When I first started spending ridiculous amounts of money in an attempt to collect anything and everything related to Jethro Tull I of course picked up the first two Blodwyn Pig albums and I was just blown away by Mick’s guitar playing. Back then he had retired from the music business, although I did manage to seek out a little-known album where he taught the guitar, and it was only later in the Eighties that he was convinced to tread the boards again. Released originally in 2005, this two disc set is divided into “Acoustic” and “Electric”, and commences with just Mick who is then gradually joined by first his bassist John Gordon and then drummer Graham Walker. If there is a musical form more pure than acoustic blues then I am yet to hear it, and here Mick is very much in his element in front of a small crowd in a club somewhere. He allows himself the time to just breathe it all in and give the music the reverence it deserves - no million miles an hour riffs here, but instead we have carefully constructed sequences and great vocals. He also enjoys talking to the audience and provides a few asides that are both interesting and in keeping.
For anyone who is wondering if “Cat Squirrel” makes an appearance, then I can confirm that of course it does. Once can’t imagine him ever leaving this out of a set, and it is still a standout number, just as it was when he laid it down on Tull’s debut album all those many years ago. Eighteen songs, more than 100 minutes of music, and the only thing wrong with it is that it is too damn short! When someone has mastery such as Mick then I am more than happy to keep listening all night, and I’m sure that I’m not the only one. For more details on this and many other wonderful releases then visit www.gonzomultimedia.com
