Jethro Tull--A New Day Yesterday: The 25th Anniversary Collection, 1969-1994

At this point, Jethro Tull are actually already over halfway through their fourth decade as an entity, but this documentary/performance compilation is a thoroughly entertaining look at frontman Ian Anderson and company's first quarter century. While only Anderson remains from the original lineup (Jethro Tull began in '68, DVD title notwithstanding), with guitarist Martin Barre joining up for their second album, part of the fun comes from watching more than a dozen members past and present coming together at a genteel reunion party to be interviewed and share reminiscences. Concert performance and video excerpts are also strong, especially those from the band's most successful period (the codpiece-and-minstrelsy ‘70s stretch that yielded hit records such as Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, and Songs from the Wood), as well as more recent items, including their rehearsals for a 25th anniversary reunion tour. DVD bonus materials feature seven of those performances (including “Teacher,” “Witch's Promise,” and “Aqualung”) in their entirety. Recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)