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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.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Aqualung (06:37)
Sitting on a park bench
eyeing little girls with bad intent.
Snot running down his nose
greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes.
Hey, Aqualung!
Drying in the cold sun
Watching as the frilly panties run.
Hey Aqualung!
Feeling like a dead duck
spitting out pieces of his broken luck.
Whoa, Aqualung!
Sun streaking cold
an old man wandering lonely.
Taking time
the only way he knows.
Neck hurting bad,
as he bends to pick a dog-end
he goes down to the bog
and warms his feet.
Feeling alone
the army's up the road
salvation à la mode and
a cup of tea.
Aqualung my friend
don't you start away uneasy
you poor old sod, you see, it's only me.
Do you still remember
December's foggy freeze
when the ice that
clings onto your beard was
screaming agony.
And you snatch your rattling last breaths
with deep-sea-diver sounds,
and the flowers bloom like
madness in the spring.
Sun streaking cold
an old man wandering lonely.
Taking time
the only way he knows.
Neck hurting bad,
as he bends to pick a dog-end
he goes down to the bog
and warms his feet.
Feeling alone
the army's up the road
salvation à la mode and
a cup of tea.
Aqualung my friend
don't you start away uneasy
you poor old sod, you see, it's only me.
[Guitar Solo]
Aqualung my friend
don't you start away uneasy
you poor old sod, you see, it's only me.
Sitting on a park bench
eyeing little girls with bad intent.
Snot running down his nose
greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes.
Hey Aqualung!
Drying in the cold sun
Watching as the frilly panties run.
Hey, Aqualung!
Feeling like a dead duck
spitting out pieces of his broken luck.
Hey, Aqualung!
Whoa, Aqualung!
02 Cross-Eyed Mary (04:09)
Who would be a poor man, a beggarman, a thief --
If he had a rich man in his hand.
And who would steal the candy
From a laughing baby's mouth
If he could take it from the money man.
Cross-eyed Mary goes jumping in again.
She signs no contract
But she always plays the game.
Dines in Hampstead village
On expense accounted gruel,
And the jack-knife barber drops her off at school.
Laughing in the playground -- gets no kicks from little boys:
Would rather make it with a letching grey.
Or maybe her attention is drawn by Aqualung,
Who watches through the railings as they play.
Cross-eyed Mary finds it hard to get along.
She's a poor man's rich girl
And she'll do it for a song.
She's a rich man stealer
But her favour's good and strong:
She's the Robin Hood of Highgate --
Helps the poor man get along.
04 Mother Goose (03:53)
As I did walk by Hampstead Fair,
I came upon Mother Goose,
So I turned her loose--
She was screaming.
And a foreign student said to me
Was it really true
There are elephants, lions too,
Piccadilly Circus?
Walked down by the bathing pond
To try and catch some sun.
Saw at least a hundred school girls
Sobbing into handkerchiefs as one.
I don't believe they knew
I was a schoolboy.
And a bearded lady said to me
If you start your raving
And your misbehaving,
You'll be sorry.
And the chicken fancier came to play
With his long red beard,
And his sister's weird--
She drives a lorry.
Laughed down by the putting green,
I popped 'em in their holes.
Four and twenty labourers were labouring
And digging up their gold.
I don't believe they knew
That I was Long John Silver.
Saw Johnny Scarecrow make his rounds
In his jet black mac
Which he won't give back--
Stole it from a snowman.
As I did walk by Hampstead Fair,
I came upon Mother Goose,
So I turned her loose--
She was screaming.
Walked down by the bathing pond
To try and catch some sun.
Must have been least a hundred school girls
Sobbing into handkerchiefs as one.
I don't believe they knew
I was a schoolboy.
05 Wond'ring Aloud (01:55)
Wond'ring aloud --
How we feel today.
Last night sipped the sunset --
My hands in her hair.
We are our own saviours
As we start both our hearts beating life
Into each other.
Wond'ring aloud --
Will the years treat us well.
As she floats in the kitchen,
I'm tasting the smell
Of toast as the butter runs.
Then she comes, spilling crumbs on the bed
And I shake my head.
And it's only the giving
That makes you what you are.
07 My God (07:12)
People what have you done?
Locked Him in His golden cage
Golden cage
Made Him bend to your religion
Him resurrected from the grave
From the grave
He is the God of nothing
If thats all that you can see
You are the God of everything
Hes 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
The bloody Church of England
in chains of history
Requests your earthly presence
at the vicarage for tea
And the graven image
You know who
With his plastic crucifix
He's got Him fixed
Confuses me as to who and where and why
as to how he gets his kicks
He gets his kicks.
Confessing to the endless sin
With endless whining sounds
You'll be praying 'til next Thursday
To all the gods that you can count
08 Hymn 43 (03:19)
Our Father high in heaven smile down upon your son
who is busy with his money games - his women and his gun
Oh Jesus save me
And the unsung western hero he killed an Indian or three
And then he made his name in Hollywood to set the white man free
Oh Jesus save me
If Jesus saves well he better save himself
From the gory glory seekers who use his name in death
Oh Jesus save me
Well I saw him in the city and on the mountains of the moon
His cross was rather bloody he could hardly roll his stone
Oh Jesus save me
09 Slipstream (01:13)
Well the lush separation unfolds you --
And the products of wealth
Push you along on the bow wave
Of the spiritless undying selves.
And you press on God's waiter your last dime --
As he hands you the bill.
And you spin in the slipstream --
Timeless -- unreasoning --
Paddle right out of the mess.
10 Locomotive Breath (04:26)
In the Shuffling madness
Of the locomotive breath,
Runs the all time loser,
Headlong to his death.
He feels the piston scraping
Steam breaking on his brow
Old Charlie stole the handle
And the train it won't stop going
No way to slow down.
He sees his children jumping off
At stations one by one.
His woman and his best friend
In bed and having fun.
Crawling down the corridor
On his hands and knees
Old Charlie stole the handle
And the train it won't stop going
No way to slow down.
He hears the silence howling
Catches angels as they fall.
And the all time winner
Has got him by the balls.
He picks up Gideons Bible
Open at page one
I think God, he stole the handle
And the train it won't stop going
No way to slow down.
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Other reviews
By Stràfiko Piezzecore
One of these is Aqualung, the 1971 album by Jethro Tull. It’s the story of a tramp – Aqualung, indeed – seen as a product of a self-generated and destructive humanity.
An album that – for crying out loud! – cannot be missing from the shelves of a person with honest intellectual capabilities.
By alaindelon
He would take it all back and, with conspicuous embarrassment, would immediately apologize and rush to compliment him, the great Jan.
Aqualung will especially appeal to those who particularly love the Medieval era because undoubtedly one can particularly sense in the last songs the medieval English charm, the theme of the wanderer and the minstrel.
By Trespass84
The most brilliant high point in the long history of this group is probably the 1971 album, “Aqualung”.
"My God" ... Certainly a masterpiece made such by its structure ... just listen to it!!!
By pier_paolo_farina
An album whose half is dedicated to harsh criticism of those churches intent on hoodwinking the pious souls.
His flute so supreme and coquettish adorning both My God and Cross Eyed Mary, two pieces that fall perfectly so beautiful and charming.
