Please tell me that you’ve heard of Jethro Tull. If you haven’t then you are sorely missing out. Jethro Tull an amazing group of musicians assembled for the last 50 plus years. The one classic rock band with the best use of a flute in rock music of all time. Ironically enough the first band to win the Grammy for Best Heavy Metal act the first year the Grammys opened the category. I’ll never forget it because it was the same year Metallica performed at the Grammys for the first time and they performed One. Metallica did not get the Grammy which stunned all of us. This was back when I used to watch the Grammys, I don’t watch that tripe now to save my life.
Jethro Tull, obviously a brit band, formed in 1967, and one of the forerunners of what we would call progressive rock. They’ve always been a combination of classical, blues, jazz, hard rock and definitely folk music. Jethro Tull has that English folk vibe to it. Their music has always been thought provoking and introspective. But also sarcastic and mischievous. When you hear it you immediately think of the court jester who boldly makes political satire about the King in front of the King and his subjects. Which is what some of Tull’s songs have been about in the past. They’ve provoked thoughts about England, the Church, history, etc.
You can’t go wrong with a bit of Tull in your speakers. Aye, pull up a chair and listen to the modern day bard that is Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull’s lead vocalist; and flautist. Yes, I would attribute Ian to that of a modern day bard. Especially after getting to see Tull live in the fall of 1988, in Seattle with my Dad. What an experience! One of the best shows I’ve ever been to and if I could see them one more time I would. However, back to the bard. Jethro Tull can be described as quest music or adventure music. When you hear it you immediately envision four adventures on a quest for gold or to go slay the dragon. I’m surprised I never used Tull during my gaming sessions back when I used to game. But it’s another band that is perfect for the road trip or for those late night cooking sessions! It’s riding through the densest part of the forest on horseback music. It should be the soundtrack to when Captain Jack Sparrow first sets sail in search of some valuable artifact. Jethro Tull could’ve done a “music inspired by” the Lord of the Rings soundtrack.
Ian Anderson is the ultimate bard at the inn! You and your three fellow adventurers walk into the Inn and he immediately begins telling your story as you enter, bounding around with his flute in hand. Yes, I’m chuckling as I type this but it’s true! Ian Anderson is the consummate storyteller. If you want a great story whilst listening to greatly composed music, listen to Tull and you’ll never be disappointed. I’m so glad that my Dad played Tull around me growing up. It is because of him that I have this great affinity for Jethro Tull to this day and always will. Jethro Tull is true musicianship, which again is something that is lacking in most of today’s music unfortunately. If there is a greatest storyteller of our generation, Gen X, it would be Ian Anderson. The band Jethro Tull are master storytellers through their music: Bards.
A bard is a poet, storyteller, and performer who composes and recites verses, often about heroes, history, or cultural values, typically with musical accompaniment. Historically, particularly in ancient Celtic cultures, bards served as oral historians, genealogists, and entertainers for patrons like chieftains.
Jethro Tull is a band of bards. Which shouldn’t be surprising, they’re from England but they took being a bard to the ultimate extent and gave us some of the greatest songs. Here’s my YouTube Music Jethro Tull Playlist that I listen to at work on the regular:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWLFg04tYhh_vrODkphLJfHWeaypP6RjV&si=9AWT5RWlZpWpFWVe
My favorite five on this list:
Hunting Girl
Songs from the Wood
Hymn 43
Cross-Eyed Mary
Locomotive Breath
However, my favorite Tull album has got to be Songs from the Wood, next to Aqualung and the Jethro Tull Christmas album. So, if you’re looking to escape through music this is one way to do it, put on some Tull, and at the same time you’ll learn something if you’re paying attention to the lyrics. Jethro Tull is for those moments when you say, “I think I’m quite ready for another adventure”.
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