THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: jethro tull

JETHRO TULL – Stand Up

June 1, 2022 /

I’m sure most rock fans have at least one Jethro Tull album in their collection, and it’s usually Aqualung. This album was released in ’69 and was two albums before Aqualung.

It’s very much a blues based album, and opening track A New Day Yesterday has been covered by a few people – most notably Joe Bonamassa. It’s amazing how the introduction of one instrument (namely the flute in this case) can transform the band’s sound. The vibe automatically takes on a folky tone almost instantly with tracks like Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square, and Bouree – they could almost be by a different band.

Back To The Family is a more familiar sounding piece that they would expand on more with Aqualung. Fat Man is the most interesting track on the album, with the use of acoustic instruments and an eastern sound mixed with folk rhythms – they are pushing boundaries. There is no other band that sound like Jethro Tull, they have an instantly recognizable sound and makes them unique. This is the 2016 Steven Wilson remix and sounds amazing.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

JETHRO TULL – Aqualung

June 5, 2021 /

There aren’t that many albums throughout the history of rock music that reach iconic status, but this album, Aqualung, which was Tull’s fourth release from ’71, is definitely in that category. This album is 50 years old this year, and this is the Steven Wilson remix from 2011. I actually played the original mix before putting this on, just to get the feel of the new one to hear the differences. This version is a lot brighter, and you can hear instruments more clearly as have been brought into the centre of the stereo spectrum.

This is the band’s best selling album and the one everyone associates the band with more than any other. It’s a concept album with the central theme of the distinction between religion and god. Heavy stuff aye? You wouldn’t think so listening to the music as it’s a very uplifting album. From the opening lines “Sitting on a park bench eying little girls with bad intent”, to the rocking awesomeness of Locomotive Breath, and all points in between, this is a Prog masterpiece. The band are at the height of their powers, and Anderson’s ability to weave tales with that distinctive voice and mad flute playing, is a pure joy.

I never tire of listening to this record as the mix of Prog, folk and rock hits the spot every time. Locomotives Breath is still one of my favourite tunes some 50 years later – I guess a good tune will always be a good tune. Crooks Eyed Mary is another favourite, and for an album this old it sounds, its surprisingly fresh. It’s another in the category of every home should have one.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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