Minstrel in the Gallery Songs Ranked
Minstrel in the Gallery is the eighth studio album by British rock band Jethro Tull, released in September 1975. The album sees the band going in a different direction from their previous work War Child (1974), returning to a blend of electric and acoustic songs, in a manner closer to their early 1970s albums such as Benefit (1970), Aqualung (1971) and Thick as a Brick (1972). Making use of a newly constructed mobile recording studio commissioned and constructed specifically for the band, the album was the first Jethro Tull album to be recorded outside of the UK, being recorded in tax exile in Monte Carlo, Monaco. It was the last Jethro Tull album to feature bassist Jeffrey Hammond, who left the band upon completion of the album’s touring in late 1975 and was replaced by former Carmen bass player John Glascock. Here are all of Minstrel in the Gallery songs ranked.
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7. Grace
“The CD finishes with a wrap-up song, “Grace”, which is a marvelous little epilogue that not only finishes the CD, but also asks a simple, but layered question, “Hello breakfast. May I buy you again tomorrow?” In the context of the CD the question more likely means, can we be here tomorrow, can we still do what we are doing? And perhaps, in consideration of the other songs, will anyone care.”
6. Baker St. Muse
“The huge Baker St. Muse medley takes us, essentially, to the end of the album. Constructed like a sandwich — the title number comes in at the top and bottom, with four individual sections occupying the middle — this masterful conglomeration bares the author’s soul, serious warts and all.”
5. Requiem
“.The first side ends with an acoustic ballad called Requiem which sounds like it could have appeared on either a Simon and Garfunkel album or even The Beatles’ Rubber Soul but is still classic Tull.”
See more: Jethro Tull Albums Ranked
4. Cold Wind to Valhalla
“Cold Wind to Valhalla” won’t fool you. There are some violins and flavor of folk/rennaisance, but at around 1 minute and 45 seconds into the song it switches into overdrive and you realize you are listening to a solidly rock song. Excellent use of violins in this song to help the orchestration. Hard to believe that violins can be a hard-rock instrument.”
3. Minstrel in the Gallery
“The opening track, “Minstrel in the Gallery”, begins with hammering and noises that make it sound as though the group is on a stage that is being prepared for a play. The song then transitions into a bard-like minstrel song, and then takes off into a hard rock song. An excellent opening song that sets you up for the things to come.”
See more: Jethro Tull Songs Ranked
2. Black Satin Dancer
“You hear classic Jethro Tull in the beginning of “Black Satin Dancer”, then some hard rock riffs, and you suspect what will come next in this song. And you would be right and wrong. This song is a sensual song with allusions of sexual foreplay and intense longing, perhaps even lust. Sometimes I felt some occasional elements of King Crimson, and then not. The hard rock elements intertwine with classic Tull and some occasional progressive flashes.”
1. One White Duck / 0^10 = Nothing at All
“Then, as you move into “One White Duck/0^10 = Nothing at All” you realize that “Requiem” was a perfect transition between “Black Satin Dancer” and this song. I love this song, because it seems to have meaning, and seems to have no meaning, and you hover on the edge of understanding without understanding, though you think you should, and could, if you could listen a little longer and read the lyrics just one more time.”
