Classical Composer Reacts to Thick As A Brick - Part 1 (Jethro Tull) | The Daily Doug (Episode 181)

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

The entire album was an absolute masterpiece.

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.

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

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....

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

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

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

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.

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