I was fortunate during my college days in 1973 to work the Tull concert at Ohio University. They did this album all the way through. They came 4 hours early and walked the auditorium. Then they did a 75 minute sound check which I got sit with about 10 people with my feet on the front of stage. Totally professional. So impressive. I got to do hospitality and take them their beer etc. and what friendly warm people. I got my parents to go. Father 63 yoa. Mother 53 yoa. They loved it. Music and theater combined. An experience of a lifetime.
@@MsAppassionata I was on the Ohio university entertainment committee. We booked and ran the shows. 1972-1974. I got to spend a whole afternoon with Richie Havens meet Jethro Tull in their dressing room. I drove Carlos Santana (a really great person). Billy Preston and Springsteen and The Eagles (1st edition) and many others. So much fun and educational. Lots of stories.
Barrie "Barriemore" Barlow was widely known as a "drummer's drummer"!! His live performances were out of this world, his power and technique were unmatched in the 70's arena style concerts!!
Hello ! I’ve discovered your channel last night an I do appreciate your comment of Jethro Tull thick as a brick album, you maybe trying Passion Play album to, it’s a real good one to. My brother offered me « This Was album when I was 13th » I have saws them when I was 18th years old in 1973, maybe just 100 spectators at list, we where so close to the band we could touch all the bands. I saw them for the second time in 1974 and 1976, it was always a fabulous experience. I’m 70 years old and I’m stil listening them, also Yes I’m a great fan too, twice in concert Genesis, twice, Pink Floyd once in 1969, Rolling Stones in 1968, my brother paid me a ticket for my 14th old birthday, I’ve been to the concert on my own, what a experience but not for my mum, she thought she couldn’t see me alive after that ! I’ve watched you first time listening of Olias of the Sunhillow, thanks for your sincerity ! Don’t forget to be happy !!! Excuse my long speech and my apologies for my English !! From Hervé from France
Yes, yes & yes again + this band = my life pre: 1990 via mi pops + his obsession with Bat of out Hell. Dyslexia not was fact after. Music saved me: bass clef.
Delighted to see young people discovering and actually appreciating Tull. Anderson is a sublime composer and musician. I have listened to TAAB hundreds of times. I am always astounded at the brilliance of this work. A Passion Play is a very close 2nd for me. And the musicianship is epic. B Barlow is a monster.
I agree. In all aspects it's seems to shine a little brighter then the rest. I really enjoyed their take on a "faux" concept album. Prog rock really is amazing:)
This personified their finest elements . One doesn't need to wonder whether the term "Masterpiece" applies on this one . Avoiding the tawdry in favor of the unexpected underscores their inventory. That explains its enduring brilliance more than 50 years later .
This is one of those songs of a gazillion notes. I think the attitude was (channel Crocodile Dundee) "That's not a concept album. This is a concept album."
A great reaction. It's so much fun to see young rockers discover the music we played back in the early 70s. Definitely check out the follow-up album, A Passion Play, the band's 2nd and final mega-prog composition. Also, a trilogy of albums released in the latter 70s are also considered some of their finest work -- the perfect balance of folk, rock, and prog - 1977's Songs From The Woods, 1978's Heavy Horses, and 1979's Stormwatch. BTW - Ian has recorded a few solo albums through the years, and in 2012, guess what album he released under the name "Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson" - TAAB 2: Thick as a Brick 2 - which is well worth the time investigating it. Also, search TH-cam for the video entitled Thick As A Brick, 50 Years Later - during various interviews, the guys give a history of how the album came to be, how it was written and recorded. Terrific old photos and footage included. You will no doubt love it! Have fun. :)
Ian could have pursued guitar and get really great as Martin did, but he said there were so many great guitar played that he took up flute instead. Glad he did. Lights hurt your eyes? Wear sunglasses! You're a drummer! Look cool on video! ;-)
Watching ‘Drummer’s reaction to the prog rock material is such a joy and reminds me so much of the wonder and amazement I felt at the age of 16 hearing the same stuff. It was such a great time to be growing up as then as there was so much amazing music. I was fortunate to go to some great gigs including the Melody Makers 1972 Poll winners concert at the Oval Cricket ground with ELP as the main act, Genesis, Manfred Mann, Focus,Fudd, Wishbone Ash and others I can’t recall ~ anyone out there able to fill the gaps. What a line up and ELP totally blew me away.
Thanks L33 - it was a privilege and total joy. Other highlights include being at a club in a place called Aylesbury in England known as Friars where I was at David Bowie’s first ever concert as Ziggy - it was in a hall that held about 300 ish and I believe Warhol was there. There were a host of other acts that performed there with Genesis virtually as the house band where they played there so many times. Add to that MC5, Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, Vinegar Joe , Edgar Broughton band, Groundhogs and more that I can’t remember. It was unbelievable and so exciting
Has a medieval old renaissance feel, great with the British accent ❤ still have the cassettes forever, saw them live early 2000❤an outdoors concert nice trees etc very fitting scene
My absolute favorite band. Wore out my brothers 8 track of Stand Up playing on a car stereo hooked up to a slot car transformer. Saw every concert from Benefit in the 70's to Broadsword in 82. Amazing live shows, still have a shirt from 78 Heavy Horses concert 😊 Have to admit that Benefit is my all time favorite.
In my opinion, Jethro Tull's 'Thick as a Brick' (1972) was - together with YES 'Tales from Topographic Oceans' (1973) - perhaps the best Prog Album of all Time. I've buy this phenomenal Album as i was 15 Years old, and When I first listened to it I was completely flabbergasted, believe me. I was so impressed by the Album, that I only played this one over and over again for almost two weeks. And It's one of my absolute favorite Albums remained until today. God bless Jethro Tull and - above all (!!) - Ian Anderson. He's one of the greatest Musican and Composers of all Time. ✨ Kind Regards Heinz (from München - Munich). 🌳🥀🌱🌷✨
@@heinzmuller159 I agree. TAAB is' more melodic, simply more Little Milton. APP is more complex, more adult, MORE PROG. And I admit: I've listened more often to TAAB than APP in my lifetime...
I am in total agreement with you. Every time I listen to TAAB I hear new things. It was so inventive and done on the fly as Ian tells the story. I’m sure the big idea was thought out but the music just came out. APP and other others after seem to me as someone straining to create. Don’t get me wrong there some fabulous songs along the way. But a bit of pretentiousness crept in. Probably just my taste speaking but that’s the way I hear it. TAAB has no weak spots and the references in the lyrics must be understood to get the full effect. Enjoy the music!
@@L33Reacts these fine gentlemen beat me to it, I was also gonna say to go with the Steven Wilson remixes as they are exquisite and definitely a must when it comes to A Passion Play, as it contains material that for some reason was removed from the other editions. Also I mentioned it earlier but would be so cool if you did *The Chateau D'Herouville Sessions* as well, either after or before, as it was a big inspiration for and share some stuff with A Passion Play. Particularly the song *Scenario* is some of the most beautiful Tull acoustic numbers I've ever heard, but yeah that whole album is gold IMO.
When I was in college, Aqualung came out, and with my limited funds bought it from looking at the intriguing cover. Blown away by the opening riff on Aqualung! In spite of Ian, the cover shows it is not merely a "collection of songs." I waited with bated breath for the next Jethro Tull album, turns out Thick As A Brick (TAAB), and when I bought it, I listened to no other records for 3 straight months at least. The next album was A Passion Play, similar to TAAB as one long piece. My girlfriend and I at the time saw that performed in concert and I was blown away by how they played and replicated the album, and put on a very comedic show. I missed TAAB live first time around, but Ian Anderson with a new band in 2013 put out TAAB 2. My wife and I went to see the concert near Chicago. First half, they played TAAB all the way through, and the second half, TAAB2 all the way through! Ian and the new band has put out new CD's under the name Jethro Tull in 2023 and 2024. Not the same as the TAAB days, simpler, but I do enjoy them over and over anyway.
What made the solo extra special was that theme that was played at the same time. Not really into long isolated solos but hearing a drummer interweaving with "solo-like stuff" in amongst the music.
What's also amazing is that it's hyperfast drum variations over the underlying medium tempo 3/4 time signature, switches to 4/4 with the flute and glockenspiel, then back to 3/4 time for continued solo.......no other band was delivering like this...
The true irony here...critics and reviewers at the time insisted that the previous album - "Aqualung" - was a concept album. Ian basically said "F you - HERE'S a concept album" and wrote this one (a 43 minute song). An absolute masterpiece that manages to combine rock, folk, and prog into a single cohesive piece. It keeps the listener captivated throughout, guessing what could possible come next after each segment (that flow seamlessly, regardless of style). Props for getting through this one intact - it's a lot to digest, but like Pink Floyd epic albums, it really needs to be taken in at one sitting for maximum effect. Keep 'em coming - maybe tackle "Aqualung" next to get a better sense of their harder edges.
Barriemore's the man !!!! And even in prog circles this album is out on its own , just the atmosphere is so unique from other Tull album's. Side 2 takes the award for best side in my view. Even Ian Anderson's follow up TAAB 2 from a few years back is worth checking out. Just don't expect this super high quality , but what would to be fair.......😍
Ive been obessed with the 2nd to last track "kismet in surbubia" for a while now. It took a while for me to get used to ians newer style of writing and obviously his deteriorating vocals but ive come to really enjoy his solo work and even the new JT albums have really grown on me recently. Hoping the next album will be even better
Just keep checking out the Tull albums. No two are alike and they are all great. Loved your reaction to this masterpiece which was followed by (IMHO) is Ian’s ultimate masterpiece-Passion Play. I know you will love it. It is another one song like Thick but set up as a four act play and played perfectly by the whole band. It’s a story about an actor who dies and goes through a life review (side one) and then goes through the spirit realm ( purgatory, hell, and heaven) on side two. It’s meant to make the listener think about what life means to everyone. So I look forward to your response to this album. Keep up the good work!
I am old & lucky enough to have seen Jethro Tull live many times, from their bluesy beginnings with Glen Cornick on bass. Their music & performance was always brilliant. I saw Ian Anderson a few years ago with a young guy on back-up vocals, a lot of Tull songs & they were great.
For The full experience get a vinyl album that has the newspaper. The whole paper is quirky Monty Pythonesque Veddy British circa1971. It comes complete with crossword puzzle, naughty connect the dots and a review of the album itself.
Heard it in its entirety for the first time in 1978 when I was 18. I can attest that you WILL listen to it for the rest of your life. Nothing, nothing, being produced today comes remotely close to the majesty of this masterpiece. Enjoy.
Great comment about the band's restraint. Bill Bruford believed that some of the most meaningful drum notes were ones he didn't play. Fripp credits Bruford for his restraint on the 1973 album Starless and Bible Black, which included many improvised pieces recorded during live shows. From Wikipedia: ""Trio" was notable for being a quartet piece with only three active players - John Wetton on bass guitar, David Cross on viola and Robert Fripp on "flute" Mellotron. Bruford spent the entire piece with his drumsticks crossed over his chest, waiting for the right moment to join in but eventually realized that the improvised piece was progressing better without him. His decision not to add any percussion was seen by the rest of the band as a crucial choice, and he received co-writing credit for the piece." Steve Hackett has a similar philosophy in his more atmospheric pieces.
It's the push and the pull... the loud and the soft ... the glory and the silence. Sorry idk. Yeah restraint. Lol but seriously bruford was so good at keeping things exactly where they needed to be and then absolutely wrecking your face out of nowhere with a fill. It's a sight to behold LOL
You say you could listen to this album for the rest of your life. You have it right. This was the first record I bought with my own money when it first came out, and I enjoy it just as much now as I did then. It NEVER disappoints. Thank you.
The outro is some of the most profound philosophy; Let me tell you the tales of your life Of your love and the cut of the knife The tireless oppression, the wisdom instilled The desire to kill or be killed Well, let me sing of the losers who lie In the street as the last bus goes by The pavements ar empty, the gutters run red while the fool toasts his god in the sky So come all ye young men who are building castles! Kindly state the time of the year And join your voices in a hellish chorus Mark the precise nature of your fear Let me help you pick up your dead As the sins of the father are fed With the blood of the fools and the thoughts of the wise And from the pan under your bed Well, let me make you a present of song As the wise man breaks wind and is gone While the fool with the hour-glass is cooking his goose and the nursery rhyme winds along So come all ye young men who are building castles Kindly state the time of the year And join your voices in a hellish chorus Mark the precise nature of your fear See the summer lightning casts its bolts upon you And the hour of judgement draweth near Would you be the fool stood in his suit of armour or the wiser man who rushes clear? So, come on ye childhood heroes! Won't your 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 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 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, yeah Songwriters: Ian Anderson
Love your videos! Long time Tull fan here. I say, the natural path forward after this is to go full on «prog-folk» with the amazing classics of «Songs From the wood» (1977) and then «Heavy Horses» (1978). You’ll absolutely love it. Then go further towards modern times into the 80ies Jethro Tull with mesmerizing keyboards and vocoder vocals (and still LOTS of great flute stuff!) with the fantastic albums of “A” (1980) and “Broadsword and the Beast” (1982).
Hey bro great to hear!! Glad to have you. I will be tackling either heavy horses or passion play next... haven't made my mind up just yet. Either way, it's gonna be great I'm guessing lol
@@L33Reacts I agree that one should do Songs From the Wood before Heavy Horses. They are very much companion albums, both in an extra folky style. Also Benefit is a great one. I prefer it to Aqualung.
I listened to HH before SftW when I got into Tull, and I was absolutely obsessed with both of them so I guess it was fine going in that order 😛 But sure I used to tell new fans to go in chronological order as well so I totally get your point. I guess from a pure progressing conceptual point it does make more sense to do SftW before HH, and last but not least Stormwatch ofc! To get a deeper understanding of Ian's spiritual journey through these little masterpieces.
While I very much appreciate these reviews & reactions, dude, you really can't have any idea of what this did to us raised on the Beatles when Tull and Gentle Giant, etc, came out. Flabbergasted and inspired, we formed our own bands in the magical 70s, knowing full well that we could never approach this, or Zappa, or any of the insane stuff going down then
I saw them premiere this album at the royal albert hall, london in the early seventies and they were incredible. You should revue aqualung and passion play. You wont be disappointed.
A long fkn time ago, I had a cool teacher in high school. He gave me some sage advice that would get a teacher imprisoned today. He said, "The thing is to be on the same drugs that the band was using when they recorded their music to be in their mindset." Anyway, an earlier Jethro Tull track from a few albums before this is "Teacher." That teacher once told me, "Jethro Tull wrote a song about you. Thick as a Brick." Not to be outdone, I immediately replied, "Oh yeah, well they wrote one for you too. Teacher." I felt it worked on two levels because to give a compliment after an insult is taking the higher road and displaying my knowledge of earlier, more obscure (not as well known) Jethro Tull track. Better times.
The good ol days... you can't tell the truth anymore. It might hurt someone's feelings.... I remember it briefly before 9/11. After that, everything changed. Your teacher sounds like a good dude.
@@L33Reacts He was. Here's a great story about him and myself. There's a nightclub (concert venue) in my city that requires you to be 21 to enter. However, I've been seeing gigs there many times long before turning 21. Capt. Beefheart among them. So, that teacher turned me on to Velvet Underground. I was familiar with Lou Reed, but not VU. The year after I graduated, when I was only 19, Lou Reed had a gig at that club. I looked up my former teacher in the phone book, found him and called asking if he'd like to go with me to see Lou Reed. He agreed. I bought two tickets in advance, and he met me there the night of the gig. As I said, I had gone in many times before so didn't expect any snags. That night, in the line ahead of us, the crew was carding EVERYBODY. People who looked to be in their 30s and older. EVERYBODY. The club must've got caught letting underage people in and clamped down. I just looked at my teacher and said, "Dude, I wouldn't have even tried if I wasn't successful in the past." He could've gone in, of course, but being a gentleman, he took it on the chin with me. I tried to sell the tickets off right there on the street, even at a loss. They cost something like $8. and I tried to get $5 for them. No dice. So, we got in his car and drove off. He rolled down his hand-cranked window and tossed the ticket out the window. I felt shitty, but it was truly unforeseen. We went to his place and he picked up his wife and the three of us went to a drive-in theater to see Richard Pryor: Live on Sunset Strip. He was a good teacher and a good man and cool dude, even though he said that Tull song was named for me...
L33: Ta-DAH!! You did it! It's almost like going on an odyssey, an epic eventful journey that saps your strength and builds your character while delighting your ears with hitherto unheard madrigal melodies, vivisected by staccato marching meters tightly in step that stomp, stun and surmount your brain. I hear this and imagine Ian's inner composer as conjoined octuplets run amok in a music store. Well done hanging on. Absolutely, do A Passion Play next. It was panned by critics and even many fans when it came out, but I. LOVE. It.
Great review of an amazing album! Saw Tull when they opened for The Who (1981-ish) and frankly blew them off the stage. Epic music. P.S. fellow Band-Maid fan here and your comparisons are very valid. Best band I've heard since Tull!
Hi Peter, I've never heard of Tull opening for The Who, let alone in 1981. They had been the headliners in arenas for 10 years by then and still were. Do you have more information on this concert? Thx.
@@nyrocks5580 It may have been 82, 83. It was in Folsom Field, Boulder CO. John Mellencamp opened, was booed offstage after about a half hour, Then Tull, then The Who on one of their first farewell tours. (There were a few) Pete Townsend was energetic but the rest, not so much. Tull, however, were so tight, so on point, so theatrical. I remember a giant sword and lots of flute twirls.
@@peterz4427 wow, very cool, I'd never heard of that show before! You learn something new every day. Thx for the info. It was October, 1982. What's strange about it is that Tull were still headlining in arenas and big venues then. There were also a couple of other multi-group shows in Germany I'd never heard of, such as: Neil Young & Crazy Horse / April Wine / Michael Schenker Group / Jethro Tull / King Crimson / Cheetah and... Status Quo / Joan Jett & The Blackhearts / Jethro Tull / ZZ Top / Heart / Saxon
How talented can one person get??😂😂😂😂. You haven’t encountered his harmonica or mandolin skills yet I don’t think …… add those to the list. JT is such a fun and varied rabbit hole. You’re gonna enjoy this very long ride!
Imagine that TAAB was your first professional recording as a young drummer. I'm not aware of any other professional recordings by Barriemore Barlow prior to TAAB. That makes this release even more astounding.
He played drums at 14 (!) in a Blackpool group called The John Evan Band (yes, the keyboardist) which also featured some guy named Ian Anderson and Glenn Cornish. They eventually broke up and reformed as Jethro Tull. Barlow decided food and a roof over his head was more important and joined the work force. He played in several local groups, that went nowhere, and when Clive Bunker "left" Tull after Aqualung, Ian sought Barlow out. His first professional recording with Tull was the "Life is a Long Song" EP in 1971 which was later added to the rarities and singles compilation Living in the Past.
I got into Jethro Tull like 5 or so years ago maybe, and I listen to them every day. the two sides of thick as a brick are on my random playlist I always put on
I so appreciate watching your reactions. It reminds me so much of when I started to First listen to prog rock back in the late 70s early 80s. Thank you for your honesty is interpretations and keep up the great work
Fortunately for us Ian was born in the wrong century. In '76 I flew five of us in my Cessna 185 skywagon from AZ too Tampa FL to see Jethro Tull. Those were the days after we split the cost of the fuel it was only about twice the cost of the tickets. Lol or about $ 35 a piece all together. ( little more than 1days wages ) A oz cost about $20 Concert was over the top of course. Early on there was a female up front heckling him about playing the flute. He walked over too her in the middle of the song and made a lude gesture with the flute between his legs.lol ✌️ 🤠🏞️🐂
As has been said, it was written in response to music critics saying Aqualung was a "concept album" and Ian said "I'll give you a concept album!" But the original album cover is a work of art in its own right ! A complete newspaper (bottom section folded up behind) with made up stories and articles throughout it's several pages ! ❤😂
Lee-- they went even proggier with the next album - A Passion Play. It's another full album like TAAB. Think you'd really dig it's epicness. also-- the album prior to Thick..Aqualung,is fab too. You have alot more to discover and enjoy,bro! Dive in.... T PS: You'll never get tired of TAAB,trust me. ;-)
A PASSION PLAY is essential but slightly different to this , darker , takes repeated listens to fully grasp. But once you do you'll get a lifetime of experiences to keep going back to. In my view TAAB is fairly immediate...whereas APP you're in it for the long haul. TULL FOREVER MAN !!! 😍
Can’t help looking at that beefheart CD l have it, l want to put it on but after listening to Tull thick as brick for the god knows how many times I have to have time to recover 🤗🤗🤗
What blows my mind is the album was intended to be a parody of concept albums and a big middle finger to snooty music critics. Trouble is, purple prose and pretentious music is actually pretty enjoyable. edit: oh, you actually discuss this. :) still mind-blowing
for some reason, despite the full collection of JT, the only album I really loved playing over n over again was Broadsword and the Beast., may be/ I remember thr day I received 'Brick together with Tony Banks' Fugitive album. The last one became onee of my favs ( unlike the Brick )
I don'r know if this has been said. You might consider watching Thick As A Brick and Thick As A Brick 2 live from Iceland. It's a great show with both full albums performed live. A masterpiece!
Jethro Tull is awesome and this is a great concept album. Hey, L33, knowing how much you love Yes, I'm surprised you've not yet reacted to the "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe" album. The four of them got together, with some help from Tony Levin on bass, and made one of the best Yes albums ever, only they couldn't actually call it Yes. Just their last names. "Brother of Mine" starts off the album and is amazing. It was on the radio a lot. Virtually every song is either near great, great or a masterpiece. "Order of the Universe" closes the album and hits hard. It also was played frequently on the radio. You'll love every song. ❤✌
I used to be like that. Although I've started enjoying the 2nd side as much as the first recently. Probably because I played the first side so much. It's just a nice change/different vibe.
What an album! For other albums, you can't really go wrong with any of their other 70s catalogue. I think they did an album every year from 1968 to 1980, after which they slowed down slightly. Of the albums you haven't done. 'Aqualung', 'Songs From The Wood' and 'Heavy Horses' are probably the highlights
a Passion Play and Heavy Horses are my two favorite Tull albums (with TAAB and Songs from the Wood coming in right after. Honestly, their entire output in the 70's is magic. I didn't connect with everything they did in the 80's but when they dropped Roots to Branches in the mid 90's I was blown away.)@@L33Reacts
@@L33Reacts it is better than TAAB imho. Also side note, the story of thick as a brick is continued in a part 2 (Ian Anderson solo album), and a 3rd part ( story is kind of out there) called Homo Erraticus
Ian used to roll out some great albums seemingly effortlessly. Too bad he split the band up; Martin Barre is integral to Jethro Tull. If both Martin and Ian were playing the same night in Detroit, I would choose Martin's show in a heartbeat. There are few writers and showmen like Ian Anderson, but for pure music entertainment, Martin's show is a must-see.
I was hoping you'd do this side...Barrymore is a top of the food chain drummer, and the solo shows that out...In addition to the complex tempos of the entire song...:)...
Realmente hay que apreciar la buena música, para permanecer más de 20 minutos, escuchando. Soy fan de J T desde hace mucho tiempo. Me agradan tus reacciones y me sorprende que gente tan joven se tomen el tiempo de escuchar música que se hizo hace 50 años. Te deseo lo mejor. Una sugerencia A Pasión Play
I'm glad you enjoyed my friend! I love good music no matter the genre and this so happens to be right up my alley! I love it. Thank you for watching bro!
Yeah, do Passion Play. It's another album length piece from Tull. It's a more difficult work, but you can handle it. Anderson plays a lot more sax in that one actually.
Except the guys who wrote and played it! Anderson, said that "I've always thought that A Passion Play suffered more than any other album I've ever made from being over-arranged and over-produced and over-cooked" and that Jethro Tull fans who call the album their favourite album of all time "should of course remain in the establishment for the criminally insane in which they probably already reside". 😅 Barre has said that he believes that the album exists in "the bottom third of Jethro Tull albums". I agree with them and would go for Songs From The Wood or Heavy Horses instead.
I like the themes on Passion Play but it can be quite cacophonous and where I would want flute he plays sax. Wouldn't want you to get turned off to Tull before hearing even better albums like Heavy Horses. Of course I'll be listening with you which ever one you choose.
How can you diss A Passion Play like this? 😢 Honestly, it is quite dense and needs a few listens to really hear everything, but I think he'll really enjoy it given his reaction to the denser parts of MITG. It also has easily some of Barlow's best drumming.
Yes! Barrymore "frickin" Barlow! INCREDIBLE drummer...
I was fortunate during my college days in 1973 to work the Tull concert at Ohio University. They did this album all the way through. They came 4 hours early and walked the auditorium. Then they did a 75 minute sound check which I got sit with about 10 people with my feet on the front of stage. Totally professional. So impressive. I got to do hospitality and take them their beer etc. and what friendly warm people.
I got my parents to go. Father 63 yoa. Mother 53 yoa. They loved it. Music and theater combined.
An experience of a lifetime.
Love this!
Nice! Thanks for sharing that info.
@@MsAppassionata you are very welcome.
@@stephenmichael8837 You must have had a blast.
@@MsAppassionata I was on the Ohio university entertainment committee. We booked and ran the shows. 1972-1974. I got to spend a whole afternoon with Richie Havens meet Jethro Tull in their dressing room. I drove Carlos Santana (a really great person). Billy Preston and Springsteen and The Eagles (1st edition) and many others. So much fun and educational. Lots of stories.
One of the greatest records ever made.
Have listened to this album for 50 years and it never gets old
Barlow has an absolutely incredible extended drum solo on the 1978 live Tull album "Bursting Out". Gives Peart a run for his money.
The high-hat riff he does in that live solo is beyond incredible!
Barrie "Barriemore" Barlow was widely known as a "drummer's drummer"!! His live performances were out of this world, his power and technique were unmatched in the 70's arena style concerts!!
Been listening to that album 51 years still not heard anything better
A masterpiece by a genius-Ian Anderson
"So c'mon all you childhood heroes, won't ya rise up from the pages..." Love that stanza/part. Ian was so cynical, but spot on lol.
Hello !
I’ve discovered your channel last night an I do appreciate your comment of Jethro Tull thick as a brick album, you maybe trying Passion Play album to, it’s a real good one to.
My brother offered me « This Was album when I was 13th »
I have saws them when I was 18th years old in 1973, maybe just 100 spectators at list, we where so close to the band we could touch all the bands. I saw them for the second time in 1974 and 1976, it was always a fabulous experience.
I’m 70 years old and I’m stil listening them, also Yes I’m a great fan too, twice in concert Genesis, twice, Pink Floyd once in 1969, Rolling Stones in 1968, my brother paid me a ticket for my 14th old birthday, I’ve been to the concert on my own, what a experience but not for my mum, she thought she couldn’t see me alive after that !
I’ve watched you first time listening of Olias of the Sunhillow, thanks for your sincerity !
Don’t forget to be happy !!!
Excuse my long speech and my apologies for my English !!
From Hervé from France
Roots to Branches is another masterpiece.
J T's Best , maybe my most played album of All-Time....screw the Rock and Roll Hall of SHAME!!!!!!
Yes, yes & yes again + this band = my life pre: 1990 via mi pops + his obsession with Bat of out Hell.
Dyslexia not was fact after.
Music saved me: bass clef.
Yes, Passion Play! Please, please, please!
Delighted to see young people discovering and actually appreciating Tull.
Anderson is a sublime composer and musician.
I have listened to TAAB hundreds of times. I am always astounded at the brilliance of this work.
A Passion Play is a very close 2nd for me.
And the musicianship is epic. B Barlow is a monster.
Whole album is a unique classic. Proper music, beautifully written and played
I agree. In all aspects it's seems to shine a little brighter then the rest. I really enjoyed their take on a "faux" concept album. Prog rock really is amazing:)
One day you got to try Ozric Tentacles, Jurassic Shift.
This personified their finest elements .
One doesn't need to wonder whether the term "Masterpiece" applies on this one .
Avoiding the tawdry in favor of the unexpected underscores their inventory.
That explains its enduring brilliance more than 50 years later .
This is one of those songs of a gazillion notes.
I think the attitude was (channel Crocodile Dundee) "That's not a concept album. This is a concept album."
MASTERPIECE
Glad to see someone from your generation really appreciating "Jethro Tull."
It was intentionally over the top within the nursery rhyme motif and a Monte Python style tongue in cheek humor. A true masterpiece!
A great reaction. It's so much fun to see young rockers discover the music we played back in the early 70s. Definitely check out the follow-up album, A Passion Play, the band's 2nd and final mega-prog composition. Also, a trilogy of albums released in the latter 70s are also considered some of their finest work -- the perfect balance of folk, rock, and prog - 1977's Songs From The Woods, 1978's Heavy Horses, and 1979's Stormwatch.
BTW - Ian has recorded a few solo albums through the years, and in 2012, guess what album he released under the name "Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson" - TAAB 2: Thick as a Brick 2 - which is well worth the time investigating it.
Also, search TH-cam for the video entitled Thick As A Brick, 50 Years Later - during various interviews, the guys give a history of how the album came to be, how it was written and recorded. Terrific old photos and footage included. You will no doubt love it! Have fun. :)
Ian could have pursued guitar and get really great as Martin did, but he said there were so many great guitar played that he took up flute instead. Glad he did.
Lights hurt your eyes? Wear sunglasses! You're a drummer! Look cool on video! ;-)
Aqualung and Songs from the Wood are fabulous albums as well :)
They would play the whole thing live! Can you imagine how difficult that is?? They were amazing musicians in a crazy ensemble.
Watching ‘Drummer’s reaction to the prog rock material is such a joy and reminds me so much of the wonder and amazement I felt at the age of 16 hearing the same stuff. It was such a great time to be growing up as then as there was so much amazing music. I was fortunate to go to some great gigs including the Melody Makers 1972 Poll winners concert at the Oval Cricket ground with ELP as the main act, Genesis, Manfred Mann, Focus,Fudd, Wishbone Ash and others I can’t recall ~ anyone out there able to fill the gaps. What a line up and ELP totally blew me away.
Man it must have been INSANE back then with all this amazing music everywhere. The entire world's vibration was way higher back then... It had to be.
Thanks L33 - it was a privilege and total joy. Other highlights include being at a club in a place called Aylesbury in England known as Friars where I was at David Bowie’s first ever concert as Ziggy - it was in a hall that held about 300 ish and I believe Warhol was there. There were a host of other acts that performed there with Genesis virtually as the house band where they played there so many times. Add to that MC5, Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, Vinegar Joe , Edgar Broughton band, Groundhogs and more that I can’t remember. It was unbelievable and so exciting
Has a medieval old renaissance feel, great with the British accent ❤ still have the cassettes forever, saw them live early 2000❤an outdoors concert nice trees etc very fitting scene
My absolute favorite band. Wore out my brothers 8 track of Stand Up playing on a car stereo hooked up to a slot car transformer. Saw every concert from Benefit in the 70's to Broadsword in 82. Amazing live shows, still have a shirt from 78 Heavy Horses concert 😊 Have to admit that Benefit is my all time favorite.
In my opinion, Jethro Tull's 'Thick as a Brick' (1972) was - together with YES 'Tales from Topographic Oceans' (1973) - perhaps the best Prog Album of all Time. I've buy this phenomenal Album as i was 15 Years old, and When I first listened to it I was completely flabbergasted, believe me. I was so impressed by the Album, that I only played this one over and over again for almost two weeks. And It's one of my absolute favorite Albums remained until today. God bless Jethro Tull and - above all (!!) - Ian Anderson. He's one of the greatest Musican and Composers of all Time. ✨ Kind Regards Heinz (from München - Munich). 🌳🥀🌱🌷✨
(Cough) Tull's best Prog Album is 'A Passion Play'... 😌
@@huskytully3887 a matter of taste. I think 'Thick as a Brick' is more 'elegant' than 'A Passion Play'. ☺
@@heinzmuller159 I agree. TAAB is' more melodic, simply more Little Milton. APP is more complex, more adult, MORE PROG.
And I admit: I've listened more often to TAAB than APP in my lifetime...
@@huskytully3887 Both Albums are Great. ☺🌳🥀🌱🌷✨
I am in total agreement with you. Every time I listen to TAAB I hear new things. It was so inventive and done on the fly as Ian tells the story. I’m sure the big idea was thought out but the music just came out.
APP and other others after seem to me as someone straining to create. Don’t get me wrong there some fabulous songs along the way. But a bit of pretentiousness crept in. Probably just my taste speaking but that’s the way I hear it. TAAB has no weak spots and the references in the lyrics must be understood to get the full effect.
Enjoy the music!
Most definitely do A Passion Play, my personal favorite Tull album. 👍 Looking forward to it.
We'll be doing that one next!! I can't wait.
@@L33Reactsdo the Steven Wilson remix of it (and generally of all the Tull material) it vastly improves it imho
@@samuelecallegari6117 yeah the remix for a passion play is amazing
@@L33Reacts these fine gentlemen beat me to it, I was also gonna say to go with the Steven Wilson remixes as they are exquisite and definitely a must when it comes to A Passion Play, as it contains material that for some reason was removed from the other editions. Also I mentioned it earlier but would be so cool if you did *The Chateau D'Herouville Sessions* as well, either after or before, as it was a big inspiration for and share some stuff with A Passion Play. Particularly the song *Scenario* is some of the most beautiful Tull acoustic numbers I've ever heard, but yeah that whole album is gold IMO.
You said you could listen to this for the rest of your life. At 72, i do.
When I was in college, Aqualung came out, and with my limited funds bought it from looking at the intriguing cover. Blown away by the opening riff on Aqualung! In spite of Ian, the cover shows it is not merely a "collection of songs." I waited with bated breath for the next Jethro Tull album, turns out Thick As A Brick (TAAB), and when I bought it, I listened to no other records for 3 straight months at least. The next album was A Passion Play, similar to TAAB as one long piece. My girlfriend and I at the time saw that performed in concert and I was blown away by how they played and replicated the album, and put on a very comedic show. I missed TAAB live first time around, but Ian Anderson with a new band in 2013 put out TAAB 2. My wife and I went to see the concert near Chicago. First half, they played TAAB all the way through, and the second half, TAAB2 all the way through! Ian and the new band has put out new CD's under the name Jethro Tull in 2023 and 2024. Not the same as the TAAB days, simpler, but I do enjoy them over and over anyway.
I haven't tired of it for the 40 something years i've been listening to it
"A Passion Play" will blow your mind also. 1 song , 44 minutes
What made the solo extra special was that theme that was played at the same time. Not really into long isolated solos but hearing a drummer interweaving with "solo-like stuff" in amongst the music.
That's what I was saying the review portion! It was incorporated into the music itself not just a solo. So cool.
What's also amazing is that it's hyperfast drum variations over the underlying medium tempo 3/4 time signature, switches to 4/4 with the flute and glockenspiel, then back to 3/4 time for continued solo.......no other band was delivering like this...
“As the wise man breaks wind and is gone…”
Such humor!
The true irony here...critics and reviewers at the time insisted that the previous album - "Aqualung" - was a concept album. Ian basically said "F you - HERE'S a concept album" and wrote this one (a 43 minute song). An absolute masterpiece that manages to combine rock, folk, and prog into a single cohesive piece. It keeps the listener captivated throughout, guessing what could possible come next after each segment (that flow seamlessly, regardless of style). Props for getting through this one intact - it's a lot to digest, but like Pink Floyd epic albums, it really needs to be taken in at one sitting for maximum effect. Keep 'em coming - maybe tackle "Aqualung" next to get a better sense of their harder edges.
Thank you for doing that brother. Brings tears to my eyes.
Barriemore's the man !!!! And even in prog circles this album is out on its own , just the atmosphere is so unique from other Tull album's. Side 2 takes the award for best side in my view. Even Ian Anderson's follow up TAAB 2 from a few years back is worth checking out. Just don't expect this super high quality , but what would to be fair.......😍
Ive been obessed with the 2nd to last track "kismet in surbubia" for a while now. It took a while for me to get used to ians newer style of writing and obviously his deteriorating vocals but ive come to really enjoy his solo work and even the new JT albums have really grown on me recently. Hoping the next album will be even better
Roots to Branches is another masterpiece.
Just keep checking out the Tull albums. No two are alike and they are all great. Loved your reaction to this masterpiece which was followed by (IMHO) is Ian’s ultimate masterpiece-Passion Play. I know you will love it. It is another one song like Thick but set up as a four act play and played perfectly by the whole band. It’s a story about an actor who dies and goes through a life review (side one) and then goes through the spirit realm ( purgatory, hell, and heaven) on side two. It’s meant to make the listener think about what life means to everyone. So I look forward to your response to this album. Keep up the good work!
John Evan was playing a Hammond organ and some synth on this album
Masterpiece!
I am old & lucky enough to have seen Jethro Tull live many times, from their bluesy beginnings with Glen Cornick on bass. Their music & performance was always brilliant. I saw Ian Anderson a few years ago with a young guy on back-up vocals, a lot of Tull songs & they were great.
For The full experience get a vinyl album that has the newspaper. The whole paper is quirky Monty Pythonesque Veddy British circa1971. It comes complete with crossword puzzle, naughty connect the dots and a review of the album itself.
Heard it in its entirety for the first time in 1978 when I was 18. I can attest that you WILL listen to it for the rest of your life. Nothing, nothing, being produced today comes remotely close to the majesty of this masterpiece. Enjoy.
Great comment about the band's restraint. Bill Bruford believed that some of the most meaningful drum notes were ones he didn't play. Fripp credits Bruford for his restraint on the 1973 album Starless and Bible Black, which included many improvised pieces recorded during live shows. From Wikipedia: ""Trio" was notable for being a quartet piece with only three active players - John Wetton on bass guitar, David Cross on viola and Robert Fripp on "flute" Mellotron. Bruford spent the entire piece with his drumsticks crossed over his chest, waiting for the right moment to join in but eventually realized that the improvised piece was progressing better without him. His decision not to add any percussion was seen by the rest of the band as a crucial choice, and he received co-writing credit for the piece." Steve Hackett has a similar philosophy in his more atmospheric pieces.
It's the push and the pull... the loud and the soft ... the glory and the silence. Sorry idk. Yeah restraint. Lol but seriously bruford was so good at keeping things exactly where they needed to be and then absolutely wrecking your face out of nowhere with a fill. It's a sight to behold LOL
You say you could listen to this album for the rest of your life. You have it right. This was the first record I bought with my own money when it first came out, and I enjoy it just as much now as I did then. It NEVER disappoints. Thank you.
The outro is some of the most profound philosophy; Let me tell you the tales of your life
Of your love and the cut of the knife
The tireless oppression, the wisdom instilled
The desire to kill or be killed
Well, let me sing of the losers who lie
In the street as the last bus goes by
The pavements ar empty, the gutters run red while the fool toasts his god in the sky
So come all ye young men who are building castles!
Kindly state the time of the year
And join your voices in a hellish chorus
Mark the precise nature of your fear
Let me help you pick up your dead
As the sins of the father are fed
With the blood of the fools and the thoughts of the wise
And from the pan under your bed
Well, let me make you a present of song
As the wise man breaks wind and is gone
While the fool with the hour-glass is cooking his goose and the nursery rhyme winds along
So come all ye young men who are building castles
Kindly state the time of the year
And join your voices in a hellish chorus
Mark the precise nature of your fear
See the summer lightning casts its bolts upon you
And the hour of judgement draweth near
Would you be the fool stood in his suit of armour or the wiser man who rushes clear?
So, come on ye childhood heroes!
Won't your 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
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
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, yeah
Songwriters: Ian Anderson
Absolutely profound... wow. He had his finger on the pulse of our existence for sure. What a sham it all is....
Love your videos! Long time Tull fan here. I say, the natural path forward after this is to go full on «prog-folk» with the amazing classics of «Songs From the wood» (1977) and then «Heavy Horses» (1978). You’ll absolutely love it. Then go further towards modern times into the 80ies Jethro Tull with mesmerizing keyboards and vocoder vocals (and still LOTS of great flute stuff!) with the fantastic albums of “A” (1980) and “Broadsword and the Beast” (1982).
Hey bro great to hear!! Glad to have you. I will be tackling either heavy horses or passion play next... haven't made my mind up just yet. Either way, it's gonna be great I'm guessing lol
@@L33ReactsPassion Play is also absolutely superb and a nice “deep dive” after Brick. 🐇👓
@@L33Reacts I agree that one should do Songs From the Wood before Heavy Horses. They are very much companion albums, both in an extra folky style. Also Benefit is a great one. I prefer it to Aqualung.
I listened to HH before SftW when I got into Tull, and I was absolutely obsessed with both of them so I guess it was fine going in that order 😛 But sure I used to tell new fans to go in chronological order as well so I totally get your point.
I guess from a pure progressing conceptual point it does make more sense to do SftW before HH, and last but not least Stormwatch ofc! To get a deeper understanding of Ian's spiritual journey through these little masterpieces.
While I very much appreciate these reviews & reactions, dude, you really can't have any idea of what this did to us raised on the Beatles when Tull and Gentle Giant, etc, came out. Flabbergasted and inspired, we formed our own bands in the magical 70s, knowing full well that we could never approach this, or Zappa, or any of the insane stuff going down then
Thanks!
Wow thank you so much jeff! You rock brother 💪 🙏🙏
I've listened to this album, er..., about 500 times plus or so... 🤔🙏🏻
I’m in the thousands of listens!
A fine choice to not let the music leave your memory before diving back into it! Here we go!
yes!....Passion Play Another concept album!
Yup I'm down for another one.. and Ian on the sax. I'm with it. Haha
Fans either have APP at the top or the bottom of their collection. IMO, it's short on the riffs and melodies I love about Tull.
This is just a beautiful, pleasant musical trip
Tom you aren't kidding man... just an all around great album. With so many little hidden details to get you coming back for more. I love it man.
I saw them premiere this album at the royal albert hall, london in the early seventies and they were incredible.
You should revue aqualung and passion play. You wont be disappointed.
A long fkn time ago, I had a cool teacher in high school. He gave me some sage advice that would get a teacher imprisoned today. He said, "The thing is to be on the same drugs that the band was using when they recorded their music to be in their mindset."
Anyway, an earlier Jethro Tull track from a few albums before this is "Teacher."
That teacher once told me, "Jethro Tull wrote a song about you. Thick as a Brick."
Not to be outdone, I immediately replied, "Oh yeah, well they wrote one for you too. Teacher."
I felt it worked on two levels because to give a compliment after an insult is taking the higher road and displaying my knowledge of earlier, more obscure (not as well known) Jethro Tull track.
Better times.
The good ol days... you can't tell the truth anymore. It might hurt someone's feelings.... I remember it briefly before 9/11. After that, everything changed. Your teacher sounds like a good dude.
@@L33Reacts
He was. Here's a great story about him and myself.
There's a nightclub (concert venue) in my city that requires you to be 21 to enter. However, I've been seeing gigs there many times long before turning 21. Capt. Beefheart among them.
So, that teacher turned me on to Velvet Underground. I was familiar with Lou Reed, but not VU.
The year after I graduated, when I was only 19, Lou Reed had a gig at that club. I looked up my former teacher in the phone book, found him and called asking if he'd like to go with me to see Lou Reed. He agreed.
I bought two tickets in advance, and he met me there the night of the gig.
As I said, I had gone in many times before so didn't expect any snags.
That night, in the line ahead of us, the crew was carding EVERYBODY.
People who looked to be in their 30s and older. EVERYBODY.
The club must've got caught letting underage people in and clamped down.
I just looked at my teacher and said, "Dude, I wouldn't have even tried if I wasn't successful in the past." He could've gone in, of course, but being a gentleman, he took it on the chin with me.
I tried to sell the tickets off right there on the street, even at a loss. They cost something like $8. and I tried to get $5 for them. No dice.
So, we got in his car and drove off. He rolled down his hand-cranked window and tossed the ticket out the window. I felt shitty, but it was truly unforeseen.
We went to his place and he picked up his wife and the three of us went to a drive-in theater to see Richard Pryor: Live on Sunset Strip.
He was a good teacher and a good man and cool dude, even though he said that Tull song was named for me...
L33: Ta-DAH!! You did it! It's almost like going on an odyssey, an epic eventful journey that saps your strength and builds your character while delighting your ears with hitherto unheard madrigal melodies, vivisected by staccato marching meters tightly in step that stomp, stun and surmount your brain. I hear this and imagine Ian's inner composer as conjoined octuplets run amok in a music store. Well done hanging on. Absolutely, do A Passion Play next. It was panned by critics and even many fans when it came out, but I. LOVE. It.
I can only applaud your creative commentary. 👏👏👏
Great review of an amazing album! Saw Tull when they opened for The Who (1981-ish) and frankly blew them off the stage. Epic music.
P.S. fellow Band-Maid fan here and your comparisons are very valid. Best band I've heard since Tull!
Hi Peter, I've never heard of Tull opening for The Who, let alone in 1981. They had been the headliners in arenas for 10 years by then and still were. Do you have more information on this concert? Thx.
@@nyrocks5580 It may have been 82, 83. It was in Folsom Field, Boulder CO. John Mellencamp opened, was booed offstage after about a half hour, Then Tull, then The Who on one of their first farewell tours. (There were a few) Pete Townsend was energetic but the rest, not so much. Tull, however, were so tight, so on point, so theatrical. I remember a giant sword and lots of flute twirls.
@@peterz4427 wow, very cool, I'd never heard of that show before! You learn something new every day. Thx for the info. It was October, 1982. What's strange about it is that Tull were still headlining in arenas and big venues then. There were also a couple of other multi-group shows in Germany I'd never heard of, such as: Neil Young & Crazy Horse / April Wine / Michael Schenker Group / Jethro Tull / King Crimson / Cheetah and... Status Quo / Joan Jett & The Blackhearts / Jethro Tull / ZZ Top / Heart / Saxon
Man...I have this album but haven't listened to it in decades. So amazingly awesome!
Aqualung is worth listening to,!
You will love Passion Play!
I can't wait! We might start it on new years or something
It feels like the next Jethro Tull concept album you have to listen to is "A Passion Play" (1973).
Yup! We will do that one next. I'm ready for it, it seems like.
@@L33Reacts it's like this album times 2 especially on the production side.
Not nearly as melodic as Thick As A Brick though.
How talented can one person get??😂😂😂😂. You haven’t encountered his harmonica or mandolin skills yet I don’t think …… add those to the list. JT is such a fun and varied rabbit hole. You’re gonna enjoy this very long ride!
Imagine that TAAB was your first professional recording as a young drummer. I'm not aware of any other professional recordings by Barriemore Barlow prior to TAAB. That makes this release even more astounding.
He played drums at 14 (!) in a Blackpool group called The John Evan Band (yes, the keyboardist) which also featured some guy named Ian Anderson and Glenn Cornish. They eventually broke up and reformed as Jethro Tull. Barlow decided food and a roof over his head was more important and joined the work force. He played in several local groups, that went nowhere, and when Clive Bunker "left" Tull after Aqualung, Ian sought Barlow out. His first professional recording with Tull was the "Life is a Long Song" EP in 1971 which was later added to the rarities and singles compilation Living in the Past.
I got into Jethro Tull like 5 or so years ago maybe, and I listen to them every day. the two sides of thick as a brick are on my random playlist I always put on
I'm definitely gonna play the shit out of this album. I can always tell... lol
I so appreciate watching your reactions. It reminds me so much of when I started to First listen to prog rock back in the late 70s early 80s. Thank you for your honesty is interpretations and keep up the great work
Fortunately for us Ian was born in the wrong century.
In '76 I flew five of us in my Cessna 185 skywagon from AZ too Tampa FL to see Jethro Tull.
Those were the days after we split the cost of the fuel it was only about twice the cost of the tickets. Lol or about $ 35 a piece all together. ( little more than 1days wages ) A oz cost about $20
Concert was over the top of course. Early on there was a female up front heckling him about playing the flute. He walked over too her in the middle of the song and made a lude gesture with the flute between his legs.lol
✌️
🤠🏞️🐂
As has been said, it was written in response to music critics saying Aqualung was a "concept album" and Ian said "I'll give you a concept album!" But the original album cover is a work of art in its own right ! A complete newspaper (bottom section folded up behind) with made up stories and articles throughout it's several pages ! ❤😂
Lee-- they went even proggier with the next album - A Passion Play. It's another full album like TAAB. Think you'd really dig it's epicness. also-- the album prior to Thick..Aqualung,is fab too. You have alot more to discover and enjoy,bro! Dive in.... T PS: You'll never get tired of TAAB,trust me. ;-)
Like I said those early 70s tull albums are so great now you have to listen to passion Play
A PASSION PLAY is essential but slightly different to this , darker , takes repeated listens to fully grasp. But once you do you'll get a lifetime of experiences to keep going back to. In my view TAAB is fairly immediate...whereas APP you're in it for the long haul. TULL FOREVER MAN !!! 😍
When you've fully recovered from this one, you may want to tackle 'A Passion Play'. Like this album, with a slightly darker twist.
I remember growing up in the 70's and thinking a song that was 4 yrs old was ancient and I couldn't fathom the time.
Can’t help looking at that beefheart CD l have it, l want to put it on but after listening to Tull thick as brick for the god knows how many times I have to have time to recover 🤗🤗🤗
Considering how little this chap understands the cultural references, his review is spot on. Great review!
Thank you Ian! I appreciate that. This was such an amazing album.
That "other side" you're wishing for, it's called "A Passion Play."
What blows my mind is the album was intended to be a parody of concept albums and a big middle finger to snooty music critics.
Trouble is, purple prose and pretentious music is actually pretty enjoyable.
edit: oh, you actually discuss this. :) still mind-blowing
for some reason, despite the full collection of JT, the only album I really loved playing over n over again was Broadsword and the Beast., may be/ I remember thr day I received 'Brick together with Tony Banks' Fugitive album. The last one became onee of my favs ( unlike the Brick )
I don'r know if this has been said. You might consider watching Thick As A Brick and Thick As A Brick 2 live from Iceland.
It's a great show with both full albums performed live. A masterpiece!
I hear Barlow in hindsight, thought if he had to redo his parts, he would have played simpler, but I'm glad he didn't.
It's like a galloping horse!
Jethro Tull is awesome and this is a great concept album.
Hey, L33, knowing how much you love Yes, I'm surprised you've not yet reacted to the "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe" album. The four of them got together, with some help from Tony Levin on bass, and made one of the best Yes albums ever, only they couldn't actually call it Yes. Just their last names. "Brother of Mine" starts off the album and is amazing. It was on the radio a lot. Virtually every song is either near great, great or a masterpiece. "Order of the Universe" closes the album and hits hard. It also was played frequently on the radio. You'll love every song. ❤✌
Man...takes your breath away.
JT at their very best!🎵🎼🎶🔈🔉🔊😎
Dude no kidding... they were on fire this entire album lol
Side two is a masterpiece but I must admit. For every 50 times I listen to side one, I listen to side two once.
I used to be like that. Although I've started enjoying the 2nd side as much as the first recently. Probably because I played the first side so much. It's just a nice change/different vibe.
Don't you believe in the day? 😢 lol
I enjoyed side one a smidgen more then side two personally. But I truly enjoyed both immensely.
I prefer to listen to side 2 of both thick as a brick and a passion play. Why not just skip to the juicy bits.
What an album!
For other albums, you can't really go wrong with any of their other 70s catalogue. I think they did an album every year from 1968 to 1980, after which they slowed down slightly.
Of the albums you haven't done. 'Aqualung', 'Songs From The Wood' and 'Heavy Horses' are probably the highlights
Either passion play or heavy horses next! Can't wait!
a Passion Play and Heavy Horses are my two favorite Tull albums (with TAAB and Songs from the Wood coming in right after. Honestly, their entire output in the 70's is magic. I didn't connect with everything they did in the 80's but when they dropped Roots to Branches in the mid 90's I was blown away.)@@L33Reacts
The only logical follow up to this for you to get to next for Jethro Tull, is A Passion Play
Sounds good to me Andre, I'm down! Let's get it.
@@L33Reacts it is better than TAAB imho. Also side note, the story of thick as a brick is continued in a part 2 (Ian Anderson solo album), and a 3rd part ( story is kind of out there) called Homo Erraticus
Please do the full Aqualung album - critics called it a concept album, which Ian said wasn't, so that's the reason he wrote TAAB.
Check out Tull, Nightcap. It`s the heaviest Tull.
Sweet I'm down. I added it to the list
Good to listen to together as tracks run into each other a lot.@@L33Reacts
Gonna have to do A Passion Play now
Ian used to roll out some great albums seemingly effortlessly. Too bad he split the band up; Martin Barre is integral to Jethro Tull. If both Martin and Ian were playing the same night in Detroit, I would choose Martin's show in a heartbeat. There are few writers and showmen like Ian Anderson, but for pure music entertainment, Martin's show is a must-see.
Man that would be a tough choice for me lol
I was hoping you'd do this side...Barrymore is a top of the food chain drummer, and the solo shows that out...In addition to the complex tempos of the entire song...:)...
Good Job, man.
Thanks David I appreciate it bro.
Its my 3rd favorite prog album of all time, and probably also outside of prog not much stands up against it imo
Go to the early albums first: This Was, Stand Up, Benefit then continue!
This Was is the only Tull album I hated! Way too bluesy for me.
Ian's acoustic guitar work is tits!
Dude it really is. His picking is exquisite. And his riffs are just pure creativity. It's crazy now much he wrote for this Beauty.
Realmente hay que apreciar la buena música, para permanecer más de 20 minutos, escuchando.
Soy fan de J T desde hace mucho tiempo.
Me agradan tus reacciones y me sorprende que gente tan joven se tomen el tiempo de escuchar música que se hizo hace 50 años.
Te deseo lo mejor.
Una sugerencia A Pasión Play
I'm glad you enjoyed my friend! I love good music no matter the genre and this so happens to be right up my alley! I love it. Thank you for watching bro!
Yeah, do Passion Play. It's another album length piece from Tull. It's a more difficult work, but you can handle it. Anderson plays a lot more sax in that one actually.
Yeah I'm guessing that's the one I will do next. Everyone seems to be in agreement it seems
I loved the brief Sax appearance on this side so I'm down for more lol
Except the guys who wrote and played it! Anderson, said that "I've always thought that A Passion Play suffered more than any other album I've ever made from being over-arranged and over-produced and over-cooked" and that Jethro Tull fans who call the album their favourite album of all time "should of course remain in the establishment for the criminally insane in which they probably already reside". 😅 Barre has said that he believes that the album exists in "the bottom third of Jethro Tull albums". I agree with them and
would go for Songs From The Wood or Heavy Horses instead.
@@thomassharmer7127 I did say it was a more difficult piece. It's definitely not as immediately accessible, but it has a certain allure to it.
Did you notice the kick and hi-hat ostinato happening during the drum solo? Kick / hat / hat.
I like the themes on Passion Play but it can be quite cacophonous and where I would want flute he plays sax. Wouldn't want you to get turned off to Tull before hearing even better albums like Heavy Horses. Of course I'll be listening with you which ever one you choose.
Damn heavy horses has been brought up a few times too... maybe I'll look into that one too ;)
How can you diss A Passion Play like this? 😢 Honestly, it is quite dense and needs a few listens to really hear everything, but I think he'll really enjoy it given his reaction to the denser parts of MITG. It also has easily some of Barlow's best drumming.
I don't think I'm dissing it but I think it's one of those Tull albums that won't win new converts.@@AquaticDot
Have you listened to the JT Christmas song yet?