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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
wharfy's avatar
wharfy
564 posts
 

bipestuff-thanks for starting this thread!

I am a Tull fan from "This Was" through "Passion Play." Listening to JT becoming Ian Anderson’s band, from 1968-1973, is really rewarding. You can hear the classic JT sound in bits and pieces in each release. "This Was" is very bluesy because of Mick Abrahams guitar stylings. "Living in the Past" is ecelctic. "Benefit" has songs that really rock-out. From "Aqualung" through "Passion Play" Ian Anderson has cemented his leadership and vision.

Has anyone heard any of Mick Abrahams projects after leaving Tull? His band, Blodwyn Pig, is more blues and jazz influenced. "Ahead Rings Out" has a memorable album cover. I saw on TIDAL a Mick Abrahams reimagined version of "This Was" called "This Is." Hearing his interpretation of the songs on that album, it’s easy to understand why he and Ian Anderson went their separate ways.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahead_Rings_Out#/media/File:Blodwyn_Ahead.jpg 

larsman's avatar
larsman
3,148 posts
 

@buellrider97 - I was asking because I'm 74 and have lived in San Francisco since '73, so I went to a lot of those shows myself - not at the 'stick so much, but plenty of times at Oakland Stadium and the indoor Arena. I also mostly listened to British music (still do) and some US bands like the Doors, Airplane, Dead, BOC and a number of others. 

jsd52756's avatar
jsd52756
505 posts
 

I'm certainly with all the above crowd.  Quite a few shows even one in San Diego outside last year that my wife & daughter got tickets to for my birthday.  I will certainly see about the new & improved Aqualung recording mentioned above.  My favorite vinyl of theirs I have is a Stand Up original pressing as the fidelity is outstanding.  Pops, clicks and all.  -John

zx10
145 posts
 

Stand Up is my favorite , the new SACD is a great recording. Bit of trivia , Ian tells a story of the group , first recording with Martin Barre , was having breakfast in the Manhattan diner , almost broke and did not have enough money to fly back to the U.K. when Joe Cocker turned up and says to them congratulations. Their Stand Up album had gone to #1 in the U.K. and they didn't know. From there it was all good. Also interesting to note that their 1987 album Crest Of The Knave won a grammy for best metal album of the year. I like the album the remaster is a good recording but  it never seemed like metal to me so I was surprised.

faustuss's avatar
faustuss
820 posts
 

"I have a great many Tull albums all the way back to Stand UP many of which are reissues."

My bad, it's actually the 2018 Steve Wilson remix of This Was. 

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