What Jethro Tull album do I need?
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Topic: What Jethro Tull album do I need?
Posted By: Drew
Subject: What Jethro Tull album do I need?
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 13:15
I have:
Thick as a Brick Songs From the Wood Benefit Aqualung
I enjoy them all very much- so which one should be next on my shopping list?
THANKS
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Replies:
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 13:21
Hi Drew - good question.
My own personal answer would be Heavy Horses, but I am absolutely biased towards their folkier side, and this album is the epitome of that and a natural progression from Songs from the Wood. Following on from that, Broadsword and the Beast which incorporates both their folkier & more rock oriented sounds in one album, and is also exceptionally accessible.
A great band, with any luck you will eventually join me in owning and appreciating some (if not all) of the work on each and every album.
------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 13:25
Living in the Past. A nice mix of old songs and rarities.
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 13:28
Minstrel In the Gallery - it has folk on it (but heavy), a major epic with some orchestral arrangements as a bonus. Excellent album.
If you like Songs From The Wood then you need the follow-up: Heavy Horses. It's just as good, though a bit different. The same can be said about Stand Up and it's relation to Benefit.
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Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 13:29
Thanks for the responses! I will keep checking this thread
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Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 13:42
Depends. I think that every Tull fan should check A Passion Play, I love it, but it's their most difficult to get in, there most controversial and eclectic/experimental.
Then Minstrel in the Gallery is a must, excellent heavy passages with acoustic ones. I like to define it like Aqualung but much Proggier.
Then if you liked Songs From The Wood definitely check out Heavy Horses, I prefer Songs, but who knows. And then get Stormwatch to finish the trilogy.
Of their new stuff, depends, you want proggy stuff check Roots to Branches, if you want pop oriented acoustic/heavy then check their 80's albums, specially Crest of a Knave.
From their early days, Stand Up is a great folk rock with blues album, full of classic tunes, as well as This Was, though much more bluesier. Like others said, Living in the Past is a great compilation of these classics plus the bonus tracks of these albums, which are killer also.
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Posted By: Trial and Error
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 14:46
I'd recommend getting them in this order, only included are those I listen to with some regularity. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Generally, I'd say get the remasters, the bonus tracks alone are often worth it and better than some originals. Stormwatch would at least replace Broadsword if they'd taken any of the bonus tracks instead of that terrible North Sea Oil. It has been long deleted from my PC and Stormwatch starts with the great Orion.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Trial_And_Error/?chartstyle=SidebarRed1">
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Posted By: Pnoom!
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 14:50
Since you enjoy Songs from the Wood, try Heavy Horses.
Also try Minstrel in the Gallery just because.
Honestly, though, you've got all the Tull you need.
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Posted By: Vompatti
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 15:39
I would also recommend Heavy Horses.
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Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 15:42
Stand Up and Passion Play. Both are outstanding.
------------- "Literature is well enough, as a time-passer, and for the improvement and general elevation and purification of mankind, but it has no practical value" - Mark Twain
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Posted By: DJPuffyLemon
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 19:39
Swan Song wrote:
Minstrel In the Gallery - it has folk on it (but heavy), a major epic with some orchestral arrangements as a bonus. Excellent album.
| Actually Minstrel, aside form the first track, is really bland.
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Posted By: PROGMONSTER2008
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 20:31
Drew wrote:
I have:
Thick as a Brick Songs From the Wood Benefit Aqualung
I enjoy them all very much- so which one should be next on my shopping list?
THANKS
|
Did you get the remasters with bonus tracks?
I recommend Living in the past, Heavy horses, Stormwatch, Warchild, A, Broadsword, Stand up, Dotcom, Roots, Catfish for now. I wouldn't get Minstrel for a while yet. I find it extremely overrated imo
------------- Jazz/Classical Rock(70's style prog/fusion). Lots of prog keys and melodies(all original ideas)
http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008
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Posted By: PROGMONSTER2008
Date Posted: February 15 2009 at 20:34
Trial and Error wrote:
Stormwatch would at least replace Broadsword if they'd taken any of the bonus tracks instead of that terrible North Sea Oil. It has been long deleted from my PC and Stormwatch starts with the great Orion.
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North sea oil is awesome. Best song on the album along with dun Ringill and one of my fave Tull songs
------------- Jazz/Classical Rock(70's style prog/fusion). Lots of prog keys and melodies(all original ideas)
http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008
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Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: February 16 2009 at 12:20
I would suggest in the following order....
Minstrel in The Gallery
Heavy Horses
Stand Up
If you want to investigate their 80's output Crest of a Knave is pretty good. Since then there hasn't really been a great Tull album IMO.
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Posted By: Trial and Error
Date Posted: February 16 2009 at 12:43
PROGMONSTER2008 wrote:
Trial and Error wrote:
Stormwatch would at least replace Broadsword if they'd taken any of the bonus tracks instead of that terrible North Sea Oil. It has been long deleted from my PC and Stormwatch starts with the great Orion.
|
North sea oil is awesome. Best song on the album along with dun Ringill and one of my fave Tull songs |
That's how tastes differ. To me it's their worst song up to that point and in my top 5 worst Tull tunes.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Trial_And_Error/?chartstyle=SidebarRed1">
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Posted By: 30761760
Date Posted: February 16 2009 at 15:03
I depends on taste, but i would definatly recomend minstral. Thats mainly because i love the baker street song. I would also warn against passion play. Listen before you buy. I like the vinyl versions but thats also personal taste. However, you already have the best albams.
------------- When music becomes a commodity, music dies.
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: February 16 2009 at 15:27
Menstrual In The Gallery is bloody awesome.
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: prog4evr
Date Posted: February 17 2009 at 04:57
cacho wrote:
I think that every Tull fan should check A Passion Play, I love it, but it's their most difficult to get in, there most controversial and eclectic/experimental. Then Minstrel in the Gallery is a must, excellent heavy passages with acoustic ones....
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Agreed on those two counts!
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Posted By: Rocktopus
Date Posted: February 17 2009 at 05:26
Stand Up, Heavy Horses, A Passion Play, This Was, Living in the Past and maybe Minstrel in the Gallery are the threeandahalf-fourandahalfstars. Most (including me) would stop after Heavy Horses. To my ears they are awful from the 80's and on.
Saw them live last year. Ian's got no voice left, Martin Barre and the new drummer plays like they're is in a hair metal band, and the keyboardsound would fit better on a Enya album. The fluteplaying was great, though.
------------- Over land and under ashes
In the sunlight, see - it flashes
Find a fly and eat his eye
But don't believe in me
Don't believe in me
Don't believe in me
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Posted By: RubberSled
Date Posted: February 17 2009 at 06:31
Stand Up! Stand Up! Stand Up!
------------- Prog heals :)
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Posted By: PROGMONSTER2008
Date Posted: February 17 2009 at 16:40
Rocktopus wrote:
Saw them live last year. Ian's got no voice left, Martin Barre and the new drummer plays like they're is in a hair metal band, and the keyboardsound would fit better on a Enya album. The fluteplaying was great, though.
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Tull's 90s are great. There is nothing hair metal about Tull. Andy Giddings was the keyboardist in the 90s and half the 00s and he was cool like John Evans. Played plenty of Hammond organ. But I'm not familiar with their new keyboardist. There's plenty of quality tracks from the 3 remasters + other outtake tracks mentioned below:
Dotcom + It all trickles down(outtake)
Roots to Branches
Catfish Rising + Night in the wilderness, Truck stop runner, Silver river turning(outtakes)
There's meant to be some Roots to branches outtakes which haven't been released yet. So each of those 3 albums sessions have 15 or more songs. There maye be 2 or 3 weaker tracks on each, but there's plenty of quality music which rivals Tull in the early 70s or late 70s. I'm also a big fan of A. It's a quality album. Broadsword sessions have 26 songs(at least half of those songs are quality too). Tull were only weaker from 1984-1989.
------------- Jazz/Classical Rock(70's style prog/fusion). Lots of prog keys and melodies(all original ideas)
http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008
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Posted By: memowakeman
Date Posted: February 17 2009 at 17:06
Right now im listening to Heavy Horses, curiously i think it would be the album you need.
And A Passion Play
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: February 17 2009 at 17:21
Heavy Horses. Passion Play is great, but takes time to get into.
-------------
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Posted By: Rocktopus
Date Posted: February 17 2009 at 17:38
PROGMONSTER2008 wrote:
Rocktopus wrote:
Saw them live last year. Ian's got no voice left, Martin Barre and the new drummer plays like they're is in a hair metal band, and the keyboardsound would fit better on a Enya album. The fluteplaying was great, though.
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Tull's 90s are great. There is nothing hair metal about Tull. |
Last year it was 2008, and their livesound was really crappy believe me. I do think Barre's guitarsound started sounding bad already in the late 70's, and in the concert it really stunk (the hair metal part was I was only referring to the concert). And you haven't heard the new keyboardplayer, so it doesn't help that you think the previous one was cool like John Evans.
I think on Tull's discography, we simply disagree. I can't stand the sound they have in the 80's, 90's or what I've heard from the 00's.
------------- Over land and under ashes
In the sunlight, see - it flashes
Find a fly and eat his eye
But don't believe in me
Don't believe in me
Don't believe in me
|
Posted By: PROGMONSTER2008
Date Posted: February 17 2009 at 20:30
Rocktopus wrote:
PROGMONSTER2008 wrote:
Rocktopus wrote:
Saw them live last year. Ian's got no voice left, Martin Barre and the new drummer plays like they're is in a hair metal band, and the keyboardsound would fit better on a Enya album. The fluteplaying was great, though.
|
Tull's 90s are great. There is nothing hair metal about Tull. |
Last year it was 2008, and their livesound was really crappy believe me. I do think Barre's guitarsound started sounding bad already in the late 70's, and in the concert it really stunk (the hair metal part was I was only referring to the concert). And you haven't heard the new keyboardplayer, so it doesn't help that you think the previous one was cool like John Evans.
I think on Tull's discography, we simply disagree. I can't stand the sound they have in the 80's, 90's or what I've heard from the 00's.
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I have no problem with their 90s. Yeah there maybe a couple of cheesy tunes on Catfish but the rest is fine and some of the outtakes really make up for it. The band are pretty much awesome from 1968-1982 and 1990-2000. There are some mediocre tunes through the 1968-1982 period also. There's some weak tunes on Side 2 of Aqualung, plus a couple on Warchild, Too old, Benefit, Stand up, This was, Minstrel, Broadsword. But as usual there are bonus tracks which make up for that. I don't see any drop in quality in the 90s compared to the 1968-1982 period. Ian is a genius and is capable of writing classic tunes any time. Sometimes you'll find a song which you think Ian can do better, but I just assume it's Ians attempt at being commercial just to keep a few extra dollars coming in. As mentioned above you'll find some weak tracks on half their albums during the 1968-1982 period. I reckon I can find just as many quality tunes on Dotcom than on Aqualung. I believe the band could have been more consistent with their recording styles from 1981-1989. Some of the drum track recordings on the Broadsword remaster are fine, but some are disappointing. Some of the songs that were not included on the Broadsword remaster are fine too. eg Motoreyes and Jackalynn(unplugged version). Under wraps has alot of very silly drum samples. Ian was experimenting but went overboard. Crest and Rock Island could have had better sounding drum tracks too.
------------- Jazz/Classical Rock(70's style prog/fusion). Lots of prog keys and melodies(all original ideas)
http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008
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Posted By: Arr@bal
Date Posted: February 18 2009 at 20:25
I think the best phase of artistic expression and innovative Songwriting of Tull is the Folk Rock stuff. Song of the woods have some creative vocal areregements, that are unique in rock.However the best and powerful compositions were recorded in thick ad a brick.
------------- "Never let school disturb my education"
"Really dont mind if you set this one out"
"Live and let die"
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Posted By: 30761760
Date Posted: February 21 2009 at 09:35
I'm sorry but i can't stand by and let a comment like 'there's some weak tunes on Side 2 of Aqualung' and 'some weak tracks on half their albums during the 1968-1982 period' go unchallangened. Which tracks are you reffering to? I can't think of a weak track on either side of aqualung. I also totally agree with the first comment on ian's voice. He is a shadow of his former self on stage but his backlog of work is one of the most impressive collections for a 'one band man'.
------------- When music becomes a commodity, music dies.
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Posted By: Einsetumadur
Date Posted: February 21 2009 at 09:46
@Drew: "Living in the Past" has become nearly needless since 2/3 of the pieces have been re-released on the remasters of the other albums ...
"Minstrel in the Gallery" is awkward IMO, I don't like the strings there, most of the compositions desperately want to be prog and unconventional - except for the title track and "One White Duck/0^10" (which is outstanding!) I can't stand this album ... do you *love* or like "Songs from the Wood" ?
I would take "Stand Up" as the next album as there are many great songs, which are quite bluesy (like on "Benefit"), but often more balladesque....
------------- All in all each man in all men
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Posted By: Arsihsis
Date Posted: February 21 2009 at 10:26
A Passion Play
Minstrel in the Gallery
Too Old to Rock n' Roll: Too Young to Die!
------------- 729
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Posted By: PROGMONSTER2008
Date Posted: February 21 2009 at 17:36
30761760 wrote:
I'm sorry but i can't stand by and let a comment like 'there's some weak tunes on Side 2 of Aqualung' and 'some weak tracks on half their albums during the 1968-1982 period' go unchallangened. Which tracks are you reffering to? I can't think of a weak track on either side of aqualung. I also totally agree with the first comment on ian's voice. He is a shadow of his former self on stage but his backlog of work is one of the most impressive collections for a 'one band man'. |
Tull are my fave band but they do have some songs which I think the band can do better than. But Tull sets such a high standard with alot of their songs that you get surprised if they do a song which isn't strong. I think My God is pretty simple for Tull standards. It's just a continual simple riff with not much else apart from an interesting bit in the middle. I think it's one of Ians weakest vocal performances of the 70s too. I really don't like his growling voice at all and I'm not much of a fan of repetitive lyrics either. I also have a similar problem with WInd up. The vocals are annoying and Martin overdoes it with the guitar. Sounds more like Hard rock than prog  . Hymn 43 isn't bad, but nothing outsanding imo. Locomotive breath is a good album filler but it would sound alot better surrounded by better songs on it's side of the album. Slipstream is ok, but give me Cheap day return and Wondring aloud anyday. I much prefer Side 1. Cross eyed mary is my fave song from the album and Aqualung is almost as cool. Up to me is probably the most underrated and Mother goose is similarly strong. So I love Side 1 and the other songs from 1971, Dr Bogenbroom, Up the pool, For later, Wondring again, Life is a long song. Now those songs are Tull at the best 
------------- Jazz/Classical Rock(70's style prog/fusion). Lots of prog keys and melodies(all original ideas)
http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008
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Posted By: PROGMONSTER2008
Date Posted: February 21 2009 at 17:39
Einsetumadur wrote:
@Drew: "Living in the Past" has become nearly needless since 2/3 of the pieces have been re-released on the remasters of the other albums ...
"Minstrel in the Gallery" is awkward IMO, I don't like the strings there, most of the compositions desperately want to be prog and unconventional - except for the title track and "One White Duck/0^10" (which is outstanding!) I can't stand this album
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LITP is worth it just for the 8 or so songs which haven't been on any remasters. I also think Minstrel is pretty bland for Tull standards. The bonus tracks are the highlights imo
------------- Jazz/Classical Rock(70's style prog/fusion). Lots of prog keys and melodies(all original ideas)
http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008
|
Posted By: Rocktopus
Date Posted: February 22 2009 at 19:29
PROGMONSTER2008 wrote:
Rocktopus wrote:
I think on Tull's discography, we simply disagree. I can't stand the sound they have in the 80's, 90's or what I've heard from the 00's.
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I have no problem with their 90s. Yeah there maybe a couple of cheesy tunes on Catfish but the rest is fine and some of the outtakes really make up for it. The band are pretty much awesome from 1968-1982 and 1990-2000. There are some mediocre tunes through the 1968-1982 period also. There's some weak tunes on Side 2 of Aqualung, plus a couple on Warchild, Too old, Benefit, Stand up, This was, Minstrel, Broadsword. But as usual there are bonus tracks which make up for that. I don't see any drop in quality in the 90s compared to the 1968-1982 period. Ian is a genius and is capable of writing classic tunes any time.
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Like I said: We simply disagree. I consider Tull as completely uninteresting for the last 30 years. The music, lyrics, vocals... everything got less interesting, less original and less relevant a loong time ago. I wouldn't even consider comparing Aqualung with any album (I've heard) from that period. The whole sound and arrangements are just so wrong in every way, it takes me about one second to hear that any newer Tull is not for me (that doesn't mean I've only heard one second).
Unlike you, I don't think there's any real weak tracks on Benefit, Stand Up or Aqualung, though.
------------- Over land and under ashes
In the sunlight, see - it flashes
Find a fly and eat his eye
But don't believe in me
Don't believe in me
Don't believe in me
|
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: February 22 2009 at 19:38

Thanks again for all of your suggestions!
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Posted By: claudio
Date Posted: August 03 2009 at 11:49
i need to every jethro tull record,but my favourite is STAND UP
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Posted By: SgtPepper67
Date Posted: August 03 2009 at 12:59
A passion play and Minstrel in the gallery
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In the end the love you take is equal to the love you made...
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Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: August 03 2009 at 13:11
This Was, Stand Up & Living in the Past
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Posted By: Callergrim
Date Posted: August 03 2009 at 14:28
Heavy Horses of course! The best album of the best in the world!
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Callergrim - http://www.last.fm/user/Callergrim
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Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: August 03 2009 at 14:31
Root to Brances is a very underrated album. Check that one out.
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Posted By: Zombywoof
Date Posted: February 16 2010 at 08:50
A Passion Play, Minstrel in the Gallery, and the rest of the 70's stuff. After that, the entire collection!
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: February 16 2010 at 08:56
Heavy Horses and/or Minstrel in the Gallery, both are excellent.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Progologue
Date Posted: February 16 2010 at 20:38
Rocktopus wrote:
Like I said: We simply disagree. I consider Tull as completely uninteresting for the last 30 years. The music, lyrics, vocals... everything got less interesting, less original and less relevant a loong time ago. I wouldn't even consider comparing Aqualung with any album (I've heard) from that period. The whole sound and arrangements are just so wrong in every way, it takes me about one second to hear that any newer Tull is not for me (that doesn't mean I've only heard one second).
Unlike you, I don't think there's any real weak tracks on Benefit, Stand Up or Aqualung, though.
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I'm hardly a fan of rock music after 1982 in general. But I really enjoy a good handfull of Tulls 90s tunes. I love melody and well recorded music, but it's pretty rare to find great melody since about 1982. Nothing better than a clever melody with jazz and classical influence and good sound. I really don't see much in songs like WInd up. i just find it untull like and the melody simply written. Same with My god, the verses are repetitive and simply written but the song has some good moments. Give me songs such as awol and far alaska anyday 
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Posted By: Ronnie Pilgrim
Date Posted: February 28 2010 at 14:18
A Passion Play. But, PLEASE, give it a few listens. First, a few of the melodies will get stuck in your head. Then, as you play it again, others will begin to capture you. Soon the whole piece will have you hooked. And don't get too caught up in understanding the lyrics at first. They are supposed to encourage contemplation, not just tell you a story or give you an opinion. And thank you, posters, for not bashing it (so far)!
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: February 28 2010 at 15:22
A fantastic band. They have an incredible six album run (1970-1975) where everything is great which is broken up by the iffy and not essential Too Old To Rock And Roll Etc but then resume a smaller winning streak with their 1977-1979 albums. Their pre 1970 and post 1979 music certainly contains plenty of great songs, but great albums, not so much. But Broadsword And The Beast, Rock Island and Roots To Branches are all quite respectable.
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Posted By: Progologue
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 02:33
A stunning band. As mentioned they have an incredible run of remasters. 2 great runs actually:
1970-1974
Benefit remastered
Aqualung remastered
Living in the past(There are a handfull of 1971 gems you won't find on any remasters. A must buy)
Thick as a brick
A passion play
Warchild remastered(Lots of songs. Originally a pop prog soundtrack. Lots of great bonus tracks which resemble the band better)
1977-1982
Songs from the wood remastered
Heavy horses remastered
Stormwatch remastered
A remastered
Broadsword and the beast remastered
10 years worth of mainly strong songs. 1981 was almost a year off although they did a few songs although not the best. Warchild and Broadsword have the most songs although some songs are a bit patchy there's plenty of good ones left. If you get these 11 releases you are only missing about 4 songs from those periods combined. These 4 songs weren't released on the remasters surprisingly
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Posted By: DavetheSlave
Date Posted: March 01 2010 at 03:23
I would go with Heavy Horses - it's always been my favorite Tull album although I enjoy a lot of their output over the years. I would rate my top JT albums as Heavy Horses, Thick as a Brick, Passion Play, Songs from the Wood and Aqualung in that order. Heavy Horses first as it's an easier listen than either Thick as a Brick or Passion Play while retaining its prog credibility - mainly in the Title Track which is one of the most emotive journeys that JT have ever taken me on.
I, unlike some JT purists, also enjoy Tull's later work but the 5 mentioned here remain my favorite.
------------- I'm a normal psychopath
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Posted By: Ronnie Pilgrim
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 21:30
Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 22:53
I would agree with the overall sentiment of Stand Up and Heavy Horses...hmm. I THINK I saw someone mention Bursting Out, but if you're after folksier Tull, why not go for Little Light Music? Later, live, and light on the electric guitars and keyboards.
------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 23:03
I am LOVING heavy horses- and I think I will like A Passion Play in time- both were good purchases!!!
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Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 23:24
Passion Play takes a little guess work, but it's fun in a Tull kinda way once you're used to it. Not everyone's cup of soup (and not Thick as a Brick), but some nice touches that other bands probably wouldn't have thought of.
------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 23:26
I love everything between Stand Up and Rock Island, barring Under Wraps but including the Christmas record, maybe the most consistent band in the world (and still together, amazing)
what Jethro Tull album do you need? What JT album do you not need is the question, and it is but a tiny handful
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Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 23:32
You...you don't like Catfish?
------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 23:41
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 23:45
The Whistler wrote:
You...you don't like Catfish?
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blackened or breaded? Or Grilled with a squeeze of lemon? 
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Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 23:47
Oh. It's no great shake, perhaps, but pleasant in a bluesy folk revival sort of way. My favorite of the 80's met-Tull trilogy.
------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 23:48
I always eat my fish with a slice of lemon; I've never gotten the hang of vinegar in that sort of state.
------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 10 2010 at 00:09
The Whistler wrote:
Oh. It's no great shake, perhaps, but pleasant in a bluesy folk revival sort of way. My favorite of the 80's met-Tull trilogy.
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yeah it's my next JT
..oh and maybe that sweet little Aqualung reissue, I think I saw it used at Amoeba
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Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: March 10 2010 at 00:16
Atavachron wrote:
The Whistler wrote:
Oh. It's no great shake, perhaps, but pleasant in a bluesy folk revival sort of way. My favorite of the 80's met-Tull trilogy.
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yeah it's my next JT
..oh and maybe that sweet little Aqualung reissue, I think I saw it used at Amoeba
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With all the bonuses and whatnot? It's infuriating how good "Lick Your Fingers Clean" is, and how they left it off the album. Bah, I say. Never have been to Amoeba yet...but I just dumped about forty bucks off at the local used record (CD) store...will have to do a poll about that for no reason at all.
------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 10 2010 at 00:19
hey we've missed your pointless polls
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 10 2010 at 00:24
I could say the same for War Child and Stormwatch
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Posted By: Progologue
Date Posted: March 10 2010 at 03:00
Atavachron wrote:
I could say the same for War Child and Stormwatch
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or broadsword, benefit, this was, stand up hehehe
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Posted By: Dr Clovenhoof
Date Posted: March 10 2010 at 04:47
This has probably been done to death now but hey. If you like the folkier stuff then I agree Heavy horses or possibly Broadsword, but if you are a fan of the earler bluesy album then don't overlook 'Stand Up'
------------- Existence is no advantage!
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Posted By: Ronnie Pilgrim
Date Posted: March 17 2010 at 21:24
Posted By: Ronnie Pilgrim
Date Posted: March 18 2010 at 06:20
Dr Clovenhoof wrote:
If you like the folkier stuff then I agree Heavy horses or possibly Broadsword, but if you are a fan of the earler bluesy album then don't overlook 'Stand Up' |
But is this not a progressive rock forum?
I'm amending my answer: the three musts are A Passion Play, Thick as a Brick, and Living in the Past.
Here are my reasons.
Living in the Past contains "Life's a Long Song," the first recording by the Anderson/Evans/Hammond/Barlow/Barre line up. It also contains a great sampling of the music that brought them to this point in their evolution.
Thick is a Brick was the first full album with this line up of musicians. I believe that Ian had, not coincidentally, assembled the musicians he was most comfortable with, and the result was pure prog. All of them except Barre cut their musical teeth together in the John Evan Band in the 60's. Ian split with 3 different musicians and became wrapped up in the London Blues scene. He later admitted that when he sang African American music, it was not real (for him). The successive departures of Abrams, Cornick, and Bunker were the final nails in the coffin of that style of music for Tull. Don't get me wrong - it had its moments. But my contention is that what we now know as the "progressive" rock to which Tull contributed finally took off when the "blues" style was abandoned completely.
A Passion Play is arguably the best prog album ever. It does take a bit more effort from the listener at first - even for me, and I saw it live. But Ian had been thumbing his nose at the rock critics for years, and with this album he inadvertently delivered them the knife with which to cut his own nuts off. One listen and they savaged it for what, if they had come to know it better, they might have seen as its innovation and creativity. No band recovers completely from a beating such as this (remember the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour?)
After that, only a few songs are worthy of serious consideration: "Skating Away" (also recorded for A Passion Play but held back for Warchild). "Minstrel in the Gallery" (does anybody else hear Hocus Pocus' "Focus" in Barre's intro?) is a nice "hard-prog" piece (if there is such a thing - maybe that's another forum). But I truly believe Ian was trying to regain his footing after the events of 1973 and, as much as I love some of his output, I speculate that he is a shrewd business man as well, and selling records is his main motivation. Then Hammond put down his bass, never to play again. 
I went a different direction musically, so these are my thoughts and feelings after many years removed from those times. I only now know that much of what I listened to as I was coming of age is called progressive rock. As an amateur musician (keyboards, guitars, harmonicas) I would probably say now that my all time favorite band is Steely Dan. But I have an interest in A Passion Play because, like my little brother when he got picked on by a bully, I want to defend him because I love him dearly.
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Posted By: PROGMONSTER2008
Date Posted: March 18 2010 at 17:42
Ronnie Pilgrim wrote:
Dr Clovenhoof wrote:
If you like the folkier stuff then I agree Heavy horses or possibly Broadsword, but if you are a fan of the earler bluesy album then don't overlook 'Stand Up' |
But is this not a progressive rock forum?
I'm amending my answer: the three musts are A Passion Play, Thick as a Brick, and Living in the Past.
Here are my reasons.
Living in the Past contains "Life's a Long Song," the first recording by the Anderson/Evans/Hammond/Barlow/Barre line up. It also contains a great sampling of the music that brought them to this point in their evolution.
Thick is a Brick was the first full album with this line up of musicians. I believe that Ian had, not coincidentally, assembled the musicians he was most comfortable with, and the result was pure prog. All of them except Barre cut their musical teeth together in the John Evan Band in the 60's. Ian split with 3 different musicians and became wrapped up in the London Blues scene. He later admitted that when he sang African American music, it was not real (for him). The successive departures of Abrams, Cornick, and Bunker were the final nails in the coffin of that style of music for Tull. Don't get me wrong - it had its moments. But my contention is that what we now know as the "progressive" rock to which Tull contributed finally took off when the "blues" style was abandoned completely.
A Passion Play is arguably the best prog album ever. It does take a bit more effort from the listener at first - even for me, and I saw it live. But Ian had been thumbing his nose at the rock critics for years, and with this album he inadvertently delivered them the knife with which to cut his own nuts off. One listen and they savaged it for what, if they had come to know it better, they might have seen as its innovation and creativity. No band recovers completely from a beating such as this (remember the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour?)
After that, only a few songs are worthy of serious consideration: "Skating Away" (also recorded for A Passion Play but held back for Warchild). "Minstrel in the Gallery" (does anybody else hear Hocus Pocus' "Focus" in Barre's intro?) is a nice "hard-prog" piece (if there is such a thing - maybe that's another forum). But I truly believe Ian was trying to regain his footing after the events of 1973 and, as much as I love some of his output, I really think he is a shrewd business man as well, and selling records is his main motivation.
Then Hammond put down his bass, never to play again. 
I went a different direction musically, so these are my thoughts and feelings after many years removed from those times. I only now know that much of what I listened to as I was coming of age is now called progressive rock. As an amateur musician (keyboards, guitars, harmonicas) I would probably say now that my all time favorite band is Steely Dan. But I have an interest in A Passion Play because, like my little brother when he got picked on by a bully, I want to defend him because I love him dearly. |
Living in the past, Thick as a brick, Bursting out, Heavy horses are my Big 4 Tull releases. Plenty of great folk prog and heavy prog. Can't go wrong with such genius melody. Warchild remaster is probably next in line with almost 2 albums 1. Firstly you have the original soundtrack album which is made to be slightly on the pop side, then you have all the bonus tracks which are the true tull prog related 4 minute tracks. There's about 7 bonus tracks and 3 original tracks which would made a great follow up to A passion play. Plenty of sax in these songs and some accordion too. 
------------- Jazz/Classical Rock(70's style prog/fusion). Lots of prog keys and melodies(all original ideas)
http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/vigilante2008
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Posted By: Ronnie Pilgrim
Date Posted: March 19 2010 at 20:50
PROGMONSTER2008 wrote:
There's about 7 bonus tracks and 3 original tracks which would made a great follow up to A passion play. Plenty of sax in these songs and some accordion too. 
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What a curious position for someone to take who does not even list A Passion Play in his top five Jethro Tull albums. So, is the Warchild reissue your number five pick because it carries on the spirit of one of their albums you do not really care for? Or is A Passion Play your number six pick, it's just that the Warchild reissue is better than A Passion Play after you disregard most of the original content of Warchild and replace it with "bonus" content? And what was the point of quoting my whole post and then not even referencing any of the positions I supported?
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Posted By: Progologue
Date Posted: March 20 2010 at 03:10
Ronnie Pilgrim wrote:
PROGMONSTER2008 wrote:
There's about 7 bonus tracks and 3 original tracks which would made a great follow up to A passion play. Plenty of sax in these songs and some accordion too. 
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What a curious position for someone to take who does not even list A Passion Play in his top five Jethro Tull albums. So, is the Warchild reissue your number five pick because it carries on the spirit of one of their albums you do not really care for? Or is A Passion Play your number six pick, it's just that the Warchild reissue is better than A Passion Play after you disregard most of the original content of Warchild and replace it with "bonus" content? And what was the point of quoting my whole post and then not even referencing any of the positions I supported? |
I'm just saying that I agree that Living in the past and Thick as a brick up are there with Tulls great releases. A passion play is very good too but Tull have many great releases. I think Heavy horses and Bursting deserve to be up there with the best. As with many I wasn't a huge fan of the original Warchild soundtrack, but I really enjoy the bonus tracks and see the difference between soundtrack songs and non soundtrack songs. The bonus tracks sound like tull songs i'd expect, but the original album is specifically on the more commercial side and made to suit a certain movie, so they aren't quite the usual songs Ian would write. But the remaster is a real bonus and has lots of great stuff. I'm also very fond of Stormwatch, A, Songs from the wood and more 
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Posted By: Ronnie Pilgrim
Date Posted: March 20 2010 at 07:49
Progologue wrote:
I'm just saying that I agree that Living in the past and Thick as a brick up are there with Tulls great releases. |
That's cool. It's all about the music you enjoy. I wasn't sure which part of my long-winded statement you were referring to. Keep on truckin' 
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