Jethro Tull / Anaheim 1977 1st Night Mike Millard Master Tapes / 2CDR

Jethro Tull / Anaheim 1977 1st Night Mike Millard Master Tapes / 2CDR / Uxbridge
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, USA 6th April 1977

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Master excavation project of absolute master Mike Millard that continues. This week’s new work is JETHRO TULL from the “SONGS FROM THE WOOD” era.
There are many people who thought “that?” In “SONGS FROM THE WOOD Mirrored”. Yes, speaking of JETHRO TULL in 1977, we have already introduced the masterpieces of mirror recording “LOS ANGELES 1977 (Uxbridge 1063)” and “PASADENA 1977 (Uxbridge 1369)”. This work is the third installment following them. It is a superb audience recording of “April 6, 1977 Anaheim performance”.
It will be the third one in the same 1977, but this is very rare for Millard. After all, most of the bands in his huge collection are “one-time-only”. Only the band I really like will record many times. Moreover, JETHRO TULL is quite a lot among them, and it has been recorded 9 times in the 70’s alone. Speaking of Mirrored, there are many historical masterpieces of ZEP, Stones, and YES, but in fact, JETHRO TULL is at the same level, and for Mirrored, it seemed to be as hot as the four heavenly kings. The reason why the person himself is so enthusiastic that “Millard is not a barrel” is probably because it was distributed without being known as Millard’s work. In fact, some of the mirrored recordings are simply known as “JETHRO TULL’s famous recordings”, and it’s only recently that researchers have begun to say “Maybe mirrored !?”. The recent master excavation has made it “after all!”.
Anyway, even though it is the third mirrored, the position is quite different from the previous two works. Let’s look back on the whole view of “SONGS FROM THE WOOD Tour” once again to imagine that area.

・ January 14-23: North America # 1 (7 performances) ← * 2 works before Mirrored
・ February 1-14: UK (13 performances)
“February 11th” SONGS FROM THE WOOD “released”
・ March 1st-April 10th: North America # 2 (33 performances) ← ★ Coco ★
・ April 16-23: Europe # 1 (8 performances)
・ May 24-June 8: Europe # 2 (12 performances)
・ September 4-20: Australia (15 performances)
・ November 4th-December 6: North America # 3 (31 performances) ← * Official video

This is JETHRO TULL in 1977. The two previous works “LOS ANGELES 1977” and “PASADENA 1977” before the mirrored recording were “North America # 1” before the album was released, but the Anaheim performance of this work is after the release. It was the 29th performance of “North America # 2”. From this “North America # 2”, the masterpiece “BOSTON 1977 (Uxbridge 1427)” became a hot topic (this is not the mirrored but the “Hezekiahx2” collection), but this work is also nine days later. Originally, the Anaheim performance was announced on “February 25”, and tickets were also released. However, it was readjusted on “April 6th” probably because it was shortly after the UK tour as mentioned above. The same-day ticket owned by Mirrored is also posted in the artwork of this work, but what is printed there is “2/25” before adjustment. It was also handwritten on the back side as “4/6”. Until now, readjustment has been talked about as reasoning and guessing, but this recording and ticket are also proof that it does not work.
By the way, this work recorded at such a show is a transcendental brand that demonstrates the true character of Millard. As mentioned above, JETHRO TULL has some recordings that are not known as mirrored works, but this time it seems that this is the first appearance. And its quality is one of the finest in the Mirrored collection. Apparently, the venue was the factor. The “Anaheim Convention Center”, which was the site, seems to have a unique shape (potato type !?) on the ceiling, and the recording position is especially important. Millard cut off the sweet spot in the 1975 Rick Wakeman recording, and this work is recorded in that just position (the dead center in the 11th row).
The result is clear. A core with no sense of distance and an elegant sound are compatible, and it is fresh and beautiful. Although it is arranged as if the raw sound of the line was mixed with full of aesthetics, there is no intentional feeling like working afterwards. Although it is on and powerful like a sound board, it has a sense of presence that cannot be explained by it, and it is full of vividness that you can not feel the existence of the atmosphere while filling the beauty of audience recording only. It is a beautiful recording that seems to have refined each of the beauty of mirrored recording to the utmost limit.
The leading role in such a beautiful sound world is the full show that fascinated the genius Millard. As mentioned above, JETHRO TULL in 1977 is a famous production area of ​​super masterpieces / famous recordings that can be said to be a miracle of recording history. I’ve told you how to organize the set many times, but let’s write it here as well.

・ Stand-up: A New Day Yesterday (incl. Living In The Past)
・ Benefits: To Cry You a Song
・ Aqualung: Wonderin’Aloud / Cross-Eyed Mary / Aqua Lung / Wind-Up / Locomotive Breath
・ Thick As a Brick: Thick As a Brick
・ War Child: Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day / Back-Door Angels
・ Minstrel in the Gallery
・ Too Old to Rock’n’Roll: Too Young to Die
・ Mysterious Forest-Piblock Suite: Jack-in-the-Green / Songs From The Wood / Velvet Green / Hunting Girl
・ Others: Instrumental Jam / Symphony No.9, Op.125 (Ode to Joy)

… And it looks like this. Basically, it adheres to the tour standard, but the details are different only for JETHRO TULL, who is willing to change it on a daily basis. Compared to the nearest “BOSTON 1977”, “Dambusters March” is being shown instead of “Land Of The Hope And Glory” that was included in the last “Locomotive Breath” medley. The overall flow is also tight, and this work is the most suitable live album to be called the masterpiece of “SONGS FROM THE WOOD Tour” among the masterpieces mentioned above.
1977 was the heyday of legendary virtuoso Mike Millard, not to mention “LISTEN TO THIS EDDIE” as an example. It was a year of the highest quality / quantity, with more than 30 recordings left, all of which were more than masterpieces. Moreover, April was the peak among them. Starting from this work, we recorded 6 books for 5 consecutive days. This work (4/6) and the next day (4/7) JETHRO TULL, RETURN TO FOREVER (4/8), Peter Gabriel (4/9 day and night 2 performances and 4/10) ……. This work is also one that will start the “5 days that were the peak during the peak” of the famous master in history.
A super masterpiece of JETHRO TULL that Millard loved. The original master sound. Please experience it to the fullest with this work.

★ Superb audience recording of “April 6, 1977 Anaheim performance”. The first appearance master of the legendary master Mike Millard, the core with no sense of distance and the elegant sound are compatible, and it is fresh and beautiful. Although it is arranged as if the raw sound of the line was mixed with full of aesthetics, there is no intentional feeling like working afterwards. Although it is on and powerful like a sound board, it has a sense of presence that cannot be explained by it, and it is full of vividness that you can not feel the existence of the atmosphere while filling the beauty of audience recording only. A superb beauty recording that seems to have refined each beauty of mirrored recording to the utmost limit. The mirrored recording of SONGS FROM THE WOOD Tour is the third work, but this work is a masterpiece of a live album that deserves to be called a masterpiece.

まだまだ続く絶対名手マイク・ミラードのマスター発掘プロジェクト。今週の新作は『SONGS FROM THE WOOD』時代のJETHRO TULLです。
「SONGS FROM THE WOODのミラード」で「あれ?」と思われた方も多いでしょう。そう、1977年のJETHRO TULLと言えば、すでにミラード録音の傑作『LOS ANGELES 1977(Uxbridge 1063)』や『PASADENA 1977(Uxbridge 1369)』をご紹介済み。本作は、それらに続く第三弾。「1977年4月6日アナハイム公演」の超極上オーディエンス録音なのです。
同じ1977年で3本目となるわけですが、これはミラードにとって非常に珍しい。何しろ、彼の膨大なコレクションでもほとんどのバンドが「1回こっきり」。何回も録音するのはよほど気に入ったバンドだけなのです。しかも、その中でもJETHRO TULLは相当多く、70年代だけでも9回も録音している。ミラードと言えば、ZEPやストーンズ、YESの歴史的名作が多いイメージですが、実はJETHRO TULLも同レベルであり、ミラードにとっては四天王とでも言えそうなほどの熱の入れようだったのです。本人がそれだけ熱心でも「ミラードと言えばタル」とならないのは、恐らくミラードの作品と知られずに流通していたからかも知れません。実際、ミラード録音のうちの何本かは単に「JETHRO TULLの名録音」として有名で、研究家達が「もしかしてミラード!?」と言い始めたのも近年のこと。最近のマスター発掘で「やっぱり!」となっているのです。
ともあれ、ミラード3本目とは言っても前2作とはポジションが結構異なる。その辺をイメージするためにも、今一度“SONGS FROM THE WOOD Tour”の全景から振り返ってみましょう。

・1月14日-23日:北米#1(7公演)←※ミラードの前2作
・2月1日-14日:英国(13公演)
《2月11日『SONGS FROM THE WOOD』発売》
・3月1日-4月10日:北米#2(33公演)←★ココ★
・4月16日-23日:欧州#1(8公演)
・5月24日-6月8日:欧州#2(12公演)
・9月4日-20日:豪州(15公演)
・11月4日-12月6日:北米#3(31公演)←※公式映像

これが1977年のJETHRO TULL。ミラード録音の前2作『LOS ANGELES 1977』『PASADENA 1977』はアルバム発売前の「北米#1」でしたが、本作のアナハイム公演は発売後。「北米#2」の29公演目にあたるコンサートでした。この「北米#2」からは傑作『BOSTON 1977(Uxbridge 1427)』も話題になりました(これはミラードではなく「Hezekiahx2」コレクション)が、本作はその9日後でもあります。本来、アナハイム公演は「2月25日」で告知され、チケットも発売。しかし、上記のように英国ツアーから間がなかったせいか「4月6日」に再調整となりました。本作のアートワークにもミラード所有の当日チケットも掲載してありますが、そこに印刷されているのは調整前の「2/25」。ウラ面に手書きで「4/6」とも記されていました。これまで再調整は推理・推測として語られてきましたが、この録音とチケットこそ動かぬ証拠でもあるわけです。
さて、そんなショウで記録された本作は、ミラードの本領発揮となる超絶級の銘品。前述のように、JETHRO TULLではミラード作と知られずに流通している録音もあるのですが、本作に関しては今回が初登場の模様。そして、そのクオリティはミラード・コレクションでも屈指の特上品なのです。どうも、その要因となったのは会場。現場となった“アナハイム・コンヴェンションセンター”は天井が独特の形状(ポテチ型!?)をしているらしく、録音ポジションが特に重要だそう。ミラードは1975年のリック・ウェイクマン録音でスウィート・スポットを見切っており、本作はそのジャストなポジション(11列目のデッドセンター)で録音しているのです。
その成果は明らか。距離感のまったくない芯と気品のある鳴りが両立し、生々しくも美しい。ラインの生音を美学いっぱいにミックスしたように整っていながら、後から作業したようなわざとらしさは皆無。サウンドボードのようにオンで力強いのにそれでは説明の付かない臨場感が宿り、オーディエンス録音だけの美を湛えながら大気の存在を感じられない鮮やかさに充ち満ちている。ミラード録音の美点1つひとつを極限まで磨き上げたような絶世の美録音なのです。
そんな美音の世界で主役を張るのは、天才ミラードを魅了したフルショウ。上記したように1977年のJETHRO TULLは録音史の奇跡とも言うべき超傑作/名録音の名産地。何度もセットの整理もお伝えしておりますが、一応ここでも記しておきましょう。

・スタンドアップ:A New Day Yesterday (incl. Living In The Past)
・ベネフィット:To Cry You a Song
・アクアラング:Wonderin’ Aloud/Cross-Eyed Mary/Aqualung/Wind-Up/Locomotive Breath
・ジェラルドの汚れなき世界:Thick As a Brick
・ウォーチャイルド:Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day/Back-Door Angels
・天井桟敷の吟遊詩人:Minstrel in the Gallery
・ロックンロールにゃ老だけど死ぬにはチョイと若すぎる:Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young to Die
・神秘の森ーピブロック組曲:Jack-in-the-Green/Songs From The Wood/Velvet Green/Hunting Girl
・その他:Instrumental Jam/Symphony No.9, Op.125 (Ode to Joy)

……と、このようになっています。基本的にはツアーの標準に忠実ですが、日替わりで変更することも厭わないJETHRO TULLだけにディテールは異なる。一番近い『BOSTON 1977』と比較するとラストの「Locomotive Breath」メドレーで組み込まれていた「Land Of The Hope And Glory」の代わりに「Dambusters March」が披露されている。全体の流れもタイトで、上記してきた名作群の中でも本作は最も“SONGS FROM THE WOOD Tour”の代表作と呼ぶに相応しいライヴアルバムなのです。
『LISTEN TO THIS EDDIE』を例に出すまでもなく、1977年は伝説名手マイク・ミラードの絶頂期。30本以上もの録音を残し、そのことごとくが名作以上という質/量ともに最充実の1年でした。しかも、その中で4月こそがピークだった。本作を起点として5日連続で6本も記録したのです。本作(4/6)と翌日(4/7)のJETHRO TULL、RETURN TO FOREVER(4/8)、ピーター・ガブリエル(4/9の昼夜2公演と4/10)……。本作は、歴史に名高い達人の「ピーク中のピークだった5日間」のスタートを切る1本でもあるのです。
ミラードが愛したJETHRO TULLの超傑作。その大元マスター・サウンド。どうぞ、本作で存分にご体験ください。

★「1977年4月6日アナハイム公演」の超極上オーディエンス録音。伝説名手マイク・ミラードの初登場マスターで、距離感のまったくない芯と気品のある鳴りが両立し、生々しくも美しい。ラインの生音を美学いっぱいにミックスしたように整っていながら、後から作業したようなわざとらしさは皆無。サウンドボードのようにオンで力強いのにそれでは説明の付かない臨場感が宿り、オーディエンス録音だけの美を湛えながら大気の存在を感じられない鮮やかさに充ち満ちている。ミラード録音の美点1つひとつを極限まで磨き上げたような絶世の美録音。SONGS FROM THE WOOD Tourのミラード録音は3作目ですが、本作こそが代表作と呼ぶに相応しいライヴアルバムの大傑作です。

Disc 1 (51:18)
1. Wondr’ing Aloud
2. Skating Away On the Thin Ice of the New Day
3. Jack-In-The-Green
4. Thick As A Brick
5. Songs From The Wood
6. Conundrum (Tour Instrumental)
7. To Cry You A Song
8. A New Day Yesterday (incl. Bouree, Living In The Past)

Disc 2 (65:46)
1. MC
2. Velvet Green
3. Hunting Girl
4. Too Old To Rock’N’Roll, Too Young To Die
5. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Ode To Joy)
6. Minstrel In The Gallery
7. Cross-Eyed Mary
8. Aqualung
9. Guitar Solo
10. Wind-Up / Back Door Angels
11. Locomotive Breath / Dambusters March / Back-Door Angels (reprise)

Ian Anderson – Lead Vocals, Flute, Acoustic Guitar
Martin Barre – Guitar
John Glascock – Bass, Backing Vocals
Barriemore Barlow – Drums, Percussion
John Evan – Keyboards
David Palmer – Keyboards, Synthesisers

Uxbridge 1455

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