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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
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,717 posts
 

I saw Mick Abrahams perform with Tull back in  68 or 69 at Rhode Island College. They played all of “This Was”and a few songs from “Stand Up” which had not been released yet.  Bouree sounded amazing.  Later on, (many years later) my daughter learned to play it on flute. She learned it by listening to the song.  I’m feeling nostalgic today. 

rmcam1587
4 posts
 

I saw them before I knew anything about them at the Eastown Theater in Detroit in the early 70’s.  We were up close, and as someone else stated, there were a bunch of people milling around the stage that looked homeless, then the lights came up and it was Jethro Tull.  Anderson was particularly scary, in a weird brown conductor’s coat with a variety of rips, tears, and grease stains, playing the flute one-legged and acting as if 30,000 people were in the audience.

I became an instant Tull fan, and due to the volume of the show my opinion on how anything remotely audiophile sounds is moot.

wharfy's avatar
wharfy
564 posts
 

Mick Abrahams, one of the original guitarists in Jethro Tull has passed. Ian Anderson offers his condolences.

https://jethrotull.com/mick-abrahams-1943-2025/

davidrolon's avatar
davidrolon
42 posts
 

Saw Tull at Madison Square Garden in NYC during my high school years. Great show...they did like 4 encores. Rush was the opening act. Boy, those were great times!

tak1's avatar
tak1
27 posts
 

IMHO, I believe Aqualung was Ian's finest hour. Growing up and living in Houston, I saw then at Jones Hall both in '77 & '78. Well, I say "saw them" .... but all the damn pot smoke at times made that a challenge. Nonetheless, on one of the performances at the very beginning, when the stage was jet black ... a spotlight appeared on Ian and he begin skipping and twirling his silver flute like a baton. Crowd went wacky. Great times. Love his ballad, Wondering Aloud. And Barriemore Barlow was my fav drummer back then and for quite some time. 

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