Like a good wine, Jethro Tull improves with age.

Last night, the legendary Brit prog-rockers returned to the scene where they once performed some of the most memorable concerts ever to grace an Ottawa stage.

The idea of rock's pied piper, Ian Anderson, cavorting around the Civic Centre stage a quarter century after the band's classic Thick As A Brick was released might seem a tragedy in the making had he not carried it off with such grace, vigor and maturity.

Certainly, this version of Jethro Tull lacked the ominous edge the band had at its peak.

Yet, as a band that's pretty much continued as a performing unit since the mid-60s, there was a seamlessness and comfort to the material that only comes with maturity.

And if you just closed your eyes for a moment, it was if you were beamed back in time as the gymnastic notes from Anderson's magic flute danced through the rafters, as he prowled the stage and growled out the vocals with that same malicious edge that made him a hero of the genre.

After sellout shows in Quebec City and Montreal, the 1500 or so in attendance last night was a bit of a let down for the group, who once could put 9,000 into this same facility. Yet that never affected the performance quality delivered, nor the enthusiasm from those in the stands who cheered on every familiar chord change and refrain.

Instead of dragging out some poor unfortunate to open the show, Anderson and company gave us two one-hour musical interludes. And with such an immense discography at their disposal, they were able to run the gamut of albums that span their lengthy career.

The first set spun us back down the years with the rousing opener A Song For Jeffrey (from their first disc This Was; a spirited Bouree; a delicious and lengthy Thick As A Brick; a taste of Anderson's contemporary classics contained on the recent Divinities CD; The Whistler (played on an Indian bamboo flute), as well as the crowd favorite Aqualung.

Part two of the evening was just as diverse, with a melange of tracks. They pulled out a nice a capella opening for Songs From The Wood; a juicier version of Roland Kirk's Serenade To A Cuckoo than the original; the haunting We Used To Know; a searing Oh God; a funky Nothing Is Easy and Locomotive Breath spread out with a symphonic/boogie/lounge intro and a bouncy Living In The Past encore.

Original members Anderson and Martin Lancelot Barre were understandably a tad greyer and shorter of hair, but in combination with a younger rhythm section they left little wanting musically. The Tull trademark of tight, riveting instrumental work was there in spades, as was Anderson's cross-legged flute antics -- his strength as a player continues unabated.

However, although using a head mike definitely freed up his movements, that piece of equipment often is a detriment to the vocal mix which lacked clarity in a lot of spots, leaving that aspect rather wanting at times.

Otherwise, this was an absolutely delightful night, a return visit from old friends who still possess the the electricity and magnetism that drew us to them in the first place.

JAM! Rating: 3.5 out of 5