Minstrel in the Gallery

Minstrel in the Gallery is the eighth studio album by British band Jethro Tull, released in September 1975. The album goes in a different direction from their previous work War Child (1974), with the orchestration being replaced by a string quartet conducted by Dee Palmer. The band also returned to the blend of electric and acoustic pieces, in a manner closer to their early '70s albums such as Benefit (1970), Aqualung (1971) and Thick as a Brick (1972), and for the first time since their two concept albums of Thick as a Brick (1972) and A Passion Play (1973), they recorded a song of more than ten minutes, which occupies almost all of the second side of the record.[1][4]

Minstrel in the Gallery
Studio album by
Jethro Tull
Released5 September 1975 (UK)
8 September 1975 (US)
Recorded15 May 1975 – 7 June 1975
StudioMaison Rouge Mobile Studio, in Monaco
Genre
Length45:11
LabelChrysalis
ProducerIan Anderson
Jethro Tull chronology
War Child
(1974)		 Minstrel in the Gallery
(1975)		 M.U. – The Best of Jethro Tull
(1976)
Singles from
Minstrel in the Gallery
  1. "Minstrel in the Gallery/Summerday Sands"
    Released: 1975

It would be the last album to feature bassist Jeffrey Hammond, who left the band upon completion of the album's touring and was replaced by former Carmen bass player John Glascock.

Recording

The band recorded the album in the Maison Rouge Mobile Studio, in Monaco. They recorded "Minstrel in the Gallery", "Cold Wind to Valhalla", "Black Satin Dancer" and "One White Duck/010= Nothing at All" on 15 May 1975, "Baker St. Muse" and "Grace" on 18 May, and finally "Requiem" on 7 June 1975.

Production

Ian Anderson thought that the band was unfocused in the making of the music, leaving him with more freedom to explore the melodies and themes. Minstrel in the Gallery's lyrics and subject matter do show an introspective and cynical air, possibly the byproduct of Anderson's recent divorce from first wife Jennie Franks and the pressures of touring, coupled with the frustrations of writing for and recording the album in Monaco.[4]

Musical styles and themes

The album's title refers to the use of a minstrel's gallery in the great hall of castles or manor houses. This analogy was used thematically in the opening spoken words of the title track, "Cold Wind to Valhalla" and "Baker St. Muse" and also in the song's lyrics, always in a first-person manner.

Stylistically the album is varied, exemplary of Jethro Tull's best hard rock performances, with long instrumental passages, invested with elements of British folk and archaic, pre-Elizabethan sounds.[1] Team Rock called Minstrel in the Gallery's musical style a "heavy metal take on the obsessively ornamented style of A Passion Play".[5]

Releases

Minstrel in the Gallery was remastered with five additional bonus tracks in November 2002, including incomplete live-in-the-studio renditions of "Minstrel in the Gallery" and "Cold Wind to Valhalla", some tracks that appeared only on maxi-singles ("Pan Dance", "March the Mad Scientist") and "Summerday Sands" which was the B-side of the "Minstrel in the Gallery" single.

In 2015, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Minstrel in the Gallery, it was released as a box set with two CDs and two DVDs, named La Grande Edition. The box contains rare and previously unreleased tracks (such as alternate takes from "Requiem", "Grace" and "One White Duck") including new stereo mixes by Steven Wilson and a live presentation, from 1975 in Palais des Sports, remixed by Jakko Jakszyk. Also, an 80-page booklet featuring track-by-track annotations by Ian Anderson, a history of the group and recollections of life on tour by road crew member Kenny Wylie, maintenance engineer Pete Smith and string section musician Liz Edwards.[6] Heavyweight vinyl and standard CD editions of the album were also announced.[7]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Rolling Stone(unfavourable)[8]
Sounds(favourable)
Sputnik Music[9]

Rolling Stone's contemporary review has a negative approach towards Minstrel in the Gallery, stating that "The fact that Ian Anderson and the lads have once again plundered the British secular music tradition signifies little and delivers less." The review recalls the music in terms as "a wash of lugubrious string passages", the "anachronisms of Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond's mechanical bass lines" and "Martin Barre's hysterical electric guitar montages". The lyrics are considered "contrary to the LP's basic concept [...] instantly forgettable".[10]

AllMusic has a favourable review, stating that the album is the "most artistically successful and elaborately produced album since Thick as a Brick". Analysing the music, it said: "Martin Barre's attack on the guitar is as ferocious as anything in the band's history, and John Evan's organ matches him amp for amp, while Barriemore Barlow and Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond hold things together in a furious performance. Anderson's flair for drama and melody come to the fore in "Cold Wind to Valhalla," and "Requiem" is perhaps the loveliest acoustic number in Tull's repertoire, featuring nothing but Anderson's singing and acoustic guitar, Hammond-Hammond's bass, and a small string orchestra backing them".[1]

Charts

Minstrel in the Gallery received Gold Certification in both the United States and the UK and is the ninth best selling Jethro Tull album.[11]

Chart (1975) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[12] 20
Austria 7
Denmark[13] 8
Norway 13
Sweden 7
Billboard album chart 7
UK (Official Charts Company) 20

Track listing

1975 original release

All tracks are written by Ian Anderson, except as noted. Arrangements for string quintet were written by Dee Palmer. All credits derived from the original record pressing.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Minstrel in the Gallery"Anderson, Martin Barre8:13
2."Cold Wind to Valhalla" 4:19
3."Black Satin Dancer" 6:52
4."Requiem" 3:45
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."One White Duck / 010 = Nothing at All"4:37
2."Baker St. Muse"
  • a)  "Pig-Me and the Whore"
  • b)  "Nice Little Tune"
  • c)  "Crash-Barrier Waltzer"
  • d)  "Mother England Reverie"
16:39
3."Grace"0:37
Total length:45:11

2002 Remaster
The 2002 remaster added five bonus tracks:
No.TitleLength
8."Summerday Sands"3:45
9."March the Mad Scientist"1:49
10."Pan Dance"3:26
11."Minstrel in the Gallery" (Live)2:12
12."Cold Wind to Valhalla" (Live)1:31

2015 40th Anniversary: La Grande Édition
CD 1: Steven Wilson stereo remix of the album and associated recordings
No.TitleLength
1."Minstrel in the Gallery"8:17
2."Cold Wind to Valhalla"4:18
3."Black Satin Dancer"6:54
4."Requiem"3:43
5."One White Duck / 010 = Nothing at All"4:40
6."Baker St. Muse: Baker St. Muse"5:09
7."Baker St. Muse: Pig-Me and the Whore"1:30
8."Baker St. Muse: Nice Little Tune"1:09
9."Baker St. Muse: Crash-Barrier Waltzer"3:09
10."Baker St. Muse: Mother England Reverie"5:46
11."Grace"0:37
12."Summerday Sands"3:42
13."Requiem" (Early Version)3:43
14."One White Duck" (Take 5)2:26
15."Grace" (Take 2)0:41
16."Minstrel in the Gallery" (BBC Version)8:27
17."Cold Wind to Valhalla" (BBC Version)4:22
18."Aqualung" (BBC Version)8:01
CD 2: Jakko Jakszyk stereo remix of the Live at The Palais des Sports, Paris, 5 July 1975 concert
No.TitleLength
1."Introduction (The Beach Part II)"0:54
2."Wind Up"3:02
3."Critique Oblique"4:05
4."Wondr'ing Aloud"5:16
5."My God including God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Bourée / Quartet / Living in the Past / Thick as a Brick / My God (reprise)"11:35
6."Cross-Eyed Mary"4:05
7."Minstrel in the Gallery"9:24
8."Skating on the Thin Ice of the New Day"4:39
9."Bungle in the Jungle"3:17
10."Aqualung"9:41
11."Guitar Improvisation"3:29
12."Back-Door Angels"6:07
13."Locomotive Breath with improvisation and including Hard-Headed English General / Back-Door Angels (reprise)"11:51
DVD 1: Steven Wilson 5.1 surround and stereo mixes and flat transfer of the original stereo and quadrophonic mixes of the album and associated recordings
No.TitleLength
1."Minstrel in the Gallery" (5.1 Surround Mix)8:17
2."Cold Wind to Valhalla" (5.1 Surround Mix)4:18
3."Black Satin Dancer" (5.1 Surround Mix)6:54
4."Requiem" (5.1 Surround Mix)3:43
5."One White Duck / 010 = Nothing at All" (5.1 Surround Mix)4:40
6."Baker St. Muse: Baker St. Muse" (5.1 Surround Mix)5:09
7."Baker St. Muse: Pig-Me and the Whore" (5.1 Surround Mix)1:30
8."Baker St. Muse: Nice Little Tune" (5.1 Surround Mix)1:09
9."Baker St. Muse: Crash-Barrier Waltzer" (5.1 Surround Mix)3:09
10."Baker St. Muse: Mother England Reverie" (5.1 Surround Mix)5:46
11."Grace" (5.1 Surround Mix)0:37
12."Summerday Sands" (5.1 Surround Mix)3:42
13."Requiem" (Early Version) (5.1 Surround Mix)3:43
14."Minstrel in the Gallery" (2015 Stereo Mix)8:17
15."Cold Wind to Valhalla" (2015 Stereo Mix)4:18
16."Black Satin Dancer" (2015 Stereo Mix)6:54
17."Requiem" (2015 Stereo Mix)3:43
18."One White Duck / 010 = Nothing at All" (2015 Stereo Mix)4:40
19."Baker St. Muse: Baker St. Muse" (2015 Stereo Mix)5:09
20."Baker St. Muse: Pig-Me and the Whore" (2015 Stereo Mix)1:30
21."Baker St. Muse: Nice Little Tune" (2015 Stereo Mix)1:09
22."Baker St. Muse: Crash-Barrier Waltzer" (2015 Stereo Mix)3:09
23."Baker St. Muse: Mother England Reverie" (2015 Stereo Mix)5:46
24."Grace" (2015 Stereo Mix)0:37
25."Summerday Sands" (2015 Stereo Mix)3:42
26."Requiem" (Early Version) (2015 Stereo Mix)3:43
27."One White Duck" (Take 5) (2015 Stereo Mix)2:26
28."Grace" (Take 2) (2015 Stereo Mix)0:41
29."Minstrel in the Gallery" (BBC Version) (2015 Stereo Mix)8:27
30."Cold Wind to Valhalla" (BBC Version) (2015 Stereo Mix)4:22
31."Aqualung" (BBC Version) (2015 Stereo Mix)8:01
32."Minstrel in the Gallery" (Original Stereo Mix)8:17
33."Cold Wind to Valhalla" (Original Stereo Mix)4:18
34."Black Satin Dancer" (Original Stereo Mix)6:54
35."Requiem" (Original Stereo Mix)3:43
36."One White Duck / 010 = Nothing at All" (Original Stereo Mix)4:40
37."Baker St. Muse: Baker St. Muse" (Original Stereo Mix)5:09
38."Baker St. Muse: Pig-Me and the Whore" (Original Stereo Mix)1:30
39."Baker St. Muse: Nice Little Tune" (Original Stereo Mix)1:09
40."Baker St. Muse: Crash-Barrier Waltzer" (Original Stereo Mix)3:09
41."Baker St. Muse: Mother England Reverie" (Original Stereo Mix)5:46
42."Grace" (Original Stereo Mix)0:37
43."Summerday Sands" (Original Stereo Mix)3:42
44."Minstrel in the Gallery" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)8:17
45."Cold Wind to Valhalla" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)4:18
46."Black Satin Dancer" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)6:54
47."Requiem" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)3:43
48."One White Duck / 010 = Nothing at All" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)4:40
49."Baker St. Muse: Baker St. Muse" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)5:09
50."Baker St. Muse: Pig-Me and the Whore" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)1:30
51."Baker St. Muse: Nice Little Tune" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)1:09
52."Baker St. Muse: Crash-Barrier Waltzer" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)3:09
53."Baker St. Muse: Mother England Reverie" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)5:46
54."Grace" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)0:37
55."Summerday Sands" (Original Quadrophonic Mix)3:42
DVD 2: Jakko Jakszyk 5.1 surround and stereo remixes of the Live at The Palais des Sports, Paris, 5 July 1975 concert and Minstrel in the Gallery promo clip with new remixed audio
No.TitleLength
1."Introduction (The Beach Part II)" (5.1 Surround Mix)0:54
2."Wind Up" (5.1 Surround Mix)3:02
3."Critique Oblique" (5.1 Surround Mix)4:05
4."Wondr'ing Aloud" (5.1 Surround Mix)5:16
5."My God including God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Bourée / Quartet / Living in the Past / Thick as a Brick / My God (reprise)" (5.1 Surround Mix)11:35
6."Cross-Eyed Mary" (5.1 Surround Mix)4:05
7."Minstrel in the Gallery" (5.1 Surround Mix)9:24
8."Skating on the Thin Ice of the New Day" (5.1 Surround Mix)4:39
9."Bungle in the Jungle" (5.1 Surround Mix)3:17
10."Aqualung" (5.1 Surround Mix)9:41
11."Guitar Improvisation" (5.1 Surround Mix)3:29
12."Back-Door Angels" (5.1 Surround Mix)6:07
13."Locomotive Breath with improvisation and including Hard-Headed English General / Back-Door Angels (reprise)" (5.1 Surround Mix)11:51
14."Introduction (The Beach Part II)" (Stereo Mix)0:54
15."Wind Up" (Stereo Mix)3:02
16."Critique Oblique" (Stereo Mix)4:05
17."Wondr'ing Aloud" (Stereo Mix)5:16
18."My God including God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Bourée / Quartet / Living in the Past / Thick as a Brick / My God (reprise)" (Stereo Mix)11:35
19."Cross-Eyed Mary" (Stereo Mix)4:05
20."Minstrel in the Gallery" (Stereo Mix)9:24
21."Skating on the Thin Ice of the New Day" (Stereo Mix)4:39
22."Bungle in the Jungle" (Stereo Mix)3:17
23."Aqualung" (Stereo Mix)9:41
24."Guitar Improvisation" (Stereo Mix)3:29
25."Back-Door Angels" (Stereo Mix)6:07
26."Locomotive Breath with improvisation and including Hard-Headed English General / Back-Door Angels (reprise)" (Stereo Mix)11:51
27."Minstrel in the Gallery promo clip from the Palais des Sports, Paris, 6 July 1975 concert with new 5.1 surround and stereo remixed audio" 

Personnel

Credits are adapted from Minstrel in the Gallery liner notes.[14]

Jethro Tull
Additional personnel
  • Dee Palmer – string quintet arrangements and conducting
    • Rita Eddowes, Elizabeth Edwards, Patrick Halling and Bridget Procter – violin
    • Katharine Tullborn – cello
  • Brian Ward – photographs
  • Ron Kriss and J.E. Garnett – front cover, based on a print by Joseph Nash
  • Robin Black – sound engineering

References
  1. Bruce Eder. "Jethro Tull - Minstrel in the Gallery (1975) album review, credits & releases at AllMusic.com". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  2. "Jethro Tull – Minstrel in the Gallery (1975/2002 Remaster) album review by Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck at Sea of Tranquility – The Web Destination for Progressive Music!". SeaOfTranquility.org. 17 November 2002. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  3. vanderb0b. "Jethro Tull - Minstrel in the Gallery (1975/2002 Remaster) album review at SputnikMusic.com". Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  4. "Jethro Tull – Minstrel in the Gallery (5 September 1975)". JethroTull.com. 5 September 1975. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  5. Jethro Tull – Minstrel in the Gallery (1975/2015 La Grande Edition) album review by Mike Barnes at TeamRock.com
  6. "Jethro Tull unveil Minstrel 40th anniversary edition". lucshop.com. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  7. "Jethro Tull – Minstrel in the Gallery (1975/2015): 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition". JethroTull.com. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  8. Costa, Jean-Charles (6 November 1975). "Jethro Tull – Minstrel in the Gallery (1975) album review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  9. "Jethro Tull – Minstrel in the Gallery (1975) album review". Sputnikmusic.com. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  10. Menconi, David (6 November 1975). "Jethro Tull Minstrel In The Gallery Album Review". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  11. "Worldwide album charts of Jethro Tull albums". Tsort.info. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  12. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 155. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  13. Danish Albums Chart at DanskeHitLister.dk
  14. (1975). "Ministrel in the Gallery liner notes". In Ministrel in the Gallery [Album cover]. Chrysalis.
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