Jethro Tull

[Einherjar86]

The behemoth that is Tull deserves a thread. They began as a blues band with progressive elements (This Was, Stand Up). They then proceeded to take a more progressive hard rock approach, leading to their most famous releases (Benefit, Aqualung, Thick As a Brick, A Passion Play, Warchild, Too Old to Rock n' Roll: Too Young to Die!). They began to adopt more folk elements in their songwriting, which then led to a series of phenomenal recordings (Minstrel in the Gallery, Songs From the Wood, Heavy Horses, Stormwatch, Broadsword and the Beast). In the 80s, unfortunately, their music began to go downhill. However, their late 60s, 70s, and early 80s material is incredible and worthy of praise and discussion, I feel.

*Minstrel in the Gallery came before Too Old to Rock n' Roll... but I feel that it exhibits more folk elements than its successor.

My top favorite albums (in order) are:
Heavy Horses
Minstrel in the Gallery
Songs From the Wood
Thick As a Brick
Aqualung
A Passion Play
Warchild
Stormwatch
Broadsword and the Beast

Their music represents a wide array of influences and genres. The combination of prog rock with folk music is personally one of my favorite sounds. Thick As a Brick, while being primarily progressive rock, still exhibits many folk elements. Ian Anderson's lyrics are also some of the most poignant, intellectual, and inspiring that I've ever read. Just listen to the portion of Thick As a Brick that begins with "The poet and the painter casting shadows on the water..." It's one of the most impressive passages in rock, I believe, both lyrically and musically.

 

[no country for old wainds]

 

[Dem0n0id]

Hell ya!

1.Thick as a Brick
2.Songs From the Wood
3.Minstrel in the Gallery
4.Aqualung

Haven't given the rest much of a listen though.
All their 70s material was consistent. Thick as a brick = 44 mins of sex! Best reply to the media ever after the aqualung misinterpretation.

 

[The Ozzman]

This thread is relevant to my interests. I've been meaning to check out this band

 

[SouthernTrendkill]

Jethro Tull is probably the one and only Classic Rock band you hear on the radio every day which I don't own a single album from.

I think they're pretty darn unique. And for a lot more than using the flute like it's a hardcore instrument. I love tracks like Thick As A Brick, Too Old to Rock N Roll, and Cross-Eyed Marry but I'm not into the idea of getting a Greatest Hits from them. They don't seem like that kind of a band. Although... I did just see Radiohead's Greatest Hits in stores...

 

[Einherjar86]

I was that way too when I was younger. Tull was always one of those bands that I knew I liked, but I never owned an album. Finally, my freshman year of college, my friend sent me a set of lyrics (the "poet and the painter" lyrics) and told me they were from Tull's Thick As a Brick. I remembered that song, and didn't remember those lyrics. Of course, back then I had no idea that the radio edit of Thick As a Brick cuts off nearly forty minutes of the entire song! So, I went out and bought the album and fell in love with the music. I started old, bought Aqualung, Warchild, This Was, Stand Up. I could definitely hear the differences between the albums (This Was and Stand Up are very blues oriented, while Aqualung and Thick As a Brick are very prog rock). Then I heard Songs From the Wood and nearly shat my pants. Their folk material is fucking incredible, and I personally feel that Heavy Horses tops Songs From the Wood, although they're both amazing albums.

I think that Heavy Horses and Minstrel in the Gallery are two of the best albums. They have a superb mix of folk, progressive elements, and just some badass fucking rock. In Minstrel in the Gallery (the song) when Barre's electric guitar comes in after Ian's acoustic introduction... gods, it just sounds like a beast.

For SouthernTrendkill and Ozzman, I'd definitely recommend buying an actual album. As typical as this is, Aqualung really is a great album, and very accessible for getting into the band. Just know that they expand greatly on their later releases, and if you're looking for more folk stuff, try albums like Songs From the Wood or Heavy Horses.

For a taste of greatness, check out this video:

[ame]http://youtube.com/watch?v=KgUw6t3b6oE[/ame]

 

[SiMuLaCrUm]

Ah, Tull. One of the reasons I learned to play flute
I liked Aqualung and Stand Up. The later stuff from the late 70's, 80's didn't really catch my attention though.

 

[razoredge]

I'll buy you six bay mares to put in your stable ---
six golden apples bought with my pay.
I am the first piper who calls the sweet tune,
but I must be gone by the seventh day.

So come on, I'm the whistler.
I have a fife and a drum to play.
Get ready for the whistler.
I whistle along on the seventh day ---
whistle along on the seventh day.

All kinds of sadness I've left behind me.
Many's the day when I have done wrong.
But I'll be yours for ever and ever.
Climb in the saddle and whistle along.

So come on, I'm the whistler.
I have a fife and a drum to play.
Get ready for the whistler.
I whistle along on the seventh day ---
whistle along on the seventh day.

Deep red are the sun-sets in mystical places.
Black are the nights on summer-day sands.
We'll find the speck of truth in each riddle.
Hold the first grain of love in our hands.​

forget about it

 

[Einherjar86]

I love the lyrics to The Whistler. It's one of my favorite tunes.

That and Velvet Green are probably my two favorite tracks on Songs From the Wood.

 

[razoredge]

Walking on velvet green. Scots pine growing.
Isn't it rare to be taking the air, singing.
Walking on velvet green.
Walking on velvet green. Distant cows lowing.
Never a care: with your legs in the air, loving.
Walking on velvet green.
Won't you have my company, yes, take it in your hands.
Go down on velvet green, with a country man.
Who's a young girls fancy and an old maid's dream.
Tell your mother that you walked all night on velvet green.
One dusky half-hour's ride up to the north.
There lies your reputation and all that you're worth.
Where the scent of wild roses turns the milk to cream.
Tell your mother that you walked all night on velvet green.
And the long grass blows in the evening cool.
And August's rare delight may be April's fool.
But think not of that, my love,
I'm tight against the seam.
And I'm growing up to meet you down on velvet green.
Now I may tell you that it's love and not just lust.
And if we live the lie, let's lie in trust.
On golden daffodils, to catch the silver stream
that washes out the wild oat seed on velvet green.
We'll dream as lovers under the stars ---
of civilizations raging afar.
And the ragged dawn breaks on your battle scars.
As you walk home cold and alone upon velvet green.
Walking on velvet green. Scots pine growing.
Isn't it rare to be taking the air, singing.
Walking on velvet green.
Walking on velvet green. Distant cows lowing.
Never a care: with your legs in the air, loving.
Walking on velvet green.​

 

[razoredge]

but this is mine

I believe in fires at midnight ---
when the dogs have all been fed.
A golden toddy on the mantle ---
a broken gun beneath the bed.
Silken mist outside the window.
Frogs and newts slip in the dark ---
too much hurry ruins the body.
I'll sit easy ... fan the spark
kindled by the dying embers of another working day.
Go upstairs ... take off your makeup ---
fold your clothes neatly away.
Me, I'll sit and write this love song
as I all too seldom do ---
build a little fire this midnight.
It's good to be back home with you.​

 

[Einherjar86]

Damn, what a killer record. I forgot about Fires At Midnight. Great song.

 

[razoredge]

Let me bring you songs from the wood:
to make you feel much better than you could know.
Dust you down from tip to toe.
Show you how the garden grows.
Hold you steady as you go.
Join the chorus if you can:
it'll make of you an honest man.
Let me bring you love from the field:
poppies red and roses filled with summer rain.
To heal the wound and still the pain
that threatens again and again
as you drag down every lover's lane.
Life's long celebration's here.
I'll toast you all in penny cheer.
Let me bring you all things refined:
galliards and lute songs served in chilling ale.
Greetings well met fellow, hail!
I am the wind to fill your sail.
I am the cross to take your nail:
A singer of these ageless times.
With kitchen prose and gutter rhymes.
Songs from the wood make you feel much better.​

 

[Einherjar86]

I do like all the lyrics from this record, but are you just going to keep posting them? If you can, post videos so people can listen to the music whilst hearing the lyrics.

That's the truly rewarding experience.

 

[razoredge]

well its the story behind the lyrics. First someone mentioned the flute... so I put up the whisler, then I put up Velvet green for your sake, and Fires at Midnight for mine, then they are all songs from the wood so I put up songs from the wood, and the entire thing is about what music does for the soul... that is for those that have one......... Ha

and as Jack Black would say ....

but being how you had to start crying, here have one of these

Really don't mind if you sit this one out.
My words but a whisper your deafness a SHOUT.
I may make you feel but I can't make you think.
Your sperm's in the gutter your love's in the sink.
So you ride yourselves over the fields and
you make all your animal deals and
your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick.

And the sand-castle virtues are all swept away
in the tidal destruction the moral melee.
The elastic retreat rings the close of play
as the last wave uncovers the newfangled way.
But your new shoes are worn at the heels
and your suntan does rapidly peel
and your wise men don't know how it feels
to be thick as a brick.

And the love that I feel is so far away:
I'm a bad dream that I just had today
and you shake your head and say it's a shame.

Spin me back down the years and the days of my youth.
Draw the lace and black curtains and shut out the whole truth.
Spin me down the long ages: let them sing the song.
See there! A son is born and we pronounce him fit to fight.
There are black-heads on his shoulders, and he pees himself in the night.
We'll make a man of him, put him to trade
teach him to play Monopoly and how to sing in the rain.

The Poet and the Painter casting shadows on the water
as the sun plays on the infantry returning from the sea.
The do-er and the thinker: no allowance for the other
as the failing light illuminates the mercenary's creed.
The home fire burning: the kettle almost boiling
but the master of the house is far away.
The horses stamping, their warm breath clouding
in the sharp and frosty morning of the day.
And the poet lifts his pen while the soldier sheaths his sword.
And the youngest of the family is moving with authority.
Building castles by the sea, he dares the tardy tide to wash them all aside.

The cattle quietly grazing at the grass down by the river
where the swelling mountain water moves onward to the sea:
the builder of the castles renews the age-old purpose
and contemplates the milking girl whose offer is his need.
The young men of the household have all gone into service
and are not to be expected for a year.
The innocent young master - thoughts moving ever faster -
has formed the plan to change the man he seems.
And the poet sheaths his pen while the soldier lifts his sword.
And the oldest of the family is moving with authority.
Coming from across the sea, he challenges the son who puts him to the run.

What do you do when the old man's gone - do you want to be him?
And your real self sings the song. Do you want to free him?
No one to help you get up steam
and the whirlpool turns you `way off-beam.

I've come down from the upper class to mend your rotten ways.
My father was a man-of-power whom everyone obeyed.
So come on all you criminals! I've got to put you straight
just like I did with my old man twenty years too late.
Your bread and water's going cold.
Your hair is too short and neat.
I'll judge you all and make damn sure that no-one judges me.

You curl your toes in fun as you smile at everyone,
you meet the stares, you're unaware that your doings aren't done.
And you laugh most ruthlessly as you tell us what not to be.
But how are we supposed to see where we should run?
I see you shuffle in the courtroom with
your rings upon your fingers
and your downy little sidies
and your silver-buckle shoes.
Playing at the hard case,
you follow the example of the comic-paper idol
who lets you bend the rules.

So!
Come on ye childhood heroes!
Won't you rise up from the pages of your comic-books
your super crooks
and show us all the way.
Well! Make your will and testament.
Won't you? Join your local government.
We'll have Superman for president
let Robin save the day.

You put your bet on number one and it comes up every time.
The other kids have all backed down and they put you first in line.
And so you finally ask yourself just how big you are
and take your place in a wiser world of bigger motor cars.
And you wonder who to call on.
So! Where the hell was Biggles when you needed him last Saturday?
And where were all the sportsmen who always pulled you though?
They're all resting down in Cornwall
writing up their memoirs for a paper-back edition
of the Boy Scout Manual.

See there! A man born and we pronounce him fit for peace.
There's a load lifted from his shoulders with the discovery of his disease.
We'll take the child from him
put it to the test
teach it to be a wise man
how to fool the rest.

We will be geared to the average rather than the exceptional
God is an overwhelming responsibility
we walked through the maternity ward and saw 218 babies wearing nylons
cats are on the upgrade
upgrade? Hipgrave. Oh, Mac.

In the clear white circles of morning wonder,
I take my place with the lord of the hills.
And the blue-eyed soldiers stand slightly discoloured
(in neat little rows) sporting canvas frills.
With their jock-straps pinching, they slouch to attention,
while queueing for sarnies at the office canteen.
Saying: "How's your granny?" and good old Ernie:
he coughed up a tenner on a premium bond win.
The legends (worded in
the ancient tribal hymn)
lie cradled in the seagull's call.
And all the promises they made are ground beneath the sadist's fall.

The poet and the wise man stand behind the gun,
and signal for the crack of dawn.
Light the sun. Light the sun.
Do you believe in the day?
Do you? Believe in the day!
The Dawn Creation of the Kings has begun.
Soft Venus (lonely maiden) brings the ageless one.
Do you believe in the day?
The fading hero has returned to the night
and fully pregnant with the day,
wise men endorse the poet's sight.
Do you believe in the day?
Do you? Believe in the day!

Let me tell you the tales of your life
of your love and the cut of the knife
the tireless oppression, the wisdom instilled
the desire to kill or be killed.
Let me sing of the losers who lie
in the street as the last bus goes by.
The pavements ar empty: the gutters run red
while the fool toasts his god in the sky.

So come all ye young men who are building castles!
Kindly state the time of the year
and join your voices in a hellish chorus.
Mark the precise nature of your fear.
Let me help you pick up your dead
as the sins of the father are fed
with the blood of the fools
and the thoughts of the wise and
from the pan under your bed.
Let me make you a present of song
as the wise man breaks wind and is gone
while the fool with the hour-glass is cooking his goose
and the nursery rhyme winds along.

So! Come all ye young men who are building castles!
Kindly state the time of the year
and join your voices in a hellish chorus.
Mark the precise nature of your fear.
See! The summer lightning casts its bolts upon you
and the hour of judgement draweth near.
Would you be the fool stood in his suit of armour
or the wiser man who rushes clear.

So! Come on ye childhood heroes!
Won't your rise up from the pages of your comic-books
your super-crooks
and show us all the way.
Well! Make your will and testament.
Won't you? Join your local government.
We'll have Superman for president
let Robin save the day.

So! Where the hell was Biggles when you needed him last Saturday?
And where were all the sportsmen who always pulled you through?
They're all resting down in Cornwall writing up their memoirs
for a paper-back edition of the Boy Scout Manual

So you ride yourselves over the fields
and you make all your animal deals
and your wise men don't know how it feels
to be thick as a brick.​

ANY MORE COMPLAINTS ?

 

[Einherjar86]

Nope, I love those lyrics too. razor, I wasn't complaining or whining. I was suggesting something, and I think that just posting lyrics might not help to turn many people onto them. I do appreciate your enthusiasm though.

The lyrics to Thick As a Brick are incredible, and they contain one of my favorite passages ever. The story behind Thick As a Brick is awesome. Anderson was pissed off because critics and reviewers kept calling Aqualung a concept album. He retorted that it wasn't, and he hated that label. So, in defiance, he wrote Thick As a Brick as a parody on the whole idea of concept albums. Ironically, in the process, he created one of the best concept albums in rock history.

 

[DarkBliss]

I still haven't listened to anything other than Aqualung, which I didn't like.

 

[Psychonaut]

I've been a Tull fan for probably 25 years. First one I ever heard from them was Songs From The Wood and I thought it was some crazy shit but I couldn't get "Cup Of Wonder" out of my head. Songs is still easily in my top 5 from them along with Heavy Horses, Stormwatch, Broadsword And The Beast, and Minstrel In The Gallery. I do like them all although Under Wraps is very rarely played.

 

[razoredge]

Nope, I love those lyrics too. razor, I wasn't complaining or whining. I was suggesting something, and I think that just posting lyrics might not help to turn many people onto them. I do appreciate your enthusiasm though.

The lyrics to Thick As a Brick are incredible, and they contain one of my favorite passages ever. The story behind Thick As a Brick is awesome. Anderson was pissed off because critics and reviewers kept calling Aqualung a concept album. He retorted that it wasn't, and he hated that label. So, in defiance, he wrote Thick As a Brick as a parody on the whole idea of concept albums. Ironically, in the process, he created one of the best concept albums in rock history.

while I never thought Aqualung was a concept album I did feel it was theme based and at times is very trippy like a concept album. Two themes, the second part about the Church & God was pretty interesting to me at the time. Then the social songs rocked hard

 

[Einherjar86]

Wrap your senses around this. Fucking awesome performance.

[ame]http://youtube.com/watch?v=HxpcSKqlies[/ame]

...and this while I'm at it.

[ame]http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q1TDN67ibdo&feature=related[/ame]