Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson was young in 1976, when he wrote
The masterpiece that concludes, “No, you’re never too old to
Rock ‘n’ roll if you’re too young to die.” Scotland born Anderson,
Founder of British band, Jethro Tull, has been vocal throughout his
Career that spans over fifty years. He composes what feels right
To him, and he and his listeners never get too old to rock ‘n’ roll.
The musical writings of Ian Anderson have been classified as
Both heavy metal and progressive rock, a common misconception.
In truth, Jethro Tull’s sound crosses and melds jazz, blues, folk,
Classical, Elizabethan, prog/art rock, and electronic genres, with a
Sprinkling of heavy metal. Yet the Tull sound remains unique and
Distinctive in twenty one studio albums, all poetry in song.
I became enamored with Anderson’s musical poems in 1971,
When Jethro Tull made number one in the U.S. with Aqualung,
Tull’s fourth, best selling, most famous studio album.
The album’s front and back covers and inside fold
Boast beautiful watercolor art work, a self portrait
For which Anderson posed as Aqualung, a downtrodden
Homeless, shabby- clothed street person.
Though Anderson strongly disapproved, Aqualung has been
Classified as a concept album, with its central theme being the
Distinction between religion and God, containing dour musings
On faith and religion. From the song “My God:”
He is the god of nothing-
If that’s all that you can see.
You are the god of everything-
He’s inside you and me.
So lean upon Him gently
And don’t call on Him to save you
From your social graces
And the sins you used to waive.
Thick as a Brick, in 1972, was the first song to encompass
An entire album, running 43:46, perhaps Anderson’s most
Interesting and most analyzed work. It is a lengthy poetic narrative
Mixed with instrumental sections that speaks to the difficulties
And pleasantries of growing up, but was also a satirical take
On the other progressive rock albums being written at that time,
As Anderson considered them “pretentious” and “obnoxious.”
A sample of lyrics from Part I:
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.
From Part II of the brilliant Thick as a Brick:
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 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.
1972’s Living in the Past gave us “Life is a Long Song:”
As the Baker Street train spills your pain all over your new dress,
And the symphony sounds underground put you under duress,
Well don’t you squeal as the heel grinds you under the wheel.
Life’s a long song.
But the tune ends too soon for the song.
In 1977, came the lovely Songs from the Wood. A bit of the title track:
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 you again and again
As you drag down every lover’s lane.
One of my favorite songs is “Steel Monkey” from 1987’s Crest of a Knave.
In this rocky heavy metal song, Anderson puts down his flute and returns to
The guitar, and rocked me to the core with:
I work in the thunder and I work in the rain.
I work at drinking, and I feel no pain.
I work on women if they want me to.
You can have me climb all over you.
It’s a regret of mine that I have not seen Jethro Tull in concert,
But it’s not too late, as they are still performing to this day.
My readings tell me that Anderson still performs donning
His minstrel garb, assuming the bent- knee pose,
Animated actions, and zany facial expressions.
It is a fitting finale to end this Rock Poets series with
Jethro Tull’s gifted musician and composer, Ian Anderson.
I hope you will take a few minutes to enjoy some
Gentle Jethro, “Living in the Past,” a mix of live performances.
