Posted on 02/03/2012 12:26:42 PM PST by InvisibleChurch
On April 3, Jethro Tulls Ian Anderson will release Thick As A Brick 2, the followup to 1972′s beloved prog opus Thick As A Brick (an album comprised of two long, interconnected songs). In this extensive interview, rocks most famous flautist talks to American Songwriter about the sequels genesis, its parallels to the original, his distinctive vocal style, and whether or not he believes he can win another Grammy.
With the recent Aqualung reissue and now Thick As A Brick 2, this a pretty exciting time to be a Jethro Tull fan.
Its a really exciting time for me too. Aqualung and Thick As A Brick are two of my favorite records for the simple reason that from an artistic and a personal songwriting point of view, theyre very different in terms of their musical and lyrical content. They both represent a period when I got brave enough to take a few risks with different topics, different subjects, and different ways of writing music.
So the two albums are very dear to me in sort of artistic sense. I have studiously avoided, over the years, to recreate Thick As A Brick, either in terms of playing it all on stage, or venturing down that slightly more prog-rock course of musical endeavor.
And I was pretty much maintaining that position until sometime late in 2010, when I met up with an old acquaintance by the name of Derek Shulman. He used to be the singer of the band Gentle Giant, a prog-rock band that had quite a bit of success in the late 70s.
(Excerpt) Read more at americansongwriter.com ...
The Direct TV Jethro Tull concert that they put out last May was excellent, old or not.
They might look old, but they sure don’t sound it.
“Good to find a musical ‘soul mate’ out there. Many do not know the album when I mention it. If it doesn’t play on FM they don’t know it.”
Understood...and judging by the number of responses for this thread, we’ve got a lot of soul mates...
go to the tull website and poke around. theres a video trailer of TAAB2
jeremiah 33 3
D'you think I could interest youn in a pair of zircon-encrusted tweezers?
jt BUMP
Concert or video?
There’s a 25th anniversary vid and another, besides Slipstream.
Darn it...now I have to plug Jethro Tull into my keyword auto-record list...;D
I had a listen to them. Not bad and interesting. Reminds me a bit of The Police in their early days. Or even some of the first Peter Gabriel solo work.
But I'd rather listen to Coheed and Cambria. Bigger sound. But it looks as if drug abuse may do them in.
As an aside, are you familiar with Gavin Bryars' Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me"?
It was covered nicely by Jars of Clay.
That was the first thing I thought of when I heard Elbow's The Birds (Reprise) from the new Build a Rocket Boys! " album.
Huh.
I see he can’t decide whether he’s channeling Anton LaVey or Sean Connery, these days.
I’d have preferred an entirely new, non-derivative album, myself.
It’s been a very, *very* long wait.
Put me down for a kapok infested nightmare, if you’re taking requests.
Same with Yes but I think their high point has to be "Close to the Edge".Every second a masterpiece!
Over on "Progressive Rock Archives" (can't do links sorry) they have voted Close to the edge as #1 prog album with Thick as a Brick #2.
I'm really enjoying Porcupine Tree these days."Fear of a Blank Planet" is great modern prog.
I have it as a bonus with the remastered "A" album.Ian plays the old Aqualung character all too well.
“Same with Yes but I think their high point has to be “Close to the Edge”.Every second a masterpiece!”
The Yes Album. Nothing like it before. Starship Trooper.
"Going For the One" had the awesome "Awaken" on it,another true masterpiece.I'm glad they're still working but I miss Jon and Rick.
And yes I love Tull and Yes too.
Tulls Stand-up and Benefit were classics....
Not familiar with that song, but I like Jars of Clay music.
I've never chased down that album but I'd like to hear it as I understand Deep Purple's original vocalist Rod Evans is the singer.
Deep Purple,now there's a band that had talent to 'burn' and Ritchie Blackmore...best.guitarist.ever!
Pretty good band..very talented singer and lead guitar.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.