Very few bands or musical artists can claim a legacy like Ian Anderson’s Jethro Tull. Consider a recording career consisting of 41 albums over a 54-year period. Consider a live performance career lasting just about as long, especially their phenomenal concerts in the mid-1970s — a mix of equal parts brilliant musicianship and swaggering showmanship. Consider that Ian Anderson has kept the Tull legacy alive and is about to release a new album in 2022 — the first Jethro Tull studio album in two decades (there have been numerous Ian Anderson releases in the interim).
Many classic rock fans will remember the hits from Aqualung, as well as the radio singles “Bungle in the Jungle” and “Living in the Past.” Their influences ran the gamut from blues to rock to folk and even medieval madrigals. Somehow, Anderson’s songwriting and the band’s arrangements combined these elements seamlessly, often within the same song.
In addition to the aforementioned Aqualung, some of my favorites included the folk-rock trinity of Songs From the Wood, Heavy Horses and Stormwatch, all recorded between 1977 and 1979. (Keen observers may remember that there was a local band named after one of these albums.) Other titles to check out include Thick as a Brick (and Ian’s follow-up sequel album, 2012’s Thick as a Brick 2), Minstrel in the Gallery and Crest of a Knave. The new album, coming out soon, is called The Zealot Gene. You can bet I’ll be ordering this one.
For those who don’t know anything about Jethro Tull, there certainly is a lot on YouTube as well as all of the streaming services out there. A good start would be the “Live at the Capital Center 1977” concert on YouTube. This is my favorite Tull lineup combining incredible musicians with incredible songs. A quick roster rundown:
Ian Anderson – lead vocals, songwriter, flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin. Watching some of those 1970s-era videos revealed just how much a showman Anderson was. His stage presence was right up there with Jagger, Plant and Daltrey. And no one else has ever shown just how much a flute could rock.
Martin Barre – lead electric guitar, mandolin, flute. Barre’s riffs and solos on his Gibson Les Paul into his Hiwatt stacks were an integral part of the Tull sound. Martin lasted longer with Anderson than any other Tull member.
Barriemore Barlow – drums, percussion. One of rock’s most overlooked and underrated drummers, Barlow played his ass off and kept all the musicians together throughout all the band’s complex arrangements.
John Glascock – bass, vocals. The bass was never buried in the mix, as John’s inventive basslines were essential to the arrangements of the songs.
David Palmer and John Evan – keyboards. Whether piano, organ, synthesizer, harpsichord, the portative pipe organ, or orchestral arrangements, David and John’s keyboard arrangements fleshed out the songs and provided the flourishes needed to reproduce the band’s rather complex sound. Plus, Evan’s Harpo-esque stage antics and trademark white suit were quite entertaining in and of themselves.
I saw Jethro Tull once, back in 2006. Although it wasn’t the classic lineup mentioned above, it was still a fantastic and brilliant display of great composition and near-flawless musicianship. I also got to see Ian Anderson’s band on their Thick as a Brick 1 & 2 tour about a decade ago. The first half of the show was the complete Thick as a Brick album performed live, while the second half … do I need to go on?
In these days of manufactured music and pop stars being chosen on game shows, it’s nothing short of absolute bliss to listen to real musicians making real music. While there will always be a market for vapid pop filler, true music lovers should go back and check out some of the true classics, from Sinatra’s recordings with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, to the great classical recordings, to Miles Davis and all the amazing jazz/bebop recordings, to the more rock-oriented Steely Dan, Yes, Pink Floyd … and Jethro Tull.
– Catch John Mondays at Boondocks, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Key Colony Inn, Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, and Fridays on Facebook Live. Music available wherever you get your streaming or downloads. www.johnbartus.com
