Classical Flutist Reacts: Jethro Tull - My God (Isle of Wight 1970) 

Well I don’t really know if Heline is becoming a Tull fan but it looks like Tull fans are becoming Heline fans. I know I am.

"It just sounds like he wants to experiment with the boundaries of what is possible..." You just summed up the 70s in one statement.

Ian Anderson is Jethro Tull. He is so humble. He was one of the greatest stage performers in the history of rock music. The one legged wild flute playing from the Shakespearian mad man. I so much miss the 70s when I see vintage Tull like this

Ian is a genius and the whole reason I played the flute and decided to take it up again…40 years later. I have always love this band and I thank my dad because he has a couple albums I fell it love with at an early age. This Was and Benefit. I just too my dad to see them in San Diego I’m Sept this year. Amazing. Front row center. Ian can still play and jump around the stage. Ian is truly a legend. ❤

Since you like Ian Anderson aka Jethro Tull, you should try to interview him or do a podcast with him. This way you can ask him all your questions about his flute playing.

You seem a mix of horrified, flabbergasted and fascinated by Jethro Tull and particularly Ian Anderson's playing. I very much enjoy you reactions.

I saw JT at a concert in ‘73. Ian Anderson said “we will open with Aqualung”. And they played the entire album! The next ”song” was Thick as a Brick. Same deal. Utterly amazing.

Ian Anderson, a stage animal, a musical genius, multi-instrumentalist, the puss in boots, the magic flute, an unrepeatable artist. God bless Ian forever,... love this man

ian anderson. one of the greatest showman of all time.

Is it just my imagination or is Heline becoming a Jethro Tull fan ?

"That's a showman." I saw Jethro Tull in 1972. Ian Anderson, besides writing their great music, playing guitar, singing with one of the most singular voices in rock, playing rock flute...was dazzling on stage at that time. I still haven't completely recovered from how amazing it was to watch and hear him when he was at his peak.

People who were lucky enough to see J T in the seventies had to be just Blown Away Ian put his whole heart into his playin the flute, even a modern day flutist was taken aback which tells you what a performance Jethro Tull with the band this was truly a great rock band !!!

Yes!! How many flute solos can one song have? Ian: Hold my beer

My generation grew up on Tull and all the other innovative musicians from that period. It was a wonderful time to be young!

One of my favorites. I saw him 6 and a half months pregnant. Altitude of a mile above Sea level. He was dancing across the stage, doing stag leaps, while playing.... Never missed or even bobbled a note.... Didn't run out of air either. He was so amazing we named the child Ian.

What I found incredible about Ian Anderson and his flute playing is that he is completely self taught! I had always assumed from the first moment that I saw him play was that he was classically trained to a very level. The man is quite simply a musical genius.

The advantage of being self taught is that he didn't know what he wasn't supposed to be able to do

The world lights up with your smile, and the air becomes even lighter with your laughter. Thanks Heline.

Jethro Tull are, in my opinion, one of the greatest bands; live they are second to none.

Ian is one of a kind. Acrobat , vocalist , comedian , multi-talented musician. Plus he loves cats....😁🐈

Highlight of my week is watching Ian Anderson make Heline laugh.

Ian Anderson did something I would not have thought possible - he made the flute "cool" to a generation of rockers. I remember listening to Tull albums in the 70s, and I loved the songs and the lyrics, but I was always waiting for the great flute performances.

He is like the Jimi Hendrix of the flute. He becomes part of the flute like it is part of his body. I saw him live in 1974 and was totally mesmerized by him and his band. So glad to see you enjoy Ian Anderson and love your reaction.

Welcome to the strange and weird but very enjoyable world of Jethro Tull

You are so lucky they taped these performances or only us old people would be the only ones to see this

That is my favorite Jethro Tull song. That song made me want to play the flute in 1973. I didn't want to be like the next guitar player, so my parents bought me a used flute and I sat in my room playing the Aqualung album over and over and learned how to play like that.. my first flute was stolen from me while I was walking down the street, I use to walk all over town playing and when my friends in school found out they had a secret fund raiser and bought me another flute.. I've had a few over the years cheap ones and I still pick it up now and then.. I was 16 when I started playing.. Thanks for sharing. :)

He's the Hendrix of flute.

I don't believe there were any other lead rock and roll flutists. Only Ian Anderson could pull it off. As teenage high school students we were mesmerized by his songs. It was all new and exciting to hear it for the first time during the psychedelic era of music.

A showman indeed. He wasn’t into drink and drugs - this was all him...

I've been listening to him since the early 70's I LOVE the fact that you could not stop smiling through it all. It is so nice to see people appreciate just some good music. Thank You!!!

He was something to see, during the early 70's, in a live performance.

While Ian Anderson is a very talented writer, singer, musician and showman, never forget that the band is superb. The lead guitar playing by .artin Barre is absolutely amazing. I have been a big fan since 1972 when I was 14 years old.

"Such a showman" , Yes. His manager in those years advised him to remember on stage he was an entertainer. And he carried that out with aplomb!

Tull was my favorite band at the time. They were different from what was popular at the time. This time period was the best of rock music never to be repeated.

I smiled when she jumped when the song slammed into the second part. I like the fact that she's very open-minded about music outside of her training. It's a neat idea to borrow from classical music to make rock music. I'm an old Metal Head and I'm familiar with how so many Metal artists went and tapped many aspects of classical music for their compositions. Great video!

The flute teacher in her: "how do I prevent that my pupils hear that? I will never be able to teach them a proper technique when they heard THAT!"

I was lucky enough to be at the Isle of Wight in 1970, mainly to see The Who, but Ian and Jethro Tull just blew me away, if only you could have been there too the atmosphere was amazing. Seeing the band live was an experience never to be forgotten.

Heline, i'm Italian, sorry for my bad english... i had your age during the Jethro Tull big success. Ian Anderson was the connection between Rock and Classical music world. Today is different, all is very serious and canonical, my generation was the generation of The Who, Genesis, King Crimson, more or less punk-hippy people... but it's very emotional for me see the reactions from your youthness, touching my old heart. Your generation is very cool!

I soooo much enjoy classically trained people seeing the reckless abandonment of rock music with artists like Ian Anderson. Such a fine reaction because of it. Thank you!

Thanks Heline, the expressions on your face as Ian Anderson sings and plays are priceless! At one point you say "that was startling," which was a wonderful understatement as the power of the music was overwhelming and Ian's lyrical examination of the story of God and Christ - were iconoclastic - to say the least!

I love your channel Heline, it is brilliant to see the post 70's generation enjoying vintage Tull, we oldies had a great time! :-)

There will never be another Ian Anderson.....Never! I am so glad to have grown up with Jethro Tull. Their concerts were so much energy!

Watching the enormous grin take over your beautiful face while watching Ian's antics made my entire week. I always appreciate your take on all thing flute... But especially Ian Anderson.

"Such a showman!" While these old videos are great, you really had to see him in person to understand just how great he was. Unparalleled by anyone else, ever!

Your being startled by the entrance of the full band reminded me of this. The first time I saw Jethro Tull in concert, in 1971, they opened with this song. It began with just Ian in a spotlight with his acoustic guitar, and I couldn't even see that the rest of the band had come onstage in the darkness behind him. When the full band suddenly came roaring in during the second verse as the lights came blazing up I nearly fell over backwards!

It's great to see Heline being blown away, delighted and a little shocked by Tull at the top of their game with this fine song from their greatest and most memorable album (Aqualung, 1971). Why? Because I was blown away by them in similar fashion as a 13-year-old uniformed (but not cowed) schoolboy at an ancient English school of humiliation and "dark sarcasm in the classroom" who was heavily into Tull and other legendary bands including Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Gabriel-era Genesis, ELP and Gentle Giant. Listening to such music was my great escape from the repressive grim- and greyness of that horrid institution. In terms of musical creativity, cross-pollination between genres, originality, tongue-in-cheek humour and sheer brilliance, the British so-called 'progressive music' of the early 70s was the best there has ever been. I was very fortunate to be alive at that time and going through my most formative years, and most of the uniquely wonderful, beautiful and stirring music of that period still sounds as fresh and exciting to my ears -- and yours? -- as it did way back then. Heline's funny and endearing reactions to live Tull - especially Ian's colourful and exuberant musicianship and showmanship - prove that great art never ages; it just goes on inspiring new generations!

At this point in his career, he had been playing the flute for a very short time....to be able to do this in front of 15,000 people is mind blowing. Incredibly talented musician.

I first heard Jethro Tull in in 1972....before that I listened to the radio and the Beatles, Elvis, Supremes, etc....mostly 3 minute songs, verse...chorus, verse...chorus...repeat 1st verse...chorus...song over....every song had the same lyrics...I love you, I cant live without you....I'm so lonely etc, etc, etc.....still to this day you can turn on the radio and here 2020 versions of the same songs......then that day came where I heard TULL with 5 and 6 minute songs and fascinating lyrics and a sophistication that I only heard in my parents classical records.....this sent me on a journey into progressive rock and changed my life....sometimes I think that my mind was not ready for this level of sophistication at age 13 and this complcated music slightly ruined my ability to hear the I-you-me-you songs that are still going strong on the radio. Glad you are listening to music I listened to nearly 50 years ago.

Do you check out the studio recordings of the live tracks? "MY God" comes from the album Aqualung, for me, one of their best. Nick Randall-Smith is right, it is lovely to see you young people discovering this music. Remember, before 1967 there was nothing like this.

Warching you laugh at him got me laughing. I dont know why, but it was hilarious seeing your reaction to him. Enjoy your videos. Have a good weekend Heline.

The 70s were a GREAT decade for musical creativity! I loved every darned minute

You should definitely reach out to Ian for an interview…… I emailed him several years ago and he responded within a couple of weeks in a very thoughtful manner …….. would love to see you and Ian together talking about your experiences with the flute and music in general.

Until Jethro Tull came along, no one had ever heard a flute like Ian Anderson plays it. It's a special slice of the Jethro Tull pie.

Ian has said the reason for all the craziness on the flute was to make it interesting in a Rock band

Wow! I don't know what else to say. I been a fan from the first note i ever heard Tull play. Been at many great concerts. I think Ian Anderson was playing music in time of Bach and the classical greats. He sold his soul maybe too God. So he could come back and play this amazing music. He stands alone! Just go listen 50 years later his new album out in April 2023! You guys tell me if it's not beyond amazing the music Ian is still writing and playing. Where is it coming from!!!

Heline, I haven't listened to your covers yet. However, watching your facial expressions brings me great joy. I've been a Jethro Tull fan since 1973. Now, a fan of yours!

I had the privilege to sit and talk to Ian Anderson for an extended time. What an interesting guy! After being a fan for decades and seeing Tull perform many, many times... it was a highlight of my life.

I absolutely love your reactions to his flute playing! I'm a huge Tull Fan, I've been listening to them since way way before you were born, I'm 63 years young! I've probably seen Tull live a half dozen times over the years, and he's still going strong 🌴🌴

Ian Anderson is a joy in his band and the 60's/70's were the great time of experimentation all over the world. So happy to watch others get to know his magnificence. Cheers

I saw Tull 3 times in the early 70’s and there wasn’t another band that could compete with their shows. Ian is incredible!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I love Heline's response to Ian Andersons performances. I'm 100% sure Ian would be thrilled to speak to you about his music. He's still very much active and creating some great albums on KScope label.

Heline, your genuine reactions to the outrageous things Ian Anderson does are just as entertaining as the outrageous things Ian Anderson does. Enjoying your reaction videos very much. Thank you for posting.

Your reactions, as well as your technical comments, have made me want to go back and explore my Tull collection. I had the pleasure of seeing them perform live in 1978; one of the best shows ever. 2 1/2 hours of non-stop music. Thanks for sharing.

I was very fortunate to see a live Jethro Tull performance at San Diego Arena in 1972 . It was the greatest performance by any artist I have ever seen ; Bar None ! Playing the entire concert while standing on one leg was incredible by itself BUT to have the most exquisite flawless performance at the same time ........... truly an out of this world event ........... I genuinely feel sorry for any people that missed the concerts of my youth from the Beatles to the hair bands of the 1980's ! So-called modern bands cannot compete although maybe their computers aided by A.I. will surely catch up ............

Helene: "It sounds like he's sneez..." Ian: "Aaaaaachoo!" 😂😂😂

He is the greatest and so are the band, such talent. Follow that , no one ever has, no one ever will ever, one of a kind, and such a wonderful musical legacy .I am so glad that I was around from the very start of Jethro, and of seeing them live. They have been the backdrop to my life, thanks guys past and present. and thank you Heline you obviously are becoming a fan.

Delightful, isn’t he? He is phenomenal in concert. I saw them in the late 70s.

Yetro Tool, instant Like. My uncle used to work for Chrysalis records in the early 80’s and gave me a bunch of albums, including Broadsword and the Beast. I was 12 and had no idea who Jethro Tull were but loooved it! Really fired my imagination, I bought a bamboo flute and used to sit in the woods playing it badly at my long suffering dog. Good times.

your channel is amaizing, you must react to Songs from the Wood from jetro tull

So far, you've watched live performances, and some amazing ones at that. But Ian Anderson is so much more than a showman, and he knows how to use that flute in other ways too. It may not be material for a reaction video, but find Tull's Thick as a Brick, and admire Anderson's compositional skills, and the way he uses that flute in a supportive and nuanced way too. He has done some amazing work, that goes way beyond the manic live performances. A very rounded artist capable of subtlety as well as showiness.

I first saw Jethro Tull in October, 1972 at Louisville Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky during their "Thick as a Brick" tour and was completely blown away. To see and hear Ian Anderson live is sheer joy in musical form. Saw them again in August of 1975 for their "Minstrel in the Gallery" tour, then again in March 1977 for their "Songs from the Wood" tour. The last time was October 1980 for their "A" tour, with Eddie Jobson on keyboards and electric violin. All were incredible concerts at the Louisville Gardens, and why Jethro Tull is in my top 5 all-time favorites.

Heline, you probably never imagined that a rock band had a flutist (Ian Anderson) and huge following that loves his flute-playing. We're not classically trained listeners, but we can hear the quality of Anderson's playing. And even a blind man can see the passion that animates his performances.

The classic "Mad one-legged flautist". Don't forget that he wasn't on drugs. It was all an act.

40 years later Ian Andersen & Jethro Tull still are amazing people. Thank you; we are still LIVING IN THE PAST!! Your emotions were mine ...... 40 years ago.

She's so cute. I love it when she tells us the composer of the classical snippets. Yes, an old Tull fan is becoming a Heline fan. Kind regards, George Armstrong

I love Tull and of course love Ian. Absolutely brilliant. This is one of my favorite songs. And thank you Heline for allowing us to see you, a trained flutist, react to this video. I enjoyed everything about you in this video.

Heline is so chill. She's got a calming presence. Like her set as well.

9:55 Thats so funny how right when you say the word 'sneezing' he does it! :D

Heline! Yes, you totally got it! It was so refreshing to see a young and talented musician really listen, look and laugh (the humor is essential) at the phenom. of Ian Anderson and Tull and Progressive Rock at its finest live... now check out Aqualung and King Crimson! Enjoy and Thank you😄

Anderson took playing the flute to new places. Watching and hearing him live was an amazing experience. The flute was now a thoroughly exciting and dramatic instrument thanks to him.

He still tours Madame.. go see him if you can!! His live shows (as you can see) are incredible! Shoot he will probably want to meet you!!!

I’ve been a fanatical Tull fan since I was a teenager more than 40 years ago. Watching you enjoy the antics of the legend Ian Anderson is a lot of fun. Keep in mind he was only 22 or 23 here. Absolutely insane showmanship. Also note the lyrics here were modified somewhat for the studio version that came a year later on the Aqualung album. Ian is the ultimate combination of musicianship, stage presence, and song craft. I don’t think there’s ever been anyone better. His flute playing improved over the years, of course, but here in 1970 he is young, hungry, and on the edge of global stardom.

I was actually there! Blew my mind that you were watching this. Ian Anderson was a multi Instrumentalist like Mike Oldfield but mainly for Tull only played Acoustic Guitar and the Flute along with singing. Ever the Showman the Scotsman would often dress as a medieval minstral and would hop around on one leg with the other foot raised to his knee, a signature him. It is great to see the younger generation looking at least at music from the late 60's and early 70's and hopefully enjoying it, thank you for showing this - such memories.

You kidding me ! he is one of the greatest freestyle performers ever

Look at her eyes! She is in love with ian anderson

You look slightly scared, I love it! I thought your last Tull video was just great, Heline. You reaction was sincere , straight to the heart. Loved the respect you showed Ian

Was lucky to be crushed against the stage in 1970, watching him do those tunes. O, I miss those times.

Ian standing on one leg when he played his flute was one of his trademarks. Showmanship! I have heard that Ian is still writing music. Impressive!

We WILL make a "Prog Rocker" out of you Miss Fay :-)

Showman, businessman, statesman, musician, composer, poet.... a GENIUS!!!!!

I absolutely adore your intelligent observations and opinions on Jethro Tull. It is so heartwarming to see someone your age appreciate this man's skill. I love your accent too!

Heline, I so appreciate your willingness to hear something so different and accept it. What else can I say? This is so far from classical yet it is so challenging of the limits of the instrument that it is fresh. Ian saw no limits. I see in your reviews that you place no limits on him. Thank you. He stretches my limits. But he does so in a good way. He stretches my thoughts about faith. He stretches my thoughts about music. He stretches my thoughts about the flute. And, I become better because of it.

This has to be one of the most enchanting reaction videos I have ever seen, you are really feeling it! It seems mean spirited and idiotic that faceless corporations routinely demonetise what is in effect a great piece of marketing for their music catalogue

I appreciated Jethro Tull as a rock band before everything had a label. As I got older, I developed a taste for classical as well as other genres. I sent one of your original reaction videos to my father and he enjoyed them, too. You watch these with such an open mind which is refreshing. I agree that you may have developed a crush on Ian Anderson, but many of us now have a crush on you. You are charming, sweet and open minded. Keep these videos coming!

I am a fan of Tull. I got to see them live 25 years ago. Never saw a flute solo, before or since. Loved it. Heline, I love watching You watch Tull. You're adorable AND seem to know youre flute. Best of luck in all you do.

I LOVE all Jethro Tull music but I don’t ever think I heard this song. It was really fun and entertaining watching you view his performance as a professional. I was really getting a chuckle out of it because it was funny to me too! Your reactions are great. Very entertaining, thank you

I remember first hearing My God on the Aqualung album my mother was playing that album when I was a kid and I loved Tull. As I got older I had to hear more Tull and get every vinyl album possible. Watching Ian live when I was in my early 20s wow he was awesome.

'My God' Heline ! You struck gold here. This is Ian Anderson's best performance that I know of. My parents were just graduating from High School and they traveled from America just to see him. Your reaction is as golden as his amazing performance. I love seeing you grow on RU-vid AND on Patreon--really exciting, and of course you deserve it. (the sneak peak last night on Patreon was very special for us patrons indeed!)

Ian Anderson obviously does not care what the boundaries of a flute are said to be. He is a born showman and that is reflected in his playing style.

Yep, just watch Heline smile listing to the amazing Ian Anderson. I smiled so wide just watching her smile at music I've loved for 40 years.