The whole album -- everything about it -- is pure genius. I was a 13-year-old schoolboy when I first heard the album Aqualung as background music during a free art practice class. It blew my mind, and I've loved it ever since. It's timeless music, with brilliant, poetic lyrics. Martin Barre is a superb guitarist.
@@robst247 I don’t think I do, but haven’t looked thru my albums in many years. It was the quadrophonic version. Some parts were remixed (or other cuts used) in ways I didn’t care for - like the version of Aqualung where the acoustic part where Ian’s voice sounds like its going thru an old mic or megaphone is different from the original. I was a little disappointed in that… and also that quadriphonic stereo equipment never became a thing 😂.
@@BobC59 Quadrophonic LPs? I've never heard of them. I remember Pink Floyd using a quadrophonic sound system on their Dark Side of the Moon tour, which I was fortunate to see when I was about 16.
Exactly. It's an example, IMO, of a solo that actually lives within the song, extends and enhances it. It's so fluid and it sounds effortless. Many soloists write things that are in no way connected to the piece. I love Xxxx Xxxxxxn, but if you took a solo that you didn't know, it would be hard to tell what song it was from. The solo may absolutely wonderful, but they are just kind of orthogonal... "And now for something completely different."
If Martin Barre had never recorded another note in his life that solo alone would easily have cemented his place in the annals of guitarists as one of the all-time greats.
Man, I gotta say; to my ear and brain power, you are without a doubt the best guitar instructor on TH-cam. I have a college degree in music theory and build guitars for a living and I learn more from you in 20 minutes than I could anywhere else. Thanks man
I saw Tull every year through the 70s and for me Martin Barre was the main attraction. The 2nd time I saw them - June 1972 on the Thick as a Brick tour - was the high point. Martin's solo on Aqualung that night was stratospheric, one of the finest moments of live music I've ever seen. Even though it was 50 years ago I still remember how stunned I was that anyone could play guitar with such emotion, intensity and beauty.
Since you mention Thick As A Brick, it is my uninformed, but heartfelt, opinion that several centuries from now, if there are any humans still alive, that Thick As A Brick will be listened to and heard as one of the greatest musical creations of that era. Aqualung just doesn’t speak to me in the same way.
It’s hard to describe to someone how overwhelming it was to experience Tull live in that early-mid period. Nothing can compare and no video does it justice!
Martin Barre is such an underrated guitarist, certainly a favorite of mine. Saw him live just earlier this year, and it's amazing how much energy and fun he still has on stage. He's certainly brought the "rock" into Jethro Tull, his riffs just tend to be overshadowed by Ian Anderson's flute.
I still remember an article about him in the late 70’s in Guitar Player Magazine. The writer was very critical of his playing. Not a flattering article at all. I disagreed with him fervently.
The man who had the best job in all of show business and while executing his daily duties, just happened to far exceed all established norms for greatness.
When I realized back in the 80's that the song was about homelessness, I can't help but cry every time I hear it. Martin Barre was so huge as a guitarist. Thanks for doing it.
I've waited a long time for someone to give this song its true merit, and Baldassarre has done a great job. I was 22 when this album came out, and I didn't actually buy a lot of records in those days. But this was one that I had to have, and along with Who's Next, it was my pick for best album of 1971. The days of the Beatles making albums that you would play every track on were gone by 1971, and then Tull released this album that I played and played and played. Every song was a masterpiece, and I thought the opener and closer were all-time classics. The pure musicianship is off the charts, the piano is simply amazing as well. And I have always been disappointed that Martin Barre's guitar solo wasn't rated at least Top Ten of all time in the various polls over the past 50 years. In my book, it has always been, note for note, the best rock solo I've ever heard. Thanks for giving it its due, Carl.
I saw Martin Barre last night on his 'A Brief History of Tull' tour and he was amazing. I'm not a guitarist but I have really enjoyed watching this video, and Carl's other one about the Top 10 Tull guitar riffs from 1969 to 1971, that have given me more insight into what I saw Martin do and why it's so special. I was fortunate enough to have seen Tull several times back in the 70s so seeing Martin again at age 76 and still rocking the way he does is inspiring.
Wonderful. Really appreciate the detailed breakdown of Barre's subtle guitar idiosyncrasies (vibrato, double stops...). The contrast between the relaxed feeling of Anderson's minstrel-style acoustic segments and the in-yer-face LP-fueled electric parts make this song very dramatic for me. Lyrically I suppose it's an unflinching look into the world of an aging homeless man? Anderson's empathy for the "old man wand'ring lonely..." is tangible.
I went to college in 1978, and friend of mine down the hall in my dorm would only listen to Jethro Tull music in his room. He had seen Tull live 4 times and absolutely loved them. I was forced to become immersed in their music. LOL. I became a fan.
You are something else, Carl. First of all, I love the Sunburst Gibson you are playing. Martin is my all-time favorite lead guitarist, but every time I mention him to someone else, they give me a blank stare. You know great riffs, runs, fills, and leads. Plus, your playing is outstanding. This is awesom, Carl. Thanks. p.s. -- That question and answer on the solo is really cool. I hear it. I always did, but I didn't categorize it as such.
Dear CB, everything you do has such a beautiful eloquence and clarity to it. From the way you dress and the way you sit in the way you speak to the loving way in which you bring forth the beautiful details of these magical rock songs that we love so much. I hope your channel explodes. You certainly deserve a million subscribers.
Yes, a well spoken gentleman with sartorial sense. Adds an air of authoritative gravitas which adds to the class (pun unavoidable) of the acute analysis and accessible demonstration.
I loved this song and album when it came out. It was so innovative to a very musically aware 11 year old. I saw JT at Shea stadium in '76, not the best place for a concert for acoustics and the planes flying overhead. Still it was epic with the Tull-avision. Ian Anderson was a madman on stage. I don't know how he could perform day after day.
I remember seeing them in Hartford Ct on that tour. I could see Ian Anderson backstage from my seat while he took a break and the rest of the band played. Chainsmoking lol. And then went out and threw himself into the rest of a great performance
Thank you Carl for that history and breakdown of Aqualung. I was a 19 year old young man in Australia and vividly remember when that song was released. It was a fantastic time to be alive with the music of the time. That song in particular had such a profound effect on me that by the following year I was in London searching out all these new bands that made it unique. Unfortunately I wasn't able to be in the same place and time as Jethro Tull so never got to see him live but it was the greatest period in Rock History and I am so grateful to have been there. 🇦🇺
Remember Seeing them live in the 70's at MSG Martin Barre's live solo on Aqualung was one of the most memorable solos I've ever seen in concert More so than some other bands I've seen live in their prime like Pink Floyd , The Who , Yes etc etc
I think Martin Barre has the best lead phrasing of any guitar player from that era - including Jimmy Page (you read that correctly). You are the first guitar player I've seen on TH-cam cover Jethro Tull with any depth at all. #martinbarre
>> I think Martin Barre has the best lead phrasing of any guitar player from that era I've always thought that as well. Martin has taste and judgement, and does not fill up the space with a bunch of extraneous to toe stubbing wailing ( mostly ) he carefully calculates clean lines of melody that go with and yet play against whatever song he is playing to as well. I'd have loved to have heard what Martin would have done with Zealot Gene.
And excuse me for not seeing your comment earlier. I’m going to do an episode on Martin’s riffs and such. I can’t wait. I love his playing! He deserves a salute!
Had to add Leslie West also uses simple, clean phrasing. Martin and Leslie were friends. When Tull toured with Mountain Martin was impressed with the sound Leslie had. Soon after, he changed amps and guitars. Next album=Aqualung. At least that's the story I've heard.
Thank you SO much Carl!... I REMEMBER the FIRST time I saw Martin Barre play Aqualung and the BAND filling IN those Second- Inversion CHORDS after the Intro Riff and Power Chords! . I wasn't well- versed in theory YET, just started playing guitar, but I KNEW the SOUND was Unusual for Rock and Roll but it was SO DAMN COOL...!! Thank you for Showing it, on the guitar, although I WISH I could SEE your fingers better!... Kudos!
What a great discussion of that song and the era. I was not very musicial but was an electronics nerd and when the N.A. tour to support that album came my way in that they wanted a sound system that was unique at the time, more hi-fi and dynamic than some Altec A7s, I was a designer with a small 4 person company and on spec along, threw everything into building a hi-fi sound system that would do both the heavy rock and the acoustic sections justice. It was a complete re-thinking of a touring system and needed to design the power amps, clusters of individual power amp per cab, for each of bottom, mids and hf, the first tri-amp'd system with electronic cross overs, and a unique at the time mixing console. The console was the first one to have switchable ballistics for Vu and PPM metering, parametic Eq on every channel, linear home made faders, and many other features that had not been seen before in touring or fixed install systems....all on spec using every penny we had expecting to win the sound tests the tour manager arranged for various sound companies to set up their systems for a live audition. We would have been bankrupted if we did not win but we did, and were the only ones who never were on tour before. We babied that system all over North America and sometimes an amp would blow so one of use would leave early to be able to search parts stores for the high power transistors and repair them in the hotel room. There were 12 amps per side, all home made. It did sound good but I swore off my first and only tour. The band was GREAT, and Ian was a jewel. I lost track of them for years because I ended up owning a large 3 studio complex and was busy recording. I gave everything away in 1999 and moved to St Petersburg Russia in early 2000. I was walking through a popular pub named Liverpool that featured authentic Beatles memorabilia that had become the home watering hole for UK bands playing tours in Russia. I walked past a table with 10 people on it mostly young except for one guy who was bald and old like me. I heard him talk as I walked by to go talk to my friend, the owner from Iceland. I asked the owner who that was because his voice sounded familar. The reply was Ian Anderson and it all came back to me. I went back to the group stood across from him just staring and he was obviously uncomfortable so it interupted the story he was telling to the younger band members. Finally he spoke to me "May I help you?" I replied "Dallas, stage right, curtain, fire" and a light went off in his eyes..and we met again 26 years later. One my my power amps blew up, safely taking itself off line and caught the curtain on fire. The audience thought it was part of the show. But it was out in seconds. No one let on that it was not planned. We hugged and he told his young members about that tour that was very memorable for all of us. He invited my GF and me to attend the concern in 2 hours and arranged for back stage since it was sold out in the large concert hall. He returned several times every other year. I ran into the Rolling Stones at the same pub before one of there shows but I never had direct involvement with them but we shared a lot of common friends. I LOVED Aqualung and the group, and my first and last tour. My work was making albums and designing gear when needed. My studio did many many gold and platinum albums from everyone from Fleetwood Mac (Rumours), Stevie Wonder(Songs in the Key of Life), Whitney Houston, Heat, Journey, Arethea Franklin, Metallica, Huey Lewis and the News( Sports, and the original songs for the movie Back to the Future) Santana, Tower of Power, Boz Skaggs, Van Morrison, Starship, and too many to count.
Comment’s I’ve just read are from a year ago so I’m not sure you’re going to see mine. It’s 5/12/23 and my first viewing of your dive into Aqualung and I love it. MB is in my top five best guitarists. I have seen them from 1971-present. You need to view the 1970 Isle of Wight video performance of Tull. You will see the madness and musicianship of Ian and how tight the band was. I suggest that you also listen to the Minstrel in the Gallery album one of Martin’s incredible guitar works ! And I agree with you that Martin’s guitar works were overshadowed by Ian’s flute ( obviously by the critics of the time), but I recognized that Ian and Martin made the sound of Tull. I could go on and on. But now that I’m subscribed I will check out what you already have and I hope you will dive deeper into Tull ! I thoroughly enjoyed my first video of you and learned a lot so thanks. I will be commenting in the future. God bless you for your work!
I have always loved Tull but listening to this made my mind explode I'm not a musician but I can see you are well acquainted with music theory and it's history and quite a good musician yourself This is so interesting. Thank you for what you do.
One of the first songs I ever learned... Martin Barre.is one of my younger influences... I totally dug this band.. I can see how they rubbed off on Crack The Sky even..While guys like Iommi,Page and Clapton got all the ink.. This man was no less influential... Aqualung goes in the top 10 all time greatest riffs category.... Well done again ... Love the guitar sound!...
There is one photo that I know of of the "Aqualung" album recording session, and it's the one appearing in the "Living In The Past" album booklet, where you have the specific Aqualung line-up (that to my knowledge hasn't played on any other recording than this one) with their instruments and a backdrop that could indicate the Island studio. And there Ian Anderson still has his cheap Japanese (Aria?) acoustic guitar, not the parlour-type instrument you refer to in your analysis of the acoustic part, like the Martins he'll be touring with a little later. Of course that doesn't prove anything. He could still peharps also have played this track with his older Yamaha acoustic. Your videos are amazingly good and informative; they sound awesome! Congratulations and thank you!
Saw Martin Barre and his band at The Gov in Adelaide maybe two years ago. So so good. Martin played brilliantly, with a full examination of so many great Tull classics. No flute! However, the band made it all work. He was a real live wire and had seemed to have so much fun playing. His drummer was AMAZING!
I was in high school when Jethro Tull unleashed this Mega-Album. Aqua Lung rocketed to the top and was an absolute must play song at every party, event, gathering etc. Ian Anderson is mind blowing on the flute. Good times.
My mother God bless her, stood in line so I could have 7th row seats.... Ian looked me in the eye... and I felt like a little school girl. Lol. Just great musicians with such wonderful unique songs. Great critique Carl.
When I saw Jethro Tull in 1975 and they played Aqualung at the end of the concert I was wanting to hear that guitar solo, and Martin didn't play it. He improvised something else. It was disappointing but I understood why he did that. He probably improvised the solo on the album and didn't go back and learn what he actually did. My guess of course. Let's ask Martin and see what he says...
This was a great breakdown and explanation of the song. And the cultural dialogue was very informative as well. Love the videos Carl, I'd love to hear you do something on Rush/Alex Lifeson. But honestly just keep on doing what you are doing, I appreciate it
What a magnificent summary of this piece of music - I’m a late comer to the channel and have certainly subscribed. I ‘grew up’ in the UK in the 60’s and, yes, I remember The Beatles fragmenting etc and Tull were one of those bands who just captivated me with the flute/guitar led sound - so different. They are my favourite band of all (I grew up with The Beatles, so heresy!) and are the act that I have seen more than any other. I am so glad to see Martin Barre praised like this - an unassuming guy (compared to Ian Anderson!) but a superb guitarist , always overlooked in the ‘listings!’ Great stuff.
What a wonderful lesson. One of my favourite songs. I don't think I have seen a teacher with so much enthusiasm for his subject for a long time! More please. The lyric was written by Anderson's wife (Jennie) and contains many semantic ambiguities of English as it is spoken by we Brits. Some of my American friends have misunderstood the words. The eponymous Aqualung is a tramp (that's a hobo - not a sexually promiscuous individual). The 'bog' refers to a public toilet. The Army refers to The Salvation Army a charity, one of whose aims is to look after the homeless. Please will you analyse Steve Hackett' Firth of Fifth solo?
I think you are wrong about Jennie (Franks) Anderson writing any lyrics. Ian has said many times that he was inspired by a series of photographs she tool, but I've never heard him credit Jennie with writing the lyrics. I could be wrong, but if so would you point me to some kind of documentation on that ... but mostly on a gut level feel those are not the lyrics of a women ... and specifically any women that Ian Anderson would marry. I'd love to know the story of them and where and what she is doing now.
@@justgivemethetruth Ian Anderson, the principal songwriter for Jethro Tull, has said, "[she] in fact was responsible the lyrics in the first couple of verses ... I suppose in total probably about half of the lyrics were words or word associations that she had come up with," Hope that helps.
@@perdix99 What a condescending twit. First, you said "the lyric" as in all the lyrics, you did not distinguish in the least. I've heard that one time where Ian said that, maybe to be generous, who knows. As far as I know he has never been open or clear about his first marriage, or his second for that matter or his children. I noticed online that Jenny Franks was auctioning off love letters from Ian. I do know that Ian lies, embellishes. He is a very private guy to the extent that his public personna is a made up facade. Why would I care about what you "suppose" anyway.
@@justgivemethetruth My answer is a quote lifted from Wiki. The words are Anderson's not mine.The quotation marks are clearly visible. 'The 'I suppose' is contained within those quote marks, too. The 'hope that helps' were my words as I thought you might be interested in the quote. Not quite sure why all this makes me either condescending or a twit.
@@perdix99 You changed your posts. Anyway, it doesn't much matter, and I've been following JT/IA since the early 70's, and I've never heard him comment on that, until very recently. Sitting on a park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent does not sound much like a female lyric, though sun streaking cold and old man wandering lonely sort of does. I don't really buy into much of what Anderson says, I think he is mostly about saying stuff to mollify the fans for PR purposes.
My dad had the record and I became so obsessed with the stories in the songs that I would write short stories about Aqualung. I carried the liner notes in my backpack all throughout 7th grade. That was 1999 and it seems like a long time ago now, but this song is truly timeless. Wonderful video sir, thankyou for bringing it to my attention!
I love this analysis. I know Ian Anderson complains about this record but the guitar sounds -- acoustic and electric -- on this record are simply out of this world. That Aqualung electric growl really set the, er, barre for guitar sounds. ;-)
Just discovered your vids Carl. Very instructional and inspiring. Saw Tull three times... Aqualung tour, Thick as a Brick then Passion Play. They were really the hottest, hippest live band back in the day IMHO.
I wasn't allowed to listen to much of "my" music when I was in high school. In 1974, upon entering my college dorm for the first time, I heard this song blaring from a room down the hall. Wow! It was time to catch up on everything I had missed.
Aqualung has to be in the top ten all time best rock riffs. It has to be. Great demo Mr. Carl!...and I’ll say it again and again “THAT LES PAUL IS BITCHIN!”
Hi Carl, I am one of those older guys who after the kids have grown up and moved out, have finally made it back to playing guitar. I am right in the middle of learning Aqualung when you released this video. Thank you so much for your insight, it has provided deeper meaning to a song that I have cherished since it was released. Thank you, Paul
Very interesting stuff. I'd like to add a bit of context to the social commentary aspect of the song, if I may. I was 15 when this album came out, a young lad struggling to develop a social conscience in a Britain of the late 60s/early 70s that was a pretty intolerant place. It was not unusual to see signs in boarding house windows: "No dogs, no blacks, no Irish". Racism, sexism, and homophobia were rife and even seen as acceptable (some of the "comedians" of the day would be watched in horror these days). The homeless and vagrant were viewed with extreme suspicion and revulsion. They would be subject to abuse and threats by all and sundry. In this light, the two "moods" of the song are two different views of the Aqualung character. The heavy opening section (dominated by _the riff_) is the wider, suspicious viewpoint: "eyeing little girls with bad intent", "snot running down his nose", "greasy fingers", "shabby clothes", "watching as the frilly panties run". This is the view that makes assumptions about someone based only on superficial cues: that he's a pervert, filthy, morally reprehensible. The acoustic section, however, is much more sympathetic. "An old man wandering lonely", "leg hurting bad", "he goes down to the bog to warm his feet", "salvation a la mode and a cup of tea". This is the view that sees the horrors of the man's life: the loneliness, the pain. Using public toilets as a refuge from the cold, reliant on the charity of others for a warm drink. I don't think there's any Alice in Wonderland here: this is a brutal commentary on a social injustice and one that helped open my eyes to the way the world was and that it needed to change. Incidentally, you will never find a better, more poetic description of a winter's day in Britain than "sun streaking cold". Utter perfection in three words.
Brilliantly explained. I always thought Ian was giving the listener 2 different viewpoints of the character in the song but couldn't explain as well as you did here. Love the 'sun streaking cold' explanation. Being an American who has lived in the south (ATL, GA) my entire 53 years, I would've never known how perfect those words are for a London winter.
You must think it’s wonderful then that “Asians” will the the major population and white British will become extinct in their own nation in 50-100 years. Don’t you find it disturbing that only white European Christian nations are having diversity shoved down its throats. Humans self segregated over thousands of years because of in group preference, which is an immutable human trait. In others words it’s not racism but in group preference. Wait until the populations become too large and Western Europe will be no more and you’ll change your tune. Japan’s and Poland have the correct model. The West does not.
Thank you, this is special content. You’ve done a great job of putting this unusual, cool song into its musical, historical and emotional context. Your sartorial elegance, personal warmth and guitar playing chops are all big cherries on the cake. Looking forward to whatever is next. Bowie, Ziggy and Mick Ronson?
It was probably Mick Ronson playing the lick, but the actual song Ziggy Stardust has a great riff. There’s lots of great guitar on the Ziggy Stardust album - and all the albums he did with the Spiders from Mars
Love your presentation and the ability to translate some loftier musical insights in an entirely engaging and entertaining way. Many of us might otherwise overlook these things while distracted by the more simplistic act of enjoying the performance at its base level. It certainly brings another level of appreciation for the music and the artists. Though it may never happen, I'd like to think I'm not the only one who wouldn't totally love to see a collaboration between yourself and Rick Beato - maybe a live stream or a recorded episode of something along the lines of Rick's "what makes this sound great" or digging into a particular influential artist, band, or performance in a way that you could both share your obvious mutual love for music, the history, and the craftsmanship behind both the performances and the production. Just a thought. In the meantime I'm glad I landed on your channel here. Great stuff. Thank you for sharing!
That would be so wonderful! Thank you for the lovely thought. My channel is fledgling and I’m certain he doesn’t even know I exist yet! Maybe one day. I’d do it in a heartbeat! Mr. Beato is the GOAT! The numbers don’t lie!
Thanks a Million Carl for drawing attention to this iconic song!! I was lucky enough to be the front man in a band that played this & many other great Tull songs. Always relishing the chance to recreate them every time! You & I could have had a great tribute band together!!
Brilliant, even though I understand no music theory! All I know was that Jethro Tull produced inspiring music and dramatic performances. Love the tension, contrast, elegance and power. Martin is still under-appreciated. His current band brings back the power of live Tull. Still stunning audiences. Thank you!
Love this song, and agree that it's one of the best electric guitar lead solos of all time. Carl, I thoroughly enjoyed your breakdown and the history surrounding the song. I'd like to see you do a follow up video just on the solo where you'd demonstrate/play the entire electric guitar solo. One things I really like about your videos, is that you really replicate the sound of the original recording. Perhaps you can take a moment to talk about how you replicate the original artist's guitar sound, or put it in the written description of the video (e.g., amp, amp settings, pedals/effects, guitar pickup setting, tone and volume knob setting). I thought it was very interesting how you highlighted the megaphone vocal effect and the cultural significance of it. Again, you replicated it very well, but I was hoping you would've shared how you reproduced it. Overall, well done, Carl!!!...👍👌💯👏
Thanks so much for this. I was 20 in 71 and I didn’t understand Martin Barre’s guitar playing but I liked it as I did Ian Anderson’s. I always felt that there some kind of Medieval feel to the music. Not so much in the first records but it was there nevertheless. Glad I found your channel.
I was born in 71 and it was that medieval feel that always made "The Tull" stand out for me (that and as a farm kid, they're named after the man that invented the seed drill). As an Englishman, I think that it's the fact that they looked as much to our own musical heritage as the American / Blues that makes them one of the most important bands of all time.
Wow, what a great video! I don't know anything about music theory, chords, etc.etc., but I stuck it out and this was a wonderful window into a fantastic era, and song! Thank you!
Ian Anderson came down to the front of the stage and sang a duo with me (you couldn't hear my voice without a mike) because he saw that I knew all the lyrics to his music. A baby spotlight on both of us and the crowd going: "who's that dude?" L.A. Forum 19?? Don't remember the date. What a generous man to do that for a fan. 💗💘 💗 Thank you, Mr. Anderson, for a lifelong good vibe memory.
Thank you, too, Mr. Baldassarre. I also remember that when the band broke into "Stormbringer" tracks, I was stumped because I didn't have that album. He came by the front row again and looked down to me, and I shrugged, and he laughed and pointed at me, as if to say "ahah! Now go and learn this!" Jiving with Ian. What a night. I sneaked into the front row because there was an empty seat!! Great video, Mr. Baldassare, you play so wonderfully, thank you.
It does not equal your story, but I, too, was in the front row of a Thick as a Brick concert. In the middle of a song, Ian gave me a quick handshake. Decades later, I heard him in an interview describe how during, and even shortly after shows, his senses were firing so much he hated to be touched. Of course, that made the handshake mean even more. I was and am a huge lover of the band.
That whole Gm, F, F, C move. Think about jazz turnarounds and temporary modulations. That's vi, V, then the second F becomes a IV in C, C becomes I chord (think "Amen Cadence"). Then you need the Cm as the ii in Bb, to the Gm as vi, and then F as V in Bb. The entire piece bounces between keys Gm and Bb with on temporary modulation. This is why you have a very natural sounding Eb chord, and you can dispense with a l-o-t on accidentals.
Ive watched hundreds ,if not thousands of hours of music-centric video over the decades , this might be the singularly most thorough and illuminating, best thought outermost clearly ,demonstrated and enunciated offering I have ever seen! Period. Thank You so much! You deserve every success ,I cant wait to hear your music!!!
I absolutely enjoyed it Mr. Baldassarre! JT is another one of my favorite bands and IMHO, Martin Barre is cruelly underrated. His solo work is outstanding as well. While I do hear the 3rd played in the chord sequence, I always hear the 5th too, which I always thought Mr. Barre was playing. I sit corrected and I'll obviously have to listen more closely next time. I agree with you wholeheartedly too; it was the "Golden Age" of Rock/Progressive Rock and I for one am grateful that I was around during that period to experience it. Cheers, MB
Thank you for featuring this classic Tull song... I was a Tull (and prog rock) fanatic in the 1970s, seeing every show they played in Seattle after spending all night queuing in line for tickets... my pal and I memorized every last word to "Thick As a Brick" as well as many other Tull songs, and fell in love with Ian Anderson's wacky jester like personality. You have done this song and the band well with your analysis, and taught me to appreciate the song so much more by understanding it's structure and details. Thank you again! I plan to share this video with a couple of friends now. This is my first introduction to your channel, and it won't be my last!
I was born in ‘58 and with two older sisters who were 9 and 12 years older than me and an older brother three years older, I had a giant leap forward on musical exposure in such a way that I was ready for something that I could relate to and appreciate the paradigm shift when the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan in’63. I was a Who freak and got a bass in ‘68. I was a Jethro Tull, Who, and Yes freak and saw them many times in LA where l grew up. Thanks brother
Really excellent analysis here. I look forward to seeing more on Tull. I credit Tull with leading me to study classical guitar because of his Elizabethan Rock. Because of Bouree I moved toward studying Bach and classical music and lute music. My favorite periods being Renaissance and Baroque. Gotta love Jethro Tull.
I’m coming in late on this, and also not good at explaining things, but this is brilliant. As a huge Tull fan, you still were able to make me understand more of why and what we felt in this era. 50 plus years later, I’m still excited to learn more of what we were gifted to experience. Thank you.
Carl, your videos are absolutely superb, and this one is is a perfect example. The discussion of the music, the production, and the historical context are fascinating. Many thanks for all that you do.
I really enjoyed this deep dig into Aqualung! Great job! I think the same approach to certain Hendrix songs, like Bold As Love, Rainy Day, Dream Away, or Room Full of Mirrors would be fascinating.
Outstanding breakdown of this iconic song CB. Always loved JT and MB but your analysis of this song has given it new life for me again. Like I'm hearing it in a way I never have before. Thanks so much! I have seen Tull and the Martin Barre Band a few times and highly recommend if he comes to your area to go see him. He's playing as great as he ever has!
Awsome! and of the highest quality. A memory: "Minstrel in the Gallery" inserted in the Heartbreaker solo #1 post-op. The first time I heard "Circadian Rhythm" I thought of your voice like Ian Anderson, and it rings better than ever. Love the Marshall with the 2x12 cabinet. I did that with my JSX 120w head and came to prefer it to the 4x12 it was designed to go with. BTW, Your tone is better than ever! THANKS for your excellent work...!
The man who had the best job in all of show business: The Lead Guitarist for JETHRO TULL And while in the position also far exceeded all established norms for greatness. That’s Martin !
I am so glad that you give this song such good credit. I have always loved this whole album ever since I first heard it in boarding school in Cape Town in 1972
Was on the swim team in the 11th grade in '71 when one day during practice one of the guys came in with a portable 8 track player (younger folks can google that) and blasted Aqua Lung which echoed at full volumn throught out the cavernous indoor pool. It was a stellar moment in my early impressionable years that I still remember today like it was yesterday. Thanks Carl for the outstanding analysis of a truely Epic group and album!
An excellent video, sir. Thank you. One thing, though, is I never understand how people miss the Salvation Army reference: "...The army's up the road, salvation ala mode and cup of tea." The Salvation Army is just up the road and he can get a drink to warm him at the facility along with others like himself, so that he doesn't have to feel so all alone in the cold, anymore.
Thank you, Carl! I thoroughly enjoyed your insights in JT! I especially liked your explanation of the "megaphone" voice that IA used on Aqualung. I was always interested in that and wondered why, thanks for that!
Thank you! Stay tuned, you’re going to love my upcoming episodes on Jethro Tull and Martin Barre. I’m getting a bunch of riffs under my fingers as I write!!!
Interesting that you brought up the opening of Beethoven’s Fifth early on. Anderson has said that he had been pondering on the iconic simplicity of that famous opening sequence when he came up with the opening riff for Aqualung. Thank you so much for this fabulous analysis… brings new appreciation for this amazing song! ❤️
Loved everything about this analysis. First of yours I watched and am now a subscriber. Saw Jethro Tull at Cornell in 1972. What a traveling minstrel show it was. Now I can appreciate the music creativity and accomplishment of the band.
Fantastic analysis, Carl, and among everything else, I really appreciate your helping us understand the "megaphone" sound at the opening of the acoustic part. We don't get that kind of erudition very often! Much appreciated.
Ian Anderson has actually also explained that sound as being characteristic of the speakers that announced directions to the pilots who were taking off at the airfields during the war....
Love the channel Carl, have been subbed since the beginning, you break down some great iconic songs with so much insight and cool info, your guitar skills are unreal wish had half the talent, be really cool to see your band
![GREATEST blues rock song of all time? Led Zeppelin’s “Since I’ve Been Loving You” [Guitar Lesson]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/k703VUDDfLc/mqdefault.jpg)
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Barre’s solo on Aqualung is one the best ever, gives me goosebumps when I hear it!
The whole album -- everything about it -- is pure genius. I was a 13-year-old schoolboy when I first heard the album Aqualung as background music during a free art practice class. It blew my mind, and I've loved it ever since. It's timeless music, with brilliant, poetic lyrics. Martin Barre is a superb guitarist.
Was also 13 at first listen. Ir was also the first album I ever bought with my own money
@@BobC59 That was a great buy! Do you still have it? If so, what condition is it in?
@@robst247 I don’t think I do, but haven’t looked thru my albums in many years. It was the quadrophonic version. Some parts were remixed (or other cuts used) in ways I didn’t care for - like the version of Aqualung where the acoustic part where Ian’s voice sounds like its going thru an old mic or megaphone is different from the original. I was a little disappointed in that… and also that quadriphonic stereo equipment never became a thing 😂.
@@BobC59 Quadrophonic LPs? I've never heard of them. I remember Pink Floyd using a quadrophonic sound system on their Dark Side of the Moon tour, which I was fortunate to see when I was about 16.
@@robst247 Yes! Just looked them up and saw one listed for $399 US. Maybe I need to spend a few minutes sighing thru my musty old albums!
Couldn’t agree more … Martin Barre’s solo is one of, if not THE best solos of all time
Exactly. It's an example, IMO, of a solo that actually lives within the song, extends and enhances it. It's so fluid and it sounds effortless. Many soloists write things that are in no way connected to the piece.
I love Xxxx Xxxxxxn, but if you took a solo that you didn't know, it would be hard to tell what song it was from. The solo may absolutely wonderful, but they are just kind of orthogonal... "And now for something completely different."
That solo has emotion! It gives me goosebumps sometimes!
If Martin Barre had never recorded another note in his life that solo alone would easily have cemented his place in the annals of guitarists as one of the all-time greats.
Man, I gotta say; to my ear and brain power, you are without a doubt the best guitar instructor on TH-cam. I have a college degree in music theory and build guitars for a living and I learn more from you in 20 minutes than I could anywhere else. Thanks man
I love this breakdown! Jethro Tull, one of the most brilliant bands ever.
I like the sad, acoustic part. It's THAT PART that gives the song the most feeling and color imo.
For me it is more the contrast of both parts... each stands out more because of the other
@@ulimenzebach7918 Good point-agreed.
I saw Tull every year through the 70s and for me Martin Barre was the main attraction. The 2nd time I saw them - June 1972 on the Thick as a Brick tour - was the high point. Martin's solo on Aqualung that night was stratospheric, one of the finest moments of live music I've ever seen. Even though it was 50 years ago I still remember how stunned I was that anyone could play guitar with such emotion, intensity and beauty.
My first concert was Thick as a Brick tour @13yrs old with my older brothers.
1973 Roberts Stadium Evansville, IN
Surreal
Since you mention Thick As A Brick, it is my uninformed, but heartfelt, opinion that several centuries from now, if there are any humans still alive, that Thick As A Brick will be listened to and heard as one of the greatest musical creations of that era. Aqualung just doesn’t speak to me in the same way.
It’s hard to describe to someone how overwhelming it was to experience Tull live in that early-mid period. Nothing can compare and no video does it justice!
I totally agree!
Martin Barre is such an underrated guitarist, certainly a favorite of mine. Saw him live just earlier this year, and it's amazing how much energy and fun he still has on stage. He's certainly brought the "rock" into Jethro Tull, his riffs just tend to be overshadowed by Ian Anderson's flute.
I still remember an article about him in the late 70’s in Guitar Player Magazine. The writer was very critical of his playing. Not a flattering article at all. I disagreed with him fervently.
Agree 👍
One of m.favourite guitarists!
Ian Anderson is an even more underrated guitar player
The man who had the best job in all of show business and while executing his daily duties, just happened to far exceed all established norms for greatness.
When I realized back in the 80's that the song was about homelessness, I can't help but cry every time I hear it. Martin Barre was so huge as a guitarist. Thanks for doing it.
Thank you for listening!
I've waited a long time for someone to give this song its true merit, and Baldassarre has done a great job. I was 22 when this album came out, and I didn't actually buy a lot of records in those days. But this was one that I had to have, and along with Who's Next, it was my pick for best album of 1971. The days of the Beatles making albums that you would play every track on were gone by 1971, and then Tull released this album that I played and played and played. Every song was a masterpiece, and I thought the opener and closer were all-time classics. The pure musicianship is off the charts, the piano is simply amazing as well. And I have always been disappointed that Martin Barre's guitar solo wasn't rated at least Top Ten of all time in the various polls over the past 50 years. In my book, it has always been, note for note, the best rock solo I've ever heard. Thanks for giving it its due, Carl.
I saw Martin Barre last night on his 'A Brief History of Tull' tour and he was amazing. I'm not a guitarist but I have really enjoyed watching this video, and Carl's other one about the Top 10 Tull guitar riffs from 1969 to 1971, that have given me more insight into what I saw Martin do and why it's so special. I was fortunate enough to have seen Tull several times back in the 70s so seeing Martin again at age 76 and still rocking the way he does is inspiring.
I’ve always maintained that the guitar solo in Aqualung was the most appropriate solo ever. Fits the song so perfectly.
Wonderful. Really appreciate the detailed breakdown of Barre's subtle guitar idiosyncrasies (vibrato, double stops...). The contrast between the relaxed feeling of Anderson's minstrel-style acoustic segments and the in-yer-face LP-fueled electric parts make this song very dramatic for me. Lyrically I suppose it's an unflinching look into the world of an aging homeless man? Anderson's empathy for the "old man wand'ring lonely..." is tangible.
I went to college in 1978, and friend of mine down the hall in my dorm would only listen to Jethro Tull music in his room. He had seen Tull live 4 times and absolutely loved them. I was forced to become immersed in their music. LOL. I became a fan.
I would say your immersion became a baptism!
You are something else, Carl. First of all, I love the Sunburst Gibson you are playing. Martin is my all-time favorite lead guitarist, but every time I mention him to someone else, they give me a blank stare. You know great riffs, runs, fills, and leads. Plus, your playing is outstanding. This is awesom, Carl. Thanks. p.s. -- That question and answer on the solo is really cool. I hear it. I always did, but I didn't categorize it as such.
Dear CB, everything you do has such a beautiful eloquence and clarity to it. From the way you dress and the way you sit in the way you speak to the loving way in which you bring forth the beautiful details of these magical rock songs that we love so much. I hope your channel explodes. You certainly deserve a million subscribers.
Thank you very much! I hope I can break through one day!
Yes, a well spoken gentleman with sartorial sense. Adds an air of authoritative gravitas which adds to the class (pun unavoidable) of the acute analysis and accessible demonstration.
I loved this song and album when it came out. It was so innovative to a very musically aware 11 year old. I saw JT at Shea stadium in '76, not the best place for a concert for acoustics and the planes flying overhead. Still it was epic with the Tull-avision. Ian Anderson was a madman on stage. I don't know how he could perform day after day.
I remember seeing them in Hartford Ct on that tour. I could see Ian Anderson backstage from my seat while he took a break and the rest of the band played. Chainsmoking lol. And then went out and threw himself into the rest of a great performance
I was 9 years old, Rochester, New York. War Memorial, spitting distance!
Unreal...smuggled some old, crusty porn mags home from under the bridge.
Thank you Carl for that history and breakdown of Aqualung. I was a 19 year old
young man in Australia and vividly remember when that song was released. It was a fantastic time to be alive with the music of the time. That song in particular had such a profound effect on me that by the following year I was in London searching out all these new bands that made it unique. Unfortunately I wasn't able to be in the same place and time as Jethro Tull so never got to see him live but it was the greatest period in Rock History and I am so grateful to have been there. 🇦🇺
Great analysis! My favorite part of the solo is near the end when the feedback swells and then he snaps it off so quickly. Brilliant.
This is literally the best song breakdown/instructional video on youtube, absolutely killed it.
Such an important song in my life, what a masterpiece.
Definitely one of the greatest bands of all time , very underrated
Remember Seeing them live in the 70's at MSG Martin Barre's live solo on Aqualung was one of the most memorable solos I've ever seen in concert More so than some other bands I've seen live in their prime like Pink Floyd , The Who , Yes etc etc
I think Martin Barre has the best lead phrasing of any guitar player from that era - including Jimmy Page (you read that correctly). You are the first guitar player I've seen on TH-cam cover Jethro Tull with any depth at all. #martinbarre
>> I think Martin Barre has the best lead phrasing of any guitar player from that era
I've always thought that as well. Martin has taste and judgement, and does not fill up the space with a bunch of extraneous to toe stubbing wailing ( mostly ) he carefully calculates clean lines of melody that go with and yet play against whatever song he is playing to as well. I'd have loved to have heard what Martin would have done with Zealot Gene.
@@justgivemethetruth . Excuse me for not seeing your post earlier. What you say about Martin is true, and more!
And excuse me for not seeing your comment earlier. I’m going to do an episode on Martin’s riffs and such. I can’t wait. I love his playing! He deserves a salute!
Had to add Leslie West also uses simple, clean phrasing. Martin and Leslie were friends. When Tull toured with Mountain Martin was impressed with the sound Leslie had. Soon after, he changed amps and guitars. Next album=Aqualung. At least that's the story I've heard.
Thank you SO much Carl!... I REMEMBER the FIRST time I saw Martin Barre play Aqualung and the BAND filling IN those Second- Inversion CHORDS after the Intro Riff and Power Chords! . I wasn't well- versed in theory YET, just started playing guitar, but I KNEW the SOUND was Unusual for Rock and Roll but it was SO DAMN COOL...!! Thank you for Showing it, on the guitar, although I WISH I could SEE your fingers better!... Kudos!
What a great discussion of that song and the era. I was not very musicial but was an electronics nerd and when the N.A. tour to support that album came my way in that they wanted a sound system that was unique at the time, more hi-fi and dynamic than some Altec A7s, I was a designer with a small 4 person company and on spec along, threw everything into building a hi-fi sound system that would do both the heavy rock and the acoustic sections justice. It was a complete re-thinking of a touring system and needed to design the power amps, clusters of individual power amp per cab, for each of bottom, mids and hf, the first tri-amp'd system with electronic cross overs, and a unique at the time mixing console. The console was the first one to have switchable ballistics for Vu and PPM metering, parametic Eq on every channel, linear home made faders, and many other features that had not been seen before in touring or fixed install systems....all on spec using every penny we had expecting to win the sound tests the tour manager arranged for various sound companies to set up their systems for a live audition. We would have been bankrupted if we did not win but we did, and were the only ones who never were on tour before. We babied that system all over North America and sometimes an amp would blow so one of use would leave early to be able to search parts stores for the high power transistors and repair them in the hotel room. There were 12 amps per side, all home made. It did sound good but I swore off my first and only tour.
The band was GREAT, and Ian was a jewel. I lost track of them for years because I ended up owning a large 3 studio complex and was busy recording.
I gave everything away in 1999 and moved to St Petersburg Russia in early 2000. I was walking through a popular pub named Liverpool that featured authentic Beatles memorabilia that had become the home watering hole for UK bands playing tours in Russia. I walked past a table with 10 people on it mostly young except for one guy who was bald and old like me. I heard him talk as I walked by to go talk to my friend, the owner from Iceland. I asked the owner who that was because his voice sounded familar. The reply was Ian Anderson and it all came back to me. I went back to the group stood across from him just staring and he was obviously uncomfortable so it interupted the story he was telling to the younger band members. Finally he spoke to me "May I help you?" I replied "Dallas, stage right, curtain, fire" and a light went off in his eyes..and we met again 26 years later. One my my power amps blew up, safely taking itself off line and caught the curtain on fire. The audience thought it was part of the show. But it was out in seconds. No one let on that it was not planned. We hugged and he told his young members about that tour that was very memorable for all of us. He invited my GF and me to attend the concern in 2 hours and arranged for back stage since it was sold out in the large concert hall. He returned several times every other year. I ran into the Rolling Stones at the same pub before one of there shows but I never had direct involvement with them but we shared a lot of common friends.
I LOVED Aqualung and the group, and my first and last tour.
My work was making albums and designing gear when needed. My studio did many many gold and platinum albums from everyone from Fleetwood Mac (Rumours), Stevie Wonder(Songs in the Key of Life), Whitney Houston, Heat, Journey, Arethea Franklin, Metallica, Huey Lewis and the News( Sports, and the original songs for the movie Back to the Future) Santana, Tower of Power, Boz Skaggs, Van Morrison, Starship, and too many to count.
What a story!!!
This has ALWAYS been some of my favorite lead guitar playing....of all time. This lead is up there with Stairway and Comfortably Numb.
Comment’s I’ve just read are from a year ago so I’m not sure you’re going to see mine. It’s 5/12/23 and my first viewing of your dive into Aqualung and I love it. MB is in my top five best guitarists. I have seen them from 1971-present. You need to view the 1970 Isle of Wight video performance of Tull. You will see the madness and musicianship of Ian and how tight the band was. I suggest that you also listen to the Minstrel in the Gallery album one of Martin’s incredible guitar works ! And I agree with you that Martin’s guitar works were overshadowed by Ian’s flute ( obviously by the critics of the time), but I recognized that Ian and Martin made the sound of Tull. I could go on and on. But now that I’m subscribed I will check out what you already have and I hope you will dive deeper into Tull ! I thoroughly enjoyed my first video of you and learned a lot so thanks. I will be commenting in the future. God bless you for your work!
I have always loved Tull but listening to this made my mind explode I'm not a musician but I can see you are well acquainted with music theory and it's history and quite a good musician yourself This is so interesting. Thank you for what you do.
Thank you!!!!!
One of the first songs I ever learned... Martin Barre.is one of my younger influences... I totally dug this band.. I can see how they rubbed off on Crack The Sky even..While guys like Iommi,Page and Clapton got all the ink.. This man was no less influential... Aqualung goes in the top 10 all time greatest riffs category.... Well done again ... Love the guitar sound!...
I totally agree!...👍👌🙂
There is one photo that I know of of the "Aqualung" album recording session, and it's the one appearing in the "Living In The Past" album booklet, where you have the specific Aqualung line-up (that to my knowledge hasn't played on any other recording than this one) with their instruments and a backdrop that could indicate the Island studio. And there Ian Anderson still has his cheap Japanese (Aria?) acoustic guitar, not the parlour-type instrument you refer to in your analysis of the acoustic part, like the Martins he'll be touring with a little later. Of course that doesn't prove anything. He could still peharps also have played this track with his older Yamaha acoustic.
Your videos are amazingly good and informative; they sound awesome! Congratulations and thank you!
Saw Martin Barre and his band at The Gov in Adelaide maybe two years ago. So so good. Martin played brilliantly, with a full examination of so many great Tull classics. No flute! However, the band made it all work. He was a real live wire and had seemed to have so much fun playing. His drummer was AMAZING!
I was in high school when Jethro Tull unleashed this Mega-Album. Aqua Lung rocketed to the top and was an absolute must play song at every party, event, gathering etc. Ian Anderson is mind blowing on the flute. Good times.
Always a stellar performance and a stellar player. Multi gifted unique riff. Agree.
I love the entire guitar parts . You knocked the lead riff out of the park. It’s on my bucket list.
Thank you for this. In my teen years it was background music to our young lives. I always loved the solo.
Thank you for the loving treatment of one of my favorites. ❤
One of my all-time favorite songs!!! Was just playing this last night. I haven’t even watched this video and I’m so pumped!
My mother God bless her, stood in line so I could have 7th row seats.... Ian looked me in the eye... and I felt like a little school girl. Lol. Just great musicians with such wonderful unique songs. Great critique Carl.
When I saw Jethro Tull in 1975 and they played Aqualung at the end of the concert I was wanting to hear that guitar solo, and Martin didn't play it. He improvised something else. It was disappointing but I understood why he did that. He probably improvised the solo on the album and didn't go back and learn what he actually did. My guess of course. Let's ask Martin and see what he says...
Carl B.: best-dressed gentleman in electric rock&roll guitar
Amen! :-)
Can I get a Amen?Amen! :-)
You just made his day.
This was a great breakdown and explanation of the song. And the cultural dialogue was very informative as well. Love the videos Carl, I'd love to hear you do something on Rush/Alex Lifeson. But honestly just keep on doing what you are doing, I appreciate it
Thank you!
What a magnificent summary of this piece of music - I’m a late comer to the channel and have certainly subscribed. I ‘grew up’ in the UK in the 60’s and, yes, I remember The Beatles fragmenting etc and Tull were one of those bands who just captivated me with the flute/guitar led sound - so different. They are my favourite band of all (I grew up with The Beatles, so heresy!) and are the act that I have seen more than any other. I am so glad to see Martin Barre praised like this - an unassuming guy (compared to Ian Anderson!) but a superb guitarist , always overlooked in the ‘listings!’ Great stuff.
What a wonderful lesson. One of my favourite songs. I don't think I have seen a teacher with so much enthusiasm for his subject for a long time! More please. The lyric was written by Anderson's wife (Jennie) and contains many semantic ambiguities of English as it is spoken by we Brits. Some of my American friends have misunderstood the words. The eponymous Aqualung is a tramp (that's a hobo - not a sexually promiscuous individual). The 'bog' refers to a public toilet. The Army refers to The Salvation Army a charity, one of whose aims is to look after the homeless. Please will you analyse Steve Hackett' Firth of Fifth solo?
I think you are wrong about Jennie (Franks) Anderson writing any lyrics. Ian has said many times that he was inspired by a series of photographs she tool, but I've never heard him credit Jennie with writing the lyrics. I could be wrong, but if so would you point me to some kind of documentation on that ... but mostly on a gut level feel those are not the lyrics of a women ... and specifically any women that Ian Anderson would marry. I'd love to know the story of them and where and what she is doing now.
@@justgivemethetruth Ian Anderson, the principal songwriter for Jethro Tull, has said, "[she] in fact was responsible the lyrics in the first couple of verses ... I suppose in total probably about half of the lyrics were words or word associations that she had come up with," Hope that helps.
@@perdix99
What a condescending twit.
First, you said "the lyric" as in all the lyrics, you did not distinguish in the least.
I've heard that one time where Ian said that, maybe to be generous, who knows.
As far as I know he has never been open or clear about his first marriage, or his second for that matter or his children.
I noticed online that Jenny Franks was auctioning off love letters from Ian.
I do know that Ian lies, embellishes. He is a very private guy to the extent that his public personna is a made up facade.
Why would I care about what you "suppose" anyway.
@@justgivemethetruth My answer is a quote lifted from Wiki. The words are Anderson's not mine.The quotation marks are clearly visible. 'The 'I suppose' is contained within those quote marks, too. The 'hope that helps' were my words as I thought you might be interested in the quote. Not quite sure why all this makes me either condescending or a twit.
@@perdix99
You changed your posts. Anyway, it doesn't much matter, and I've been following JT/IA since the early 70's, and I've never heard him comment on that, until very recently. Sitting on a park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent does not sound much like a female lyric, though sun streaking cold and old man wandering lonely sort of does. I don't really buy into much of what Anderson says, I think he is mostly about saying stuff to mollify the fans for PR purposes.
My dad had the record and I became so obsessed with the stories in the songs that I would write short stories about Aqualung. I carried the liner notes in my backpack all throughout 7th grade. That was 1999 and it seems like a long time ago now, but this song is truly timeless.
Wonderful video sir, thankyou for bringing it to my attention!
Thank you!!
Great to name check Martin Barre. Aqualung paints such a descriptive picture and story. Riff to acoustic, back to riff...!!! awesome.
I love this analysis. I know Ian Anderson complains about this record but the guitar sounds -- acoustic and electric -- on this record are simply out of this world. That Aqualung electric growl really set the, er, barre for guitar sounds. ;-)
Just discovered your vids Carl. Very instructional and inspiring. Saw Tull three times... Aqualung tour, Thick as a Brick then Passion Play. They were really the hottest, hippest live band back in the day IMHO.
I wasn't allowed to listen to much of "my" music when I was in high school. In 1974, upon entering my college dorm for the first time, I heard this song blaring from a room down the hall. Wow! It was time to catch up on everything I had missed.
You were in college during a great musical time!
Aqualung has to be in the top ten all time best rock riffs. It has to be. Great demo Mr. Carl!...and I’ll say it again and again “THAT LES PAUL IS BITCHIN!”
Jimmy Page gave Martin that Les Paul
Hi Carl,
I am one of those older guys who after the kids have grown up and moved out, have finally made it back to playing guitar. I am right in the middle of learning Aqualung when you released this video. Thank you so much for your insight, it has provided deeper meaning to a song that I have cherished since it was released. Thank you,
Paul
That’s so wonderful to hear! Rock on my brother!
Great video, besides being the most well dressed presenter on TH-cam, your Les Paul looks special as well, is it custom?
Uncannily I have been listening to Tull this afternoon !
Great video once again , thanks Carl 👍🏻
Very interesting stuff. I'd like to add a bit of context to the social commentary aspect of the song, if I may.
I was 15 when this album came out, a young lad struggling to develop a social conscience in a Britain of the late 60s/early 70s that was a pretty intolerant place. It was not unusual to see signs in boarding house windows: "No dogs, no blacks, no Irish". Racism, sexism, and homophobia were rife and even seen as acceptable (some of the "comedians" of the day would be watched in horror these days).
The homeless and vagrant were viewed with extreme suspicion and revulsion. They would be subject to abuse and threats by all and sundry. In this light, the two "moods" of the song are two different views of the Aqualung character.
The heavy opening section (dominated by _the riff_) is the wider, suspicious viewpoint: "eyeing little girls with bad intent", "snot running down his nose", "greasy fingers", "shabby clothes", "watching as the frilly panties run". This is the view that makes assumptions about someone based only on superficial cues: that he's a pervert, filthy, morally reprehensible.
The acoustic section, however, is much more sympathetic. "An old man wandering lonely", "leg hurting bad", "he goes down to the bog to warm his feet", "salvation a la mode and a cup of tea". This is the view that sees the horrors of the man's life: the loneliness, the pain. Using public toilets as a refuge from the cold, reliant on the charity of others for a warm drink.
I don't think there's any Alice in Wonderland here: this is a brutal commentary on a social injustice and one that helped open my eyes to the way the world was and that it needed to change.
Incidentally, you will never find a better, more poetic description of a winter's day in Britain than "sun streaking cold". Utter perfection in three words.
Brilliantly explained. I always thought Ian was giving the listener 2 different viewpoints of the character in the song but couldn't explain as well as you did here. Love the 'sun streaking cold' explanation. Being an American who has lived in the south (ATL, GA) my entire 53 years, I would've never known how perfect those words are for a London winter.
@@michaelvandiver2475 Thank you for those kind words.
You must think it’s wonderful then that “Asians” will the the major population and white British will become extinct in their own nation in 50-100 years.
Don’t you find it disturbing that only white European Christian nations are having diversity shoved down its throats.
Humans self segregated over thousands of years because of in group preference, which is an immutable human trait. In others words it’s not racism but in group preference.
Wait until the populations become too large and Western Europe will be no more and you’ll change your tune.
Japan’s and Poland have the correct model. The West does not.
@@lloydbraun6026 wtf is that supposed to mean?
Thank you, this is special content. You’ve done a great job of putting this unusual, cool song into its musical, historical and emotional context. Your sartorial elegance, personal warmth and guitar playing chops are all big cherries on the cake. Looking forward to whatever is next. Bowie, Ziggy and Mick Ronson?
Ooh! I love the Bowie suggestion! What’s one of his greatest riffs?
It was probably Mick Ronson playing the lick, but the actual song Ziggy Stardust has a great riff. There’s lots of great guitar on the Ziggy Stardust album - and all the albums he did with the Spiders from Mars
Saw Bowie, Winter Park FL, Jai-Lai fronton 75ish.
No one put more effort into their show.
He was ASTONISHING !
🤔 saw Kiss there too 👍
LOVE that song and band!!
“Around the Plinth” blew my mind in 6th grade!!
As much as I love the guitar in this song and as much as you are a guitarist you just can’t ignore the drums in this song. So musical.
Love your presentation and the ability to translate some loftier musical insights in an entirely engaging and entertaining way. Many of us might otherwise overlook these things while distracted by the more simplistic act of enjoying the performance at its base level. It certainly brings another level of appreciation for the music and the artists.
Though it may never happen, I'd like to think I'm not the only one who wouldn't totally love to see a collaboration between yourself and Rick Beato - maybe a live stream or a recorded episode of something along the lines of Rick's "what makes this sound great" or digging into a particular influential artist, band, or performance in a way that you could both share your obvious mutual love for music, the history, and the craftsmanship behind both the performances and the production.
Just a thought. In the meantime I'm glad I landed on your channel here. Great stuff. Thank you for sharing!
That would be so wonderful! Thank you for the lovely thought. My channel is fledgling and I’m certain he doesn’t even know I exist yet! Maybe one day. I’d do it in a heartbeat! Mr. Beato is the GOAT! The numbers don’t lie!
read my mind.
You and Beato would be great together
Thanks a Million Carl for drawing attention to this iconic song!! I was lucky enough to be the front man in a band that played this & many other great Tull songs. Always relishing the chance to recreate them every time! You & I could have had a great tribute band together!!
Brilliant, even though I understand no music theory! All I know was that Jethro Tull produced inspiring music and dramatic performances. Love the tension, contrast, elegance and power. Martin is still under-appreciated. His current band brings back the power of live Tull. Still stunning audiences. Thank you!
Love this song, and agree that it's one of the best electric guitar lead solos of all time. Carl, I thoroughly enjoyed your breakdown and the history surrounding the song. I'd like to see you do a follow up video just on the solo where you'd demonstrate/play the entire electric guitar solo.
One things I really like about your videos, is that you really replicate the sound of the original recording. Perhaps you can take a moment to talk about how you replicate the original artist's guitar sound, or put it in the written description of the video (e.g., amp, amp settings, pedals/effects, guitar pickup setting, tone and volume knob setting).
I thought it was very interesting how you highlighted the megaphone vocal effect and the cultural significance of it. Again, you replicated it very well, but I was hoping you would've shared how you reproduced it.
Overall, well done, Carl!!!...👍👌💯👏
Thanks so much for this. I was 20 in 71 and I didn’t understand Martin Barre’s guitar playing but I liked it as I did Ian Anderson’s. I always felt that there some kind of Medieval feel to the music. Not so much in the first records but it was there nevertheless. Glad I found your channel.
I was born in 71 and it was that medieval feel that always made "The Tull" stand out for me (that and as a farm kid, they're named after the man that invented the seed drill). As an Englishman, I think that it's the fact that they looked as much to our own musical heritage as the American / Blues that makes them one of the most important bands of all time.
I’m glad you did too!!
Wow, what a great video! I don't know anything about music theory, chords, etc.etc., but I stuck it out and this was a wonderful window into a fantastic era, and song! Thank you!
That’s so great to hear!! This is such a worthy song and even more interesting when you put it under the lenses!
Ian Anderson came down to the front of the stage and sang a duo with me (you couldn't hear my voice without a mike) because he saw that I knew all the lyrics to his music. A baby spotlight on both of us and the crowd going: "who's that dude?" L.A. Forum 19?? Don't remember the date. What a generous man to do that for a fan. 💗💘 💗 Thank you, Mr. Anderson, for a lifelong good vibe memory.
Thank you, too, Mr. Baldassarre. I also remember that when the band broke into "Stormbringer" tracks, I was stumped because I didn't have that album. He came by the front row again and looked down to me, and I shrugged, and he laughed and pointed at me, as if to say "ahah! Now go and learn this!" Jiving with Ian. What a night. I sneaked into the front row because there was an empty seat!! Great video, Mr. Baldassare, you play so wonderfully, thank you.
It does not equal your story, but I, too, was in the front row of a Thick as a Brick concert. In the middle of a song, Ian gave me a quick handshake. Decades later, I heard him in an interview describe how during, and even shortly after shows, his senses were firing so much he hated to be touched. Of course, that made the handshake mean even more. I was and am a huge lover of the band.
I'm thrilled you've done this song Carl. Thank you!
That whole Gm, F, F, C move. Think about jazz turnarounds and temporary modulations. That's vi, V, then the second F becomes a IV in C, C becomes I chord (think "Amen Cadence"). Then you need the Cm as the ii in Bb, to the Gm as vi, and then F as V in Bb. The entire piece bounces between keys Gm and Bb with on temporary modulation. This is why you have a very natural sounding Eb chord, and you can dispense with a l-o-t on accidentals.
This song has been with me my whole life, thank you for breaking this down now that I can understand the strange beauty of it.
You are soooo welcome!!!
Ive watched hundreds ,if not thousands of hours of music-centric video over the decades , this might be the singularly most thorough and illuminating, best thought outermost clearly ,demonstrated and enunciated offering I have ever seen! Period. Thank You so much! You deserve every success ,I cant wait to hear your music!!!
Excellent breakdown of a great song and band. Among my favorite groups and Martin Barre was and still is an underrated guitarists.
No argument here! I’m going to be doing an episode on his guitar riffs!! Really looking forward to it!
I absolutely enjoyed it Mr. Baldassarre! JT is another one of my favorite bands and IMHO, Martin Barre is cruelly underrated. His solo work is outstanding as well. While I do hear the 3rd played in the chord sequence, I always hear the 5th too, which I always thought Mr. Barre was playing. I sit corrected and I'll obviously have to listen more closely next time.
I agree with you wholeheartedly too; it was the "Golden Age" of Rock/Progressive Rock and I for one am grateful that I was around during that period to experience it.
Cheers,
MB
I guess that we always hear the fifth, even if it is not played 😉. Our brains play it.
🤣🤣🤣🤣. That's probably it! Cheers AT! MB
All I can add is a hearty “amen” and “thank you”!!
Thank you for featuring this classic Tull song... I was a Tull (and prog rock) fanatic in the 1970s, seeing every show they played in Seattle after spending all night queuing in line for tickets... my pal and I memorized every last word to "Thick As a Brick" as well as many other Tull songs, and fell in love with Ian Anderson's wacky jester like personality. You have done this song and the band well with your analysis, and taught me to appreciate the song so much more by understanding it's structure and details. Thank you again! I plan to share this video with a couple of friends now. This is my first introduction to your channel, and it won't be my last!
Wow! Thank you for the wonderful feedback!!!
I was born in ‘58 and with two older sisters who were 9 and 12 years older than me and an older brother three years older, I had a giant leap forward on musical exposure in such a way that I was ready for something that I could relate to and appreciate the paradigm shift when the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan in’63. I was a Who freak and got a bass in ‘68. I was a Jethro Tull, Who, and Yes freak and saw them many times in LA where l grew up. Thanks brother
Really excellent analysis here. I look forward to seeing more on Tull.
I credit Tull with leading me to study classical guitar because of his Elizabethan Rock. Because of Bouree I moved toward studying Bach and classical music and lute music. My favorite periods being Renaissance and Baroque. Gotta love Jethro Tull.
I’m coming in late on this, and also not good at explaining things, but this is brilliant. As a huge Tull fan, you still were able to make me understand more of why and what we felt in this era. 50 plus years later, I’m still excited to learn more of what we were gifted to experience. Thank you.
Little bits of production info like the megaphone explanation really help to contextualize the piece. What an amazing band/artists. Thanks
Carl, your videos are absolutely superb, and this one is is a perfect example. The discussion of the music, the production, and the historical context are fascinating. Many thanks for all that you do.
Absolutely Grand piece of work Carl! Spot on!
Thank you sooooo much!!
With your looks, talent, and knowledge-if this world didn’t provide you with a ton of success- lost faith in humanity prevails! Thanks a ton for this!
Thank you, Carl, for this brilliant elucidation of the theory behind the music we all here love so much. Cheers.
Thanks, Carl, I really enjoyed that presentation. I appreciated how you put the song in its social and historical context - context is everything.
I really enjoyed this deep dig into Aqualung! Great job! I think the same approach to certain Hendrix songs, like Bold As Love, Rainy Day, Dream Away, or Room Full of Mirrors would be fascinating.
I need to do a Hendrix episode!
@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Yes please!
Outstanding breakdown of this iconic song CB. Always loved JT and MB but your analysis of this song has given it new life for me again. Like I'm hearing it in a way I never have before. Thanks so much! I have seen Tull and the Martin Barre Band a few times and highly recommend if he comes to your area to go see him. He's playing as great as he ever has!
I enjoyed that more than the song. I didnt know the song was so good until you explained it. Brill! Thank you.
Awsome! and of the highest quality. A memory: "Minstrel in the Gallery" inserted in the Heartbreaker solo #1 post-op. The first time I heard "Circadian Rhythm" I thought of your voice like Ian Anderson, and it rings better than ever. Love the Marshall with the 2x12 cabinet. I did that with my JSX 120w head and came to prefer it to the 4x12 it was designed to go with. BTW, Your tone is better than ever! THANKS for your excellent work...!
Wow I can watch and learn from you all day. Was in a rut in my playing and inspiration and your videos have helped me re spark so much
Thank you so much!!
The man who had the best job in all of show business:
The Lead Guitarist for JETHRO TULL
And while in the position also far exceeded all established norms for greatness. That’s Martin !
I am so glad that you give this song such good credit. I have always loved this whole album ever since I first heard it in boarding school in Cape Town in 1972
Was on the swim team in the 11th grade in '71 when one day during practice one of the guys came in with a portable 8 track player (younger folks can google that) and blasted Aqua Lung which echoed at full volumn throught out the cavernous indoor pool. It was a stellar moment in my early impressionable years that I still remember today like it was yesterday. Thanks Carl for the outstanding analysis of a truely Epic group and album!
Thanks for sharing such a great memory!
An excellent video, sir. Thank you. One thing, though, is I never understand how people miss the Salvation Army reference: "...The army's up the road, salvation ala mode and cup of tea." The Salvation Army is just up the road and he can get a drink to warm him at the facility along with others like himself, so that he doesn't have to feel so all alone in the cold, anymore.
Thank you, Carl! I thoroughly enjoyed your insights in JT! I especially liked your explanation of the "megaphone" voice that IA used on Aqualung. I was always interested in that and wondered why, thanks for that!
I love your work. It's so informative and well-assembled, but more than all that is your clear love of the material. It radiates from your work.
That’s so kind! Thank you so much for this comment!
Thanks a lot Carl for making a video of the most underrated guitarist Martin Barre... Love the information coming from you 👍👍👍
Thank you! Stay tuned, you’re going to love my upcoming episodes on Jethro Tull and Martin Barre. I’m getting a bunch of riffs under my fingers as I write!!!
Interesting that you brought up the opening of Beethoven’s Fifth early on. Anderson has said that he had been pondering on the iconic simplicity of that famous opening sequence when he came up with the opening riff for Aqualung.
Thank you so much for this fabulous analysis… brings new appreciation for this amazing song! ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing your comment! I really appreciate it! Peace, Carl
Loved everything about this analysis. First of yours I watched and am now a subscriber. Saw Jethro Tull at Cornell in 1972. What a traveling minstrel show it was. Now I can appreciate the music creativity and accomplishment of the band.
Thank you! I’m so grateful for the subscription! Yeah, I couldn’t believe the spectacle of the live show. It fired me up and I never recovered!
Loved em since the 70s...
Never seen em live-
"Thick as a brick" rocks
Oh yeah! That’s a mighty piece!
So so great ! One of the best performances ever witnessed. Thank you
Fantastic analysis, Carl, and among everything else, I really appreciate your helping us understand the "megaphone" sound at the opening of the acoustic part. We don't get that kind of erudition very often! Much appreciated.
Ian Anderson has actually also explained that sound as being characteristic of the speakers that announced directions to the pilots who were taking off at the airfields during the war....
That’s awesome confirmation! I got the insight from talking to my British friends and they explained it as harkening back to those difficult times.
Saw Jethro Tull at MSG in 1979 with the band U.K. supporting. Both bands were amazing.
Now, that’s a show!
I saw that tour as well. Was that broadsword, under wraps or “A”?
Stormwatch.
Carl, you are a peace ✌🏼 in troubled times. Thank you 🙏🏼 for being with us, you seem to see the good in all things!!!!
Thank you and peace to you!
Love the channel Carl, have been subbed since the beginning, you break down some great iconic songs with so much insight and cool info, your guitar skills are unreal wish had half the talent, be really cool to see your band
Amazing! You just allowed me to enjoy a song I've been loving for 40 years even more!
Well done sir. Your question-answer playing description has helped me in developing technique.👍
Very, very well done sir! When music distribution switched to the Compact Disc, the very first CD I bought was Aqualung.
Was there. Saw it on stage. Lived it . . . now I understand it a bit better. Thanks!