Music.
One of the greatest joys in life. One of the most potent means of generating emotions.
Listening to music is one of the best things to do when relaxing.
I first remember listening to music when I was very young, about four or five years old. My father, Austrian by birth, was very fond of some of the classics by such composers as Beethoven, Handel, Grieg, and Wagner. When I was nine I was swept away by the musical strengths and sweeping sounds of Wagner's Die Valkyrie, and am still fond of Der Niebelungen. Many of my peers never understood my fondness for music, and my ability to be relaxed by it, carried away to other climes, other lands, other places, and other times.
Naturally enough, as I got older I was able to listen to all kinds of music, and my interests to this day still incorporate classical music, classical rock, some jazz, and some more "progressive" rock 'n roll. (I've even been known to listen to some Aqua, but for goddess's sake, don't tell anyone! <g>) I was very fond of early Beatles and some of their later stuff, and developed a taste for some other bands as well. The Rolling Stones never did it for me, oddly enough, but I was fond of early Fleetwood Mac. On the jazz and Big Band side, I was fond of Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie, and some of the other greats.
I first remember listening to Jethro Tull back some time around 1970. It was in the days when music was a dominant force for 15-year-olds, and I was looking for something other than Beatles music. I don't remember *where* I heard the Tull song, but I'll never forget which one it was. "A Song for Jeffrey." I had heard of Jethro Tull before this, the historical Jethro Tull, but not the distinctive sound of Ian Anderson and his flute music. I sat there, enthralled by the song, and the DJ on the air said the name of the song when it was over, and the name of the band. "And I think you'll all agree with me that this Jethro Tull is worth keeping an eye on," he finished, and I couldn't help but agree with him. I went into a record store shortly thereafter and picked up a brand new Jethro Tull album, entitled Benefit, and took that home with me to listen to. Wonderful stuff! Songs like "With You There to Help Me" and "To Cry You a Song" brought me into the Tull fold immediately, but I could really sit back and enjoy stuff like "Teacher" and "Inside." I was hooked. I went out a couple of weeks later, and managed to pick up the first two albums, This Was and Stand Up, and really enjoyed them. They were a bit harsher in sound compared to Benefit, but I think that in some ways I liked the first album best of the three.
That was 28 (!!) years ago, and Jethro Tull is still one of the most unique bands playing out there - even if the boys have aged somewhat, and even if Ian Anderson isn't as "lungful" as he used to be once upon a time. <g> If I have any memory of Jethro Tull that stands out in particular, it's the memory of "Who are these guys?" and "Which one is Jethro?" on the part of friends and acquaintances to whom I've introduced the music of the group. Suffice it to say, Jethro Tull is the brainchild of one Ian Anderson; he's the leader of the band, does most of the singing, and plays those wonderful, jazzy and blues-oriented flute licks. That's not to say that Ian Anderson hasn't surrounded himself with some brilliant musicians. Martin Barre (guitars), John Evans (keyboards), and several others come to mind. Their talents are unquestionably some of what has contributed to the sound of Jethro Tull over the years, but the vision, the sheer quality of the music and the "Jethro Tull" sound belongs to Ian Anderson.
And what of the music of Jethro Tull? Well, the sound and music of Jethro Tull has always been rather complex (although the early albums like This Was and Stand Up have a simplicity to them that is still to be admired in some respects), unlike many rock bands that (think they) can make a "hit" song based on three chords. However, as practically any Tull fan will tell you, "It's the flute!" The Moody Blues are one of only a few other bands that I can think of that can make an instrument such as the flute go hand-in-hand with an electric guitar, which one wouldn't usually dare use under these circumstances. When one adds to this the fact that there are some great Tull tunes that don't have flute in them at all, such as "Steel Monkey" and "Aqualung", well...need I say more? What makes Jethro Tull special, in my not so humble opinion, however, is the fact that although the music of the group changes with the times (just compare 1968's This Was to 1987's Crest of a Knave), the music still retains the quality that makes it unmistakably Jethro Tull.
And when it comes right down to it, that is what makes any band, but particulary Tull special and unique. With a musical career that spans almost thirty years, it is incredible that Jethro Tull have managed to keep their sound identifiably "Tull' during the years. That and the fact that Jethro Tull has always been musically ahead of its time, something that has not been lost on Tull fans the world over, but which is something that the band has taken a bit of flack about over the years during periods when the music was not necessarily perceived as having that "Tull flavour" to it.
Don't take my word for it, however. If you haven't listened to any Jethro Tull yet, and would like to discover what you've been missing, go to your nearest CD store that lets you play some music before you buy it. Give Jethro Tull a listen - if you don't like what you hear, that's fine; if you do, well...you're in for many, many hours of pleasurable listening.
In the meantime, you can learn more about the history of Jethro Tull (the band, that is) by following the link here. Enjoy!
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This page first went on-line February 10th, 1998