Classical Composer Reacts to Thick As A Brick - Part 1 (Jethro Tull) | The Daily Doug (Episode 181)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ย. 2024
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In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm reacting to the 1997 remix studio version of side one of Thick As A Brick by Jethro Tull. I think this was my first time listening to this (part 1) in its entirety. Such a unique band, instrumentation, and sound! Enjoy!
Reference Video: • Thick as a Brick (Pt. ...
I saw them perform this in 1972. Because of the hysterically entertaining stage show, Thick As A Brick, had to be 2 hours or more. There was 15 minute standing ovation and when we quieted down, Ian approached the microphone and said, "For our second song...." Another standing ovation.
I also saw them in 70 when they took the stage and said. We're gonna do a new thing for you Hope you like it. And it was the entire concert, but They did do 4 songs from aqualung for ancore.
Saw the same show...Philly on Friday, Hershey on Saturday. 💥❤️🔥💥
Me too
It is such a pity that there seem to be no recordings of those concerts in existence - neither in audio nor video form. I would have loved to experience one of those concerts. Sadly, I wasn't even remotely born back then.
And then I missed the TAAB2 tour. Screw me 😢
My dad was a music teacher who grew up in the big band era. I had the hardest time getting him to appreciate anything from my era - which was the 1970s. He even wrote off Close to the Edge, saying that "they're all good pros", but he wasn't impressed musically. That changed when he heard Thick as a Brick. He was blown away by Jethro Tull's use of Renaissance musical styles, and from that point on, Jethro Tull could do no wrong. You brought back a lot of memories for me. Love your channel.
That's almost the same reaction my father had. He was a scientist who was big on classical music. He preferred Tull to Yes, describing it as being less repetitive, but it also had a more classical sound.
What about gentle giant? They were amazingly medieval
Your dad was spot on.
My dad also played in the big band era. He didn't care much for genres as much as "Are they accomplished musicians?" That was the only thing that mattered.
Your story put tears in my eyes. To have someone so accomplished as your Dad, understand, as I have, the incredible musical genius that is Ian Anderson, is truly heart warming!
No jokes: Thick As A Brick is one of the masterpieces of XXth century and of the history of music.
Yes, it IS a MASTERPIECE indeed! Absolutely AWESOME!
Almost 50 years later - I can still sing along to this song. The words just come to me. One of the best songs ever.
Me too…I was just thinking that. I’m sure I haven’t heard it in 50 years but the words are still in me.
@@dawnpericles1136 Same to both of you. How on earth do we keep the words like that? I wonder if my wife would divorce me if I said I wanted the entire album played at my funeral 😲
@@michaelamor3164 I can still remember my mother's drivers license number, just from hearing her say it out loud for the cashier to write on her check at the grocery store, and that was almost 60 years ago. yet I keep forgetting my neighbors name and he has told it to me at least a half a dozen times over the last few years. The # is B1260803, by the way. The human mind is an odd an amazing thing.
@@michaelamor3164 I'd be more concerned she might hasten your demise just to hear it again. :)
Same here 👍
The entire album was an absolute masterpiece.
was? it IS
The world over Martin Barre has never got the recognition to the awesomeness of his guitar virtuoso. Severely underrated.
100%. His solos are blistering.
Definitely in my top 5 and often at #1!!
Agreed!
Very true!
Completely agree! I got to see Martin and his band on tour a few years ago, and they tore the house down. They seemed surprised to see me there when I went to the merch table afterwards though; I was the only young person there. Wish it wasn't such a surprise to see young people at such good shows.
this is a masterpeice. Ian Anderson is a musical genius.
Absolutely … couldn’t say it better!!
so was Jethro Tull though.
he went on to form Anderson Lake and Palmer of course.
There wasn’t a slouch in that band….
Yes he was.
And with all the greats that were in like say Tommy's rock opera. That whole LP could not hold a candle to this one song. Knew nearly 50 years ago this music would stand the test of time.
I saw Tull on this tour. they played the entire TAAB. 45 minutes later, Ian said, "and for our next number..." I was 15 and in awe.
I saw that tour as well. Ian used the same line and it got a big laugh. I have told that story many times over the years. What a show! I think he was on one foot for half those 45 minutes!
I was i Phoenix saw the Frogman
Yeah I saw TAAB 1 & 2 live. To be fair, they also played Locomotive Breath as the encore. Almost 2 hours of pure goodness. And 3 whole songs, basically?
The next number was Aqualung. I saw them in St Petersburg. One of the best shows I ever saw.
I saw this tour shortly after it's release. This was my first concert as a teen. Of course I was blown away! Golden Earring opened the show and Jethro Tull went to after 1am. HOOKED!!
In the spring of 1972 I was doing advanced training in San Diego and one weekend I discovered this album in the rack in the Navy Exchange. I knew Tull but hadn’t heard that a new release was out. I bought it, of course.
Over the next three years this recording was played hundreds of times in Nam and later aboard ships off the coast. It was one of the few pieces that could adsorb my attention, relax me, and let me feel human again.
Dirty, scratched, worn, warped: this masterpiece earned my respect and awe, one of the few scared veterans that I maintained contact with after returning to the world.
Somewhere along the path of life I later lost that beat up recording. I haven’t heard it even mentioned in decades.
Listening to it just now was like meeting up with a long lost friend. Needless to say I’ve been weeping and very emotional this last hour. It’s been therapeutic.
I find I’m still as intrigued by the instruments, the arrangements, and the musicianship as I once was. I’m going to play it again right now, and anticipate eagerly part two! I’ve just subbed to your channel.
Thank you for covering the first half un-interrupted.
Grand Funk, I'm getting closer to my home, played on the ships " radio ". Down in the engine room for me. Ain't nothin like the 4 to 8 watch for a month at a time. Later transfered to POL division, what a relief.
Thank you for your service. I am fascinated by the complexity of this masterpiece.
My absolute favorite band! I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and fell in love immediately with Jethro Tull. Ian Anderson is a genius and what floored me was the fact he is a self taught flautist. I just played a clarinet in school but I was a singer for years. I inherited my love of music from my mother who had a beautiful voice. She exposed me to all genres of music and I will be forever grateful.
😁🎶🎹🎤🎸🎺🎶Play On
The most astonishing thing is, that Jethro Tull was able to play this "suite" live on stage. I've seen them, it was so emotional, brought me to tears!
Ditto!
@The Paradox Destroyer -- At the Melbourne, Australia concert, that phone rang just as they hit the 5/4 riff after the opening acoustic section. After his phone conversation, Ian Anderson walked back to the mic and said "There is an urgent telephone message for a Mr. Mike Nelson*, if he is in the audience. Apparently, there is a fish on the line." And one beat after he said the word "line," the band launched straight into the 5/4 riff again at full volume. Then, during that instrumental part, someone in a full wetsuit, flippers, mask and scuba tanks walked right across the stage and took the phone call.
Later, during the break between the halves of the piece (where you'd turn the record over), the band took a break during which Ian Anderson, dressed in a 2½m tall rabbit suit, became Dr. Farley Ruskin, and presented the news and weather, before resuming the piece. Incredible staging of the song.
*Mike Nelson was the name of the character played by Lloyd Bridges in the TV series Sea Hunt back in the day.
I met the band on radio contest. I scored best on their Tull test (administered by the band) and won. Traded my free seats for front row seats and dinner with the band. Ian's band are the nicest guys you ever met. Martin is a sweetheart. Ian wouldn't give me more time than a sign Album. Concert: Stormwatch
You were lucky Albrecht. My favorite Tull album. I could kick my self for not seeing them back in the late 70s. It's an astonishing LP. I love Anderson's lyrics and playing. Martin Barre is phenomenal.
Amazing performers. Life highlight: I saw them at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA had a beer with Dave Pegg at the bar next door after the show. I was too star struck to say much.
I’m almost 60. I’ve listened to this album from the time it was released. There are passages throughout the album that can bring me to tears. It evokes so much emotion. I’m almost drained by the time side 2 is finished. It’s a good feeling though and I’ll love this album until the day I’m 6 foot under. Matter of fact I may take it with me.
Waste of a good album, but excellent sentiment.
I’ll meet you with my Tull favs. We’ll be in heaven!
same here...
the 'Do you believe in the Day...' just wrecks me... born in '62 here bro!
@@ThePrion23 Me too.
Ian Anderson got sick of the press calling “Aqualung” (their fourth studio album) a concept album. So for their fifth, he wrote an actual concept album. Others have mentioned the original, fold-out newspaper record sleeve. The headline story is that an eight year old boy, nicknamed “little Milton,” had just won a prestigious prize for his epic poem, “Thick as a Brick.” The lyrics are presented as the actual text of the poem, which so inspired Jethro Tull that they wrote music to accompany the poem. There’s even a review of the album published in the paper. You noted the cleverness and humor of the lyrics, and the newspaper is full of that too.
..then theres the chick,on the LP cover slightly lifting her skirt..hehe..naughty Tull lads...
The St Cleve Chronicle story was about Little Milton Bostok who wrote poetry with his friend, Julia (the girl giving the up the dress shot in the photo) having their winning the poetry contest for their epic poem being revoked. Because it was determined that the epic poem was just a lot of shorter poems strung together. Many program's rockers of the day said that you can join any two or more pieces of music together no matter how disparate they were. So Ian Anderson did just that. Just like Little Milton, to spoof the whole program rock genre. The irony is that in doing that, he created one of the finest programs rock albums ever made.
My stupid phone changed all the "prog rocks" to "program rocks".
@@leonardmoorey1146 thanks for the refresher. It’s been about 15 years since my vinyl copy got stolen. I forgot that the prize had been revoked.
I lost mine in the late '70's or early '80's.
Ian Anderson is a "classically" influenced, multi instrument virtuoso, that has a big vaudvillian style showmanship. A poet, a troubadour, a bard.
...and the biological father of Guthrie Govan, surely!
And you forgot:A ladies man too...
I have listened to this hundreds of times, and every time I am astonished at its brilliance.
Anderson is really on a different level.
As a teen in the 70's and growing up with the greatest music ever recorded this is still as amazing as it was back then. Ian and Tull are so great....
The beauty of Jetho Tull was seeing them live
I was lucky enough to see them twice here in Australia. Once in about 1977 and then again mid 90’s.
Saw them several times in the 70s at Hammersmith Odeon, still the best live band ever in my view.
I was fortunate enough to see them a few times. Not a show, an experience!
Saw them twice Unbelievable
Terrible 2 years ago/ lip syncing, a mysterious flute while he was performing...garbage now
I loved this song as a teenager -....ok i love it 40 years later, too
Me too!!!
I've had pretty much every note of this song memorized since the mid 70's but I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday.
you're past it
One of the few extended play tracks from that time period that I can listen to end to end and not get bored. Every interlude leaves you eagerly waiting for what's next. A true masterpiece.
I'd like to thank Little Milton for this august piece.
I always read only the sports section.
The default viewer for TH-cam has Doug's pic right next to the 'Little Milton in schoolgirl pregnancy row' story. Just sayin...
what's happening with the We At Her today?
@Terry Murray. It's a girl with lingerie! 😄😄
He was one hell of a goer.
Saw them in 73 on this tour. They came out , went 75min. Non stop to do an embellished live version of this album, then Ian says "and now, for our second number..." True story. In their prime, they were one of the best live acts I ever saw. They always gave you 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Of fantastic live music. .
What a year for incredible music.
Close To The Edge(Yes), Trilogy(Emerson Lake and Palmer), First Base (Babe Ruth), Octopus (Gentle Giant).... We were blessed.
Foxtrot (Genesis) as well
Trilogy was a masterpiece. The best of ELP.
Yes we were!!!! They really should bring back Ludes. They made the music even better!
i remember babe ruth playing our local hall in a remote west coast of scotland small seaside town, near the place mccartney wrote about the mist rolling in from the sea, like the afternoon in the 1990's when it was so dense the chinook helicopter flying from ireland went head first into the hill above the lighthouse. was really thick at sea that day.
my older brother had gone to see babe ruth and we had the big tour poster for first base on the bedroom wall, three or four years later we'd be playing to over 600 regularly in the same hall and to this day i've still never heard any of their stuff, they were obviously not very successful if they were playing our town, next outside band to play locally were a band called joe lethal, a three piece from irvine and then the brilliant runrig who were doing their very first scottish tour.
a long way from the 60's when big bands of the day regularly played, not the beatles or stones but mannfred man played the town the same night the charts announced that they were number one with doo wha diddy, these days they have two music festivals with the one in august featuring bands like deacon blue and thte stranglers, not forgetting the visits from old steak and kidney himself, sydney devne who we lost not long ago, mr entertainment himself
If you look at what came out in 71, 72, 73, we grew up in an amazing era of music. 71 is Aqualung, Fragile, Led Zep IV, unreal…
I saw Jethro Tull three times back in the day. Long before any digital mixing was done for live shows, these guys sounded absolutely perfect. Very tight and crisp. Total pros.
Tull, Moody Blues, The Who, Floyd etc all made their albums to be listened to from start to finish. The best way to experience them. One of my Fav for Tull is a little know piece ....Jethro Tull's christmas song......amazing story
A Christmas Song - great lyrics! I also love the musical intro. It makes me feel like a dark winter night.
I would have to agree, completely off the farm from everything he has done. Sweet tune.
The first few lines and melody bars are from a traditional Christmas Carol.
"Once in royal David's city. Stood a lowly cattle shed. Where a mother held her baby."
After that, Ian writes his own lyrics.
Every thing flows so naturally and organically in this masterpiece!
This is one of those albums that will be relevant 50 years from now as it was almost 50 years ago. Brilliant musicianship. Once again appreciate your insights into the artistry. Thanks, Doug.
I have listened to this many, many times since it was originally released. Another one of those albums that does not get old, it just gets better. Thanks for listening to the whole album rather than a shortened live version. It loses some in translation. Enjoyed your comments and review.
Well said.
I saw them play it live when it came out, from start to finish. We had bought the album a couple days before. Best concert I was ever at.
@@howlerbike And that's the way I felt when I saw them first time. Passion Play in its entirety. Amazing stuff. They were on quite a run!
I love when pro musicians appreciate Jethro Tull; especially this piece.
Doug mentions the dynamic contrast. That was something I really noticed in their live performances. Much more than on recordings. They were wonderful live - I was lucky enough to see them half a dozen times. From incredibly loud rock to acoustic and back again in a few notes. The band was very tight and changes were instantaneous. I remember the band jumping in the air, as if surprised, when their loud notes interupted an acoustic section. They did have a sense of humour as well as brilliant music.
Barriemore Barlow's percussion in this is a master class.
John Bonham said Barriemore was the best drummer ever.
In questo disco particolarmente eccelso ,e ho capito perche’ non usavano il moog, non ne avevano bisogno , con il flauto e l’organo sovrancisi ricavavano un suono particolare lo stesso !
I commented on Richard Todd's subthread, but I will repeat it here:
As a drummer, I will say that the drumming is quite creative and tight...many years later, Barriemore Barlow mentioned that he ~regretted (what he felt to be) his over-the-top drumming in his JT days...on this song I love it...
@@davidseres3030 I had a drummer who once told me that you can learn a lot from guys like Charlie Watts.
@@Relayer6a I've heard that Watts either has roots in or is a fan of jazz...with this stated, per his drumming in Rolling Stones songs, Watts's drumming skills seem very basic to me (and without a major jazz element)...I can think of other drummers with greater skills...nevertheless, I appreciate his contributions to drumming...
Ian Anderson has an awesome voice for rock. So did Greg Lake from Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
I keep being surprised to not see Greg Lake rated as one of rock’s greatest singers. Excellent bass player too.
th-cam.com/video/U6-PAKOt7sM/w-d-xo.html
Greg Lake is a god
Alright, now we need part 2
100%
You got it!
I was just 12 when I went along with my, slightly older, friends to see Jethro Tull on their Thick as a Brick tour. To reflect the spoof local newspaper album sleeve, they had a set of elaborate stage routines with band members and roadies in costumes. This, apparently, varied every night of the tour. It was a phenomenal concert experience. The next time I had enough money to buy an album I bought Thick as a Brick and played it endlessly and, therefore, became very familiar with it. Apart from anything else, it was interesting to watch someone being surprised by some of the changes in musical flow at the piece progressed. Later in life, when I met the girl who was to become my wife, one of the points of connection was that she had also been to the Thick as. a Brick tour, but in another city. This connection is particularly poignant for me just now as my wife died earlier this year. I have no doubt that I will have a mixture of tears and joy when I put on my 5.1 surround mix of Thick as a Brick this evening. My neighbours are very understanding about loud music and this will need to be played quite loud today!
Do find the time to react to react to Part 2 soon
I remember when I first heard this as a teenager. My parents had somehow acquired this album, but I was the first to listen to it. I was blown away by it, and all of the creativity it took to stitch this entire story together with coherent music. I made my parents listen to it. Unlike some of you, my dad, who was listened to classical music and jazz, never got much of the progressive rock that I discovered in my youth (Boston, Rush, Steely Dan, Kansas, Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa) and denigrated it as "drug music," but even he could not deny the musicianship and quality of Thick as a Brick. Only later in life was he able to begin to acknowledge that these groups were indeed special, talented. I wish he was still here to enjoy some of this music with me; I think he would come around.
Now we go for A Passion Play, Doug, you are da man!!!!!!!!
It's always fun to watch subject matter experts at work. People like Doug are a breath of fresh air. We need more like him!
The most complex Jethro Tull album I believe is "Ministrel in the Gallery" - that also my favorite. "Passion Play" is my second favorite
Side 2 of Minstrel is a work of art. Genius.
I can’t get out!
Minstrel is one of my favorites too.
I find "A Passion Play" to be just as rich as "a Brick." The same type of musical genius on display.
I think PP was the time I stopped following them. Too pretentious. I prefer their old blues material best.
JMNSHO
I’m a flute player enamored with Tull,…..have learned some of the flute parts and can say they’re not that easy. I have the utmost respect for Ian Anderson and the band’s superb musicianship !!!
I was shocked to hear when they did isle of wight in 1970, he'd only been playing 2-3 years!
"Nothings Easy"
His right pinkie finger is also non usable. He learned to play like that with a 3 finger hand, self taught.
Ian is a self taught flutist.
I was raised listening to Jethro Tull (and Frank Zappa) with my older cousins (early 70´s) and they introduced me to whatever great stuff was being released at the time. I devoured it eagerly, and always read the lyrics while listening, whenever I could.
And I was learning English a lot, at a very early age, without noticing it.
I know practically every word and most of the notes of this album by heart, but I´m not a musician, so it is really fascinating to follow along with you, identifying the chords, passages and musical nuances of this and all the other songs of you channel.
It´s been a really lovely ride, and you make it look as showing what´s under the hood and explaining the mechanics of a car I used to ride as a passenger, since I was a kid.
You are amazing, Doug!
I´m so glad you are taking the time to do these incredible videos.
Cheers from Brazil!
The first time I heard this .. I about cried! The seventy-billionth time I've listen to this masterpiece, I am still amazed at how fresh I find this piece! Thanks to
Paige for introducing me to Ian and the boys. I am forever in your debt!!!!
I love that you recognize the importance of dynamics. It is very well used in prog rock and fusion but I think it should be everywhere.
As amazing as the recording is, watching them do this live or even the abbreviated performances, is amazing! Ian Anderson is more than a musician. He is a master performer.
Yes they usually just meld together about 10 minutes of the album when they play it live.
But I saw them play the full album on the 50th anniversary tour with TAAB2 after the interval. Ian shared vocal duties with a young singer.
Martin Barr is by far my fave guitarist. He NEVER misses a note and does really complex rhythms. I love it.
The change in disjointed chord sequences and the mixing done was unique at the time. There has been no group since that has been able to replicate this music with any good effect. It is very complex and seems to draw you into it. It still leaves me with memories of my youth and a tear in the eye. Love Jethro Tull and their unique style. 👍🏻🇦🇺😁
14:35 "I often tell this to my composition students when they're orchestrating: Not very often does the orchestra all play at once" That's very well said and this is a very common problem when composers write orchestral arrangements for pop and rock songs.
The orchestration here is by Dee Palmer (or rather David Palmer since it was before her SRS), one of the very, very few who has mastered the art of orchestration for a band. She hadn't formally joined the band yet (she did four years later as a second keyboardist) but I think she and John Evan (the amazing keyboard player who is also classically trained) had a huge influence on how the band thought about instrumentation.
Martin Barre is up there with Gary Green and Alex Lifeson as the most criminally under rated guitarists, prog or not
Barre is the very best in his vein.
Brilliant on "To Cry You a Song"
I completely stumbled upon this clip (complete Till fan here) it was amazing watching your reactions and responses as you listened to the album, and the best bit for me was watching you get it! Thick as a brick is a total masterpiece.
This is not for the faint of heart. Amazing Ian Anderson. Simply Amazing.
I'm 72, I've seen Jethro Tull in 1975, in New Haven, CT. His performance is amazing. The sound impeccable, and the band blew me away. Fond memories. Aqualung from the same named album was the AM cut that brought them US fame, but I had gone into their rabbit hole long before that.
I was at that concert also with two friends driving up from Long Island
Мне 71 и я обожаю Jethro Tull. И как я Вам завидую: в ссср, где я жил было невозможно увидеть эту великую группу, как впрочем и другие... Хорошо хоть удавалось купить за бешеные деньги их альбомы.
Long live Rock'n'Roll!
When I saw the band live on the Thick as a brick tour at Birmingham Town Hall all the sound and stage crew wore brown full length coats. When the band came on unannounced they also wore the same coats and calmly walked on stage hung up coats on a coat stand and only then we realised they had arrived! Brilliant
Thanks for doing this. I flat wore this album out when I was a youngster.
Now, I listen to these reactions and It's like the album is brand new again. They say you can never go home.
Well that's not because home changed, you did.
Saw this live in concert and then Passion Play. They played it from start to finish. Amazing. We honestly thought this was how music should be. Had no idea how special it was until much later. They way they seamlessly flowed from rock to jazz to classical and back was just what we thought music was. I still have an 8-track of this.
This amazing Album is 70s British Rock perfection. Been enjoying this album for almost 50 years, I still get goosebumps whenever I hear it.
All the Players play their parts to perfection, truly an eternal masterpiece
My gawd....to hear this album again!
Brings back sweet memories! The world was a better place back then.
I still have this album.
😁👍
Now keep in mind how long ago this was. Tull started as a respectable jazzy blues rock band and morphed into a unique ensemble with overtones 18th century European folk music. And then, a couple of years later ...this. A prog masterpiece. And every bit of it written by Ian Anderson. He is quite the talent.
I'm a big fan of "Thick As A Brick", and Tull in general. You were talking about how Ian's voice has a certain quality - I have always thought that it sounds like he's got a permanent smirk on his face. Thanks for the video, Doug!
I always thought that too! As well as he sounds like he is always wearing a kilt and a tammie hat.
Really. I think his voice on the album version of "Wonderin' Aloud" is like a hug.
He always struck me as a folk singer who somehow found himself drafted to front a rock band.
@@jackal59 oh definitely, that song and One White Duck are so warm
Smirking vocally.. id never thought of it that way, but you’re absolutely right!
This lasted 60 minutes live in 1972 with the addition of an organ solo and a recitation of the news in the middle. Then Ian would humorously say, " And now for our second number...."
I saw Ian Anderson perform Thick as a Brick in its entirety, and also Thick as a Brick 2. And then they did an encore. Locomotive Breath.
1 live show... 2 hours... 3 songs!
Lol
Saw them in 72 and remember him saying that! It did seem like an hour.
@the zixl Did The Eagles play "We Used To Know"?
@the zixl I know. That was my joke.
Jethro Tull brought medieval music into the modern era.
You must get the vinyl cover, so funny for Brits, parody of a small town newspaper where the main story was about rabbits...note the family names. Ian Anderson was and still is brilliant
50 years later and it never gets old. TAAB is in and of it's own space and time. I saw them twice on the TAAB tour and they did it from front to back.
The "fade-out" is the big transition from side 1 to side 2 of the LP as you needed to get up and flip it over.
Carry On!!
Interesting you picked out the musicianship, Doug, as Anderson wasn't a natural flute player at all. He started as the band's lead guitarist, but when he heard other emerging talents like Clapton and Beck he realized that he could never match them. He signed another guitarist into the band, then traded his guitar in at the music shop. He happened to see a shiny flute on the wall and made a snap decision to buy it, then taught himself how to play, using it more as a guitar-substitute, but also developing some of the jazz ideas of Roland Kirk ("Serenade to a Cuckoo" is worth looking up). I think the band reaches another level of musicianship again in the later folk-based albums like Songs from the Wood, which I'd recommend you check out if you want to explore Tull a little further.
It will be my funeral music
Ian also has something wrong with the fingers on one hand, which greatly influenced his style of play. Got to see him twice in flute recitals at a couple different music schools ( I wasn't a music student, but had some connections that I wasn't afraid to make use of!). Pure genius, and he just blew the students and music teachers away.
Songs from the Wood is one of my favs
I’ve never heard that. I taught myself flute to play the flute when I performed Tamino in the magic flute. Always respect to Ian Anderson.
@@juniorjohnson9509 Something he has in common with Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, then (the finger injury, I mean, not the flute recitals!)
Who wants Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells to be reviewed?
Wind Chimes.
MOs first four albums would be great.
I'm waiting for someone to have a go at the eclectic genius of Amarok
@@amarok9097 You know, I really think I could dance...
I like "Tubular Bells", a truly groundbreaking album, however my favourite Mike Oldfield album is "Incantations".
First time I saw them was during the Bursting Out Tour. To this day I maintain that Barriemore Barlow was one of the best drummers I ever saw and is so very much underappreciated. The guy was a monster on the kit. Was also so well miked you could hear everything he was doing. Still one of the best shows I was fortunate to see. And that was a time when we got to experience the likes of Yes, Genesis, ELP, Sabbath, Purple, Zappa, etc etc. What a time to be a music fan eh? Jean Luc Ponty was one that I never forgot as well.
I've always thought that Mr. Anderson sings like a minstrel and would be quite comfortable singing to Kings and Queens in their various courts back years ago.
Another masterpiece of the 70´s era. Again, a band definitively delivering music in their unique own style. As almost all thebands in that period, nobody wants to sound like anybody else. And Ian Anderson and his partners in crime just did it! Amazing stuff. Greetings from Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina, in our Independence Day! Alejandro Bianco Dubini saying goodnight!
Back in the 70s there was still a spirit of progression & innovation in music, the variety available was mind-boggling & bands developed over years of touring & maturing. Jethro Tull were unique in sound & performance & I miss that in modern music. I hope you had a great independence day listening to classic tunes & of course maybe even a little tipple :)
You mentioned "british humor", I suggest taking a bit of time reading the whole "St Cleve Chronicle" (the cover).
Example: there's a death announcement of someone and an ad somewhere else for selling a used suit - both with the same address
That's all well and good, but who's Fluffy the Duck talking to? 😉
There was also the dog who soiled the actor's shoe, and if I am not misaken, the Do Not See Me rabbit.
Not to mention the silly puzzle (or cross words) that never gets anywhere.
Lost: large emperor penguin, answers to the name of Gerald.
Will St Cleve Fennel again?!
As a life-long Tull fan, I want to thank you for bringing Tull, and this album in particular, to a wider audience. And yes, as stated by others below, Martin Barre IS the most underrated guitarist in rock!
I was lucky enough to see them perform this piece at the Chicago Stadium in 1972.
Anderson’s explosive genius; a hundred musical ideas in an unending slipstream. Unparalleled. Unequaled. Got to see them perform this in 1972.
As a person who loves melody variations in music, even with absolutely no understanding of theory, I appreciate your way of breaking down a song.
Thank you so much for this reaction!! In my youth few agreed with my feeling that this was a real gem. Fortunately my parents indulged my need to hear this and allowed countless hours of my listening and singing. Hearing it today has been a pleasure and I realize that I now have an even greater appreciation for its makeup and musicianship. I look forward to part two. Now a subscriber, thanks!
A fifty year old epic and still as powerful and meaningful as ever. Thanks again, Doug, for your wonderful insights!
I watched this concert live in 1972 in Brisbane, Australia... Ian Anderson was wearing a belt with a long chain (I think) hanging in front of him which he thrust forward a couple of times and said: "This is rather a lengthy piece..." and hammered into the entire record - both sides. Imagine that two-beat perc part thumping from a stack on one side of the stage to a stack on the other. I saw them three other times subsequently and was NEVER disappointed. I will _NEVER_ forget that concert. 😎😎
The depth in the music of this album never ceases to amaze me. This is music that can easily be listened to again and again, even for weeks on end. Every member of the band puts in an amazing performance - and the amazing thing is that they didn't lose any of that depth, precision or expressiveness when they did this live!
The album cover justifies 12" vinyl. It's a parody of a local newspaper and is one of the funniest things I've ever read. You just can't get the impact with CD and as for streaming...
And you need the fold-out newspaper album cover that the vinyl came in!
The original had a longer fold-out newspaper between the folds. They took that out in later pressings. You can get a sense of it here: www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/174186-jethro-tull-thick-as-a-brick-newspaper-a
Yeah loved the newspaper within the album. Reading about "Little Milton" and his woes, and other funny stories was part of the charm of the album.
@@ericanderson8886 It's been decades since I've seen it, but I do recall the horoscope and the TV listings as being particularly hilarious.
@@jjgdenisrobert Yup, that's the one I have! "Brick wanted. Must be thick and well kept..." (IIRC?) And of course us teenage lads all got very excited about the girl on the front page photo looking like she is about to do a Sharon Stone...!
Hello Doug, found your channel days ago and I loved it! It's so interesting and entertaining watch someone who actually knows about music theory listening the bands that I like.
Even though I know nothing about music lol I'm a visual artist (still in college) not a musician. But I like to learn and I enjoy music a lot.
Great content!
That last section was a clever way to maintain continuity between the two sides of the record, fading out like that into the silence of the time it takes you to flip the record over then fading back in at the beginning of side 2. It helps make it feel more like one long song.
I am so glad to see some people discovering this kind of gems nowadays. They played it live as well and precisely as the recording, perfect in every respect. I am fortunate to have grown up when this was taking place. This was the beauty of the 70's. Cheers.
Thanks, once more, Doug for "enhance" my experience of listening one of my all time favorite songs.
I still got the L.P. (the one in the 12x16, inch, 16 pages cover, bought on 1972) and also the CD (maybe I should go for the Steve Wilson edition).
I once had the opportunity to ask Ian Anderson about "Gerald Bostock" (the 8 year old supposed author of the lyrics) and he replied laughing: "He is like I was as a kid, a pain in the ass".
Would love to see a review of Jethro Tull's "Skating Away on the thin ice of a New Day". It's an incredible piece, with layered music with multiple different instruments!
That song is one their true greats, love the lyrics & the way the sound builds up verse by verse...plus of course the very British opening bit with the tea lady & office worker :)
That song doesn't get enough love. Gorgeous in every sense.
Second that nomination!! Great music and words!
Thank you so much for doing this, been waiting a long time. I really hope you enjoy Jethro Tull, to me they are the best band ever, and this is one of the greatest album ever made.
Pure genius, just brilliant songwriting here & top-notch performances by all involved. Jeffrey's basslines are awesome! Some later cd editions of this album have a 16+ min. interview with Ian, Martin & Jeffrey. It's on YT.
A great album and a different path taken from such a diverse group of musicians.
Jethro Tull rocked in so many different ways.
I bought this album 49 years ago, played it once through and never got into it at all. I now realise it's one of JT's best and thank Doug for bringing this realisation to me.
Oooooh boy, was waiting for this! Thanks Doug!
"Thick As A Brick (Part 1)"
Really don't mind if you sit this one out
My words but a whisper, your deafness a shout
I may make you feel, but I can't make you think
Your sperm's in the gutter, your love's in the sink
So you ride yourselves over the fields
And you make all your animal deals
And your wise men don't know how it feels
To be thick as a brick
And the sand-castle virtues are all swept away
In the tidal destruction the moral melee
The elastic retreat rings the close of play
As the last wave uncovers the new-fangled way
But your new shoes are worn at the heels
And your suntan does rapidly peel
And your wise men don't know how it feels
To be thick as a brick
And the love that I feel is so far away:
I'm a bad dream that I just had today
And you shake your head and said, "It's a shame."
Spin me back down the years and the days of my youth
Draw the lace and black curtains and shut out the whole truth
Spin me down the long ages: let them sing the song
See there! A son is born
And we pronounce him fit to fight
There are black-heads on his shoulders
And he pees himself in the night
We'll make a man of him
Put him to a trade
Teach him to play Monopoly
Not to sing in the rain
The Poet and the Painter casting shadows on the water
As the sun plays on the infantry returning from the sea
The doer and the thinker. No allowance for the other
As the failing light illuminates the mercenary's creed
The home fire burning, the kettle almost boiling
But the master of the house is far away
The horses stamping, their warm breath clouding
In the sharp and frosty morning of the day
And the poet lifts his pen
While the soldier sheaths his sword
And the youngest of the family
Is moving with authority
Building castles by the sea
He dares the tardy tide
To wash them all aside
The cattle quietly grazing at the grass down by the river
Where the swelling mountain water moves onward to the sea
The builder of the castles renews the age-old purpose
And contemplates the milking girl whose offer is his need
The young men of the household have all gone into service
And are not to be expected for a year
The innocent young master, thoughts moving ever faster
Has formed the plan to change the man he seems
And the poet sheaths his pen
While the soldier lifts his sword
And the oldest of the family
Is moving with authority
Coming from across the sea
He challenges the son
Who puts him to the run
What do you do when the old man's gone?
Do you want to be him?
And your real self sings the song
Do you want to free him?
No one to help you get up steam
And the whirlpool turns you way off-beam
I've come down from the upper class to mend your rotten ways
My father was a man of power whom everyone obeyed
So, come on, all you criminals! I've got to put you straight
Just like I did with my old man twenty years too late
Your bread and water's going cold
Your hair is short and neat
I'll judge you all and make damn sure
That no-one judges me
You curl your toes in fun
As you smile at everyone
You meet the stares
You're unaware that your doings aren't done
And you laugh most ruthlessly
As you tell us what not to be
But how are we supposed to see
Where we should run?
I see you shuffle in the courtroom
With your rings upon your fingers
And your downy little sidies
And your silver-buckle shoes
Playing at the hard case
You follow the example
Of the comic-paper idol
Who lets you bend the rules
So, come on, ye childhood heroes!
Won't you rise up from the pages of your comic-books
Your super crooks
And show us all the way
Well, make your will and testament
Won't you join your local government
We'll have Superman for president
Let Robin save the day
You put your bet on number one
And it comes up every time
The other kids have all backed down
And they put you first in line
And so you finally ask yourself just how big you are
And you take your place in a wiser world of bigger motor cars
Now you wonder who to call on
So, where the hell was Biggles when you needed him last Saturday?
And where were all the sportsmen who always pulled you through?
They're all resting down in Cornwall
Writing up their memoirs
For a paper-back edition
Of the Boy Scout Manual
I used to know the lyrics by heart, lol
Thanks!
@@jeannemacaluso162 You're welcome.
Really helped to have lyrics on tap as the song progressed ... thank you ... first time I have actually listened properly to the lyrics ... after 40 plus years of listening....!!
@@calummcgregor3662 You're welcome.
Just the lone voice in the wilderness asking for some Frank Zappa. Hi. It's me again. Let's start with "Inca Roads".
You are not alone, Swingtools! At some point, any music analyst has to land on Zappa. It’s inevitable.
I´m the echo of your lone voice asking for the same... the same... the same!
@@miguelbravo2066 well done. :)
I'll second that
@@miguelbravo2066 - Well played, sir. Well played, indeed.
Tull in concert at the Birmingham Town Hall....what a memory! Thank you so much for this
What makes your reviews special is your amazing knowledge of music. I watch A LOT of "reaction videos". Yours are special because you know what is going on .... key? YES! I love this. Amazing.
I saw them live in 1972, 1974 and 1975. It was always mind blowing. Fantastic band.
This is brilliant. My background was classical violin. I think that is why Jethro Tull music appeals to me so much. The music is more complex and balanced than most rock music. I am a fan of all JT albums, including “Benefit” The other element of this group is their stage performances. Ian Anderson is a master on the stage.
Im glad you did the actual album,, not the live version you said you would do
Im always impressed by the drumming on this,, as well as the bass playing.. Jeffery Hammond was not a natural bass player,,more a friend of Anderson who stepped up when Anderson asked him to play bass.. He is underrated as a player on this album
Ian said Jeffery's playing was a product of a prodigious feat of memory, but that having learned the material he rarely made a mistake.
I second that. I get so disappointed sometimes when reactors choose an inferior live performance, just because it has the most plays on TH-cam, or the best video quality.
Not that Tull's live performances were inferior, other than the severely restricted edits time wise.
Along with Gentle Giant, Tull the greatest band that ever walked the planet. A band I have seen about 30 times since 1968...! Robust stuff! Thanks Doug x
I grew up during the 60's and graduated high school in 1971. I do not know how I missed this group, but I was introduced to Jethro Tull by my roommate in my sophomore year of college. One Saturday he came back from shopping buying a copy of Thick as a Brick shortly after it was released. I liked it so much that I later purchased this album as well all the previous ones with Aqualung 1971 being my favorite. Ever since then in spite of liking a wide variety of groups, The Moody Blues, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, to name just a few Jethro Tull has been my favorite all these years with Pink Floid being a close second.
Thanks for sharing this video, I subscribed so I will be looking for more of your content. There is another album that you may not be aware of that you should check out. It was released in 1978 and was classified as a rock opera, it is Jeff Wane's War of the Worlds. It is based on HG Wells book War of the Worlds. There was one other rock opera that I am aware of that was The Who's album Tommy.
As I was writing this post You made the comment that the end of part 2 made more sense than part 1. Part one was not the end due to the technology limitations they were forced to make into side one and then when side one ended the expectation was to immediately turn the record over to play side 2. I now have it as an mp3. I play it on my PC that is connected to my Yamaha AVR that is connected to a 7.1 Klips speaker system with a 13" SVS bass. When I listen to it I make a play list in VLC media player so it plays side 2 without any noticeable delay.
you've missed the other best part about jethro tull it's the live performance , ian anderson is undoubtedly one of the best music performers i've seen in my lifetime
Couldn't agree more. I have seen them so many times and they never disappoint. Ian has the "gift of the gab" for sure. Great entertainers and awesome music.
This is the studio version...
@@nikelodeon6852 I know. I was just pointing out how good they are live and to see them doing this song in particular because of the length of it you wonder where Ian gets his energy from. Amazing.
My brother had this on 8-Track when I was a boy. I put it in the player one day and my life has never been the same. Say what you will about Aqualung, this is their masterpiece. It holds a special place in my heart, especially since my brother who owned the 8-Track suddenly died in late 2019. Now my oldest son adores this album. Music forms a new circle.
Thank you for bringing this incredible album back in to the public limelight. It was brilliant and so relevant then, and still is today.
Great analysis, thanks.
I saw this band for the first time in January 1970 at the Culture House in Helsinki.
The band was ahead of its time.
The experience was indescribable.
The best reaction I've seen of one of the greatest albums in rock history. Bravo.