ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 11, 2003
By Steve Newton
Despite its title, this is not your typical Christmas recording. There are no “Jingle Bells” or “Frosty the Snowman”, although there is a jazzy instrumental version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”.
British prog-rock veterans Jethro Tull choose mainly to integrate classic holiday melodies into their own material, resulting in titles like “We Five Kings” and “Greensleeved”.
Having Ian Anderson’s flute front-and-centre helps enhance the mellow seasonal vibe, and old Tull gems like “Bourée” are festive to begin with.