HiRez Poll Jethro Tull - THE JETHRO TULL CHRISTMAS ALBUM: FRESH SNOW AT CHRISTMAS [Blu-Ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[rtbluray]

Please post your thoughts and comments on this new reissue of the Jethro Tull Christmas Album: Fresh Snow at Christmas.
This 2003 album has been newly remixed in Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround by Bruce Soord.

 

[SomethingAnything]

Aha! The poll is now up. Excellent, thank you @rtbluray

I know this album well and have brought it out every Xmas since its release.

As I mentioned in the more general thread for this release, all around -- packaging, disc authoring, bonus content, and the all-important music and Atmos mix itself -- the is a wonderful album. Fabulous Tull songs, the band doing Xmas like they have done since '68. I am hearing so many new things and so much depth of quality in the playing and recording. The remix by Bruce Soord probably outdoes Wilson as great as his Tull mixes have been, but this is simply glorious and has me hoping he will be the one, not Wilson, to remix any further Tull albums.

Ten, with Christmas bells on.

 

[Mirsset]

If I had to mention one criticism, it's the booklet. I was hoping for a thicker booklet full of interesting content. Interview with the band members, information about the recording process, etc.
I don't have a big novella in mind like the previous booksets, but at least some extra effort could have been made.

 

[JohnN]

If I had to mention one criticism, it's the booklet. I was hoping for a thicker booklet full of interesting content. Interview with the band members, information about the recording process, etc.
I don't have a big novella in mind like the previous booksets, but at least some extra effort could have been made.

Although this is a Sony product, a Sony problem, I must mention:
Tim Chacksfield, Don Needham and Martin Webb were responsible for all the good info in the Tull Warner sets. As Ian Anderson said, Tim Chacksfield is the man.

 

[Mirsset]

Although this is a Sony product, a Sony problem, I must mention:
Tim Chacksfield, Don Needham and Martin Webb were responsible for all the good info in the Tull Warner sets. As Ian Anderson said, Tim Chacksfield is the man.

Yes, exactly. And the sad news is that Tim Chacksfield is no longer in the business.

 

[SomethingAnything]

For some reason, the poll thread seems to have almost immediately gone off track and is just general chat like the other thread.

 

[shedsoundsmedia]

I voted a 9 ! I think its a great mix, but not quite up to the standard of previous boxes.

Here's my review

 

[zimmy]

I think this is an brilliant release. If i would say anything negative it would be about the latest two Tull albums that are not as good song wise as this is.
I think the mix suits this music perfectly. And to also get two concerts in surround is an real bonus.

 

[shedsoundsmedia]

I think this is an brilliant release. If i would say anything negative it would be about the latest two Tull albums that are not as good song wise as this is.
I think the mix suits this music perfectly. And to also get two concerts in surround is a real bonus.

The concerts are presented stereo only, I thought ??

 

[zimmy]

The concerts are presented stereo only, I thought ??

Ooops! You are right it is only stereo. I was so excited as the audio was so good that i didn´t check it properly. I assumed it was the kind of surround that usually concerts are presented in when they make surround. But still it is nice to not need to switch to the CDs to listen to the concerts.

 

[shedsoundsmedia]

two of the new Jethro Tull mixes made my Best of 2024 list ! Check it out to see where they rank against some of the others.

 

[splinter7]

A little late for the 2024 season but here are my thoughts. I got the set from Burning Shed and it was delivered in the nick of time on December 23rd (see what I did there?)

My set-up:
5.1.2 (Fronts, Center, Surrounds, Sub, Middle Heights)

Marantz Receiver SR5014
Sony X800 - Blu-ray
Definitive Technology Matching Speakers
Klipsch Reference Series Sub
Episode Signature 5 In-Ceiling Surrounds

Content: Decent
Mix:

• Atmos – Disappointing
• 5.1 – Awesome & Discrete

Fidelity: Fantastic
Overall Score: 9

Package -
While this deluxe edition is physically configured to the same size as most other deluxe editions, it feels a bit lacking in written and visual content, as @Mirsset previously pointed out. Yes, it includes the lyrics and, amusingly, a touring schedule for Christmas gigs spanning from the time of this release to the present. However, it omits Ian’s detailed notes on the songs and a comprehensive history of the recording period.

The edition features two brief notes written in 2024, but the rest seems to consist of recycled material from the original release or the subsequent 2009 re-press.

Audio content is OK.
CD1: Original Mixes
CD2: Bruce Soord’s remix from the original tapes
CD3: A live Christmas show from 2008
CD4: A live Christmas show from 2006
Blu-ray: Atmos, 5.1, high-rez stereo mixes. Atmos and 5.1 are offered only the album mix. The live mixes are stereo only.

Surround Mix –
I have to admit, I’m not a fan of the Atmos mix. Maybe it’s my setup, but there seems to be way too much going on with the overheads—particularly a heavy emphasis on the flute up there.

The vocals also feel buried under the music and have a bit too much reverb applied. This strong focus on the height channels isn’t something I’ve noticed in Bruce’s other Atmos mixes, and I really hope it’s not a sign of a new trend in his style.

If you enjoy a fully immersive mix, this might work for you, but personally, I prefer a more noticeably discrete and directional approach.

The 5.1 mix, on the other hand, is spot on—dry and crisp, like a winter’s day, and perfectly discrete where it matters. The vocals also sit more comfortably in the mix, closer to the balance of the stereo version. Overall, I just find it more enjoyable.

Overall –
The retail price might be a bit steep for the overall content, but this is still another excellent entry in the Tull deluxe series. I’m thrilled to have this release in surround.

Disclaimer: I’m likely in the minority, but I consider this one of the stronger albums in the Tull discography—despite it being somewhat of a compilation and reworking. It’s heading to the shelf for now, but I’m already looking forward to pulling it out again next December!