Jethro Tull (Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, & Wind Up) REACTION & ANALYSIS | The Daily Doug (Ep. 376)

Has nobody ever noticed that Martin Barr's guitar solo on Aqualung is probably the most well constructed and melodious minor pentatonic solo ever, made remarkable by the fact that while it uses the exact same scale as a million other solos before and ever since, it does not use a single one of the cliches universally associated with that scale?

A brilliant recording, "My God" being one of the best lyrical compositions ever. Aqualung began a period of amazing albums followed by Thick As A Brick, Passion Play, Minstrel In The Gallery and Songs From The Woods. Ian Anderson is at his best when he writes in the "accusatory" pointing out hypocrisy and the facades of the upper class and venerated institutions. I was Ian's/Tull's publicist during this period and it was a distinct honor to work with such a literary and musical genius.

As a young teen I attended my second Pink Floyd concert, and as their opening act a new ( to me) band from UK came on as Jethro Tull. It was so good, I hung on every lyric, and the music was awe inspiring. I was a Floyd fan, but kept replaying the unexpected JT performance on the ride home. I bought their album the next day, and the subsequent albums. I was expecting the usual second rate opening act, but was duly impressed with Ian Anderson's musical ballet presence. We were fans from that first tour in Canada. I am still huge fans of both UK bands. My only regret today is that we will not likely see these bands live now in 2022. Cheers, I enjoy your channel. My date that night and then my husband to be is a very gifted musician.

“I was a huge success as a flute player, playing it entirely wrongly,” Anderson tells Ken Bruce, laughing heartily. “I discovered, when my daughter was learning to play flute at school, that she was using different fingering for some of the notes. I told her: ‘This is wrong; it should be like this.’ She said: ‘No, it’s not; look, it says so in the book!’ I had to come to the unnerving conclusion that she was right, the books were right, and I was most embarrassingly wrong.”

Dude,the piano intro to Locomotive Breath is iconic. Just the first two notes at a concert drives everyone wild.

Your insight and delight into the lyrics of "Wind Up" is my favourite thing yet. Thanks Doug.

It's a shame that people only ever seem to play Aqualung and Thick As a Brick.  I wish my favourite Tull album, "Stand Up" got more love. So great and so under-appreciated.

The liner notes on the album give a huge insight to the themes of this masterwork: In the beginning Man created God; And in the image of Man created he him. 2 And Man gave unto God a multitude of names, that he might be Lord over all the earth when it was suited to Man. 3 And on the seven millionth day Man rested and did lean heavily on his God and saw that it was good. 4 And Man formed Aqualung of the dust of the ground, and a host of others likened unto his kind. 5 And these lesser men Man did cast into the void. And some were burned; and some were put apart from their kind. 6 And Man became the God that he had created and with his miracles did rule over all the earth. 7 But as these things did come to pass, the Spirit that did cause Man to create his God lived on within all men: even within Aqualung. 8 And Man saw it not. 9 But for Christ’s sake he’d better start looking.

I am a theory nerd, and love the commentary :) Not only is the opening Aqualung riff bluesy, but I love how including the opening d-flat introduces a tri-tone, the so-called "Devil's tone." A harmonic revelation of the two ways in which people see Aqualung himself: deserving of pity, or the devil himself :) I saw Jethro Tull live at every opportunity: five times between 1972-75 alone. Truly electrifying. Sorry that you don't care for the acoustic parts of the title song. I feel strongly that this is where we get the compassionate view of Aqualung: "Aqualung my friend, Don't just start away uneasy. You poor old sod, you see it's only me." Other see the snot, while one alone (acoustic) calls him friend. Thanks, Doug!

Doug! The words you've been kind enough to share with us outside of the music, I hear and respect and love what you're saying and your sentiments on religion, and your views of it. I can't thank you enough for how honest you've been with us since the beginning of your channel. I'm so taken back right now, by your continued respect and decency!💜💜💜 You've really developed a loving and supportive community! Everyone should try to be so decent and fourth coming!🙏🙏🙏 "We can ALL be heroes!"- My youtube professor!

Ian has said he was inspired by Robert Burns "To A Mouse" when he wrote the line "don't you start away uneasy". Burns wrote "Thou need na start awa sae hasty,". And indeed the plight of the homeless man is like the plight of the mouse who Burns has made homeless with his plow on a cold winter day. Burns of course is Anderson's countryman and fellow bard.

Only Anderson could perform Locomotive breath the way it was meant to be played. Professional flautists are blown away, bearing in mind he was self taught

Your analysis of Wind Up is spot on. Sometimes music is more than music.

Aqualung is and was the song that introduced me to Jethro Tull. And I have been a fan to this day. Owning every record, seen them seven times and still listening today at 63. It’s not the kind you have to Wind Up on Sundays. The entire album is a play.

EVEN IF THE VIDEO IS 30+ MINUTES LONG, IS LIKE CHATING WITH A GREAT FRIEND ABOUT MUSIC AND OTHER STUFF. THANKS.

Ian Anderson is a brilliant lyricist. "Wind Up" has to be one of the greatest satires of religion ever written. You should also listen to "My God" and "Hymn 43" from this album - very much the same territory

Ian Anderson's father was a minister in the church, so he was brought up in a religious environment. The line "don't tell me I'm my fathers son..." I think is personal to him, about his own upbringing. Once you realise this, the whole song makes a lot more sense, he is singing about his own childhood. Had the pleasure of seeing Tull in Manchester, in 1976. One of the best concerts I have ever been to. They were absolutely brilliant, and of course, so was Anderson. What a stage presence! Martin Barre is celebrating 50 years of Aqualung by playing the full album live on tour, and it just so happens that he is playing it in my home town of Grimsby, Lincolnshire on my birthday, in September. Can't wait!!

I only gave this a look today because of Aqualung. I was there when it came out and gave me a great appreciation for a whole different kind of rock. I love it. It was part of me for a long time.

I still remember the first time I heard "Wind up" - my mind racing with all the multi-layered meanings, but most of all being blown away by the complex nature of the title itself. The title references so many things all in just two words: -It is the last song of the album, so it "winds up". -"He's not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays" can be interpreted as saying you don't have to treat church or God as a wind-up toy - something to be done each week simply because it won't work otherwise. But also this could refer to a lot of people just going to church on Sunday as their single shallow religious activity without actually applying Christian belief to their actual lives. Ian seems to be accusing these people of winding God up - lying to Him. -The song has a strong message of individuality - socially as well as religiously - Ian calls it an "accident of birth". He is releasing himself from his parentage and saying that his beliefs are his own - he has "wound up" where he is, there was no plan to that, and that is for the best. The song showcases Ian's mastery with words, and the power of verse. It is truly one for the ages.

This was one of the albums that got me into Rock music as a kid. And no, the 6 year old me had no idea what he was talking about but it still stuck with me. NOW - if there is ANY other song from this album you must do, it's My God. Musically and Lyrically it may be the best thing they've ever done.