Did Jethro Tull have a handle on reality? "Wond'ring Again"?

Do you?

Why on Earth would you say that? Just because a man once wore a codpiece in the Rock glory years, does not mean there is anything wrong with him.~

He is that rare creature in today’s world: an individual.

Ian Anderson has a strong ego but absolutely has a handle on reality. His lyrics are very descriptive and big on imagery. He is very opinionated, addresses social issues and loves to write lyrics with words that roll together. I don’t recall his sanity ever being an issue. Incidentally, Wond’ring Again is essentially a remake of Wond’ring Aloud that appeared on the Aqualung album. I have their catalogue through Songs from the Woods, but much prefer their earlier blues oriented works, counting Benefit and Stand Up and This Was as favorites.

You listen to WTF! He is a rock god!

@Marina….and stand on one leg, flamingo-like, through entire concerts….and thanks for the much too kind words.

Ian Anderson was the sort of guy that could make a flute sound like it belonged in a rock and roll band. His lyrics were smart, snappy, and layered with meanings not found in what passes for today’s rock. Rather than question the man’s sanity you would do well to read up on the history of the band that brought us great songs such as Locomotive Breath, Thick as a Brick (surely a song about Dubya) and many others.

In fact, I would be safe to assume that today’s modern rock is as shallow and nonsensical as modern country. There’s a reason I listen only to Real Rock and Jazz, especially the jazz from the 50’s and rock 60’s. It was the golden age when music had soul, depth, and clarity. Not that sceaming emo garbage with incomprehensible lyrics that passes for music today.

I am I to infer from your question that you did not go to high school or college in the 70’s, and have lately “discovered” Jethro Tull?

@evelyns_pet_zebra Have you noticed the absence of song structure and sometimes even melody from modern pop music?

@wtf Your claiming of the catalogue reminds me of the time I heard on the radio it was the 20th anniversary of the release of Stairway to Heaven. My birthday was approaching. I was on my way to the office holiday party. I walked in and told my assembled staff what I heard, wailing, “The 20th anniversary, and I have the original album!” To which, one of my bright young 20 somethings quipped, “What’s an album?”

@Marina I would’ve popped that kid in the chops for such a stupid question. =)

As a past flute player, I look up to him. He actually made playing the flute in a rock band look and sound amazing. What a legend!

I posses and love ’ Songs from the Wood’, it took me nearly 20 years to acquire it from the first time I heard, and was blown away by, the track ’ Pibroch (Cap In Hand).
I was recently a little saddened to hear Ian Anderson on a documentary claiming that they (Jethro Tull) had originally intended to be a ” Tongue in cheek, parody” (I’m paraphrasing) of the “excessive” rock bands of the period, and that they we surprised when their music caught on and was taken seriously. I still like the music though.
I think the documentary was called ’ Rock Brittania ’.

@PandoraBoxx Nope, that would be an incorrect inference.
@simone54 I found my way to fluther, ergo I do.
@whatthefluther & @Marina…Nice to see folks with such good taste in music and who understand the Tull equation!

Check out the officical Jethro Tull Website and send Ian an email. Totally sane and wonderful.

Did anyone have the pop-up version of Stand Up? I did but it’s so very, long, long, gone. I just hate myself for having lost track of that one. I have no clue whatever happened to it, though it was a long, long time ago.

My two favorite Jethro Tull albums, basically a tie, were Stand Up and Benefit, with my next favorite being Thick as a Brick. I never really did care all that much for Aqualung and Songs from the Wood, not sure why; but I wore out the grooves on Stand Up and Benefit. God I feel old.