TULL album? There are so many great ones and your playing on others is phenomenal...you've lived in Europe far too long (welcome to the Northwest, I heard you bought a place in W. Canada)! Spanish discotek's are great on vacation, but you leave that music there (j.j.)! There is a reason TULL fell flat in the U.S.A. with this recording - Americans didn't want a dance TULL act!
Can Doane Perry just redo the drum track and release a new Under Wraps called "Under Wraps...secret mission - blow up the drum machine"? Thanks TULL for all of the great music (including this one, I appreciate the need to experiment), I have gained so much from your music over the years! Keep on Rockin'...
"Earlier, we had a drink...or four" August 23, 2006
A Minstrel in the Gallery (Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This album rather shocked me when I listened to it for the first time...but now I love it. If the only Tull album you have is Aqualung, then I would strongly recommend waiting to buy this cd until you have heard "A" and also "Broadsword and the Beast", which both incorporate electronic sounds. If you have read many bad reviews of this album, take them with a grain of salt; in fact, this is a really fascinating and innovative album in many ways. To appreciate this disc you need to put aside all your pre-conceived notions of the Jethro Tull sound (which isn't very easy) and give it a listen. As always, Ian Anderson's lyrics are brilliant especially on "Under Wraps" and "Later that Same Evening". When Ian says that his best vocal performance was on this album, you'll understand why. There is little doubt that "Lap of Luxury" and "Radio Free Moscow" are great songs. Martin Barre's guitar shines through during his sizzling solo on "Heat." This album will challenge the ear of the listener more than perhaps any other Tull album, but the rewards are well worth it.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Proud member of the Celebrity Pro Network. Make sure you check out these other great Celebrity Pro Network sites:
Lyrics Database
Celebrity Blog
Celebrity Thing
Celebrity PC
Celebrity Latest
Portal Site
Travel Photos
Quotes
Flash Games
|
Is there a better
price available?
Find out:
|
|
|
|
