Published on Feb 6, 2003
Jethro Tull has been a favorite on FM radio since its heyday,
and still is on today’s classic rock stations. Tull’s most famous
album was 1971’s
Aqualung, which was heavily played on my turntable during
high school. (I discovered Jethro Tull in later years; I was a
freshman in 1979.)
Tunes from other Tull albums such as
Living In The Past and
Bungle in The Jungle were also getting airplay, as was the
short version of “Thick As A Brick.” Even so, the many tunes on
Aqualung still stand out in my mind.
Tull’s debut
This Was is a fantastic look at the blues, though blues
would soon be replaced by Ian Anderson’s dominating flute
arrangements. Their
Stand Up release was a warm-up of that sound, which came on
full-tilt on
Aqualung.
Living In The Past was released a year later, in 1972, and
continues the progressive / classic rock format Jethro Tull was
becoming famous for.
Living In The Past is really a compilation release,
including songs from previous albums (not many), new songs (many),
and live tracks (few).
The beginning track (“Song For Jeffrey”) was originally from
their bluesy debut album, yet the vocals are very light to hear.
Experimenting with a folkish sound, songs such as “Love Story” and
“Witches Promise” show Jethro Tull displaying a great sound, away
from the classic rock style heard on
Aqualung. “Witches Promise” is fantastic, likewise the other
folkish-sounding tunes “Christmas Song” and “Just Trying To
Be.”
For those who enjoy the progressive rock side of Jethro Tull,
there’s “Driving Song,” “Sweet Dream,” “Singing All Day” and
“Inside,” a song that was originally from Tull’s second album,
Benefit. And another tune, “Alive And Well And Living In,”
could have easily fit on the
Aqualung album with its classic rock sound.
There are two live tracks. “By Kind Permission Of” is a
10-minute song that shows the classical side of Jethro Tull. Its
piano-dominated sound is comparable to Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in
Blue,” with a few Ian Anderson flute effects. The second live
track, also 10 minutes in length, was originally from the studio
release This Was. “Dharma For One” has a more progressive Emerson,
Lake & Palmer sound (let us not forget the extended drum
solo).
“Wond’ring Again” is another track that could easily fit
Aqualung, close to its actual track, “Wond’ring Aloud.”
“Hymn 43” is a great classic rock track. The folkish sound returns
on “Life Is A Long Song,” “Up The ‘Pool,” “Dr. Bogenbroom” and
“Nursie,” all pleasant tunes with more of the “Thick As A Brick”
sound. The instrumental “For Later” takes more of a progressive
rock approach, but the flute effects of Ian Anderson make the song
stand out as a recognizable Jethro Tull tune.
Living In The Past relives the past of Ian Anderson and
Jethro Tull, a band that’s truly one of the finest in rock history,
and that should become part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in
the near future.