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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
kacomess
220 posts
 

I was a big fan in the pre-Aqualung days (Benefit, Stand Up, This Was)

I saw them in Phoenix, AZ in the Phoenix College Gym (sometime in the late 60s).  There were ~200 people in the audience all sitting on the floor. I was a couple of feet from the stage.


I saw them again in Vancouver, BC a year or so later. The concert was, for me anyway, disrupted by people setting off firecrackers.  The following morning,  Clive Bunker was sitting at the restaurant table next to me for breakfast. We had a brief conversation.

Last time was also in Phoenix in some auditorium and it was a good concert, but seemed to lack some of the energy of the earlier shows.

However, the best Tull-like concert I've seen (and one of the best I've attended) was Blodwyn Pig (led by former Tull band member, Mick Abrahams) at "The Splinter Brothers and Sisters Warehouse" in Phoenix. It was a supreme counter-culture experience in every way. Their albums are worth your attention.

musikcrayz
16 posts
 

@hjdca

Great anecdote. Thank you. That DCC vinyl is the best I have heard and appreciate the backstory.

Only saw them early on…one of the great bands to open for BS&T. 

bishop148
67 posts
 

 Yeah, the first album I bought was "Stand Up". They were an underated group IMO. Ian Andersons flute work was brilliant and his stage performance was spectacular.

 To me he is and was an enigma, crazy onstage - like out of his mind, yet didnt take drugs, smoke or drink alcohol and went to church on Sunday. Public image so different from his real self.

laoman's avatar
laoman
543 posts
 

They were a great band. I saw them in Australia and have loved them ever since.

niodari's avatar
niodari
378 posts
 

I certainly share your enthusiasm. Jethro Tull is one of my favorite rock groups. But I think their gold era was in between 1972 -1974, all albums produced in these years are completely amazing including Think as a brick. The first blues album is also interesting, some songs there especially are nice. Their later albums are not that touching to me,  just some selected songs, but I still listen to them with a pleasure. By some reason, I lik Anderson's solo albums a bit less. I think he gets motivated more when he plays in the band. 

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