While there are many young music "reactors" on TH-cam, you are the only one I've seen that is focused on the progressive music path and goes fully in-depth regarding lyrical meaning. Others are all over the place with genres, interpretations and style. Stay the path, and let's see your guitar and vocal skills more often. Great start, Daniel.
I love this song because at first it's so catchy and seemingly upbeat, but the lyrics are *dark* and tone is so gritty that it all just creeps up on you and before you know it, you're feeling unsettled and you're not sure exactly why.
That's a brilliant observation, I guess it's quite deliberate. The grinding, dare say, erotic groove, (one that could easily be ripped to be a disco/techno/soul/Latina classic) and as you say, juxtaposed to the content. He's employed an upbeat, dirty groove, to seduce you as the song descends, into a crescendo, (I mean who does that?) a really wonderful piece of music.
Cross-Eyed Mary is another member of the neighborhood where Aqulaung lives. Like him, she is judged and looked down on by “respectable” people, but she is one of the few who treats Aqualung with compassion. This is a paraphrasing of an interpretation I heard Ian Anderson provide in an interview in the 80s.
It's pretty cool listening to this again with you and thinking more about the lyrics. When I was listening to all this stuff growing up, I never even knew a some of the lyrics in many of the songs. There were usually some you couldn't figure out. We didn't have the internet back then where you could just go and look things up. It's definitely a good idea to do the whole album any time it's a concept album. Even though Ian Anderson doesn't consider this to be a concept album it's still good to do it so you can see why the critics said it was.
I’ve seen Tull so many times since the 70s, but regardless of your opinion of the stature of Tull albums, the greatest live prog performance of all time, hands down.
Don't know if you have mentioned John Evan's piano--sometimes overlooked (literally, while listening to the song(s))--but an essential component of Tull's sound (indispensable specifically on this album...)
An opinion: I was born in the late '50's and heavy rock hit right as I became a teenager in the early '70's. The seeds of protest had been sown in the '60's and by the '70's the themes of exploitation, urban blight and personal anxiety rose as central themes in music. Rock for me and many around me became a way of escape, not from the themes in the lyrics but in the rhythms and melodies. Tho' it was new and wild, rock remained faithful to its roots in the familiar and this struck a chord [pun intended] with me. There was a burgeoning cynicism that was also carried from the '50's and 60's but it was still kept in relative check. By the late '70's and into the 80's, God and meaningful community relationships, friendships and family no longer featured in musical themes. The music industry created new gods who rose; new themes of depression, alienation and self absorption, it seemed to me, became the focus that permeated into every facet of life. Greed was the mantra of the '80's and 90's and by the 2000's, music, for the most part, lost its teeth and claws. In a real sense, we grew up very quickly without the wisdom of experience. As a consequence, the elders among us were either ridiculed or ignored. Every generation does this, though in the past 60 years, this seems to have accelerated by forces out of our control. It's no surprise that the 'cult of youth' is and has been the prevailing paradigm for decades now. Children, including many authorities, now only seek power in the earth and they have abandoned or were robbed of the old order.........for better or worse. They forget however, that they themselves will one day be old or chose to remain as children.There is no loss of irony that the rebellion of my youth was leading down a path of the destruction of the very things I held dear. A little wisdom of age has told me that is not a good thing. The rebellion we see today is lead by those who want to re live their childhood and or refuse to mature. Every child since the dawn of time is tempted to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree. That's human nature. Accepting our fallen state is a sign of maturity and we should not remain as children. In the words of Bob Dylan, ''you'd better start swimming, or you'll sink like a stone, for the times they are a changing'' The frustrations of alienation manifested in violent rebellion against all orders. As a result, gangs and tribes formed, tribes devoid of genuine self reflection where pure narcissism was master. Nihilism, unadulterated cynicism and self destruction and fake, hopeless saccharine sentimentality rule the airwaves and I miss the days of child like wonder of the world. Don't get me wrong, I still return time and again to the fiery rock of my youth. There is still great music out there...I just have to search a little harder for it. The trick, for me and by Gods grace, is to maintain the fire of discernment and not the fire of oblivion. [nice Liverpudlian accent in the intro by the way, mate.] God bless, brother. signed: the dolphins off the starboard bow.
I was a teenager in the '70's when I first got into the Beatles, Jethro Tull, Rush, King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, etc., and I still love them all to this day. It's great to see "young-'uns" like you get into it also, fifty or so years later. If you haven't heard King Crimson or Gentle Giant, I would suggest listening and reacting to them as well. (For starters, King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man." Gentle Giant's "Just the Same.")
Great job Daniel! That’s always been a banger of a song to rock to, and many of us never realized the actual content regarding this album until later comments from Ian Anderson in the early 80’s (for me anyway). God bless you!
I'll only speak for myself....I try to listen to lyrics but there are times when I find myself not thinking deeply enough and more or less parroting lyrics when I hear a song. I can say that's what I've been doing with "Cross-eyed Mary", only thinking of her as an adolescent tart. New light has been shed now. Thanks Daniel. Also: Martin Barre - guitar Clive Bunker - drums Jeffery Hammond - bass (although some may have been Glenn Cornick, former JT bassist) John Evan - piano
So ambitious, I love it!! Tull has such a vast catalog and they changed lineups and musical styles over the years, many people will chime in I'm sure with favorite "era" or album, you are going to have a blast. I discovered JT when I was younger than you, and have at least 20 years of their vinyl in my cabinet. Enjoy!
As a child, I would listen to this entire album end-to-end, and it was like I could see the story unfolding in my mind. Tull are one of the most amazing bands, ever. (Recommend Songs From the Woods, if you enjoy harmonies.) This song is a tricky one for a lot of people, I find. No one in good circumstances usually wants to look at the harsher lives many others live. At the end of the day, we are all doing the best we can with what we have. I always felt that Ian Anderson is a remarkable individual. If I were to sum up either he or the character Mary in the song, I might put it this way: For most people in this world morals are what you talk about and ethics are how you live...I have always found Mr. Anderson and his character both to be deeply ethical.
Daniel, Ian Anderson, through his writing, particularly with the Aqualung album, expressed his views against "organized" religion. While some lyrics might be misinterpreted to see him as either anti-Christian or atheistic, his views of God are actually rather strong, but personal. The song "Wind Up" makes this pretty clear. On "My God," there is a lyric with the phrase "... and the graven-image you-know-who, with his plastic crucifix..." In live performances (see Isle of Wight live version on youtube) the phrase was ".. graven image catholic, with his plastic crucifix..." I suspect the record label even in 1971 was worried about being offensive, so catholic became "you-know-who" on the album. Personal anecdote: In catholic HS in 1976, we were assigned to do a report on "religion in media." Of course media in 1976 was television and radio and recordings, no "social media like today. For my project I brought in Aqualung and had the whole class listen (along with Sister Mary Whatever) and I discussed the religious contexts of the entire album. The class loved it, even Sister. I got an A.
Jethro Tull is one of my favorite bands of all time love your reaction to them. I’d love you to react to bungle in the jungle and my favorite song of theirs too old to rock and roll : too young to die. Keep up the great work.
Since this reaction is 10 months old, I feel that by now you have begun to dissect the lyrics and dig into their deep and DARK roots . Let the beauty of the flute get you through it...
Great to see a younger guy diving into awesome classic rock.. You're breakdowns are great.. Can't believe how many times I ask myself "do I really want to sub to another reaction channel" .. but you've really earned it. Keep up the good work !
As usual, enjoyed your reaction. I'm thrilled that you're going to do the entire album. One of my comments after you reacted to Aqualung was along the lines of "might as well do the entire album" - so I'll take credit for your decision to do so - even though you claim to have had some sort of conversation about it with the patreons (sp?). LOL
SO glad to see you listening to full albums! This is the way they were (are) meant to be heard! We always dropped the needle, flipped when necessary, returned to jacket, and on to the next album! I'm looking forward to more albums, because hardly anyone else is doing them! I'll give you a few gems.........."Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" by Spirit, this one holds a special place in my heart (and head), and 2 of the all time great live albums (since we've already discussed The Grateful Dead's "Europe 72" etc.) "Live at Fillmore East" by The Allman Brothers Band and "Waiting for Columbus" by Little Feat. Those are two absolute burners! (I know you're a guitar player too, so you will certainly appreciate Duane and Dickey of the ABB, and Lowell and Paul of Little Feat!)
I'am looking forward to the next concert in october 2021 in Hamburg. I think it'll be the 25th concert for me to visit. Jethro Tull is my all time favourite band for now about 35 years. You shoud listen also to the "younger" music. Keep attention to the drummers. Ian Anderson had always fantastic drummers in his band. And you can hear the evolution of the band and Ian, when you listen to the drummers Clive Bunker and Doane Perry. There ist so much amazing music... Keep on!
Yes, more Tull! I would have suggested to just start from the beginning. "Stand Up" & "Benefit' albums were the 1st two. Both are my favorite Tull albums
There are something incredible about "cross Eyed Mary" that makes it even better than the other masterpiecesongs on "Aqalung".I think the organ is so great felinvice and Ians voce fits so great with the lyrics.
I just want to mention the song In the Dead of Night by U.K. again, and give you a little more info about them. In 2015 Rolling Stone ranked it as the 30th best progressive rock album of all time. I think that's nuts. It should be in the top 10. But here's a great quote: In an interview with the TeamRock site in 2016, Ty Tabor of King's X selected the album as his top pick in a "5 Essential Guitar Albums" list, stating, "I had never heard anybody think about playing guitar the way that Holdsworth plays on that record. Holdsworth played mostly jazz fusion, which might be why his style in a Prog Rock group was so unique. Frank Zappa once lauded him as "one of the most interesting guys on guitar on the planet" while Robben Ford has said: "I think Allan Holdsworth is the John Coltrane of the guitar. I don't think anyone can do as much with the guitar as Allan Holdsworth can. It's sad that so many have never heard this album. Hope you react to it sometime.
Saw U.K. live opening for Tull on their Heavy Horses Tour in 78. Blown away by their performance, but then the album paled by comparison. But the best track is indeed, In The Dead of Night.
@@benoitdesmarais2948 Wow! How interesting. I also think Nevermore is incredible, but I also think every song on the album is great, so maybe we disagree on that. I like Danger Money too. Carrying No Cross is a gem.
Great review, thanks! JT/Ian Anderson was/is not the opposite of Christianity, but through this album, and some other songs, Ian reacts against how organised religion is hypocritically used for other purposes, such as power and oppression. Good idea to go through the albums as such. It will give you an interesting idea of how JT (and other bands) develop over time and with their time. I think JT’s "A Passion Play" and Genesis’ "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" will blow you away. A suggestion would be to divide "The Lamb..." into four listenings, following the sides of the vinyl edition of the album. Also, especially when it comes to early Genesis, you should also consider how young they were when writing the music. 😎👍
Iron Maiden did a very fine cover of this tune in 1984, released w/ other fine covers from more obscure early 1907s Prog/Hard bands, on the B-Side of their 'Maxi-Single' for the song 'Aces High', the song that opened their awesome '84 release 'Powerslave'. Maiden leader/bassist/composer Steve Harris is a big Prog Rock fan, and Jethro Tull is one of his favorites.
Ian Anderson has always been the modern bard whose lyrics are deep in satire and sarcasm. Otherwise he devilishly pokes fun at those things we take for granted. Now, satire for the most part is topical and the most popular topic is politics but Anderson gets his digs in on religion. Now satire is an art form in the UK where they use a lot of double entendre, subliminal under currents and metaphors. Satire is a form of humor that is both dark and cerebral. A thinking person's humor, not Ha Ha slapstick funny humor. In fact most of William Shakespeare's works are pure satire where many, including scholars claim them as tragedies. Take Romeo & Juliet for example, it's not about the two star crossed teenage lovers. It is about two ridiculous and idiodic rival Italian merchant families that behave badly and the effect it has on two immature reckless teenagers. Oh, and of course the creepy dude who is trying woo Juliet that isn't Romeo. Shakespeare did not care how people saw his plays, just that they were filling seats. William wasn't wealthy because he paid his players well and built a theater, and a house. He was comfortable. Yet misunderstood then and now.
My impression of Ian Anderson's theme on the album is that Jesus Christ associated with prostitutes and thieves and he's having another look at those classes of people who tend to be looked down upon for no reason other than disgust or the just world hypothesis ("they wouldn't be in those circumstances if they didn't do something to deserve it")
Why doesn't Mary get along with her schoolmates? There's probably something wrong with her facial appearance that makes the little boys ridicule her. That's why she has turned to older men. There is yet another image I get from the title "Cross-Eyed Mary", which is the mother of Jesus looking upon the Crucifixion. Is there something holy about this Mary? Does she understand the suffering of mankind? I don't know if this was intended, but Ian's lyrics often contain sly references. It serves the concept of this album to question traditional Christian teaching with topsy-turvy metaphors.
I love the Songs From the Wood + Heavy Horses + Stormwatch Trilogy of albums. They are an incredible Trio of Tull albums. I also love Warchild + Too Old to Rock n Roll + Minstrel in the Galley albums too which show the development from Aqualung through to the WOOD/HORSES/STORMWATCH trilogy. I pretty much love everything Tull. The Live and Bursting out, a double album, is an incredible document of Tull musical history played with energy and invention. It's well worth a look and listen. But beyond that, I also love A and especially the story and invention of Broadsword and the Beast (which I was lucky enough to see played live on Tour). Then there was a radical change with albums such as Undercover, which I still love as Tull explores new areas too. The only album I don't like that much is Rock Island. I don't mind Catfish Rising which is bluesy, at all. I even like the final dot.com and Roots to Branches offerings of the group. However for me personally: Aqualung + Warchild + Too Old to Rock n Roll but too Young to Die + Minstrel in the Gallery + Songs from the Wood + Heavy Horses + Stormwatch are the unmissable classic albums to me. If you want something very different and totally instrumental try Ian Andersons Divinities 12 Dances with God, an incredible semi-classical journey through music where he reinvented his flute playing, You can never go wrong with Jethro Tull.
Not really a concept album (according to Ian) at least not like Tommy by The Who is but the themes brought up all deal with society's ills and how to deal with them (religion?). Actually it was some critics calling this a "concept" album that led Ian to writing Thick As A Brick.
You're getting the gist of things so we'll thaI I can't wait for you to get to the controversial album that followed Thick As A Brick, namely A Passion Play. The lyrics will sate your craving like steak. In the meantime, I echo those who've said well done.
@@calebfuller4713 Why not and how do you see it? They seem to have a relationship of some type and not of the highest order. Perhaps you can elaborate?
@@nathananderson8928 I never got the impression Fagin was sexually interested in the kids... But he does manipulate them financially. Cross-eyed Mary is the one doing the financial manipulation, mainly for sexual favours.
@@calebfuller4713 Yeah, Fagin was only interested in the money of course, but they manipulation of youngsters in the streets and leading them down bad ways is certainly a similarity. The over-all feel of the album is very Dickensian despite it not being a concept album.
@@nathananderson8928 I've got to agree, for me it's has a real 70's vibe with a hint of Dickens, almost medieval at times, it may be the relationship with the past he ties so well together in song that draw us to Tull.
You are quite perceptive!Tull is one of my favorite groups. I love YES especially from 1969 to 1980. To me they had more depth and variety in their music style compared to RUSH which I do like!
GOTTA listen to Iron Maiden's cover of this, a little harder but very well done! Again, the meaning of the lyrics is lost on me...I'm just a drummer and more about the music but I find it very interesting when you dig into the words and their meaning...both for you as well as the writer's intent.
“Would rather make it with a lech in grey....” Lech meaning a perv or a user of people. In grey.....the old traditional grey British business suit. She’s holing up with old business men. In the late 80s and in high school named a metal band I was in Lech In Grey after that line.....without really getting what it meant. Haha.
Back in the day we could say shit like " cross eyed Mary" without worry of derogatory perceptions. We were simply into the music. I wish that you could have lived the 60s 70s as the age your now. You would have soard. I'm 62 with grand kids and am still amazed of the music generated in our erra
Really 'dark' rocker from Tull. I've always enjoyed this one even more than the title-track. On Tull in general, i've made a personal ranking-list of their albums at another music review site, but youtube rates links as spam, so I removed it here ;-)
Aqualung wasn't really a concept album, as far as Ian is concerned. But it did made him do Thick as a brick as a mock concept album; maybe to put the discussion to rest? If that was the ambition, it was flawed and did fail. But hey, we all got some epic music out of it, so there's that
I have always been drawn to a song's lyric, and I am pleased to find you seem to be too. I don't always get the lyric correct by listening. In Pink Floyd's "Us and Them", the correct line is "Haven't you heard its a battle of words, the poster bearer cried". I had always heard it as "Haven't you heard its a battle of words, and most of them are lies". Although incorrect, I still like my version better.
I heard you say that you noticed the tie in to "Aqualung", the song. You also plan to comment on what you feel the "Album" is about. Let me warn you, before you start down that road, that things like the reference to other songs and some statements on morality, made many folks think that this was meant to be a concept album, BUT, in protest and to disprove that, the band produced "Thick as a Brick" in order to say "No, THIS is a concept album" and, I think you will agree, we are richer for it!!
Both Aqualung and Cross-Eyed Mary are about social disadvantage producing characters who reflect this. Importantly this involves complex issues, eg Mary probably didn't simply chose to go the way she does.
You really need to watch the live version of “My God” from Isle of White. This song, My God” cuts down people believing that only their religions are the only way to praise. There is but one God. That’s his point. But in the live version I mentioned, he does wicked playing with the flute.
Laughing in the playground gets no kicks from little boys refers to the fact that she doesn't get a thrill from little boys... But would rather make it with a letching Brave( older lad.)
I can only suggest trying to understand James Joyce's prose before understanding Tull's lyrics. It's their dirtiest, naughty sounding number! A letching Grey is a dirty old man lol (I have no reason to know that, I'm young still, damn it :-)
If you are a Christian, then "Wind Up" the song and its lyrics will get to you. Specifically how man tries to fit God into their realm of being incorrectly.
Mary was sexually abused, maybe by Aqualung. She fits the profile. Yea, she and Aqualung have a thing going on. "She'll do it for a song". That's my favorite line. Maybe it's Ian's too haha.
Excellent choice, but... King Crimson material is heavily protected and gets removed promptly once posted here on YT. That's why you'll find little, if any, reactions of their classic material on YT.
Think "cross" and "Mary" and it points to the recurring theme of organized religion. The Church is the rich man taking advantage of the vulnerable poor.
Best not to look too closely into the actual meaning behind some of the lyrics, they were quite disturbing for 1971, impossible for audiences to bear in 2023. Even Ian is now trying to draw attention away from their actual 1971 meaning, which he definitely wouldn't have done when this came out. This piece furthers the tradition that exists in England & Scotland of very dark tales, (There is a folk song about a court musician who fashions a fiddle from a murdered child's breast bone, and the fiddle plays itself, from memory). I am not at all censorious myself though. English literature and the James I Bible are full of descriptions of unspeakable acts, which of course reflects the depths of human nature. Missing your reactions, and hope listening to all this stuff has been useful to you as get on with the rest of your life....
Daniel- watch NDE's on youtube- Anthony Chenes site seems to be the best. Jeff Olsen-Richard Kelly-Chris Batts etc, for a perspective on religion you prob have not considered yet in your young life.
While there are many young music "reactors" on TH-cam, you are the only one I've seen that is focused on the progressive music path and goes fully in-depth regarding lyrical meaning. Others are all over the place with genres, interpretations and style. Stay the path, and let's see your guitar and vocal skills more often. Great start, Daniel.
The Tull is a deep deep dive. Ian Anderson intellect leaves most shallow contemporaries behind with their dollar chasing and self-adulation.
Hey R Jay stewart... To understand and to appreciate Jethro Tull.. pure musicianship and talent.... I dug this when I was 13 years old ... WTF?
Well put!
I love this song because at first it's so catchy and seemingly upbeat, but the lyrics are *dark* and tone is so gritty that it all just creeps up on you and before you know it, you're feeling unsettled and you're not sure exactly why.
That's a brilliant observation, I guess it's quite deliberate. The grinding, dare say, erotic groove, (one that could easily be ripped to be a disco/techno/soul/Latina classic) and as you say, juxtaposed to the content. He's employed an upbeat, dirty groove, to seduce you as the song descends, into a crescendo, (I mean who does that?) a really wonderful piece of music.
I think it's great that you're going through albums. Great idea.
Cross-Eyed Mary is another member of the neighborhood where Aqulaung lives. Like him, she is judged and looked down on by “respectable” people, but she is one of the few who treats Aqualung with compassion. This is a paraphrasing of an interpretation I heard Ian Anderson provide in an interview in the 80s.
Glad you reacted to this!! Love this song!!!
It's pretty cool listening to this again with you and thinking more about the lyrics. When I was listening to all this stuff growing up, I never even knew a some of the lyrics in many of the songs. There were usually some you couldn't figure out. We didn't have the internet back then where you could just go and look things up. It's definitely a good idea to do the whole album any time it's a concept album. Even though Ian Anderson doesn't consider this to be a concept album it's still good to do it so you can see why the critics said it was.
Jethro Tull is number 2 of my favorite bands for decades
Ah yes,...A Passion Play will be the cherry on the cake. For me, and perhaps a minority of others, Tull's greatest. You will love it!
I think Ian has problems with the downside of organized religion, but is not anti-Christian.
Gotta check out Supper’s Ready by Genesis!!!
I’ve seen Tull so many times since the 70s, but regardless of your opinion of the stature of Tull albums, the greatest live prog performance of all time, hands down.
@@matthewlloyd5130 He's a pantheist, yes, not anti-christian.
Don't know if you have mentioned John Evan's piano--sometimes overlooked (literally, while listening to the song(s))--but an essential component of Tull's sound (indispensable specifically on this album...)
An opinion: I was born in the late '50's and heavy rock hit right as I became a teenager in the early '70's. The seeds of protest had been sown in the '60's and by the '70's the themes of exploitation, urban blight and personal anxiety rose as central themes in music. Rock for me and many around me became a way of escape, not from the themes in the lyrics but in the rhythms and melodies. Tho' it was new and wild, rock remained faithful to its roots in the familiar and this struck a chord [pun intended] with me.
There was a burgeoning cynicism that was also carried from the '50's and 60's but it was still kept in relative check.
By the late '70's and into the 80's, God and meaningful community relationships, friendships and family no longer featured in musical themes. The music industry created new gods who rose; new themes of depression, alienation and self absorption, it seemed to me, became the focus that permeated into every facet of life. Greed was the mantra of the '80's and 90's and by the 2000's, music, for the most part, lost its teeth and claws.
In a real sense, we grew up very quickly without the wisdom of experience. As a consequence, the elders among us were either ridiculed or ignored. Every generation does this, though in the past 60 years, this seems to have accelerated by forces out of our control. It's no surprise that the 'cult of youth' is and has been the prevailing paradigm for decades now.
Children, including many authorities, now only seek power in the earth and they have abandoned or were robbed of the old order.........for better or worse. They forget however, that they themselves will one day be old or chose to remain as children.There is no loss of irony that the rebellion of my youth was leading down a path of the destruction of the very things I held dear. A little wisdom of age has told me that is not a good thing. The rebellion we see today is lead by those who want to re live their childhood and or refuse to mature.
Every child since the dawn of time is tempted to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree. That's human nature. Accepting our fallen state is a sign of maturity and we should not remain as children. In the words of Bob Dylan, ''you'd better start swimming, or you'll sink like a stone, for the times they are a changing''
The frustrations of alienation manifested in violent rebellion against all orders. As a result, gangs and tribes formed, tribes devoid of genuine self reflection where pure narcissism was master. Nihilism, unadulterated cynicism and self destruction and fake, hopeless saccharine sentimentality rule the airwaves and I miss the days of child like wonder of the world. Don't get me wrong, I still return time and again to the fiery rock of my youth. There is still great music out there...I just have to search a little harder for it.
The trick, for me and by Gods grace, is to maintain the fire of discernment and not the fire of oblivion.
[nice Liverpudlian accent in the intro by the way, mate.]
God bless, brother.
signed: the dolphins off the starboard bow.
Rod Bathgate For Ian I think a bit of both lyrics and music making a statement about what people in general were going through at that time!
Born in the early 50s and well said.
I was a teenager in the '70's when I first got into the Beatles, Jethro Tull, Rush, King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, etc., and I still love them all to this day. It's great to see "young-'uns" like you get into it also, fifty or so years later. If you haven't heard King Crimson or Gentle Giant, I would suggest listening and reacting to them as well. (For starters, King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man." Gentle Giant's "Just the Same.")
Great job Daniel! That’s always been a banger of a song to rock to, and many of us never realized the actual content regarding this album until later comments from Ian Anderson in the early 80’s (for me anyway). God bless you!
I'll only speak for myself....I try to listen to lyrics but there are times when I find myself not thinking deeply enough and more or less parroting lyrics when I hear a song. I can say that's what I've been doing with "Cross-eyed Mary", only thinking of her as an adolescent tart. New light has been shed now. Thanks Daniel. Also:
Martin Barre - guitar
Clive Bunker - drums
Jeffery Hammond - bass (although some may have been Glenn Cornick, former JT bassist)
John Evan - piano
So ambitious, I love it!! Tull has such a vast catalog and they changed lineups and musical styles over the years, many people will chime in I'm sure with favorite "era" or album, you are going to have a blast. I discovered JT when I was younger than you, and have at least 20 years of their vinyl in my cabinet. Enjoy!
As a child, I would listen to this entire album end-to-end, and it was like I could see the story unfolding in my mind. Tull are one of the most amazing bands, ever. (Recommend Songs From the Woods, if you enjoy harmonies.) This song is a tricky one for a lot of people, I find. No one in good circumstances usually wants to look at the harsher lives many others live. At the end of the day, we are all doing the best we can with what we have.
I always felt that Ian Anderson is a remarkable individual. If I were to sum up either he or the character Mary in the song, I might put it this way: For most people in this world morals are what you talk about and ethics are how you live...I have always found Mr. Anderson and his character both to be deeply ethical.
YOU KNEWWWWWW NOT TO PAUSE IT AT THE START OF THAT FLUTE! :) I JUST LOVE HOW GOOD YOU GOT AT THIS VERY RAPIDLY DANIEL! EXCELLENT WORK
Daniel, Ian Anderson, through his writing, particularly with the Aqualung album, expressed his views against "organized" religion. While some lyrics might be misinterpreted to see him as either anti-Christian or atheistic, his views of God are actually rather strong, but personal. The song "Wind Up" makes this pretty clear. On "My God," there is a lyric with the phrase "... and the graven-image you-know-who, with his plastic crucifix..." In live performances (see Isle of Wight live version on youtube) the phrase was ".. graven image catholic, with his plastic crucifix..." I suspect the record label even in 1971 was worried about being offensive, so catholic became "you-know-who" on the album. Personal anecdote: In catholic HS in 1976, we were assigned to do a report on "religion in media." Of course media in 1976 was television and radio and recordings, no "social media like today. For my project I brought in Aqualung and had the whole class listen (along with Sister Mary Whatever) and I discussed the religious contexts of the entire album. The class loved it, even Sister. I got an A.
A pantheist; mostly based on Spinoza's writings.
@@windyhead7960 Ian Anderson is a standard Christian, and he obviously found his way to God individually, not through the Anglican church.
Keep taking the Tull ride. It'll stay with you forever.
Jethro Tull is one of my favorite bands of all time love your reaction to them. I’d love you to react to bungle in the jungle and my favorite song of theirs too old to rock and roll : too young to die. Keep up the great work.
Since this reaction is 10 months old, I feel that by now you have begun to dissect the lyrics and dig into their deep and DARK roots . Let the beauty of the flute get you through it...
Great to see a younger guy diving into awesome classic rock.. You're breakdowns are great.. Can't believe how many times I ask myself "do I really want to sub to another reaction channel" .. but you've really earned it. Keep up the good work !
My all time favorite band love Ian, I've been blessed to see them 5 times and I would go again in a hart beat
I just found this video, this is my favorite song by Jethro Tull ! Great song !!
Loved the video and your comments. Thanks a lot.
As usual, enjoyed your reaction. I'm thrilled that you're going to do the entire album. One of my comments after you reacted to Aqualung was along the lines of "might as well do the entire album" - so I'll take credit for your decision to do so - even though you claim to have had some sort of conversation about it with the patreons (sp?). LOL
SO glad to see you listening to full albums! This is the way they were (are) meant to be heard! We always dropped the needle, flipped when necessary, returned to jacket, and on to the next album! I'm looking forward to more albums, because hardly anyone else is doing them! I'll give you a few gems.........."Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" by Spirit, this one holds a special place in my heart (and head), and 2 of the all time great live albums (since we've already discussed The Grateful Dead's "Europe 72" etc.) "Live at Fillmore East" by The Allman Brothers Band and "Waiting for Columbus" by Little Feat. Those are two absolute burners! (I know you're a guitar player too, so you will certainly appreciate Duane and Dickey of the ABB, and Lowell and Paul of Little Feat!)
I'am looking forward to the next concert in october 2021 in Hamburg. I think it'll be the 25th concert for me to visit.
Jethro Tull is my all time favourite band for now about 35 years.
You shoud listen also to the "younger" music.
Keep attention to the drummers. Ian Anderson had always fantastic drummers in his band. And you can hear the evolution of the band and Ian, when you listen to the drummers Clive Bunker and Doane Perry.
There ist so much amazing music...
Keep on!
Son, she was a groupie of the bands in that erra. She really existed
Thick as a Brick is a masterpiece!
Ian would call himself a Christian, but he is not a fan of organized religion (the Anglican Church in particular). You will hear more on this album.
I would agree, and the song "Wind Up" spells it out nicely.
@Mike Lyle th-cam.com/video/xZE6Cfj9yyw/w-d-xo.html
Firsties.
My
God
will blow your mind.
Band: Ian, the fans do not want four flute solos.
Ian: hold my beer.
Spin me back down the years and the days of my youth,
Draw the lace and black curtains and shut out The Plane Truth:)
Dicon Dissectional Reactions Not quite sure how to take that 🤨 🤔
@@theplanetruth Oh sorry, I was mainly attempting stupid humor by referencing TaaB in a witty comment. Don't you feel witifyed? :)
Dicon Dissectional Reactions I do indeed. It was very witty.
Love your voices! You have fun skills. The song Teacher is good too.
Yes, more Tull! I would have suggested to just start from the beginning. "Stand Up" & "Benefit' albums were the 1st two. Both are my favorite Tull albums
This Was, was the 1st one, in 1968, but yes, they found their own path with Stand Up.
There are something incredible about "cross Eyed Mary" that makes it even better than the other masterpiecesongs on "Aqalung".I think the organ is so great felinvice and Ians
voce fits so great with the lyrics.
Great reaction, thank you!!!
I love Martin Barre's guitar work, too!
Well played sir!
Remember that, back in the ‘70s, we had no idea what many of these lyrics were. It was very exciting when the Internet came along.
I just want to mention the song In the Dead of Night by U.K. again, and give you a little more info about them.
In 2015 Rolling Stone ranked it as the 30th best progressive rock album of all time. I think that's nuts. It should be in the top 10.
But here's a great quote: In an interview with the TeamRock site in 2016, Ty Tabor of King's X selected the album as his top pick in a "5 Essential Guitar Albums" list, stating, "I had never heard anybody think about playing guitar the way that Holdsworth plays on that record.
Holdsworth played mostly jazz fusion, which might be why his style in a Prog Rock group was so unique.
Frank Zappa once lauded him as "one of the most interesting guys on guitar on the planet" while Robben Ford has said: "I think Allan Holdsworth is the John Coltrane of the guitar. I don't think anyone can do as much with the guitar as Allan Holdsworth can.
It's sad that so many have never heard this album. Hope you react to it sometime.
Saw U.K. live opening for Tull on their Heavy Horses Tour in 78. Blown away by their performance, but then the album paled by comparison. But the best track is indeed, In The Dead of Night.
@@benoitdesmarais2948 Wow! How interesting. I also think Nevermore is incredible, but I also think every song on the album is great, so maybe we disagree on that. I like Danger Money too. Carrying No Cross is a gem.
Great review, thanks! JT/Ian Anderson was/is not the opposite of Christianity, but through this album, and some other songs, Ian reacts against how organised religion is hypocritically used for other purposes, such as power and oppression. Good idea to go through the albums as such. It will give you an interesting idea of how JT (and other bands) develop over time and with their time. I think JT’s "A Passion Play" and Genesis’ "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" will blow you away. A suggestion would be to divide "The Lamb..." into four listenings, following the sides of the vinyl edition of the album. Also, especially when it comes to early Genesis, you should also consider how young they were when writing the music. 😎👍
Iron Maiden did a very fine cover of this tune in 1984, released w/ other fine covers from more obscure early 1907s Prog/Hard bands, on the B-Side of their 'Maxi-Single' for the song 'Aces High', the song that opened their awesome '84 release 'Powerslave'. Maiden leader/bassist/composer Steve Harris is a big Prog Rock fan, and Jethro Tull is one of his favorites.
Ian Anderson has always been the modern bard whose lyrics are deep in satire and sarcasm. Otherwise he devilishly pokes fun at those things we take for granted. Now, satire for the most part is topical and the most popular topic is politics but Anderson gets his digs in on religion. Now satire is an art form in the UK where they use a lot of double entendre, subliminal under currents and metaphors. Satire is a form of humor that is both dark and cerebral. A thinking person's humor, not Ha Ha slapstick funny humor. In fact most of William Shakespeare's works are pure satire where many, including scholars claim them as tragedies. Take Romeo & Juliet for example, it's not about the two star crossed teenage lovers. It is about two ridiculous and idiodic rival Italian merchant families that behave badly and the effect it has on two immature reckless teenagers. Oh, and of course the creepy dude who is trying woo Juliet that isn't Romeo. Shakespeare did not care how people saw his plays, just that they were filling seats. William wasn't wealthy because he paid his players well and built a theater, and a house. He was comfortable. Yet misunderstood then and now.
I enjoy your analysis.
Early stuff is great “New Day Yesterday “ !
My impression of Ian Anderson's theme on the album is that Jesus Christ associated with prostitutes and thieves and he's having another look at those classes of people who tend to be looked down upon for no reason other than disgust or the just world hypothesis ("they wouldn't be in those circumstances if they didn't do something to deserve it")
Back in the day! 💕
The only band I know that can Rock a Flute.
Thick as a Brick is fucking incredible!!
One of the most badass overdriven organ sounds ever..
Aqualung indeed is worth doing it song by song
Why doesn't Mary get along with her schoolmates? There's probably something wrong with her facial appearance that makes the little boys ridicule her. That's why she has turned to older men.
There is yet another image I get from the title "Cross-Eyed Mary", which is the mother of Jesus looking upon the Crucifixion. Is there something holy about this Mary? Does she understand the suffering of mankind? I don't know if this was intended, but Ian's lyrics often contain sly references. It serves the concept of this album to question traditional Christian teaching with topsy-turvy metaphors.
In the album Minstrel in the Gallery you'll find Tull at their pinnacle. IMHO.
Love the attempt at the British accent - put it this way, it’s a lot better at my attempt at an American accent! 😊
I love the Songs From the Wood + Heavy Horses + Stormwatch Trilogy of albums. They are an incredible Trio of Tull albums.
I also love Warchild + Too Old to Rock n Roll + Minstrel in the Galley albums too which show the development from Aqualung through to the WOOD/HORSES/STORMWATCH trilogy.
I pretty much love everything Tull. The Live and Bursting out, a double album, is an incredible document of Tull musical history played with energy and invention. It's well worth a look and listen.
But beyond that, I also love A and especially the story and invention of Broadsword and the Beast (which I was lucky enough to see played live on Tour).
Then there was a radical change with albums such as Undercover, which I still love as Tull explores new areas too. The only album I don't like that much is Rock Island. I don't mind Catfish Rising which is bluesy, at all. I even like the final dot.com and Roots to Branches offerings of the group. However for me personally:
Aqualung + Warchild + Too Old to Rock n Roll but too Young to Die + Minstrel in the Gallery + Songs from the Wood + Heavy Horses + Stormwatch are the unmissable classic albums to me.
If you want something very different and totally instrumental try Ian Andersons Divinities 12 Dances with God, an incredible semi-classical journey through music where he reinvented his flute playing, You can never go wrong with Jethro Tull.
Oh, yeah. OH YEAH!
Not really a concept album (according to Ian) at least not like Tommy by The Who is but the themes brought up all deal with society's ills and how to deal with them (religion?). Actually it was some critics calling this a "concept" album that led Ian to writing Thick As A Brick.
I saw Jethro Tull at Ohio State Homecoming in 1970...it was awesome! Have you seen their Christmas album? It is great!
You're getting the gist of things so we'll thaI I can't wait for you to get to the controversial album that followed Thick As A Brick, namely A Passion Play. The lyrics will sate your craving like steak. In the meantime, I echo those who've said well done.
I love the 1930s radio announcer open!
Loooooooove itittii🙄geht Mad for it!!!🙃
The relationship between Aqualung, Mary and the Jack-knifed barber seems to be like Fagin and the kids in Oliver Twist.
Um... not quite.
@@calebfuller4713 Why not and how do you see it?
They seem to have a relationship of some type and not of the highest order.
Perhaps you can elaborate?
@@nathananderson8928 I never got the impression Fagin was sexually interested in the kids... But he does manipulate them financially. Cross-eyed Mary is the one doing the financial manipulation, mainly for sexual favours.
@@calebfuller4713 Yeah, Fagin was only interested in the money of course, but they manipulation of youngsters in the streets and leading them down bad ways is certainly a similarity.
The over-all feel of the album is very Dickensian despite it not being a concept album.
@@nathananderson8928 I've got to agree, for me it's has a real 70's vibe with a hint of Dickens, almost medieval at times, it may be the relationship with the past he ties so well together in song that draw us to Tull.
You are quite perceptive!Tull is one of my favorite groups. I love YES especially from 1969 to 1980. To me they had more depth and variety in their music style compared to RUSH which I do like!
“Kicks” means enjoyment - as in the song “I get a kick out of you” (well worth a listen).
Back then weren't so concerned of the complete lyrics on first or even tenth listen... we just let them naturally wear on us.
GOTTA listen to Iron Maiden's cover of this, a little harder but very well done! Again, the meaning of the lyrics is lost on me...I'm just a drummer and more about the music but I find it very interesting when you dig into the words and their meaning...both for you as well as the writer's intent.
The Alan Parsons Project, " I Robot" would be another project concept album
“Would rather make it with a lech in grey....”
Lech meaning a perv or a user of people.
In grey.....the old traditional grey British business suit.
She’s holing up with old business men.
In the late 80s and in high school named a metal band I was in Lech In Grey after that line.....without really getting what it meant.
Haha.
Hi Daniel! Try out Elegy, live! And Bouree'( Bach). Classical songs!
Back in the day we could say shit like " cross eyed Mary" without worry of derogatory perceptions. We were simply into the music. I wish that you could have lived the 60s 70s as the age your now. You would have soard. I'm 62 with grand kids and am still amazed of the music generated in our erra
Aqualung is really kind of two concept albums
"My God" is the best song on this album.
Moe Feaux
That's debatable.
Desperate people do desperate things. Perspective is important.
Really 'dark' rocker from Tull. I've always enjoyed this one even more than the title-track.
On Tull in general, i've made a personal ranking-list of their albums at another music review site, but youtube rates links as spam, so I removed it here ;-)
Aqualung wasn't really a concept album, as far as Ian is concerned. But it did made him do Thick as a brick as a mock concept album; maybe to put the discussion to rest?
If that was the ambition, it was flawed and did fail. But hey, we all got some epic music out of it, so there's that
TaaB is now one of my favorite albums ever, I recently reacted and analysed the whole thing. Freaking incredible stuff on there:)
I have always been drawn to a song's lyric, and I am pleased to find you seem to be too. I don't always get the lyric correct by listening. In Pink Floyd's "Us and Them", the correct line is "Haven't you heard its a battle of words, the poster bearer cried". I had always heard it as "Haven't you heard its a battle of words, and most of them are lies". Although incorrect, I still like my version better.
if you live long enough certian situations come along that make you have to do things you do not want to do, nor expected to ever have to go thru
I heard you say that you noticed the tie in to "Aqualung", the song. You also plan to comment on what you feel the "Album" is about. Let me warn you, before you start down that road, that things like the reference to other songs and some statements on morality, made many folks think that this was meant to be a concept album, BUT, in protest and to disprove that, the band produced "Thick as a Brick" in order to say "No, THIS is a concept album" and, I think you will agree, we are richer for it!!
Both Aqualung and Cross-Eyed Mary are about social disadvantage producing characters who reflect this. Importantly this involves complex issues, eg Mary probably didn't simply chose to go the way she does.
Ian Moore - Today
You need to react to Hymn 43 by Jethro tull!
Be afraid... Be very afraid!
You really need to watch the live version of “My God” from Isle of White. This song, My God” cuts down people believing that only their religions are the only way to praise. There is but one God. That’s his point. But in the live version I mentioned, he does wicked playing with the flute.
Check out hymn 43
Going through the album in order, as I say in the video:)
To old to rock and roll but to young to die album check it out
Laughing in the playground gets no kicks from little boys refers to the fact that she doesn't get a thrill from little boys... But would rather make it with a letching Brave( older lad.)
you almost had it
I VOTE FOR JONI MITCHELL ( BLUE ) :) 71 CLASSICCCCC
My Name is Talk to much too😄😄😍✌🇩🇪🤗
I can only suggest trying to understand James Joyce's prose before understanding Tull's lyrics. It's their dirtiest, naughty sounding number! A letching Grey is a dirty old man lol (I have no reason to know that, I'm young still, damn it :-)
If you are a Christian, then "Wind Up" the song and its lyrics will get to you. Specifically how man tries to fit God into their realm of being incorrectly.
Wind Up is great!
A grey is an old person with grey hair
How does anyone begin listening to this song and comment on every instrument except the flute?
Mary was sexually abused, maybe by Aqualung. She fits the profile. Yea, she and Aqualung have a thing going on. "She'll do it for a song". That's my favorite line. Maybe it's Ian's too haha.
Great music with dark lyrics {prostitution}.
Please react to Larks' Tongues in Aspic by King Crimson
Excellent choice, but... King Crimson material is heavily protected and gets removed promptly once posted here on YT. That's why you'll find little, if any, reactions of their classic material on YT.
@@montag4516 Unfortuantely, this is true.
Think "cross" and "Mary" and it points to the recurring theme of organized religion. The Church is the rich man taking advantage of the vulnerable poor.
Best not to look too closely into the actual meaning behind some of the lyrics, they were quite disturbing for 1971, impossible for audiences to bear in 2023. Even Ian is now trying to draw attention away from their actual 1971 meaning, which he definitely wouldn't have done when this came out. This piece furthers the tradition that exists in England & Scotland of very dark tales, (There is a folk song about a court musician who fashions a fiddle from a murdered child's breast bone, and the fiddle plays itself, from memory). I am not at all censorious myself though. English literature and the James I Bible are full of descriptions of unspeakable acts, which of course reflects the depths of human nature.
Missing your reactions, and hope listening to all this stuff has been useful to you as get on with the rest of your life....
Chick was into older men and not the young.
Daniel- watch NDE's on youtube- Anthony Chenes site seems to be the best. Jeff Olsen-Richard Kelly-Chris Batts etc, for a perspective on religion you prob have not considered yet in your young life.