I saw them perform this in 1972. Because of the hysterically entertaining stage show, Thick As A Brick, had to be 2 hours or more. There was 15 minute standing ovation and when we quieted down, Ian approached the microphone and said, "For our second song...." Another standing ovation.

@LarryWilcox-zj4qq

5 ай бұрын

I also saw them in 70 when they took the stage and said. We're gonna do a new thing for you Hope you like it. And it was the entire concert, but They did do 4 songs from aqualung for ancore.

@winter383

Ай бұрын

Saw the same show...Philly on Friday, Hershey on Saturday. 💥❤️‍🔥💥

My dad was a music teacher who grew up in the big band era. I had the hardest time getting him to appreciate anything from my era - which was the 1970s. He even wrote off Close to the Edge, saying that "they're all good pros", but he wasn't impressed musically. That changed when he heard Thick as a Brick. He was blown away by Jethro Tull's use of Renaissance musical styles, and from that point on, Jethro Tull could do no wrong. You brought back a lot of memories for me. Love your channel.

@richardtodd6843

2 жыл бұрын

That's almost the same reaction my father had. He was a scientist who was big on classical music. He preferred Tull to Yes, describing it as being less repetitive, but it also had a more classical sound.

@seanbeadles7421

2 жыл бұрын

What about gentle giant? They were amazingly medieval

@SeansMusicVault

2 жыл бұрын

My dad made the jump with me into Prog when I started listening to bands like Rush, Yes, Genesis, Crimson, etc., as that was the genre that excited ME as a young drummer (it still does, actually). He was always a lover of great "thinking" jazz drummers, so he must have recognized that Prog took quite a bit more than just good timing - you had to REALLY stay on top of things to play it well, and it turned you into (hopefully) a very competent musician who could play ANY style (read "employable" in Dad logic). He even took me to my first concert when I was 15 (Rush, Permanent Waves tour). I sure miss the old guy. 🎵🎶🥁

@NuntiusLegis

2 жыл бұрын

Your dad was spot on.

@freak49

2 жыл бұрын

My dad also played in the big band era. He didn't care much for genres as much as "Are they accomplished musicians?" That was the only thing that mattered.

I saw Tull on this tour. they played the entire TAAB. 45 minutes later, Ian said, "and for our next number..." I was 15 and in awe.

@raycummings8754

2 жыл бұрын

I saw that tour as well. Ian used the same line and it got a big laugh. I have told that story many times over the years. What a show! I think he was on one foot for half those 45 minutes!

@jimcorless6194

2 жыл бұрын

I was i Phoenix saw the Frogman

@TiltCntrlz

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I saw TAAB 1 & 2 live. To be fair, they also played Locomotive Breath as the encore. Almost 2 hours of pure goodness. And 3 whole songs, basically?

@CharlieVanDiver

Жыл бұрын

The next number was Aqualung. I saw them in St Petersburg. One of the best shows I ever saw.

@t.stephengardner8151

8 ай бұрын

I saw this tour shortly after it's release. This was my first concert as a teen. Of course I was blown away! Golden Earring opened the show and Jethro Tull went to after 1am. HOOKED!!

Almost 50 years later - I can still sing along to this song. The words just come to me. One of the best songs ever.

@dawnpericles1136

2 жыл бұрын

Me too…I was just thinking that. I’m sure I haven’t heard it in 50 years but the words are still in me.

@michaelamor3164

2 жыл бұрын

@@dawnpericles1136 Same to both of you. How on earth do we keep the words like that? I wonder if my wife would divorce me if I said I wanted the entire album played at my funeral 😲

@timmahoney2541

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelamor3164 I can still remember my mother's drivers license number, just from hearing her say it out loud for the cashier to write on her check at the grocery store, and that was almost 60 years ago. yet I keep forgetting my neighbors name and he has told it to me at least a half a dozen times over the last few years. The # is B1260803, by the way. The human mind is an odd an amazing thing.

@timmahoney2541

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelamor3164 I'd be more concerned she might hasten your demise just to hear it again. :)

@zerep11

2 жыл бұрын

Same here 👍

No jokes: Thick As A Brick is one of the masterpieces of XXth century and of the history of music.

@Dioclau7843

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it IS a MASTERPIECE indeed! Absolutely AWESOME!

The world over Martin Barre has never got the recognition to the awesomeness of his guitar virtuoso. Severely underrated.

@makelikeatree1696

2 жыл бұрын

100%. His solos are blistering.

@RayCase

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely in my top 5 and often at #1!!

@Bobbyrockbrazil

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

@brianalpert2383

2 жыл бұрын

Very true!

@AeoLynx_

2 жыл бұрын

Completely agree! I got to see Martin and his band on tour a few years ago, and they tore the house down. They seemed surprised to see me there when I went to the merch table afterwards though; I was the only young person there. Wish it wasn't such a surprise to see young people at such good shows.

In the spring of 1972 I was doing advanced training in San Diego and one weekend I discovered this album in the rack in the Navy Exchange. I knew Tull but hadn’t heard that a new release was out. I bought it, of course. Over the next three years this recording was played hundreds of times in Nam and later aboard ships off the coast. It was one of the few pieces that could adsorb my attention, relax me, and let me feel human again. Dirty, scratched, worn, warped: this masterpiece earned my respect and awe, one of the few scared veterans that I maintained contact with after returning to the world. Somewhere along the path of life I later lost that beat up recording. I haven’t heard it even mentioned in decades. Listening to it just now was like meeting up with a long lost friend. Needless to say I’ve been weeping and very emotional this last hour. It’s been therapeutic. I find I’m still as intrigued by the instruments, the arrangements, and the musicianship as I once was. I’m going to play it again right now, and anticipate eagerly part two! I’ve just subbed to your channel. Thank you for covering the first half un-interrupted.

@dennisgschmidt6167

Жыл бұрын

Grand Funk, I'm getting closer to my home, played on the ships " radio ". Down in the engine room for me. Ain't nothin like the 4 to 8 watch for a month at a time. Later transfered to POL division, what a relief.

@gregorywilliams5105

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for your service. I am fascinated by the complexity of this masterpiece.

My absolute favorite band! I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and fell in love immediately with Jethro Tull. Ian Anderson is a genius and what floored me was the fact he is a self taught flautist. I just played a clarinet in school but I was a singer for years. I inherited my love of music from my mother who had a beautiful voice. She exposed me to all genres of music and I will be forever grateful.

@mybachhertzbaud3074

Ай бұрын

😁🎶🎹🎤🎸🎺🎶Play On

this is a masterpeice. Ian Anderson is a musical genius.

@markdess4813

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely … couldn’t say it better!!

@bigtwit799

2 жыл бұрын

so was Jethro Tull though.

@bigtwit799

2 жыл бұрын

he went on to form Anderson Lake and Palmer of course.

@williamsporing1500

2 жыл бұрын

There wasn’t a slouch in that band….

@Ozarkprepper643

2 жыл бұрын

Yes he was. And with all the greats that were in like say Tommy's rock opera. That whole LP could not hold a candle to this one song. Knew nearly 50 years ago this music would stand the test of time.

The most astonishing thing is, that Jethro Tull was able to play this "suite" live on stage. I've seen them, it was so emotional, brought me to tears!

@suzannebenton8329

2 жыл бұрын

Ditto!

@chriswalker5979

2 жыл бұрын

@The Paradox Destroyer -- At the Melbourne, Australia concert, that phone rang just as they hit the 5/4 riff after the opening acoustic section. After his phone conversation, Ian Anderson walked back to the mic and said "There is an urgent telephone message for a Mr. Mike Nelson*, if he is in the audience. Apparently, there is a fish on the line." And one beat after he said the word "line," the band launched straight into the 5/4 riff again at full volume. Then, during that instrumental part, someone in a full wetsuit, flippers, mask and scuba tanks walked right across the stage and took the phone call. Later, during the break between the halves of the piece (where you'd turn the record over), the band took a break during which Ian Anderson, dressed in a 2½m tall rabbit suit, became Dr. Farley Ruskin, and presented the news and weather, before resuming the piece. Incredible staging of the song. *Mike Nelson was the name of the character played by Lloyd Bridges in the TV series Sea Hunt back in the day.

@dpcannon

2 жыл бұрын

I met the band on radio contest. I scored best on their Tull test (administered by the band) and won. Traded my free seats for front row seats and dinner with the band. Ian's band are the nicest guys you ever met. Martin is a sweetheart. Ian wouldn't give me more time than a sign Album. Concert: Stormwatch

@bradalker5332

2 жыл бұрын

You were lucky Albrecht. My favorite Tull album. I could kick my self for not seeing them back in the late 70s. It's an astonishing LP. I love Anderson's lyrics and playing. Martin Barre is phenomenal.

@domsisti

2 жыл бұрын

Amazing performers. Life highlight: I saw them at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA had a beer with Dave Pegg at the bar next door after the show. I was too star struck to say much.

The entire album was an absolute masterpiece.

@sadi0807

10 ай бұрын

was? it IS

Ian Anderson is a "classically" influenced, multi instrument virtuoso, that has a big vaudvillian style showmanship. A poet, a troubadour, a bard.

@george474747

2 жыл бұрын

...and the biological father of Guthrie Govan, surely!

Ian Anderson got sick of the press calling “Aqualung” (their fourth studio album) a concept album. So for their fifth, he wrote an actual concept album. Others have mentioned the original, fold-out newspaper record sleeve. The headline story is that an eight year old boy, nicknamed “little Milton,” had just won a prestigious prize for his epic poem, “Thick as a Brick.” The lyrics are presented as the actual text of the poem, which so inspired Jethro Tull that they wrote music to accompany the poem. There’s even a review of the album published in the paper. You noted the cleverness and humor of the lyrics, and the newspaper is full of that too.

@Feathermason

2 жыл бұрын

..then theres the chick,on the LP cover slightly lifting her skirt..hehe..naughty Tull lads...

@leonardmoorey1146

2 жыл бұрын

The St Cleve Chronicle story was about Little Milton Bostok who wrote poetry with his friend, Julia (the girl giving the up the dress shot in the photo) having their winning the poetry contest for their epic poem being revoked. Because it was determined that the epic poem was just a lot of shorter poems strung together. Many program's rockers of the day said that you can join any two or more pieces of music together no matter how disparate they were. So Ian Anderson did just that. Just like Little Milton, to spoof the whole program rock genre. The irony is that in doing that, he created one of the finest programs rock albums ever made.

@leonardmoorey1146

2 жыл бұрын

My stupid phone changed all the "prog rocks" to "program rocks".

@markdrechsler5660

2 жыл бұрын

@@leonardmoorey1146 thanks for the refresher. It’s been about 15 years since my vinyl copy got stolen. I forgot that the prize had been revoked.

@leonardmoorey1146

2 жыл бұрын

I lost mine in the late '70's or early '80's.

I’m almost 60. I’ve listened to this album from the time it was released. There are passages throughout the album that can bring me to tears. It evokes so much emotion. I’m almost drained by the time side 2 is finished. It’s a good feeling though and I’ll love this album until the day I’m 6 foot under. Matter of fact I may take it with me.

@capcompass9298

2 жыл бұрын

Waste of a good album, but excellent sentiment.

@mikeroa2142

2 жыл бұрын

I’ll meet you with my Tull favs. We’ll be in heaven!

@GTLyons

2 жыл бұрын

same here...

@ThePrion23

2 жыл бұрын

the 'Do you believe in the Day...' just wrecks me... born in '62 here bro!

@capcompass9298

2 жыл бұрын

@@ThePrion23 Me too.

As a teen in the 70's and growing up with the greatest music ever recorded this is still as amazing as it was back then. Ian and Tull are so great....

I've had pretty much every note of this song memorized since the mid 70's but I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday.

@bigtwit799

2 жыл бұрын

you're past it

The beauty of Jetho Tull was seeing them live

@Farkurnell

2 жыл бұрын

I was lucky enough to see them twice here in Australia. Once in about 1977 and then again mid 90’s.

@gsam_dad5540

2 жыл бұрын

Saw them several times in the 70s at Hammersmith Odeon, still the best live band ever in my view.

@mikeroa2142

2 жыл бұрын

I was fortunate enough to see them a few times. Not a show, an experience!

@randlnickel9196

2 жыл бұрын

Saw them twice Unbelievable

@PaulyV56

2 жыл бұрын

Terrible 2 years ago/ lip syncing, a mysterious flute while he was performing...garbage now

I'd like to thank Little Milton for this august piece.

@u.v.s.5583

2 жыл бұрын

I always read only the sports section.

@arbonne1805

2 жыл бұрын

The default viewer for KZread has Doug's pic right next to the 'Little Milton in schoolgirl pregnancy row' story. Just sayin...

@duncanparsons

2 жыл бұрын

what's happening with the We At Her today?

@SirJoszef

2 жыл бұрын

@Terry Murray. It's a girl with lingerie! 😄😄

@capcompass9298

2 жыл бұрын

He was one hell of a goer.

I have listened to this hundreds of times, and every time I am astonished at its brilliance. Anderson is really on a different level.

I love when pro musicians appreciate Jethro Tull; especially this piece.

Saw them in 73 on this tour. They came out , went 75min. Non stop to do an embellished live version of this album, then Ian says "and now, for our second number..." True story. In their prime, they were one of the best live acts I ever saw. They always gave you 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Of fantastic live music. .

I loved this song as a teenager -....ok i love it 40 years later, too

@glynnp42

2 жыл бұрын

Me too!!!

Tull, Moody Blues, The Who, Floyd etc all made their albums to be listened to from start to finish. The best way to experience them. One of my Fav for Tull is a little know piece ....Jethro Tull's christmas song......amazing story

@gregorywilliams5105

2 жыл бұрын

A Christmas Song - great lyrics! I also love the musical intro. It makes me feel like a dark winter night.

@Bogie3855

2 жыл бұрын

I would have to agree, completely off the farm from everything he has done. Sweet tune.

@thelonesomefisherman7425

7 ай бұрын

The first few lines and melody bars are from a traditional Christmas Carol. "Once in royal David's city. Stood a lowly cattle shed. Where a mother held her baby." After that, Ian writes his own lyrics.

One of the few extended play tracks from that time period that I can listen to end to end and not get bored. Every interlude leaves you eagerly waiting for what's next. A true masterpiece.

What a year for incredible music. Close To The Edge(Yes), Trilogy(Emerson Lake and Palmer), First Base (Babe Ruth), Octopus (Gentle Giant).... We were blessed.

@aapesos

2 жыл бұрын

tull towers above these others

@Qwalnuts

2 жыл бұрын

Foxtrot (Genesis) as well

@paulnichols1718

2 жыл бұрын

Trilogy was a masterpiece. The best of ELP.

@chriscrawford1958

2 жыл бұрын

Yes we were!!!! They really should bring back Ludes. They made the music even better!

@morrisshaw

2 жыл бұрын

i remember babe ruth playing our local hall in a remote west coast of scotland small seaside town, near the place mccartney wrote about the mist rolling in from the sea, like the afternoon in the 1990's when it was so dense the chinook helicopter flying from ireland went head first into the hill above the lighthouse. was really thick at sea that day. my older brother had gone to see babe ruth and we had the big tour poster for first base on the bedroom wall, three or four years later we'd be playing to over 600 regularly in the same hall and to this day i've still never heard any of their stuff, they were obviously not very successful if they were playing our town, next outside band to play locally were a band called joe lethal, a three piece from irvine and then the brilliant runrig who were doing their very first scottish tour. a long way from the 60's when big bands of the day regularly played, not the beatles or stones but mannfred man played the town the same night the charts announced that they were number one with doo wha diddy, these days they have two music festivals with the one in august featuring bands like deacon blue and thte stranglers, not forgetting the visits from old steak and kidney himself, sydney devne who we lost not long ago, mr entertainment himself

This is one of those albums that will be relevant 50 years from now as it was almost 50 years ago. Brilliant musicianship. Once again appreciate your insights into the artistry. Thanks, Doug.

Doug mentions the dynamic contrast. That was something I really noticed in their live performances. Much more than on recordings. They were wonderful live - I was lucky enough to see them half a dozen times. From incredibly loud rock to acoustic and back again in a few notes. The band was very tight and changes were instantaneous. I remember the band jumping in the air, as if surprised, when their loud notes interupted an acoustic section. They did have a sense of humour as well as brilliant music.

I saw Jethro Tull three times back in the day. Long before any digital mixing was done for live shows, these guys sounded absolutely perfect. Very tight and crisp. Total pros.

Ian Anderson has an awesome voice for rock. So did Greg Lake from Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

@yummybeers

2 жыл бұрын

I keep being surprised to not see Greg Lake rated as one of rock’s greatest singers. Excellent bass player too.

@AnthonyStJames

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/h2phsqOEf9edo7A.html

@ajerarajones2670

2 жыл бұрын

Greg Lake is a god

Barriemore Barlow's percussion in this is a master class.

@miguelbarahona6636

2 жыл бұрын

John Bonham said Barriemore was the best drummer ever.

@fabrigasan2150

2 жыл бұрын

In questo disco particolarmente eccelso ,e ho capito perche’ non usavano il moog, non ne avevano bisogno , con il flauto e l’organo sovrancisi ricavavano un suono particolare lo stesso !

@davidseres3030

2 жыл бұрын

I commented on Richard Todd's subthread, but I will repeat it here: As a drummer, I will say that the drumming is quite creative and tight...many years later, Barriemore Barlow mentioned that he ~regretted (what he felt to be) his over-the-top drumming in his JT days...on this song I love it...

@Relayer6a

2 жыл бұрын

@@davidseres3030 I had a drummer who once told me that you can learn a lot from guys like Charlie Watts.

@davidseres3030

2 жыл бұрын

@@Relayer6a I've heard that Watts either has roots in or is a fan of jazz...with this stated, per his drumming in Rolling Stones songs, Watts's drumming skills seem very basic to me (and without a major jazz element)...I can think of other drummers with greater skills...nevertheless, I appreciate his contributions to drumming...

I remember when I first heard this as a teenager. My parents had somehow acquired this album, but I was the first to listen to it. I was blown away by it, and all of the creativity it took to stitch this entire story together with coherent music. I made my parents listen to it. Unlike some of you, my dad, who was listened to classical music and jazz, never got much of the progressive rock that I discovered in my youth (Boston, Rush, Steely Dan, Kansas, Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa) and denigrated it as "drug music," but even he could not deny the musicianship and quality of Thick as a Brick. Only later in life was he able to begin to acknowledge that these groups were indeed special, talented. I wish he was still here to enjoy some of this music with me; I think he would come around.

I’m a flute player enamored with Tull,…..have learned some of the flute parts and can say they’re not that easy. I have the utmost respect for Ian Anderson and the band’s superb musicianship !!!

@millsrickman7703

Жыл бұрын

I was shocked to hear when they did isle of wight in 1970, he'd only been playing 2-3 years!

@bp8339

Жыл бұрын

"Nothings Easy"

@timothypachonka8642

Жыл бұрын

His right pinkie finger is also non usable. He learned to play like that with a 3 finger hand, self taught.

@fw1421

4 ай бұрын

Ian is a self taught flutist.

Alright, now we need part 2

@macthedrummer1

2 жыл бұрын

100%

@RobBCactive

2 жыл бұрын

You got it!

Martin Barre is up there with Gary Green and Alex Lifeson as the most criminally under rated guitarists, prog or not

@rickpinkston9404

2 жыл бұрын

Barre is the very best in his vein.

I'm 72, I've seen Jethro Tull in 1975, in New Haven, CT. His performance is amazing. The sound impeccable, and the band blew me away. Fond memories. Aqualung from the same named album was the AM cut that brought them US fame, but I had gone into their rabbit hole long before that.

@steveg3793

Жыл бұрын

I was at that concert also with two friends driving up from Long Island

@user-mw8ld6mf2h

Жыл бұрын

Мне 71 и я обожаю Jethro Tull. И как я Вам завидую: в ссср, где я жил было невозможно увидеть эту великую группу, как впрочем и другие... Хорошо хоть удавалось купить за бешеные деньги их альбомы. Long live Rock'n'Roll!

The first time I heard this .. I about cried! The seventy-billionth time I've listen to this masterpiece, I am still amazed at how fresh I find this piece! Thanks to Paige for introducing me to Ian and the boys. I am forever in your debt!!!!

I have listened to this many, many times since it was originally released. Another one of those albums that does not get old, it just gets better. Thanks for listening to the whole album rather than a shortened live version. It loses some in translation. Enjoyed your comments and review.

@mikecronis

2 жыл бұрын

Well said.

@howlerbike

2 жыл бұрын

I saw them play it live when it came out, from start to finish. We had bought the album a couple days before. Best concert I was ever at.

@AnthonyStJames

2 жыл бұрын

@@howlerbike And that's the way I felt when I saw them first time. Passion Play in its entirety. Amazing stuff. They were on quite a run!

Every thing flows so naturally and organically in this masterpiece!

I completely stumbled upon this clip (complete Till fan here) it was amazing watching your reactions and responses as you listened to the album, and the best bit for me was watching you get it! Thick as a brick is a total masterpiece.

I've always thought that Mr. Anderson sings like a minstrel and would be quite comfortable singing to Kings and Queens in their various courts back years ago.

Now we go for A Passion Play, Doug, you are da man!!!!!!!!

The most complex Jethro Tull album I believe is "Ministrel in the Gallery" - that also my favorite. "Passion Play" is my second favorite

@perrypitre8720

2 жыл бұрын

Side 2 of Minstrel is a work of art. Genius.

@timwalsh2652

2 жыл бұрын

I can’t get out!

@StevenSFermat

2 жыл бұрын

Minstrel is one of my favorites too.

@jawoody9745

2 жыл бұрын

I find "A Passion Play" to be just as rich as "a Brick." The same type of musical genius on display.

@coachhannah2403

2 жыл бұрын

I think PP was the time I stopped following them. Too pretentious. I prefer their old blues material best. JMNSHO

I was lucky enough to see them perform this piece at the Chicago Stadium in 1972.

This amazing Album is 70s British Rock perfection. Been enjoying this album for almost 50 years, I still get goosebumps whenever I hear it. All the Players play their parts to perfection, truly an eternal masterpiece

14:35 "I often tell this to my composition students when they're orchestrating: Not very often does the orchestra all play at once" That's very well said and this is a very common problem when composers write orchestral arrangements for pop and rock songs. The orchestration here is by Dee Palmer (or rather David Palmer since it was before her SRS), one of the very, very few who has mastered the art of orchestration for a band. She hadn't formally joined the band yet (she did four years later as a second keyboardist) but I think she and John Evan (the amazing keyboard player who is also classically trained) had a huge influence on how the band thought about instrumentation.

This lasted 60 minutes live in 1972 with the addition of an organ solo and a recitation of the news in the middle. Then Ian would humorously say, " And now for our second number...."

@TiltCntrlz

2 жыл бұрын

I saw Ian Anderson perform Thick as a Brick in its entirety, and also Thick as a Brick 2. And then they did an encore. Locomotive Breath. 1 live show... 2 hours... 3 songs!

@ptrlxc

2 жыл бұрын

Lol

@535mash

2 жыл бұрын

Saw them in 72 and remember him saying that! It did seem like an hour.

@TiltCntrlz

2 жыл бұрын

@the zixl Did The Eagles play "We Used To Know"?

@TiltCntrlz

2 жыл бұрын

@the zixl I know. That was my joke.

The change in disjointed chord sequences and the mixing done was unique at the time. There has been no group since that has been able to replicate this music with any good effect. It is very complex and seems to draw you into it. It still leaves me with memories of my youth and a tear in the eye. Love Jethro Tull and their unique style. 👍🏻🇦🇺😁

First time I saw them was during the Bursting Out Tour. To this day I maintain that Barriemore Barlow was one of the best drummers I ever saw and is so very much underappreciated. The guy was a monster on the kit. Was also so well miked you could hear everything he was doing. Still one of the best shows I was fortunate to see. And that was a time when we got to experience the likes of Yes, Genesis, ELP, Sabbath, Purple, Zappa, etc etc. What a time to be a music fan eh? Jean Luc Ponty was one that I never forgot as well.

As amazing as the recording is, watching them do this live or even the abbreviated performances, is amazing! Ian Anderson is more than a musician. He is a master performer.

@mcwulf25

2 жыл бұрын

Yes they usually just meld together about 10 minutes of the album when they play it live. But I saw them play the full album on the 50th anniversary tour with TAAB2 after the interval. Ian shared vocal duties with a young singer.

I love that you recognize the importance of dynamics. It is very well used in prog rock and fusion but I think it should be everywhere.

My gawd....to hear this album again! Brings back sweet memories! The world was a better place back then. I still have this album. 😁👍

I was raised listening to Jethro Tull (and Frank Zappa) with my older cousins (early 70´s) and they introduced me to whatever great stuff was being released at the time. I devoured it eagerly, and always read the lyrics while listening, whenever I could. And I was learning English a lot, at a very early age, without noticing it. I know practically every word and most of the notes of this album by heart, but I´m not a musician, so it is really fascinating to follow along with you, identifying the chords, passages and musical nuances of this and all the other songs of you channel. It´s been a really lovely ride, and you make it look as showing what´s under the hood and explaining the mechanics of a car I used to ride as a passenger, since I was a kid. You are amazing, Doug! I´m so glad you are taking the time to do these incredible videos. Cheers from Brazil!

When I saw the band live on the Thick as a brick tour at Birmingham Town Hall all the sound and stage crew wore brown full length coats. When the band came on unannounced they also wore the same coats and calmly walked on stage hung up coats on a coat stand and only then we realised they had arrived! Brilliant

Thanks for doing this. I flat wore this album out when I was a youngster. Now, I listen to these reactions and It's like the album is brand new again. They say you can never go home. Well that's not because home changed, you did.

Martin Barr is by far my fave guitarist. He NEVER misses a note and does really complex rhythms. I love it.

Saw this live in concert and then Passion Play. They played it from start to finish. Amazing. We honestly thought this was how music should be. Had no idea how special it was until much later. They way they seamlessly flowed from rock to jazz to classical and back was just what we thought music was. I still have an 8-track of this.

Now keep in mind how long ago this was. Tull started as a respectable jazzy blues rock band and morphed into a unique ensemble with overtones 18th century European folk music. And then, a couple of years later ...this. A prog masterpiece. And every bit of it written by Ian Anderson. He is quite the talent.

You mentioned "british humor", I suggest taking a bit of time reading the whole "St Cleve Chronicle" (the cover). Example: there's a death announcement of someone and an ad somewhere else for selling a used suit - both with the same address

@tacituskilgore3314

2 жыл бұрын

That's all well and good, but who's Fluffy the Duck talking to? 😉

@edwardthorne9875

2 жыл бұрын

There was also the dog who soiled the actor's shoe, and if I am not misaken, the Do Not See Me rabbit.

@SirJoszef

2 жыл бұрын

Not to mention the silly puzzle (or cross words) that never gets anywhere.

@bustedfender

2 жыл бұрын

Lost: large emperor penguin, answers to the name of Gerald.

@cpdaddy7

2 жыл бұрын

Will St Cleve Fennel again?!

As a life-long Tull fan, I want to thank you for bringing Tull, and this album in particular, to a wider audience. And yes, as stated by others below, Martin Barre IS the most underrated guitarist in rock!

As a person who loves melody variations in music, even with absolutely no understanding of theory, I appreciate your way of breaking down a song.

I'm a big fan of "Thick As A Brick", and Tull in general. You were talking about how Ian's voice has a certain quality - I have always thought that it sounds like he's got a permanent smirk on his face. Thanks for the video, Doug!

@tonyspro

2 жыл бұрын

I always thought that too! As well as he sounds like he is always wearing a kilt and a tammie hat.

@jackal59

2 жыл бұрын

Really. I think his voice on the album version of "Wonderin' Aloud" is like a hug.

@Pixelologist

2 жыл бұрын

He always struck me as a folk singer who somehow found himself drafted to front a rock band.

@tonyspro

2 жыл бұрын

@@jackal59 oh definitely, that song and One White Duck are so warm

@andrewjones588

2 жыл бұрын

Smirking vocally.. id never thought of it that way, but you’re absolutely right!

50 years later and it never gets old. TAAB is in and of it's own space and time. I saw them twice on the TAAB tour and they did it from front to back. The "fade-out" is the big transition from side 1 to side 2 of the LP as you needed to get up and flip it over. Carry On!!

This is not for the faint of heart. Amazing Ian Anderson. Simply Amazing.

It's always fun to watch subject matter experts at work. People like Doug are a breath of fresh air. We need more like him!

Interesting you picked out the musicianship, Doug, as Anderson wasn't a natural flute player at all. He started as the band's lead guitarist, but when he heard other emerging talents like Clapton and Beck he realized that he could never match them. He signed another guitarist into the band, then traded his guitar in at the music shop. He happened to see a shiny flute on the wall and made a snap decision to buy it, then taught himself how to play, using it more as a guitar-substitute, but also developing some of the jazz ideas of Roland Kirk ("Serenade to a Cuckoo" is worth looking up). I think the band reaches another level of musicianship again in the later folk-based albums like Songs from the Wood, which I'd recommend you check out if you want to explore Tull a little further.

@fuelflownormal

2 жыл бұрын

It will be my funeral music

@juniorjohnson9509

2 жыл бұрын

Ian also has something wrong with the fingers on one hand, which greatly influenced his style of play. Got to see him twice in flute recitals at a couple different music schools ( I wasn't a music student, but had some connections that I wasn't afraid to make use of!). Pure genius, and he just blew the students and music teachers away.

@jessebrennan7130

2 жыл бұрын

Songs from the Wood is one of my favs

@bobpond6381

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve never heard that. I taught myself flute to play the flute when I performed Tamino in the magic flute. Always respect to Ian Anderson.

@icynorth8889

2 жыл бұрын

@@juniorjohnson9509 Something he has in common with Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, then (the finger injury, I mean, not the flute recitals!)

That last section was a clever way to maintain continuity between the two sides of the record, fading out like that into the silence of the time it takes you to flip the record over then fading back in at the beginning of side 2. It helps make it feel more like one long song.

I was just 12 when I went along with my, slightly older, friends to see Jethro Tull on their Thick as a Brick tour. To reflect the spoof local newspaper album sleeve, they had a set of elaborate stage routines with band members and roadies in costumes. This, apparently, varied every night of the tour. It was a phenomenal concert experience. The next time I had enough money to buy an album I bought Thick as a Brick and played it endlessly and, therefore, became very familiar with it. Apart from anything else, it was interesting to watch someone being surprised by some of the changes in musical flow at the piece progressed. Later in life, when I met the girl who was to become my wife, one of the points of connection was that she had also been to the Thick as. a Brick tour, but in another city. This connection is particularly poignant for me just now as my wife died earlier this year. I have no doubt that I will have a mixture of tears and joy when I put on my 5.1 surround mix of Thick as a Brick this evening. My neighbours are very understanding about loud music and this will need to be played quite loud today! Do find the time to react to react to Part 2 soon

A fifty year old epic and still as powerful and meaningful as ever. Thanks again, Doug, for your wonderful insights!

Another masterpiece of the 70´s era. Again, a band definitively delivering music in their unique own style. As almost all thebands in that period, nobody wants to sound like anybody else. And Ian Anderson and his partners in crime just did it! Amazing stuff. Greetings from Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina, in our Independence Day! Alejandro Bianco Dubini saying goodnight!

@gsam_dad5540

2 жыл бұрын

Back in the 70s there was still a spirit of progression & innovation in music, the variety available was mind-boggling & bands developed over years of touring & maturing. Jethro Tull were unique in sound & performance & I miss that in modern music. I hope you had a great independence day listening to classic tunes & of course maybe even a little tipple :)

Would love to see a review of Jethro Tull's "Skating Away on the thin ice of a New Day". It's an incredible piece, with layered music with multiple different instruments!

@gsam_dad5540

2 жыл бұрын

That song is one their true greats, love the lyrics & the way the sound builds up verse by verse...plus of course the very British opening bit with the tea lady & office worker :)

@colleenmcdonald2844

2 жыл бұрын

That song doesn't get enough love. Gorgeous in every sense.

@sadsack1956

2 жыл бұрын

Second that nomination!! Great music and words!

It is definitely my favourite Doug's reaction! Love it.

Thanks, once more, Doug for "enhance" my experience of listening one of my all time favorite songs. I still got the L.P. (the one in the 12x16, inch, 16 pages cover, bought on 1972) and also the CD (maybe I should go for the Steve Wilson edition). I once had the opportunity to ask Ian Anderson about "Gerald Bostock" (the 8 year old supposed author of the lyrics) and he replied laughing: "He is like I was as a kid, a pain in the ass".

Who wants Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells to be reviewed?

@garyvanremortel5218

2 жыл бұрын

Wind Chimes.

@aindriubradleymarshall6226

2 жыл бұрын

MOs first four albums would be great.

@amarok9097

2 жыл бұрын

I'm waiting for someone to have a go at the eclectic genius of Amarok

@garyvanremortel5218

2 жыл бұрын

@@amarok9097 You know, I really think I could dance...

@stevebinning977

2 жыл бұрын

I like "Tubular Bells", a truly groundbreaking album, however my favourite Mike Oldfield album is "Incantations".

The album cover justifies 12" vinyl. It's a parody of a local newspaper and is one of the funniest things I've ever read. You just can't get the impact with CD and as for streaming...

@adriangoodrich4306

2 жыл бұрын

And you need the fold-out newspaper album cover that the vinyl came in!

@jjgdenisrobert

2 жыл бұрын

The original had a longer fold-out newspaper between the folds. They took that out in later pressings. You can get a sense of it here: www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/174186-jethro-tull-thick-as-a-brick-newspaper-a

@ericanderson8886

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah loved the newspaper within the album. Reading about "Little Milton" and his woes, and other funny stories was part of the charm of the album.

@AnOldGreyDog

2 жыл бұрын

@@ericanderson8886 It's been decades since I've seen it, but I do recall the horoscope and the TV listings as being particularly hilarious.

@adriangoodrich4306

2 жыл бұрын

@@jjgdenisrobert Yup, that's the one I have! "Brick wanted. Must be thick and well kept..." (IIRC?) And of course us teenage lads all got very excited about the girl on the front page photo looking like she is about to do a Sharon Stone...!

Anderson’s explosive genius; a hundred musical ideas in an unending slipstream. Unparalleled. Unequaled. Got to see them perform this in 1972.

my first concert at 12 years old was jethro tull one of the greatest experiences of my life and i will never forget it, at 13 my dad took me to see motley crue not 10 minutes inside i heard him say i shouldnt of brought you here. lolol i was like im glad you did dad hahahaha

1967-1973 (with some afterglow in 1974) was the golden age of rock.

Pure genius, just brilliant songwriting here & top-notch performances by all involved. Jeffrey's basslines are awesome! Some later cd editions of this album have a 16+ min. interview with Ian, Martin & Jeffrey. It's on YT.

Jethro Tull brought medieval music into the modern era.

I am so glad to see some people discovering this kind of gems nowadays. They played it live as well and precisely as the recording, perfect in every respect. I am fortunate to have grown up when this was taking place. This was the beauty of the 70's. Cheers.

Hello Doug, found your channel days ago and I loved it! It's so interesting and entertaining watch someone who actually knows about music theory listening the bands that I like. Even though I know nothing about music lol I'm a visual artist (still in college) not a musician. But I like to learn and I enjoy music a lot. Great content!

I saw them live in 1972, 1974 and 1975. It was always mind blowing. Fantastic band.

Along with Gentle Giant, Tull the greatest band that ever walked the planet. A band I have seen about 30 times since 1968...! Robust stuff! Thanks Doug x

This is brilliant. My background was classical violin. I think that is why Jethro Tull music appeals to me so much. The music is more complex and balanced than most rock music. I am a fan of all JT albums, including “Benefit” The other element of this group is their stage performances. Ian Anderson is a master on the stage.

Do Heavy Horses when you get a chance. Love the social commentary in that one. It may specifically talk about mechanization putting horses out to pasture, but it transposes nicely to the March of technology versus nostalgia in the vein of the great American folk tales.

@jimhardiman3836

2 жыл бұрын

Those themes are explored even further on Stormwatch

@ianashleigh

2 жыл бұрын

Heavy Horses is magnificent, I have the Steven Wilson 'New Shoes Edition'

@NuntiusLegis

2 жыл бұрын

The earlier remasters of the original albums are way superior to the Wilson remixes.

@EessaTube

2 жыл бұрын

My favourite Tull song.

@jimhardiman3836

2 жыл бұрын

@@NuntiusLegis Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.

Thank you so much for this reaction!! In my youth few agreed with my feeling that this was a real gem. Fortunately my parents indulged my need to hear this and allowed countless hours of my listening and singing. Hearing it today has been a pleasure and I realize that I now have an even greater appreciation for its makeup and musicianship. I look forward to part two. Now a subscriber, thanks!

A great album and a different path taken from such a diverse group of musicians. Jethro Tull rocked in so many different ways.

The depth in the music of this album never ceases to amaze me. This is music that can easily be listened to again and again, even for weeks on end. Every member of the band puts in an amazing performance - and the amazing thing is that they didn't lose any of that depth, precision or expressiveness when they did this live!

Do Karn Evil 9 by Emerson, Lake and Palmer, you'll be in for a ride.

@gfgf9045

2 жыл бұрын

he´s a classical composer, of course he knows karn evil 9 haha

@HerbalistGuybrush

2 жыл бұрын

As a rule never fulfill wishes of people rocking their object of desire as their avatar ;)

@lylesmith9547

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@estefaniasucre6966

2 жыл бұрын

THIS IS A MUST!!!

@jabu003

2 жыл бұрын

or their version of Ginastera´s Toccatta

Oooooh boy, was waiting for this! Thanks Doug!

I watched this concert live in 1972 in Brisbane, Australia... Ian Anderson was wearing a belt with a long chain (I think) hanging in front of him which he thrust forward a couple of times and said: "This is rather a lengthy piece..." and hammered into the entire record - both sides. Imagine that two-beat perc part thumping from a stack on one side of the stage to a stack on the other. I saw them three other times subsequently and was NEVER disappointed. I will _NEVER_ forget that concert. 😎😎

Saw them do it live on second date of north American tour at WVU in 1972 they did this album as 1 song took a brake and came back and played all their greats for the 1 2/2 hours total show about 3 -4 hours well worth the $4 tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Thick As A Brick (Part 1)" 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 new-fangled 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 said, "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 a trade Teach him to play Monopoly Not 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 doer 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 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 you take your place in a wiser world of bigger motor cars Now 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 through? They're all resting down in Cornwall Writing up their memoirs For a paper-back edition Of the Boy Scout Manual

@manlioyllades

2 жыл бұрын

I used to know the lyrics by heart, lol

@jeannemacaluso162

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@5050spec

2 жыл бұрын

@@jeannemacaluso162 You're welcome.

@calummcgregor3662

2 жыл бұрын

Really helped to have lyrics on tap as the song progressed ... thank you ... first time I have actually listened properly to the lyrics ... after 40 plus years of listening....!!

@5050spec

2 жыл бұрын

@@calummcgregor3662 You're welcome.

Im glad you did the actual album,, not the live version you said you would do Im always impressed by the drumming on this,, as well as the bass playing.. Jeffery Hammond was not a natural bass player,,more a friend of Anderson who stepped up when Anderson asked him to play bass.. He is underrated as a player on this album

@joelestes2257

2 жыл бұрын

Ian said Jeffery's playing was a product of a prodigious feat of memory, but that having learned the material he rarely made a mistake.

@davin6175

2 жыл бұрын

I second that. I get so disappointed sometimes when reactors choose an inferior live performance, just because it has the most plays on KZread, or the best video quality. Not that Tull's live performances were inferior, other than the severely restricted edits time wise.

My brother had this on 8-Track when I was a boy. I put it in the player one day and my life has never been the same. Say what you will about Aqualung, this is their masterpiece. It holds a special place in my heart, especially since my brother who owned the 8-Track suddenly died in late 2019. Now my oldest son adores this album. Music forms a new circle.

I bought this album 49 years ago, played it once through and never got into it at all. I now realise it's one of JT's best and thank Doug for bringing this realisation to me.

I bought Thick As A Brick the day I passed my driving test in the late 80s. Haven't listened to it in years. I'd really forgotten how good it is.

you've missed the other best part about jethro tull it's the live performance , ian anderson is undoubtedly one of the best music performers i've seen in my lifetime

@anjizetland-von-kiesel3346

2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more. I have seen them so many times and they never disappoint. Ian has the "gift of the gab" for sure. Great entertainers and awesome music.

@nikelodeon6852

2 жыл бұрын

This is the studio version...

@anjizetland-von-kiesel3346

2 жыл бұрын

@@nikelodeon6852 I know. I was just pointing out how good they are live and to see them doing this song in particular because of the length of it you wonder where Ian gets his energy from. Amazing.

Love Martin Barre guitarist for Tull. He said once that if the guitar solo didn't come along quick enough, it became a flute solo.

Ian Anderson's ability to conjure a perfect picture from the absolute minimum of lyrics is very underrated. "Up the pool" is a genius example too.