By far my favorite Tull album! I was never actually a big fan of his big hits, but the Songs From the Woods album was a fantastic album that was a departure from what many consider traditional Tull, while still utilizing their strengths and uniqueness. Brilliant theme album by Ian Anderson - for me, it is Tull's White Album, Dark Side of the Moon, etc.
I think 2 or 3 bands played live and they didn't sound very good because the studio wasn't set up for live performances. I remember a band had a food fight once.
I think later on BBC recorded bands live for other shows, but then owned the recording and wouldn’t allow it to be released independently by the band … Led Zeppelin was one such act that the band wasn’t allowed to use the recording for a long time. I recently heard about a lost song that was only ever recorded on the BBC recording, an improvised instrumental track … which the master was lost for 40 years. I think it was called Swan Song - elements of which were recalled and used in future hits.
I have seen Jethro Tull many times in the 70's and we referred to Ian as "The Bard". He was known for playing the flute on one leg. Ian never did drugs and was very religious. He was still touring this year though at a slowed rate.
Yes!!! Really looking forward to this one. Perfect choice as the solstice just passed. Love this song and the entire Songs From The Wood album which has never gotten the recognition or airplay it so richly deserves. Still have my original LP from 1977. Still listen to it. Hope you get to the title track soon.
One of few vinyl albums I could easily listen to both sides smiling all the time. I use to play this on the way to the Texas Renaissance Festival north of Houston. Fun, happy times leave great memories.
First found on Songs From The Wood it was later included on the Christmas album. That entire THE JETHRO TULL CHRISTMAS ALBUM (2003) is a fantastic compilation of older material and newer recordings woven into a seasonal festival for the ears/mind/soul. It's their 21st studio album and the band's last studio release for 19 years.
Songs From The Wood was my introduction to Jethro Tull at a concert in ‘77. So amazing. It was also my introduction to the concept of druidry and paganism. About the same time I started playing D&D. Looking back it’s been quite a ride for this old wizard.
My favorite thing about Jethro Tull is the combination of Scottish folk music and rock to create a unique sound. Thank you for pointing that out! Keep on keepin' on, young lady!
"Scottish"??!? You do realise that other parts of the UK also have their own deep Folk traditions and music etc, don't you? Although I'll take a stab and say that your ancestors that sailed to a foreign land may well have been from the part of the UK that yo mentioned and so give so a slight bias, maybe? Hhhmmmm?
@@ad9aggie Yes, Ian is Scottish. But there are precious few elements of Jethro Tull's music that reflect anything Scottish; in Ian's voice and accent, or in the band's music and look. I always think of them standing out as very English, at a time when so much rock and pop music was American-influenced. Much more akin to bands like Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention or The Levellers than Hamish Imlach, Runrig or Big Country.
@ad9aggie Ian has an English mother and Scottish father and moved from Scotland to Blackpool in England when he was 12, so he is much English as Scottish. And all of the rest of Jethro Tull were English. Ian considers himself first and foremost ' British'. I would say that Jethro Tull were more influenced by English folk.
This one is definitely in my Christmas list every year. My brother got to meet Ian Anderson in the late 80s when he was interning at a rock station. Great stuff, thanks and merry merry!
Long-time Tull guitarist Martin Barre was once asked how he dealt with Ian's penchant for unusual and shifting time signatures. "I just count two over everything", was his wry response.
Fantastic holiday choice from a magnificent album. Not a bad track on Songs from the Wood. Got to hear the title track live at a small venue once. Treat yourself and listen to Skating Away (on the Thin Ice of a New Day) sometime. You won't regret it.
I love you so much. You're so informative to a younger generation of music they most likely wouldn't have listened to much less understand and dissect. You are fascinating because I grew up with an opera singer mother and an old metal head and follow everything you say and almost predict it. It would be fun to show you my record collection of original pressings and see your reaction to the original recordings. I have this one. But Jethro Tull is the band. Not a person lol. Most people think Ian is "Jethro Tull ". But the man behind the name is a fun research project for you! And as a drummer their time signatures are insanely fun and hard to play. Its one of the reasons i love them. And the theatrical fun they include in their performances. Love from the California valley! Happily solstice and holidays!
They're called tubular bells. Mike Oldfield built 3 albums around them (Including the theme from The Exorcist). Also, this is always on in my home every winter solstice. Beautiful!
these guys make me happy (I grew up with my dad listening to them enthusiastically, and we even went to see them live, such a fun show), and your show makes me happy, so this is a big ol' bundle of happy. *high-fives*
Top of the Pops banned playing live due to some questionable behaviour by one or two bands in the seventies. They would play the record and the performers were expected to mime. Needless to say, quite a few bands hated this, and so worked hard to make it obvious. Ian Anderson was always fascinated by a "particularly English" Pagan feel, and there is a lot of "Green Man" / "Woodiness" that you describe. He was also keen on the rural/countryside feel from the folk tradition, with a lot of references to 18th and 19th century customs.
Although Jethro started in the late 60's, it could be said that in the albums produced in the 70's , that Jethro were following a trend at the time, certainly the early part of that decade... the revival of Folk... roughly '72 was the beginning of taking up delving in lost records and hidden tomes (Namely C. Sharp House in London - my brother was a member of the Folk club there), and a number of clubs started at about that time... Leigh Folk Club being one of them, meeting in the Crooked Billet in Leigh-in-Sea in Essex. My family were involved in the club, namely my sister and her then boyfriend, later husband, amongst others (Same home as The Thameside Mummers)... Jethro ALWAYS write their albums to reflect the times they are written in... ;o) And yes, after many complaints, TOTP relented their no "Live" Performances and allowed bands to record a "special" version of the song, which was then sung to on the actual broadcast, although The Old Gray Whistle Test was probably the program people watched at the time to get the true flavour of live music being performed.
The Sweet purposely didn’t plug in their guitars and the drummer started destroying his drum set before the song was over. The lead singer turned around and had that we are in trouble look. It was so awesome!
I love the joy you have for music, he has a pure Christmas album. The way you explain gives me an insight into why I have enjoyed from watched his 1st songs on top of the pops.
Somewhere out there, there is a Christmas parody of “Aqualung” performed by Tenacious D/Jack Black… it is absolutely brilliant. Instead of the chorus featuring the word “Aqualung“, they sing “Santa Claus“. It’s been several years since I’ve heard it, but it is incredible.
One of all-time greatest bands. The name came from an 18th-century agriculturist. Ian also had a salmon farm for 20 yrs. Check out the "benefit" album, I think it's best. Ian Anderson also has a series of chamber music albums (excellent). we have all heard "Bouree" at christmas.
He reminded me of a Pied Piper of medieval times. I was lucky to have seen Jethro Tull as the backup band to Led Zeppelin's first album. Tull was much better even though I didn't know who they were at the time. Tull's live performance was energy packed. He used to rest one leg on his knee while playing and would bend backwards almost toughing his head to his butt. He was the ultimate showman. I saw Zepplin once after their first concert, Tull I saw 5 times more.
This is one I hadn't heard before, but I really enjoyed it. It was delightful. Since I wasn't familiar, I pulled up the lyrics. A few clicks later I was reading the sheet music. I can confirm that Ian wrote it in 7/4. The way he uses time signatures is one of the things that makes his music so compelling, I think. A deep dive into Jethro Tull would not get you any objections here. Happiest of Holidays to you! Thanks for spreading the joy. 🎄
I have been told that when a DJ at a "gentleman's club" dislikes a dancer, they play Jethro Tull for them to dance to, because of the odd time signatures.
I never realized how young Ian Anderson resembles Snoop Dogg. I think it might be those expressive eyes! Also, this was a super light hearted and charming performance, and I had never seen or heard this before. Loved this choice of holiday season music, what a treat :)
Concerning the combination of two different time signatures in one song: In German we have a special term for that: Zwiefacher. It's mainly used in the context of folk music. BTW, the recent song Good Together by Lake Street Dive is a nice example for 7 4.
Wow, I never knew in my life that Jethro Tull did anything even geared towards Christmas . He's famous for locomotive breath . I love Jethro Tull. The flute in his songs is just so well placed that no one else has ever been able to put a flute into music the way he has especially rock . We all love this music back then we destroyed so many eight-tracks listening to them over and over and over again listening to them over and over and over again. I'm going to have to check this out. Very interesting rock on Elizabeth . 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️
The change to the minor in the middle is simply beautiful. The harmony is on the 9th? Not sure I need to get my guitar out! I was 11 when this came out and it knocked me on my arse. The Greg Lake track may be my number one? Right now it's this!
I absolutely love Jethro Tull, fave albums, HEAVY HORSES, AQUALUNG, SONGS FROM THE WOODS, LIVING IN THE PAST, THICK AS A BRICK. Theres a couple more but those albums ive got on CD. The first live concert i went to at age of about 12,14 in the 80s in Bedford town corn exchange, the warm up band was a punk band called STOP THE WORLD, ill never forget that night, it was amazing seeing them live. Then i saw them a few times afterwards at festivals. Ian Anderson is such a great song writer and amazing flute player, Absolutely unique techniques he uses, he also plays the electric piano.
Elizabeth is really astute and informative on this one as usual. She comments that she like JT’s combination of folk and rock, I wonder what she’d make of the band that is often credited as the initiators of the genre of British folk rock in the 1960’s & 70’s, Fairport Convention during their Sandy Denny phase. The song “who knows where the time goes” (from the album Unhalfbricking) written by Sandy as a teenager is considered by many to be the best folk rock song ever although the whole album is fantastic.
There's also a strong association between Anderson and Steeleye Span - he produced their album Now We Are Six, and Maddy sang backup on the title track of Too Old To Rock & Roll, Too Young to Die - I think they've collaborated on a couple of other things
I wish you all the best for Christmas and the new year. Give my best to Kirk. I hope he feeling better and is back with you and Mycroft. It wouldn’t be the same without him. I love what you do. Keep on doing it. Thank you.
Wonderful choice for Christmas, which Tull know how to do extremely well. They dedicated an entire album in 2004 to their own and others' Christmas classics. My only lament is that I really miss Martin Barre on guitar after the 2000s. He shaped their sound as much as Ian Anderson did
First, I'm a big Tull fan so I'm here for as much as you want to do. I'm always torn between the higher quality studio version and risking a poor audio quality to get to see Ian live, which is always so entertaining . This looks like pretty decent quality. A couple favorites are Farm on the Freeway and Heavy Horses.
It may have been mentioned already, but they released a Christmas album a few years back. I think it is quite good, and is one of my seasonal favorites.
I also get an impression of Pan, the satyr god from Greek myth, when I see Ian Anderson perform. He's a wild force of nature. Not my type, but I can appreciate the appeal. That stepping thing with his left foot would later become his iconic flamingo pose, which led to chronic hip trouble. A couple other great holiday tunes from Jethro Tull are "Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow" and "A Christmas Song." They've been on my holiday playlist for a couple decades now as an antidote to the treacle people working in retail are forced to endure.
This was a great analysis of a great song by you, Elizabeth, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, all the very best for 2025 too!
Ian Anderson and jetrho Tull is great. It is like you took a group of medieval musicians and show them how to play Rock and roll. Nothing sounds like Jetrho Tull. Which is interesting because is the engineer that creates the machine for plant seeds. There is a conection to earth. Forest... nature. Such powerful. I love this song and Songs from the wood. And you must hear Heavy Horses song. Ian Anderson great. Thanks for post it. Merry Christmas🎉❤
Jethro Tull put out an entire Christmas album that just got the "Deluxe" treatment. It's one of their best latter-day albums, and I can't wait to hear the new Atmos mix.
Many years ago I had a friend who worked for Zildjian. Bands used to come in and sometimes give out free tickets as “Guests of the Band”. Anyhow he gave me tickets to see Ian Anderson as it wasn’t his type of music but he new it was mine. I think it was called “An evening with Ian Anderson” the set-up was an empty stage with just a small table and chair with a bottle of wine on the table. He literally came in and sat down at the table and talked to us about the history of the band and now and again would play some of his music. There can not of been more than a few hundred people there. Very special evening! This particular track for some reason also started me thinking of a group called “Clannad” perhaps you would like to listen to some of their stuff (I would suggest the Theme from Harry's Game).
Love your channel Elizabeth! This time of year and giving is a wholesome time with our families and friends and I can only wish for you the happiest of times during the Christmas holidays with singing, puzzles and games that you mentioned, and a happy new year just around the corner!
Also the 2008 double album release, which includes not only the 2003 album, but also Christmas at St Bride's, with a good number of additional seasonal songs.
This song comes off the Songs From The Wood album which I've always thought of as Rustic Rock. Ian Anderson is such a dynamic performer. I've seen Tull twice at the same venue a year apart(the Hammersmith Odeon in London in the late 70s). The first one we had seats that were 2nd row front and the second time seats in the balcony which, with all of his flamboyance and movements, was just as satisfying.
There’s an interesting story about this TV appearance. Tull were booked as a stand-in to be available in the studio in case any of the acts couldn’t make it. Ian decided that, as it was highly unlikely that they would be called upon, he’d go Christmas shopping. An act had to cancel due to illness (I think it may have been Cliff Richard but don’t quote me on it) and Ian was nowhere to be seen. They couldn’t find him and put out an urgent appeal on the radio asking listeners to call in if they’d seen him. A passenger in a taxi heard the radio plea and remembered that he’d seen Ian in a store in Oxford street only a few minutes before so reported it in. The BBC called the store who put out a tannoy announcement. Ian was found and made it back to the studio in the Nick of time for the recording. It was routine practice for musicians to mime on Top Of The Pops. It was due to some bonkers Musicians Union regulation. They had to re-record their own backing track in a BBC recording studio for them to mime it. Some bands felt this a waste of time and sometimes submitted the original backing track from their original recording and just pretend they re-recorded it. Other bands had fun with it by messing around or miming deliberately badly (which I’ve seen Ian do. His miming to Witches Promise on the TOTP was ludicrous but highly entertaining!) The record company wanted to make this single more commercial and, since they had Mike Batt under contract at the time, they asked him to produce and arrange a new version of the song. He changed the time signature from mostly 7/4 to entirely 4/4 and changed the title and lyric to Magic Bells. The band hated it. Ian arranged for a copy of Solstice Bells and Magic Bells to be played to employees at the studio (canteen staff, cleaners, admin staff etc) and asked them which version they preferred. They all chose the original and so Chrysalis were forced to stick with Ian’s original version. Magic Bells was released as a bonus track on a remastered edition of the album a little while ago. I love Mike Batt’s music, but Magic Bells was horrible!p
This was my wedding song back in 1991. Favorite all time band. Thanks, Liz! BTW, I believe Ian sings nasally because he's really a baritone trying to sing as a tenor, and that's the only way he feels comfortable doing that.
Some of their other "Christmassy" tunes are 'Coronach' and 'Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow'. Magnificent stuff. Oh and the foot, Ian was always know as the one legged flutist. He would stand on one leg for ages. While playing.
Rather awesomely, a Christmas Song that isn't about Christmas, rather what came before. Ian Anderson is responsible for a fair few great Christmas songs
This is from a UK TV programme called Top of the Pops; the weird thing about ToP was that the artists were recorded pre-transmission and then had to mine to their own recording. This was so they could know exact run times of each artist. Sometimes the artists would just mine to their own record. Tull were clowning around here, not even trying to pretend they were live.
Elizabeth I look forward to today's show. I wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe Christmas and New Year. I know it may be to late for this suggestion but maybe next year the songs Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Silver Bells, or Heavy Metal Christmas from Twisted Sisters Twisted Christmas Album. Thank you for your effort, excellence, and enthusiasm.
This is the studio track and they are lip-syncing. Thank you for doing this song! I am a huge Jethro Tull fan, and this song is one of my favorites, from my absolutely favorite album by them- Songs From the Wood! Also, as a Pagan, it is nice to hear a Solstice song being analyzed this holiday season! I have recommended this song on the one other reaction channel I listen to. for years, to no avail yet.
jethro tull were a group of very talented individuals who all contributed to the sound of the band. I think this explains a lot of the creative magic of the first two decades.
The clapping in this song is exceedingly important element and it is crazy captivating. I would encourage anyone to try and replicate it or at least discuss it in this forum.
It's so nice to hear songs celebrating the Solstice, since, in my eyes, that's what all the winter holidays are really about, they've just been adapted in various ways from that core. May your days get longer and brighter from here! (Until the summer solstice, at least! ;) )
Yay! More Tull. Fun fact: the label wanted this as a single, but forced them to re-record it in 4/4. You might find it interesting to compare the two, they are completely different performances and it has altered lyrics too (apparently it was thought “solstice” was too obscure). As it was, the original ended up being the single that sold and got them back on Top of the Pops. Magic Bells version: ua-cam.com/video/M8V_3ej1U7I/v-deo.html
From the incredible "Songs from the Wood" album which was a beautifully observed blend of rock, progressive rock and English folk influences. The entire album does not date.
A classic from the best period of vintage Tull! If you want to dive deeper into this fantastic band's catalogue, as a lifelong fan I'd heartily recommend anything and everything from Songs From The Wood (featuring this track), Thick As A Brick, A Passion Play, Minstrel In The Gallery and Heavy Horses… although you really can't go too far wrong with any period of Tull. By far the loudest band I have ever seen too (Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, late '80s… loud enough to rattle your ribcage!)
The entire Songs From The Wood album is magnificent!
Songs from the woods. Yes Absolutely amazing album. 👍🏻
By far my favorite Tull album! I was never actually a big fan of his big hits, but the Songs From the Woods album was a fantastic album that was a departure from what many consider traditional Tull, while still utilizing their strengths and uniqueness. Brilliant theme album by Ian Anderson - for me, it is Tull's White Album, Dark Side of the Moon, etc.
Been my favorite album since the day I dug it out of my dad's record collection some time around 1984.
So so so good
My personal choice for their best!
SONGS FROM THE WOOD is my favorite Jethro Tull album. The ultimate folk rock album.
Absolutely! And it's got some real complex progressive rock, too. An amazing record.
And two of the filthiest songs ever written!
Same! My mom even did a painting of the album cover back in the day!
@@cholomite Hunting Girl and Velvet Green?
My favorite JT album too. I wrote a report about it for music class in high-school. (1979?)
The video is from Top of the Pops, most bands had to mime on the programme.
Remember the lip-sync tv show "Putting on the Hits"?😅
I think 2 or 3 bands played live and they didn't sound very good because the studio wasn't set up for live performances.
I remember a band had a food fight once.
I believe it was a legal restriction to prevent the creation of different versions. The single as published had to be broadcast.
I think later on BBC recorded bands live for other shows, but then owned the recording and wouldn’t allow it to be released independently by the band … Led Zeppelin was one such act that the band wasn’t allowed to use the recording for a long time.
I recently heard about a lost song that was only ever recorded on the BBC recording, an improvised instrumental track … which the master was lost for 40 years. I think it was called Swan Song - elements of which were recalled and used in future hits.
another reason they couldn't play live was Jimi Hendrix was on once and played a Cream song instead of his own song 😂
A super deep dive into Jethro Tull ?
*_YES, PLEASE !!!!!_*
"After all these years?"
"Always!"
Jethro Tull is probably the most underrated classic rock act. An easy top 10 70's band
It’s not true! Even your comment confirms that they were and will remain unique.
I love Ian Anderson, and Jethro Tull. This is one of my favourite holiday songs. Tull's entire holiday record is a treasure.
Wow, what a Christmas miracle! I didn’t expect this. Amazing song from my favorite Tull album
He is directing the band with his leg
I have seen Jethro Tull many times in the 70's and we referred to Ian as "The Bard". He was known for playing the flute on one leg. Ian never did drugs and was very religious. He was still touring this year though at a slowed rate.
I bought this when it came out. The B side includes the excellent lyrics
“ The Christmas Spirit is not what you drink!”
Ian not only writes the 7 into the music, he includes it in the lyrics as well. Got to appreciate the playfulness, "Seven maids dance in seven time."
Yes!!! Really looking forward to this one. Perfect choice as the solstice just passed. Love this song and the entire Songs From The Wood album which has never gotten the recognition or airplay it so richly deserves. Still have my original LP from 1977. Still listen to it. Hope you get to the title track soon.
One of few vinyl albums I could easily listen to both sides smiling all the time. I use to play this on the way to the Texas Renaissance Festival north of Houston. Fun, happy times leave great memories.
First found on Songs From The Wood it was later included on the Christmas album. That entire THE JETHRO TULL CHRISTMAS ALBUM (2003) is a fantastic compilation of older material and newer recordings woven into a seasonal festival for the ears/mind/soul. It's their 21st studio album and the band's last studio release for 19 years.
Yeah even though the older songs rerecorded are all worse than the originals. The new songs and traditional rearrangements are fun though
Songs From The Wood was my introduction to Jethro Tull at a concert in ‘77. So amazing. It was also my introduction to the concept of druidry and paganism. About the same time I started playing D&D. Looking back it’s been quite a ride for this old wizard.
In another game I tried to build a bard who fought by using his flute as a club...
A blessed Christmas to you and your family, Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing the joy of music with us throughout the year!
No way! The best Christmas song, which is, in fact, off the best Jethro Tull album.
This Christmas song isn't off of Benefit. 😉
My favorite thing about Jethro Tull is the combination of Scottish folk music and rock to create a unique sound. Thank you for pointing that out!
Keep on keepin' on, young lady!
"Scottish"?
"Scottish"??!? You do realise that other parts of the UK also have their own deep Folk traditions and music etc, don't you? Although I'll take a stab and say that your ancestors that sailed to a foreign land may well have been from the part of the UK that yo mentioned and so give so a slight bias, maybe? Hhhmmmm?
@jetsetuk Yes, I am aware that there is English, Welsh, Cornish, and Manx folk music.
Or it could because Ian is Scottish.
@@ad9aggie Yes, Ian is Scottish. But there are precious few elements of Jethro Tull's music that reflect anything Scottish; in Ian's voice and accent, or in the band's music and look. I always think of them standing out as very English, at a time when so much rock and pop music was American-influenced. Much more akin to bands like Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention or The Levellers than Hamish Imlach, Runrig or Big Country.
@ad9aggie Ian has an English mother and Scottish father and moved from Scotland to Blackpool in England when he was 12, so he is much English as Scottish. And all of the rest of Jethro Tull were English. Ian considers himself first and foremost ' British'. I would say that Jethro Tull were more influenced by English folk.
At last. Someone’s noticed my favourite Christmas song,😊
This one is definitely in my Christmas list every year. My brother got to meet Ian Anderson in the late 80s when he was interning at a rock station. Great stuff, thanks and merry merry!
Long-time Tull guitarist Martin Barre was once asked how he dealt with Ian's penchant for unusual and shifting time signatures. "I just count two over everything", was his wry response.
Martin is a genius in his own right ❤
"Ring Out, Soltice Bells" was the gateway song in my getting into Jethro Tull decades ago.
Mine too.
Mine was the Thick As a Brick album. Dove directly into the deep end; never came out.
Songs from the woods is my favourite Tull Album, the band at this point was incredible!
Fantastic holiday choice from a magnificent album. Not a bad track on Songs from the Wood. Got to hear the title track live at a small venue once. Treat yourself and listen to Skating Away (on the Thin Ice of a New Day) sometime. You won't regret it.
Meanwhile back in the Year One…
When you belonged to no one
@@fenikso You didn’t stand a chance, son…
When he sings "Seven maids move in seven time" he means it. Too clever by half.
A joke he repeated with We Five Kings.
Came here to say- "Read the lyrics- he's telling you when he switches meter"
I always thought of Ian Anderson as a cross between a leprechaun and the Greek god Pan.
There is evidence of that very thing ... just watch him.
I saw them in concert. This is an accurate description.
Leprechaun? More of a mischievous wood sprite I'd say rather than a malicious trickster.
@@cherylhurst7093 I was lucky enough to see Tull in concert twice, fun show every time.
I love you so much. You're so informative to a younger generation of music they most likely wouldn't have listened to much less understand and dissect. You are fascinating because I grew up with an opera singer mother and an old metal head and follow everything you say and almost predict it. It would be fun to show you my record collection of original pressings and see your reaction to the original recordings. I have this one. But Jethro Tull is the band. Not a person lol. Most people think Ian is "Jethro Tull ". But the man behind the name is a fun research project for you! And as a drummer their time signatures are insanely fun and hard to play. Its one of the reasons i love them. And the theatrical fun they include in their performances. Love from the California valley! Happily solstice and holidays!
When I was in high school band fifty years ago, we always called tubular bells "the chimes."
They're called tubular bells. Mike Oldfield built 3 albums around them (Including the theme from The Exorcist).
Also, this is always on in my home every winter solstice. Beautiful!
these guys make me happy (I grew up with my dad listening to them enthusiastically, and we even went to see them live, such a fun show), and your show makes me happy, so this is a big ol' bundle of happy. *high-fives*
Top of the Pops banned playing live due to some questionable behaviour by one or two bands in the seventies. They would play the record and the performers were expected to mime. Needless to say, quite a few bands hated this, and so worked hard to make it obvious.
Ian Anderson was always fascinated by a "particularly English" Pagan feel, and there is a lot of "Green Man" / "Woodiness" that you describe. He was also keen on the rural/countryside feel from the folk tradition, with a lot of references to 18th and 19th century customs.
Although Jethro started in the late 60's, it could be said that in the albums produced in the 70's , that Jethro were following a trend at the time, certainly the early part of that decade... the revival of Folk... roughly '72 was the beginning of taking up delving in lost records and hidden tomes (Namely C. Sharp House in London - my brother was a member of the Folk club there), and a number of clubs started at about that time... Leigh Folk Club being one of them, meeting in the Crooked Billet in Leigh-in-Sea in Essex. My family were involved in the club, namely my sister and her then boyfriend, later husband, amongst others (Same home as The Thameside Mummers)... Jethro ALWAYS write their albums to reflect the times they are written in... ;o)
And yes, after many complaints, TOTP relented their no "Live" Performances and allowed bands to record a "special" version of the song, which was then sung to on the actual broadcast, although The Old Gray Whistle Test was probably the program people watched at the time to get the true flavour of live music being performed.
The Sweet purposely didn’t plug in their guitars and the drummer started destroying his drum set before the song was over. The lead singer turned around and had that we are in trouble look. It was so awesome!
Thank you for reacting to this one! One of my favorite holiday songs,and a brilliant song by one of my favorite bands.
I love the joy you have for music, he has a pure Christmas album. The way you explain gives me an insight into why I have enjoyed from watched his 1st songs on top of the pops.
Somewhere out there, there is a Christmas parody of “Aqualung” performed by Tenacious D/Jack Black… it is absolutely brilliant. Instead of the chorus featuring the word “Aqualung“, they sing “Santa Claus“. It’s been several years since I’ve heard it, but it is incredible.
Thank you! One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums!
Elizabeth, you are doing amazing amazing things on UA-cam. Thank you!
I Love Your Joy!! Happy New Year!! Love Your Analizations!!!
Thanks for revisiting Jethro Tull and Merry Christmas to you and yours 😊 Also,just for your classical side check out Bouree in your spare time
The whole JT Christmas album is a joy and will be playing in my house on Wednesday. Merry Christmas.
One of all-time greatest bands. The name came from an 18th-century agriculturist. Ian also had a salmon farm for 20 yrs. Check out the "benefit" album, I think it's best. Ian Anderson also has a series of chamber music albums (excellent). we have all heard "Bouree" at christmas.
The whole “Songs from the Wood” Album is great. You should check out Jacks in the Green
I'm looking forward to this. Merry Christmas, everyone , especially Elizabeth and the whole team ❤️
He reminded me of a Pied Piper of medieval times. I was lucky to have seen Jethro Tull as the backup band to Led Zeppelin's first album. Tull was much better even though I didn't know who they were at the time. Tull's live performance was energy packed. He used to rest one leg on his knee while playing and would bend backwards almost toughing his head to his butt. He was the ultimate showman. I saw Zepplin once after their first concert, Tull I saw 5 times more.
This is one I hadn't heard before, but I really enjoyed it. It was delightful. Since I wasn't familiar, I pulled up the lyrics. A few clicks later I was reading the sheet music. I can confirm that Ian wrote it in 7/4. The way he uses time signatures is one of the things that makes his music so compelling, I think. A deep dive into Jethro Tull would not get you any objections here. Happiest of Holidays to you! Thanks for spreading the joy. 🎄
I have been told that when a DJ at a "gentleman's club" dislikes a dancer, they play Jethro Tull for them to dance to, because of the odd time signatures.
I never realized how young Ian Anderson resembles Snoop Dogg. I think it might be those expressive eyes! Also, this was a super light hearted and charming performance, and I had never seen or heard this before. Loved this choice of holiday season music, what a treat :)
Fuxake I never noticed that before. I think both artists have a kind of inner joy when they perform
Concerning the combination of two different time signatures in one song: In German we have a special term for that: Zwiefacher. It's mainly used in the context of folk music.
BTW, the recent song Good Together by Lake Street Dive is a nice example for 7 4.
Songs From the Wood is one of my favorite albums. Jethro Tull is the band, Ian Anderson is the musician.
Wow, I never knew in my life that Jethro Tull did anything even geared towards Christmas . He's famous for locomotive breath . I love Jethro Tull. The flute in his songs is just so well placed that no one else has ever been able to put a flute into music the way he has especially rock . We all love this music back then we destroyed so many eight-tracks listening to them over and over and over again listening to them over and over and over again. I'm going to have to check this out. Very interesting rock on Elizabeth . 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️
You should check out Christmas Song and Another Christmas Song
Also, check his Christmas album.
@@kevinroche3334 Yep, The Jethro Tull Christmas Album gets played every year around this time in our house!
Just to be clear: Jethro Tull is the name of the band, Ian Anderson is the lead singer/songwriter/flute player/etc.
The change to the minor in the middle is simply beautiful. The harmony is on the 9th? Not sure I need to get my guitar out!
I was 11 when this came out and it knocked me on my arse.
The Greg Lake track may be my number one? Right now it's this!
Ian Anderson is ENCHANTED at any age.
I absolutely love Jethro Tull, fave albums, HEAVY HORSES, AQUALUNG, SONGS FROM THE WOODS, LIVING IN THE PAST, THICK AS A BRICK. Theres a couple more but those albums ive got on CD. The first live concert i went to at age of about 12,14 in the 80s in Bedford town corn exchange, the warm up band was a punk band called STOP THE WORLD, ill never forget that night, it was amazing seeing them live. Then i saw them a few times afterwards at festivals. Ian Anderson is such a great song writer and amazing flute player, Absolutely unique techniques he uses, he also plays the electric piano.
Elizabeth is really astute and informative on this one as usual. She comments that she like JT’s combination of folk and rock, I wonder what she’d make of the band that is often credited as the initiators of the genre of British folk rock in the 1960’s & 70’s, Fairport Convention during their Sandy Denny phase. The song “who knows where the time goes” (from the album Unhalfbricking) written by Sandy as a teenager is considered by many to be the best folk rock song ever although the whole album is fantastic.
Forgot to say, there is a strong association between Tull & Fairport.
I wonder what she'd make of the Incredible String Band and Robin's weird singing.
That song, curiously, is the final song on the final album by Fairport with Sandy. Poignant . Such a loss, wonderful voice.
There's also a strong association between Anderson and Steeleye Span - he produced their album Now We Are Six, and Maddy sang backup on the title track of Too Old To Rock & Roll, Too Young to Die - I think they've collaborated on a couple of other things
The Bad Shepherds! Punk as British folk music!
Wow I havent thought of them for years but loved them in the 70s and loving them again in 2024 😊
Seen Tull four times. Hello of a show!
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
I wish you all the best for Christmas and the new year. Give my best to Kirk. I hope he feeling better and is back with you and Mycroft. It wouldn’t be the same without him. I love what you do. Keep on doing it. Thank you.
Wonderful choice for Christmas, which Tull know how to do extremely well. They dedicated an entire album in 2004 to their own and others' Christmas classics. My only lament is that I really miss Martin Barre on guitar after the 2000s. He shaped their sound as much as Ian Anderson did
First, I'm a big Tull fan so I'm here for as much as you want to do. I'm always torn between the higher quality studio version and risking a poor audio quality to get to see Ian live, which is always so entertaining . This looks like pretty decent quality.
A couple favorites are Farm on the Freeway and Heavy Horses.
It may have been mentioned already, but they released a Christmas album a few years back. I think it is quite good, and is one of my seasonal favorites.
I also get an impression of Pan, the satyr god from Greek myth, when I see Ian Anderson perform. He's a wild force of nature. Not my type, but I can appreciate the appeal.
That stepping thing with his left foot would later become his iconic flamingo pose, which led to chronic hip trouble.
A couple other great holiday tunes from Jethro Tull are "Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow" and "A Christmas Song." They've been on my holiday playlist for a couple decades now as an antidote to the treacle people working in retail are forced to endure.
I've had a tradition of listening to the Jethro Tull Christmas album for many years it's fun every time.
This was a great analysis of a great song by you, Elizabeth, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, all the very best for 2025 too!
Ian Anderson and jetrho Tull is great. It is like you took a group of medieval musicians and show them how to play Rock and roll. Nothing sounds like Jetrho Tull. Which is interesting because is the engineer that creates the machine for plant seeds. There is a conection to earth. Forest... nature. Such powerful. I love this song and Songs from the wood. And you must hear Heavy Horses song. Ian Anderson great. Thanks for post it. Merry Christmas🎉❤
The irony of a band named for the inventor of one of the first pieces of farm machinery performing a song about the end of draft horses for farming...
The tubular bells ere played by David (now Dee) Palmer of the Royal College of Music, a long-time Tull collaborator...
Jethro Tull put out an entire Christmas album that just got the "Deluxe" treatment. It's one of their best latter-day albums, and I can't wait to hear the new Atmos mix.
Many years ago I had a friend who worked for Zildjian. Bands used to come in and sometimes give out free tickets as “Guests of the Band”. Anyhow he gave me tickets to see Ian Anderson as it wasn’t his type of music but he new it was mine.
I think it was called “An evening with Ian Anderson” the set-up was an empty stage with just a small table and chair with a bottle of wine on the table. He literally came in and sat down at the table and talked to us about the history of the band and now and again would play some of his music. There can not of been more than a few hundred people there. Very special evening!
This particular track for some reason also started me thinking of a group called “Clannad” perhaps you would like to listen to some of their stuff (I would suggest the Theme from Harry's Game).
Love your channel Elizabeth! This time of year and giving is a wholesome time with our families and friends and I can only wish for you the happiest of times during the Christmas holidays with singing, puzzles and games that you mentioned, and a happy new year just around the corner!
Always evocative of the Christmas/New Year period.So is Steeleye Span "Gaudete"and "All around my hat.:"".Introduced by "Diddy"David Hamilton!
Love Gaudete
Merry Christmas to everyone at The Charismatic Voice including all the faithful subscribers and listeners. Peace on Earth in the New Year!
My favourite Christmas or rather Yule tide song. Great band and genius Ian Anderson
The entire Jethro Tull Christmas album is worth checking out! Some really excellent arrangements, as well as some fun original songs :D
My favorite is Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow
Also the 2008 double album release, which includes not only the 2003 album, but also Christmas at St Bride's, with a good number of additional seasonal songs.
Songs From the Wood is my favourite Jethro Tull album. It is so flavourful and thematic!
Tull put out a Christmas album that included a reworked version of this song.
Songs From The Wood is one of my favorite albums of all time.
This song comes off the Songs From The Wood album which I've always thought of as Rustic Rock. Ian Anderson is such a dynamic performer. I've seen Tull twice at the same venue a year apart(the Hammersmith Odeon in London in the late 70s). The first one we had seats that were 2nd row front and the second time seats in the balcony which, with all of his flamboyance and movements, was just as satisfying.
There’s an interesting story about this TV appearance.
Tull were booked as a stand-in to be available in the studio in case any of the acts couldn’t make it. Ian decided that, as it was highly unlikely that they would be called upon, he’d go Christmas shopping. An act had to cancel due to illness (I think it may have been Cliff Richard but don’t quote me on it) and Ian was nowhere to be seen. They couldn’t find him and put out an urgent appeal on the radio asking listeners to call in if they’d seen him. A passenger in a taxi heard the radio plea and remembered that he’d seen Ian in a store in Oxford street only a few minutes before so reported it in. The BBC called the store who put out a tannoy announcement. Ian was found and made it back to the studio in the Nick of time for the recording.
It was routine practice for musicians to mime on Top Of The Pops. It was due to some bonkers Musicians Union regulation. They had to re-record their own backing track in a BBC recording studio for them to mime it. Some bands felt this a waste of time and sometimes submitted the original backing track from their original recording and just pretend they re-recorded it. Other bands had fun with it by messing around or miming deliberately badly (which I’ve seen Ian do. His miming to Witches Promise on the TOTP was ludicrous but highly entertaining!)
The record company wanted to make this single more commercial and, since they had Mike Batt under contract at the time, they asked him to produce and arrange a new version of the song. He changed the time signature from mostly 7/4 to entirely 4/4 and changed the title and lyric to Magic Bells. The band hated it. Ian arranged for a copy of Solstice Bells and Magic Bells to be played to employees at the studio (canteen staff, cleaners, admin staff etc) and asked them which version they preferred. They all chose the original and so Chrysalis were forced to stick with Ian’s original version. Magic Bells was released as a bonus track on a remastered edition of the album a little while ago. I love Mike Batt’s music, but Magic Bells was horrible!p
I love that they had the studio staff give their judgement!
I love that the lyric referrences the time signature. THis is my fav JT album.
LOVE THIS ONE OF MY FAV CHRISTMAS SONGS CLASSIC!!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, I've seen Tull many times, what a fantastic band
The whole "Songs from the Wood" album is utterly amazing. Talk about defining your own music genre...
My favourite rock album for Christmas.
This was my wedding song back in 1991. Favorite all time band. Thanks, Liz! BTW, I believe Ian sings nasally because he's really a baritone trying to sing as a tenor, and that's the only way he feels comfortable doing that.
Some of their other "Christmassy" tunes are 'Coronach' and 'Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow'. Magnificent stuff. Oh and the foot, Ian was always know as the one legged flutist. He would stand on one leg for ages. While playing.
Merry Minstrel Music!
Empecé a escuchar Jethro Tull desde pequeño Gracias a mi papa. Es un crack el Anderson
Rather awesomely, a Christmas Song that isn't about Christmas, rather what came before. Ian Anderson is responsible for a fair few great Christmas songs
This is from a UK TV programme called Top of the Pops; the weird thing about ToP was that the artists were recorded pre-transmission and then had to mine to their own recording. This was so they could know exact run times of each artist. Sometimes the artists would just mine to their own record. Tull were clowning around here, not even trying to pretend they were live.
Most did mess around.
I love the Christmas house lights the most.
Elizabeth, you always bring a smile to my fave and help me feel warm with your cheery personality. Thank you for being so awesome always.
This is fun!
I totally get the satyr and/or faun vibes from his leg movement too combined with the flute-playing.
Elizabeth I look forward to today's show. I wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe Christmas and New Year. I know it may be to late for this suggestion but maybe next year the songs Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Silver Bells, or Heavy Metal Christmas from Twisted Sisters Twisted Christmas Album. Thank you for your effort, excellence, and enthusiasm.
This is the studio track and they are lip-syncing. Thank you for doing this song! I am a huge Jethro Tull fan, and this song is one of my favorites, from my absolutely favorite album by them- Songs From the Wood! Also, as a Pagan, it is nice to hear a Solstice song being analyzed this holiday season! I have recommended this song on the one other reaction channel I listen to. for years, to no avail yet.
This is my favorite Tull album too!
jethro tull were a group of very talented individuals who all contributed to the sound of the band. I think this explains a lot of the creative magic of the first two decades.
His song “ cup of wonder” from the same album is great festival song
Ian would fit right in at Renaissance Pleasure Faire.
The clapping in this song is exceedingly important element and it is crazy captivating. I would encourage anyone to try and replicate it or at least discuss it in this forum.
He is one of a kind. Keep being amazed by him.
It's so nice to hear songs celebrating the Solstice, since, in my eyes, that's what all the winter holidays are really about, they've just been adapted in various ways from that core. May your days get longer and brighter from here! (Until the summer solstice, at least! ;) )
Yay! More Tull.
Fun fact: the label wanted this as a single, but forced them to re-record it in 4/4. You might find it interesting to compare the two, they are completely different performances and it has altered lyrics too (apparently it was thought “solstice” was too obscure). As it was, the original ended up being the single that sold and got them back on Top of the Pops.
Magic Bells version:
ua-cam.com/video/M8V_3ej1U7I/v-deo.html
Merry Christmas and magical hugs to you during this holiday season Elizabeth.
From the incredible "Songs from the Wood" album which was a beautifully observed blend of rock, progressive rock and English folk influences. The entire album does not date.
A classic from the best period of vintage Tull! If you want to dive deeper into this fantastic band's catalogue, as a lifelong fan I'd heartily recommend anything and everything from Songs From The Wood (featuring this track), Thick As A Brick, A Passion Play, Minstrel In The Gallery and Heavy Horses… although you really can't go too far wrong with any period of Tull. By far the loudest band I have ever seen too (Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, late '80s… loud enough to rattle your ribcage!)
Got to see them a couple times. Sounded great, too.