Under Wraps (Jethro Tull album)

Under Wraps
Studio album by Jethro Tull
Released 7 September 1984
Recorded 1984
Genre Art rock, electronic rock
Length

43:13 (Vinyl)

60:33 (CD)
Label Chrysalis
Producer Ian Anderson
Jethro Tull chronology

The Broadsword and the Beast
(1982)		 Under Wraps
(1984)		 A Classic Case
(1985)
Singles from
Under Wraps
  1. "Lap of Luxury"
    Released: 1984
  2. "Under Wraps No. 1"
    Released: 1984
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
Sputnik Music [2]

Under Wraps is the 15th studio album by the band Jethro Tull, released in 1984. The songs' subject matter is heavily influenced by bandleader Ian Anderson's love of espionage fiction.[3] It was controversial amongst Tull fans due to its 1980s electronic/synth-pop sound and Dave Pegg has been quoted as saying that the tracks cut from Broadsword and the Beast would have made a better album.[3] The album was a commercial failure, reaching only the Nº 76 in the Billboard 200 and Nº 18 in UK charts. The single "Lap Of Luxury" achieved some attention, reaching the Nº 30.[4]

Production

This is the first Jethro Tull album since This Was where the majority of songs were co-written with band members, primarily Peter-John Vettese. Usually Ian Anderson is the sole songwriter.

This is also the only Jethro Tull album that features no live drummer at all. After the recording Doane Perry joined the band on tour and became their permanent drummer.

The album was recorded in the spring of 1984 in Ian Anderson's home studio.

Releases

The original 1984 release had 11 tracks, with "Astronomy", "Tundra", "Automotive Engineering", and "General Crossing" appearing on cassette only. Of these extra tracks, "General Crossing" became the first Jethro Tull track never to be released on vinyl, as "Astronomy", "Tundra", and "Automotive Engineering" all appeared on the 12-inch single release of "Lap of Luxury".

More recent editions of the CD album carry all 15 tracks, and the 2005 enhanced CD also contains a QuickTime video for "Lap of Luxury".

Live performance

For the 1984 tour to promote Under Wraps, Jethro Tull showed the artistic stage production as often. In a manner quite closely to the Thick as a Brick tour, the roadies appear swepping the floor, counting the audience and studying the place. All band members and instruments are covered in "wraps", with Anderson then releasing them and the music starting.[5]

Track listing

Original Vinyl

All songs written and composed by Ian Anderson and Peter-John Vettese except where indicated. 

Side one
No. Title Length
1. "Lap of Luxury" (Anderson) 3:35
2. "Under Wraps #1" (Anderson) 3:59
3. "European Legacy" (Anderson) 3:23
4. "Later, That Same Evening"   3:51
5. "Saboteur"   3:31
6. "Radio Free Moscow"   3:40
Side two
No. Title Length
1. "Nobody's Car" (Anderson, Vettese, Barre) 4:08
2. "Heat"   5:37
3. "Under Wraps #2" (Anderson) 2:14
4. "Paparazzi" (Anderson, Vettese, Barre) 3:47
5. "Apogee"   5:28

CD

No. Title Length
1. "Lap of Luxury"   3:35
2. "Under Wraps #1"   3:59
3. "European Legacy"   3:23
4. "Later, That Same Evening"   3:51
5. "Saboteur"   3:31
6. "Radio Free Moscow"   3:40
7. "Astronomy"   3:38
8. "Tundra"   3:41
9. "Nobody's Car"   4:08
10. "Heat"   5:37
11. "Under Wraps #2"   2:14
12. "Paparazzi"   3:47
13. "Apogee"   5:28
14. "Automotive Engineering"   4:05
15. "General Crossing"   4:02

Credits

Jethro Tull
Additional personnel

References

  1. ↑ Patrick Little. "Under Wraps - Jethro Tull | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  2. ↑ "Jethro Tull reviews, music, news". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Minstrels in the Gallery: History of Jethro Tull by David Rees ISBN 978-0-946719-22-8
  4. ↑ "Under Wraps - Jethro Tull | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  5. ↑ "Jethro Tull - Full Concert - 10/28/84 - Capitol Theatre (OFFICIAL)". YouTube.com. 2015-01-06. Retrieved 2015-05-01.

External links