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i tried to get tickets to see led zepplin and the guy at the ticket counter laughed at me. then i got into the lyrics. mungle in the jungle is out (not a fav of mine). and i still love it.
i couldn't have asked for any more. the album came out in 1972. quirky in some places, downright indignant in others, the album was absolutely great for someone in high school in those days. ian anderson had his mojo going. very off the wall, but something you could listen to.
all i wanted to hear was "locomotive breath" and i would have considered it a worthwhile venture. the band played the entire "aqualung" album. the day of the concert i was fighting a field fire for over eight hours (volunteered in my youth) and was exhausted, but was able to make the show. moving forward a few years. who else was touring.
aqualung. in high school one of my friends said you have to hear this album by some guy named jethro tull. i was blown away. it was great.
to this day, that concert (and album) is one of my favorites. here is my kicker. hell, i insist i sing lead on rock band when locomotive breath is playing.
and found out the truth about that guy jethro. yeah, i'm 54 years old. jethro tull.
let me have two tickets. the concert was in, what, 1975-76. sue me.
One of the great rock albums.Must be listened to from a really good CD remaster (or get the original vinyl), because some remastered versions (including this one) have not been good.Also good with a copy of the original gatefold vinyl LP to read the lyrics and view the interesting artwork.A pity the old great coat that was given to Ian Anderson by his dad when he left home (to keep him warm on those cold English nights as a poor struggling musician) was eventually stolen. It was an icon, as was the image of a down-and-out, ie. the wheezing Aqualung.The music is of course, classic Tull, progressive rock, flute, rapid changes of cadence, acoustic guitar, rock guitar and vocals, at once loud and happy and mischievous, then soft with a threatening undercurrent. I bought this in 1972 on release, and never tire of listening to it.Purchase the limited "25th Anniversary Special Edition Aqualung" featuring a 20-bit remastered sound, five additional tracks (including "Lick Your Fingers Clean," the famed quad version of "Wind Up," and excerpts from an Anderson interview).
If you like Jethro Tull, Aqualung is their best record, even if you are not a big fan of their music, you still might like this record. The extra tracks, didn't really impress me, but the rest of the record was pretty solid rock music, with some strong guitar. Which is all that really matters.
Also, I noticed this does not have liner notes written by Ian. It has that terrible mismatch between the loud and quiet parts and just sounds overall lousy. What is this. Why. I mean, this is Aqualung. The other early ones sound fine. Is that because he does not endorse this terrible issue. I waited for it go on sale, and now it's just a smaller ripp off than it would have been.unbelievable.
Simply put, this is one of those albums everybody should own. Aqualung - (1971)17 Tracks (6 bonus)(75:30)*****This album is without a doubt a Classic. This album veered pretty far off course from the band's past, mostly acoustic Folk Rock sound, as it is full of huge electric guitar riffs. From the opening riffs of Aqualung to the rollickin' ending of Wind Up, which led to all the exposure some of the tracks got on many mainstream FM radio stations. Also included is an alternative version of Wind Up and a 14 minute interview with Ian Anderson. But, Mr.
Many people are just tired of hearing these songs and are simply burned out on it (critics of Dark Side of the Moon say the same thing). Practically everyone should be familiar with the opening track, as it was an FM Rock station staple. Of course, its popularity can also be its downfall. Anderson's flute is ever present, along with plenty of acoustic guitars in a few places. One of the reasons this is the most popular of Jethro Tull's albums is how much the thing Rocks from one end to the other. But, if you are not familiar with the album, I highly recommend it for your listening pleasure.Bonus tracks: Lick Your Fingers Clean is a nice rockin' number that fits right in with the style of Aqualung.
The last three songs, Songs for Jeffrey, Fat Man, and Bouree were recorded live for a BBC program and feature a rare lead vocal performance by Jeffrey Hammond.
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