Thoughts on Jethro Tull

First of all I believe only a small portion of Jethro Tull's music (Aqualung through Minstrel in the Gallery and discounting Warchild) is really prog. The rest is just good Jethro Tull music. I know its a bad way of explaining it, but that's about a good a way as I can think of.

That said. Too Old To Rock and Roll, Too Young to Die, Stormwatch and Broadsword and the Beast ane much better than some would have you think. I cannot undertsand how some people think Thick as a Brick is better than Stormwatch.

I've only heard Aqualung and This Was.  I liked them both, This Was is really bluesy, and it's awesome.  I should see if I can borrow Thick as a Brick.

Funny you mention that Micky, because A Song For Jeffrey was what made me want to get This Was.  I watched two different video versions of it from a French site someone here provided, and I was hooked.


Edited by ChadFromCanada

I've never heard Benefit or This Was.

I have Stand Up on vinyl and IMHO it was very good, especially at the time - it was unique, technically proficient, and enthusiastic.

JT had a very prolific period in the 70's, with nine very solid and energetic recordings -

Aqualung
Thick as a Brick
Living in the Past
A Passion Play
War Child
Minstrel in the Gallery
Sings from the Wood
Heavy Horses
Stormwatch

That would have been impressive enough for a whole career for most bands.

I had never heard anything past Broadsword and the Beast (which I also have on vinyl) and the Christmas Album (which is really cool if you don't try and critique or analyze it) until a few months ago when I picked up Under Wraps, Crest of a Knave, Rock Island, and Catfish Rising at a used record store.  I have to say that I didn't find any of them particularly inspired.  The technical proficiency of all the musicians is superb - the players are all great artists.  But none of these albums has any kind of real central theme, or obvious purpose for being, beyond apparently fulfilling recording contract obligations.  I guess if you are a long-time follower, these probably mean more to you than to the average listener (just as Audio-Visions was a big one for me as a long-time Kansas fan, even though most people pretty much dismiss that one).

Still, doesn't take away from the fact the band had a good run from about 1970 through 1982 (if you count Broadsword).  That's a lot more than 99% of the other bands who've ever managed to swing a record contract.

ivan_2068 wrote: I heard each and every official and original album (Can't care less about bonus tracks or whatever), and there are a couple ideas about Tull. One masterpiece which is Thick as a Brick Many very good albums but no other reached the masterpiece status No really terrible albums Pretty regular album Some weaker ones in the 80's and 90's, but nothing to be ashamed of A good band with great live shows, but not absolutely exceptional IMO. Iván

good call Ivan, if I had to use one adjective to describe Tull. It would be consistant, not in musical course of course, but in quality.  Not many essential classics, but no real stinkers either. Though I don't have the albums of the 80's or 90's. I lost Tull after Stormwatch.  Good call on the live shows as well, that Isle of Wright DVD/CD are amoung my live favorites.  Was so pleased to get a chance to see them in the early years, especially with Glen Cornick on the bass.  The Isle of Wright version of My God absolutely SMOKES the Aqualung version IMO.

Hi Cesar Old friend, long time I don't see you, but back into Tull.

Agree that he albums you mention are very good (Honestly I like Benefit much more than Heavy Horses or Songs from the Wood in this moment, and A Passion Play is not my cup of tea).

But still I feel each time I hear one of their albums that they are able to do more, somehow as if they were working at 70% of ther capacity and something stops them before reaching the glory.

Their live shows are another thing, I seen the three times in Perú and twice in USA and all are excellent.

Iván

Jethro Tull is amazing and possibly my favorite band.

Thick as a Brick is my favorite and it is a true masterpiece. Songs from the Wood, Minstrel in the Gallery, Aqualung, Heavy Horses, and A Passion Play are also amazing. All their albums are consistently great

Edited by Gentle Tull

Tull are simply incredible.

All eras of Tull (and there were many) were great. Their 90s work is very consistent, in my opinion. I love Catfish Rising, and Roots to Branches is excellent as well.

The Christmas Album, too, is exceptional.

Ian Anderson is, in my opinion, a genius. He's a great lyricist and a fantastic songwriter, not to mention hugely talented as a musician.

I read a lot of people dismissing Catfish Rising and I really don't agree with that. I'm not saying it's the greatest, it does have filler. But the good songs are really good. I particularly like the acoustic stuff. The album as a whole goes back to a bit more folky sound after the considerably harder Crest of a Knave and Rock Island, which I believe serves Tull well. And it's a more American folk sound too, that's cool. And it has lots of mandolin, and you can't go wrong with that.

Regarding the subject of the thread, I have nothing against the earlier Tull. Actually Stand Up is one of my favorites. But Thick as a Brick through Heavy Horses is the truly magnificent Tull in my humble opinion. That's probably the best line up as well, with the possible exception of bass. If only they had Peggy back then. 

Edited by Goldenavatar

I agree with the majority of you guys! The stuff prior to Stormwatch is classic without a doubt. I, for one, enjoy the majority of the albums after those ones too (especially Roots to Branches), although I must admit that A, Under Wraps and J-Tull Dot Com are 3 albums that do not get any airplay on my stereo equipment. (and not because they're not proggy, it's just that I find them weaker and less interesting...)

micky wrote: ChadFromCanada wrote: I've only heard Aqualung and This Was.  I liked them both, This Was is really bluesy, and it's awesome.  I should see if I can borrow Thick as a Brick. Funny you mention that Micky, because A Song For Jeffrey was what made me want to get This Was.  I watched two different video versions of it from a French site someone here provided, and I was hooked. that was the song that got me as well... then moved up through the albums.... literally.  Benefit is my favorite, but Thick as a Brick is Essential and you'll love it.

Hmmm...That's exactly what happened to me too.  I think This Was and Stand Up are decent.  Everything after and including Benefit is great.