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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

bipestuff
signaforce's avatar
signaforce
549 posts
 

Saw Tull at Cobo Hall in Detroit in the mid 70’s. Great concert. Own all his early albums, original press, from then. 
Will definitely look at the Ian release of Aqualung. Is it available on Qobuz? Also will download Ian solos. Thanks!

jimmyblues1959
231 posts
 

I've been a fan of Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull since the mid 1980's.  Very enjoyable music! 👍

whart's avatar
whart
3,372 posts
 

StandUp is the era for me. Saw Tull in 1970, Mountain opened, this was just prior to release of Aqualung, great performance, not sure if bassist had changed at that point. Agreed that the DCC sounds very good. Did a comprehensive shoot out of Aqualung LPs some years ago. 

I did get to interview I.Anderson years later- focusing on the sound he established in Stand Up as a template for the medieval hard rock ballad.  As he moved away from jazzy blues style of This Was.

 

jonwolfpell
530 posts
 

I’ve been a serious Jethro Tull & Ian Anderson fan since 1970 & have the privilege to see them many times in different venues throughout the 70’s. There are very few other musicians that are so talented & can excel in such a wide variety of musical genres from hard rock to beautiful acoustic love songs to playing w/ full symphonies to very nice Christmas music. And, amazingly, at 78, he’s still doing it w/ yet another album in the past few year but unfortunately he cannot sing anymore. 
 

A highlight for me was getting to attend in the 2nd row, “An Evening with Ian Anderson” in about 2005 at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, CO. It was just him sitting on a couch, fielding audience questions, talking about his life & of course beautifully played various flutes & stringed instruments. So fun!

 

The “10th Anniversary “ of Aqualung that came out in 2011 (anniversary of ?) is excellent & sounds great on Qobuz. It’s very clear, dynamic & detailed. Martin Barre’s  classic solo on the title cut is something to behold & why I have good horn loaded speakers & a powerful tube amp! The HD version of another great album, “Stand Up” on Qobuz is also outstanding! 
 

 

boxcarman
579 posts
 

Old Tull fan here.  Benefit, Aqualung side two, Living in the Past, etc.  I would like to hear them remastered since the sonics are poor, IMO.  Rokflote is awesome sounding with the opening in Icelandic language.

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