Jethro Tull
Aqualung

THE REVIEW

The Jethro Tull, the creation of Ian Anderson, a great artist. A historic English rock band!

Scottish by birth but raised in Blackpool, a prodigious performer with theatrical gestures and instrumentalist skills. He made the lesson of jazz flutist Roland Kirk his own. Ian used his instrument in a curious way, alternating blown notes with moans and vocalizations. He was the first to combine the natural sweetness of the flute with rock. On stage, he was the catalytic element: troubadour look, he became famous for playing the flute on one leg, creating one of the most recognizable icons of rock.

At the time, the band formed by Ian Anderson, singer, Martin Barre guitarist, Clive Bunker on drums, Jeffrey Hammond on bass, and John Evans on keyboards, was in a period of stress. They had just finished a tour and would soon embark on another one. Even the new recording studio, the Island Studios in London, was creating problems. On the contrary, the material they were working on was of great quality. Ian himself said that this was his turning point as a composer. From now on, he began to immerse himself in the role of songwriter. Even the writing, now original, ensured that the album was different from everything produced so far.

During the recording phase, the album was called My God, but the band discovered that this name had already been used. They decided to call it Aqualung, meaning 'scuba gear,' due to the noise reminiscent of the wheezing breath of an old man with lung problems. The idea for the story of the vagrant on the cover came from a project Anderson's first wife, Jennie, was developing. Observing the various photographs of 'homeless people' that Jennie had taken, Ian had the idea to compose songs about this universe of despair. This fact, combined with the cover, suggests a concept album, but it's not. The cover was commissioned to a painter of that time. In reality, the character on the cover resembles Ian Anderson, but he has always denied this resemblance.

The song that opens the album, 'Aqualung' like the name of the album, is destined to become Jethro Tull's most famous piece. The beautiful melody, the changes in tempo, and the unexpected harmonic solutions give life to one of the highest and most intense moments in the history of rock. The famous supreme guitar solo by Martin Barre leaves you breathless. One of the best solos of all time! Chilling is Ian Anderson's voice, with the echo that then urges the listener again. A legendary track. 'Cross-Eyed Mary' is an exemplary artistic song dealing with social marginalization and juvenile prostitution. 'Cheap Day Return', 'Mother Goose', and 'Wond'ring Aloud' are sweet acoustic ballads with folk influences. 'Up To Me' where the unique and inimitable version of progressive rock by Jethro Tull takes shape.
The second side begins with 'My God', the track that should have given the album its title. The song is a mini-suite with a hard-rock theme and classical digressions in the purest Tull style with Anderson's flute dominating the scene. 'Hymn 43' supported by Barre's guitar riff and Ian's flute. 'Slipstream' melodic and classic with a string section. But above all, 'Locomotive Breath' which is one of the group's hits, a highlight in their live performances. The track, which has a piano introduction by John Evans, develops around the guitar riff and the vocal and flute breaks that have made it legendary. One of the most complicated pieces, in fact, it is said that Ian Anderson, dissatisfied with the result, dismissed the other band members, overdubbing even instrumental parts that did not concern him. 'Wind Up' closing the album, delivers a precise attack on the Western religions' system.

The album has represented a milestone in the history of rock, certifying the legend 'of the man who played the flute on one leg'. In this album, various genres are present: hard rock, folk, progressive, but the sound that emerges is uniquely original. As is the style of Jethro Tull. An album that alone defines an era of rock; a great work and demonstration of great technique and majesty of execution by Jethro Tull.