Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull
I've been a serious Tull fan since 1970, owning almost all of their music and much of Ian Anderson's solo material. I've had the privilege of attending 4 of their concerts including a small venue where everyone stood but only about 150 in attendance.
I'm intrigued by the style and subject of the music, not your typical love songs or ballads. The musicality is also some of the best from what is considered a rock band or some would say, progressive rock band. This is especially shown in some of the early "theme" albums like "Thick as a Brick" or "Passion Play".
I will have to say my favorites however are the solo albums by Ian Anderson. The album "Divinities" being my all time favorite. When I want to test the dynamics of a system, Divinities is one I typically use. The quality of the recording to me is second to none. Take a listen to "The Pay of Spain" as an example.
Curious to hear if anyone else shares my enthusiasm for this group/soloist.
Tom
I was introduced to Tull by my cousin, who was a drummer in a local jazz rock band. The album was the first one, 'This Was.' I was 13 at the time. I have been a fan ever since. My cousin pointed out to me the folk and jazz influences in that first album. He also introduced me to Chase ('Gotta Get It On') and Procol Harum. He knew his music. I fell in love with Aqualung, Thick As A Brick, and especially, Living in the Past. Rich |
I’m a Jethro Tull fan too. I have all of the “book” box sets which are the gold standard in reissues IMO. I saw the band a couple of times in concert too. I have the 3 recent solo albums and his redux of some others. Ian Anderson has the coolest voice with an excellent accent so any spoken work passages always sound great. His solo work is always interesting but not as good as the original band IMO. |
I believe in Father Christmas - Greg Lake & Ian Anderson. https://youtu.be/tuaRrSVm--I?si=3sPoDDYope0E9qC6
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I have a great many Tull albums all the way back to Stand UP many of which are reissues. Some are European DMM remasters others Steve Wilson remasters and a low numbered Analog Productions UHQR of Aqualung that reveals, as seems to be the consensus that it wasn’t the best recording in the first place. I do have an early repress of Minstrel in the Gallery that is meticulously produced and engineered and sounds wonderful. Aqualung was my first exposure to Jethro Tull when I found the LP in my brother’s record collection when I moved into his house at the age of 15. Locomotive Breath was a thrill with all it’s underlying innuendos that were kind of taboo at the time and My God sort of became a mantra of sorts to me and the crazy world I was living in at the time. |
