British guitarist analyses Jethro Tull being Thick as a Brick in 1976! 

Something was sure stirring in those days, lots of great stuff since but damn, the 70 to 78 or so period produced the best music that will ever be

@@haroldburrows4770 Pure Truth

Don’t think the creativity has gone away, it just exists in other forms of music, check out Jacob Collier for someone who is crazy talented (and depressingly young!) or Akala, there is still great music out there, and it’s more accessible than ever!

Hard to appreciate at age 16 but yes, you're right.

I agree, Jethro Tull was a.m. radio in my car on the way to work. Catchy tunes that I never stopped to appreciate. My brother was the only one in my family that went and saw Jethro Tull in concert...he reminded told me over the years how much I missed .

It was both of my son's early experience with music. In fact, my older son has all of his music. Their friends were all into Disturbed and Slipknot.

Pseudo-sophomoric brilliance.

Also, the album cover was great. A newspaper with nonsense articles about emperor penguins and the “best of the last ten years’ weather”.

Prog doesnt get much better than this. Sadly the Brilliance of Tull got lost and new generations of prog bands dont care about Tull. The Blues runs in the blood of this guys.

@@jerrylev59 Your characterization "pseudo-sophomoric" is spot on. TAAB is a serious piece of music and lyricism-its piecemeal method of composition notwithstanding-masquerading as a joke, while A Passion Play is a spoof masquerading as the more somber effort. Its delve into "serious" questions about the afterlife is an inherently unanswerable quest that's been addressed _ad nauseum,_ since time immemorial. Its more-scholarly references to religion and literature do little more than underscore its unoriginality compared to TAAB. The themes addressed in TAAB (such as our right brain/left brain, liberal/conservative, thinker/doer, etc. conflicts) have very real, down-to-earth consequences that are often overlooked despite being felt by every generation. The overarching theme of TAAB, for those who must have one, might be posed as "the getting of wisdom": growing up, wising up, and the price paid for doing so. The gloomy minor-key "Clear White Circles" exposition that commences about 4 minutes into side 2 and culminates with "Do you? Believe in the day!" is possibly the most incredible, insightful thing Ian's ever written, and the band's ever done. "And fully pregnant with the day, wise men endorse the poet's sight," indeed. Deep, yet with a winking, egoistic nod to himself...as always. That's not to say that TAAB wasn't _spoofy._ One look at the "newspaper" upon opening it made clear that the boys were in a jocular mood, and making fun of a lot of things-including their audience. But just because they were didn't mean they weren't dead serious about the content of the record contained within. Saying they weren't is like believing Google wasn't a serious company with serious intentions because it had play areas for its employees and let them horse around at will. On the contrary, it was when they did those things that Google had its highest prowess and proficiency. Same with the band: this was its most productive era. Don't let things in TAAB like references to comic book heroes in politics fool you. Anyone alive then could recognize its pointed comments, such as about Americans and their idiotic insistence that their system was unbeatable and their elected officials some kind of idyllic figures. And people think this is just a spoof, reflective only of the times during which it was written and released? Hah! I saw the band during this tour (Too Old To Rock'n'Roll) as well as the original TAAB and ensuing tours. I thought it a low point, as it relied on little more than Tullovision for the "lots of extras" one had come to expect from Tull. The band was, of course, tight and professional as ever...but clearly beginning to age.

craigdamage The live production of that tour was breakthrough cutting edge technology. Video cubes hanging from the roof and the lighting picked up every bit of counterpoint and song change.

Teacher. Inside.

I saw them in Chicago when they were touring Thick As A Brick, which was new and I'd never heard, and I was waiting for Aqualung hee hee hee. You Kan, guru. The album cover was clever. I'm autistic and that was my way of connecting with the outside world.

They don't mak'em like that anymore.... :(

Tull was more folk-Progressive Rock! Ian Anderson is the greatest all-around Rock musician/composer/performer of all time!

I still love Tulls Music

I’ve felt exactly the same for nearly 50 years!

I saw Jethro Tull perform Warchild c. 1974. I was 14. My first rock concert ever. I knew it was awesome. It took me a few more rock concerts to understand just exactly was special they are/were.

@David Coleman I couldn’t have put it better myself, that’s 100% Spot on👍

I saw this lineup, I think in Fayetteville, NC, and it was an absolutely incredible concert. I remembered Captain Beefhart but forgot that he opened for Jethro Tull. Saw Jethro Tull three or four times and each concert was different and a force of nature.

Yep, I remember that with the roadies. Seems like they had a light flash too. The crowd went nuts.

Unique and completely entertaining not to mention his amazing musical talent and flair for poetry. I'm proud to have the same surname!

I personally see the so called Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, as a huge joke, its run by people who, seemingly know Little if anything about Rock & the bands/artists that made such great music, sold millions of albums, played to huge arena crowds, etc. I knew it was a joke when the "president" of the HoF, said Robert Plant was mimicking Janis Jopiln. I'm a huge fan of Janis, but for any one to say that, shows they're not REALLY informed at all. Oh well. One need only look at the number of great bands that haven't been inducted, to know it's a commercial venture, not a true HoF. IMO

...TRUE!!!

I may be old, but I got to see all the good bands.

Ian and Jethro Tull are now and have always been my favorite band to see live. 13 times and it never got old. However, there are some others who are pretty special on stage or were as well. Freddie Mercury was one of those special performers as well.

Saw Tull (War Child and Too Old tours). Classic line up. Ian had incredible charisma and KNEW how to work the audience. The audience quietly awaited his every move. Bono has it. So, surprisingly enough, does Willie Nelson. Been to dozens of concerts. Those three had the strongest rapport. Many Springsteen fans tell me he had the same sort of rapport. Very few have it.

I first saw Jethro Tull in 1970 at the Strawberry Fields Festival in Toronto. After they finished, I ask my friends , what did we just see and hear? I'm 71 now and still enjoy hearing and remembering.

Possibly the greatest drummer ever. Unbelievable talent.

YES!!!!!!!!

@@garrondury7167 He's right up there, no doubt! Glenn Cornick was a great bass plater too!

He was a drummers drummer.

​@@russejonesThought that was Clive Bunker...!😅

And Steppenwolf

John Evan, Just fit in with the whole band persona

:Barriemore Barlow, one of the greatest drummers of the classic rock era.?!! Ah, Ginger Baker!!!

@@falungongboy BB was technically better, more creative and not addicted to opiates-Which probably explains his technical capability and creativity.

Neil Peart the greatest drummer of the classic rock era .

I remember the strobe shot during the kick into Locomotive Breath after the opening piano section.

kurtisle wow! How cool is that! Thanks for sharing!

I am pretty sure I remember that very effect from 1978 Bursting Out Tour, first time 16 year old me saw them. Love your recollection, sir. Great work.

Dang! I'm so jealous! You are soooo lucky to have experienced that.

Fascinating! Ian guested on our new record, wanted no reward or thanks. We asked and he just did it because it was a nice thing to do - absolute gentleman.

Ditto.

Jazz Cat jjjjujjjj

Warren552011 You know your good when Mr. Blackmore gives you the nod!!🤘🏻

Like me, did you join the dots in the 'newspaper' the album was wrapped in?

Robert Parums lol, I did but cannot longer remember what came out of it. I guess either total nonsense or a penguin?

Radio station WQUT, in the 70's, would play entire album sides. Sometimes youd just hear silence and the needle bouncing of the label because DJ would be outside smoking pot!! Must look up the Tennessee Midnight Rambler...crazy DJ on some weekends who became nationally known. Pure hard RnR! I loved that decade. sheepishly resubscibing

Thanks Marco!

Radio stations back in the 70s were independent so they could play whatever they wanted.

Marco Polo Cool comment. I also enjoyed christian bands such as Petra, The Resurrection Band, The Glen Kaiser Blues Band, White Cross, Guardian and a few others. Unfortunately the music of these bands was awesome but never got airplay on secular nor christian radio with the exception of a few stations that were mostly underground. I know good music when I hear it. Love Jethro Tull and his style on the flute was his own.

Yes I agree very much.

Me too lol

My daughter Beth could sing along, accurately, when she was 5.

lol Me too, the words and instruments.

The music and lyrics are ingrained in my brain!

I was 21 when I saw them perform TAAB in 1972, I then listened to.the album many times until I finally stopped listening to JT a couple years later. Now I’m 70 listening to it for the first time since back then and my old brain still knows exactly (or almost) what is going to happen next before the next bit actually starts to play. I think that’s quite extraordinary considering the album is over 40 mins long. For me it’s proof that TAAB is an extraordinary album by a wonderfully talented Ian Anderson and band

agreed, may be my favorite. limited edition of it is on sale soon

Locomotive Breath mandatory acoustic guitar lick !

I've been thinking the same thing for years. So many sucky bands have been inducted into the R&RHOF, and didn't deserve it, yet Tull is a band who more than deserves to be in there. I wonder how this could be made to happen for them for real.

I'm glad they aren't in the rrhof. It would lump them in with people like Janet Jackson. I mean let's get serious here.

You must have been VERY high.

@@deniselewandowski5274 Indeed I was and loving every minute of it.😉

awesome story

Matt Bush And now for our second number..... blown away.

Ditto , Matt . I saw Tull back in '73 ( ? ) in Philly and it still ranks as my favorite Arena Concert ever ! One question though , did you ever become a Gentle Giant fan ?

I saw this concert at Madison Square Garden. It is still one of my favorite concerts too. I was 20 years old and I loved that it was a play inside of a concert. Got to talk to him once. He really is a wonderful man.

Awesome first rock concert, so technically GT was my first live rock band. Lord, it was a mesmerizing show at the Baltimore Civic Center in 1972.

I saw them in 72 and 77 in Portland Oregon.

I got to hang with J.T. at the Forum and drink Moet with them and they were really cool ! Especially Martin Barre and Barrymore Barlow.I spilled my drink on his shoes and he just laughed it off !

I'm a license plate pressing dude hunter don't forget Ron Burgundy

Don't forget the Moody Blues.

@@kevingrady8736 Don't forget that just having an unusual instrument for a rock band doesn't make you great or innovative. Ian Anderson used the flute in a way that was completely unique. Just because a few other rock bands used it doesn't mean they're in the same ballpark; none of them are. The Moody Blues are to Ian Anderson and Tull, what Kenny G is to John Coltrane; a speck of nothing.

@@Gregorypeckory I agree that Ian Anderson Plays the flute in a unique way however that doesn't make him so much better, it's just differences in opinion.

Let's not forget E.L.P.....!

Yes! I have said the same for many, many years! I love Ian’s acoustic guitar playing! He often disparages it, but he’s full of beans! His guitar playing is top shelf!!

Thank god he isnt !!!

Give me tull over crapton anyday

YES!!!!! Nobody ever quite got that same sound from the acoustic guitar that he did! It's like Angels were dancing on the strings!

don't worry..he will..they let just about any musicians/bands in there.

@@mevrammcoyoteV8f150 So you're saying Jethro Tull is just any band? Never mind I get what you're saying but I don't think they'll ever get in. I agree though there are plenty of artists whose body if work don't deserve it. I mean really, Pearl Jam but not Alice in chains or Joan Jett but not the Pretenders etc...

@@mikesimonian484 what I have seen is that the rock n roll hall of fame is pretty political ..grammies not much respected anymore by the vast musicians in the U.S. who load up their gear every night and travel around to thousands of venues .

@@mevrammcoyoteV8f150 All awards are nonsense but especially music, which is so subjective.

👍

Thanks teach

Geezer Butler of Sabbath said he liked hashish . But agreed it made him sleepy !

The solo on Aqualung was just terrific. Barre is just terrific. They were all terrific.

I could never understand how people who make music their careers don't learn to read music. I don't mean to be able to look at a sheet of music and be able to play it in real time, but just be able to look at it and be able to figure out the piece. I had a piano in my house and the beginners books made you learn the basics. Of course when you have a piano teacher, they all read and teach reading music. Guitar is weird, because people just pick it up on their own and I've seen people giving lessons who can't read music.

@@rickjason215 If you were to read sheet music while playing guitar you'd have to question where on the neck do I want to play this note. It isn't like other instruments. That's not an excuse to not learn. I picture the notes of the piano keyboard when reading before transposing to guitar.

I remember wearing out the 8 track for Aqualung. It was lime green...the first one.

Aqualung my friend ... One of the greatest of all time...

I thought he had gone to a prestigious music school .. And he said to a professor that he was going to make some money at. A bar gig... The professor admonished him.. So he showed the professor and quit the school... The rest is history.... He can really shred the flute... Talking thru it... We love him... Thanks teach...

@@kensod6034 Ian Anderson has always been one if my faves. That guy makes the flute one if the coolest instruments ever.

Definitely one of my favorite Alanna.. Showmanship .. Timing... Hall of famer...

Thanks!

Trower is so awesome live! ✌🏼

They had the closed circuit camera and screens and called it 'Tullivision'...I remember the crowd going nuts when they showed them walking from the dressing room to the stage

Trower, Gallagher, and Jethro Tull in 1 show! Awesome!!! Wish i could have been there!