The Secret Language of Birds is Ian Anderson's third solo album, but the first to specifically highlight his melodic skill and guitar prowess on a set of folk-inspired songs. His first solo album, 1983's Walk into Light, was marred by its full embrace of sterile '80s production in lieu of rusticity. While his second effort, 1995's Divinities, was a move in the right direction and a sonic precursor to the set at hand, it still was held back by its conscious decision to downplay Anderson's obvious acoustic heritage for a more classical bent. But sometimes the obvious is what works best, and Jethro Tull fans were pleased to learn that Anderson's third release finally embraced his classic sound. Just like Tull's excellent Roots to Branches, this one has a decided ethnic flair, running the gamut from Indian to Russian to Celtic.
The Secret Language of Birds is Ian Anderson's third solo album, but the first to specifically highlight his melodic skill and guitar prowess on a set of folk-inspired songs. His first solo album, 1983's Walk into Light, was marred by its full embrace of sterile '80s production in lieu of rusticity. While his second effort, 1995's Divinities, was a move in the right direction and a sonic precursor to the set at hand, it still was held back by its conscious decision to downplay Anderson's obvious acoustic heritage for a more classical bent. But sometimes the obvious is what works best, and Jethro Tull fans were pleased to learn that Anderson's third release finally embraced his classic sound. Just like Tull's excellent Roots to Branches, this one has a decided ethnic flair, running the gamut from Indian to Russian to Celtic…
Five CDs. This expanded edition of The Secret Migration is presented as a plush, hardbook containing original album lyrics, lots of visuals and new sleeve-notes by acclaimed author and journalist Barney Hoskyns. Originally issued in January 2005, The Secret Migration was the sixth album by Mercury Rev and followed All Is Dream (2001). In the UK, where the band were signed to V2, the album spawned two singles, 'In A Funny Way' and 'Across Yer Ocean'. Joining the original album are a second disc of B-sides and previously unissued outtakes, a third disc wholly devoted to hitherto unheard demos and a fourth disc of in-concert material culled from shows around the globe (again, previously unreleased). For good measure, Disc 5 revisits the band's subsequent soundtrack album, Hello Blackbird.
Recorded at "The Secret Policeman's Other Ball" - The 1981 Amnesty International Gala, at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London on 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th september 1981. The show was very influential in galvanizing rock musicians to become involved in the human rights issue and in other political and social causes in subsequent decades. Musicians who performed at the show who subsequently became activists in various fields include Sting, Bob Geldof, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Midge Ure.