Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull is one of the most successful progressive rock bands groups ever to have hit the billboards. Known as ‘Tull’ by its millions of international fans, Jethro Tull was born in Blackpool, England in the turbulent 1960’s. The ’60 were a significant decade in the evolution of rock music and Jethro Tull quickly carved itself a unique niche. Ian Anderson, the band’s leading performer, pioneered the flute as a rock instrument and made it his trademark emblem.
Jethro Tull melds various themes into its refreshingly different lyrics and musical style. Elements of classical, Celtic folk music and art rock are evident in almost all its compositions. Moreover, the band never gave in to the temptation of experimenting with drugs to expand their creativity or augment their image at a time when dope among rock bands was a common and even desirable phenomenon.
Jerthro Tull’s present lineup includes Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, Doane Perry, Andrew Giddings and Jonathan Noyce. Previous members represented the very cream of rock musicians, for example Glenn Cornick, Jeffrey Hammond, John Glascock, David Palmer and Dave Pegg (among numerous others). Jethro Tull was not Ian Anderson’s first band. He had previously started a seven-piece white soul band called the John Evan Band, later rechristened to the John Evan Smash.
The band’s name derives from that of an 18th century agriculturist who had invented the seed drill. The name stuck for various reasons, including the grassroots orientation of most of their music. Their fist single Sunshine Day was far from successful and even featured a misspelled band name on the cover. By virtue of Jethro Tull’s later success, this single record became a treasured collector’s item. They released the album This Was in 1968, and this had a far more enthusiastic reception. The single Serenade to a Squirrel featured Ian Anderson’s growing skills as a flautist for the very first time.
Jethro Tull’s follow-up album was Stand Up in 1969, which was their only #1 album in the United Kingdom. It featured the historic hit single Living In The Past, which remains an iconic composition to the present day. It also carried a jazzy rearrangement of J.S. Bach’s Bourée – a track that heralded the band’s classical orientation very distinctly.
The blockbuster album Aqualung – a milestone in rock history and in Jethro Tull’s illustrious career as a rock band – saw release in 1971. The title track is certainly a masterpiece in its own right. However, the track Locomotive Breath was the one that eventually became Jethro Tull’s anthem and theme song. Thick As A Brick, released in 1972, was a concept album that extended a single song into different formats, taking it to album length. The album Living In The Past, released the same year, was a double album that put a collection of hit singles together.
Thereafter came Minstrel in the Gallery in 1975 and Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die in 1976. Jethro Tull ended the ‘70s with the release of three consecutive folk rock albums, namely Songs from the Wood, Heavy Horses, and Stormwatch. They had entrenched themselves firmly in this decade and never really had to look back after that. Over the next two decades, they released Broadsword and the Beast, Under Wraps, A Classic Case, Crest of a Knave, Rock Island, Catfish Rising, A Little Light Music, Nightcap, Roots to Branches, J-Tull Dot Com and Living with the Past. Their last official release to date was Aqualung Live in 2005.
Jethro Tull melds various themes into its refreshingly different lyrics and musical style. Elements of classical, Celtic folk music and art rock are evident in almost all its compositions. Moreover, the band never gave in to the temptation of experimenting with drugs to expand their creativity or augment their image at a time when dope among rock bands was a common and even desirable phenomenon.
Jerthro Tull’s present lineup includes Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, Doane Perry, Andrew Giddings and Jonathan Noyce. Previous members represented the very cream of rock musicians, for example Glenn Cornick, Jeffrey Hammond, John Glascock, David Palmer and Dave Pegg (among numerous others). Jethro Tull was not Ian Anderson’s first band. He had previously started a seven-piece white soul band called the John Evan Band, later rechristened to the John Evan Smash.
The band’s name derives from that of an 18th century agriculturist who had invented the seed drill. The name stuck for various reasons, including the grassroots orientation of most of their music. Their fist single Sunshine Day was far from successful and even featured a misspelled band name on the cover. By virtue of Jethro Tull’s later success, this single record became a treasured collector’s item. They released the album This Was in 1968, and this had a far more enthusiastic reception. The single Serenade to a Squirrel featured Ian Anderson’s growing skills as a flautist for the very first time.
Jethro Tull’s follow-up album was Stand Up in 1969, which was their only #1 album in the United Kingdom. It featured the historic hit single Living In The Past, which remains an iconic composition to the present day. It also carried a jazzy rearrangement of J.S. Bach’s Bourée – a track that heralded the band’s classical orientation very distinctly.
The blockbuster album Aqualung – a milestone in rock history and in Jethro Tull’s illustrious career as a rock band – saw release in 1971. The title track is certainly a masterpiece in its own right. However, the track Locomotive Breath was the one that eventually became Jethro Tull’s anthem and theme song. Thick As A Brick, released in 1972, was a concept album that extended a single song into different formats, taking it to album length. The album Living In The Past, released the same year, was a double album that put a collection of hit singles together.
Thereafter came Minstrel in the Gallery in 1975 and Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die in 1976. Jethro Tull ended the ‘70s with the release of three consecutive folk rock albums, namely Songs from the Wood, Heavy Horses, and Stormwatch. They had entrenched themselves firmly in this decade and never really had to look back after that. Over the next two decades, they released Broadsword and the Beast, Under Wraps, A Classic Case, Crest of a Knave, Rock Island, Catfish Rising, A Little Light Music, Nightcap, Roots to Branches, J-Tull Dot Com and Living with the Past. Their last official release to date was Aqualung Live in 2005.
Jethro Tull: Crest Of A Knave Remastered
Another one well done-I would expect nothing less...
Jethro Tull: Broadsword and the Beast
We are the lucky chaps now, finally hearing all of the sessions recorded in 1982...
The Quintessential Live Jethro Tull Set
In 1970 Jethro Tull Was One Band That Was At The Top of Their Game...
Jethro Tull Reissues-Stormwatch
Reissue Series Reveals Neglected Prog-Rock Classics...Stormwatch is yet another underrated Jethro Tull album. This also signaled the end of an era. It would be the last album for the most effective JT lineup.
Bursting Out With Jethro Tull
Their Great Live Set From 1978 Is Now Remastered...After playing this album for literally months, I have finally sat my skinny arse down to lend some ink to the wonderful Jethro Tull recording Live-Bursting Out.
Jethro Tull Remasters Continue To Impress
The Remaster Program For The Jethro Tull Catalog Is Guided By Ian Anderson...