The first Jethro Tull album I ever heard. Also the first album I ever bought. I was 9 years old and became a major Tully. 52 odd years later and still it ranks as one of the best albums in the history of recorded music. You have to listen to it several times to really appreciate it to it's fullest. It's complicated and simple at the same time.👍
I’ve had this album since it was released, but I didn’t have one with the newspaper insert. Recently I discovered, much to my delight, that somewhere along the line I had acquired a used copy that DID have the entire insert. Love their sense of humor! Nearly as much as their music. After all these years of enjoy it, it’s great to see others discovering it. If you do go down this rabbit hole, be warned that it is vast and varied.
When you have finished Thick as a Brick, all you have to do is immerse yourself in their other concept album composed of a unique suite: the inextricable and excellent A Passion Play !!! 😉
I was in HS when this album was released. I would come home from school and play it everyday. My Mom actually began to like it. Being a female and African American, my family didn’t understand my love for rock and Prog rock.
the Hammond organ/keyboard player John Evan, often written-off by fans as a minor contributor, was a major force in making the ambitious, epic "Thick As A Brick" work. Without his creative use of the Hammond organ, the album would have been quite boring, or worse. The rapid changes in texture and driving rhythm of the organ carry the whole thing, with the rest of the band hanging flourishes on that foundation.
One of the all time greatest rock/prog/folk albums. The classic of classics. One of those albums that I have owned in every conceivable media type (except for reel to reel).
Hey Jim! An interesting story if you didn't know... on June 10, 1971 JT appeared at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver Colorado to a sold-out crowd of over 10,000. Approximately 2,000 other fans without tickets tried to get in by climbing the Rocks behind the theater or storming the gates which ultimately ended up with the police showing up tear gas flying everywhere and it turned into one of the worst riots in Rock and Roll history. Because of this Red Rocks banned rock concerts at the theater for the next 5 years. I was supposed to be at that concert but didn't make it. Good thing!🤩
I grew up on the radio edit of this, which was often played on classic rock radio. I know it's considered anathema to shorten this classic, but I'm glad they did or I would never had been exposed to it. It was only a few years ago that I finally heard the full album. What a delight!
At many parties and get togethers, quite often people would ask if you could only listen to one record for the rest of your life the different bands named were typical. Led Zeppelin 4, Crime of the Century, Rolling Stones, Beatles etc…. For me I always said and stand by my decision. Thick as a Brick is my choice. I love all those bands and have everything they produced. So many great albums. For me Jethro Tulls Thick as a brick tops them all. Strangely enough my second choice would be U.K.’s First Album
My 1st concert when I was 13 at MSG, NYC,,,, Had no idea who Jethro Tull was. A friend of mine had an extra ticket.. I can say this concert/ album officially started my teenage years and has a special place in my heart. I can still hear the sound of the hammond organ when the 'see there a man is born' section starts. Jeffery Hammond was the bass player back then he had just as much stage charisma as Anderson. The guy never stopped jumping around. He was right there with Verdine White of EWF with his outfits and stamina. In those days Tull was a GREAT live band. To me, this album couldn't have turned out the way it did without the brilliant and creative drumming style of Barimore Barlow. And, john Evan on the keys... That guy never got the notority he deserved.. whose john Evan? Well hes the guy playing keyboards on every great Tull song you ever heard!
Just discovered your channel yesterday and listened to Thick As A Brick with you. It was great having all the pops and crackles on an actual album. There is something about that sound at the beginning of an album and at the end that is nostalgic for me.
Thanks for popping by Hal! If you stick around there might be more Tull (there’ll definitely be more) and Yes, Genesis, Camel, and a thousand other bands from back then, and a thousand from now. I try to play physical media for all of them, there’s bound to be something else you enjoy! Thanks again 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
It was my great pleasure to grow up in the 60s and 70s. It's only now I truly appreciate the freedom that flourished especially in music this album as exhibit #1.
I have the original album, in the gatefold was the newspaper that had all the stories, some related to the album some not. The main story if my memory is correct was about a certain "Gerald Bostock" who won a prize for writing a poem ie. Thick as a Brick....
Thanks Jim for more Tull. If you get the chance give a listen to the live version from their Bursting Out album. It’s condensed down to 12 minutes and is one hell of an amazing performance.
And of course their Best is their great Live album "Bursting Out" which captures the band at their very best !! I saw Tull many times Jim From 1972' to 1978' from Boston, CT to NYC and Burst Out is the great representation of this Classic era 👍🎶🎼
Love that frenetic organ work...followed by that almost joyful change up build with piano, deep base and that trademark flute...into 'the poet and the painter...' 💘 My Jethro Tull top 5 at mo... 5 Thick as A Brick 4 Heavy Horses 3 Aqualung 2 Stormwatch 1 Broadsword and The Beast And yes it changes order....all the time.... Music aye?🤷♂️ All of them genius
The original album cover was a gatefold album, which when you opened the gatefold, there was a part that unfolded down so that you had an opened broadsheet, filled with hilarious Pythonesque stories about the fictional British village.
Hey buddy! Hope you had a great weekend? I spent hours moving my room around! Not sure if it's entirely worth it, but I'm glad I did it! Hope you enjoy the video.
My goodness Jim I have three copies of the original It actually opens up like a gatefold album and the newspaper opens up inside it's pretty neat there are actually two different versions everything the same except for just a couple articles It happened because he they changed record labels pretty interesting all of the articles were written by the band members and have a lot of the Monty Python kind of humor to them that was pretty popular back in the day
Wow, thanks for that. This was the first time I ever listened to that album and began to hear progressive rock. It kept reminding me of the Yes, Close to the Edge album, and sometimes The Small Faces with Happiness Stan...
This album was already published, 1972, before I was finding out what my favorite type of music was (puberty). But in 1974 I stumbled upon Jethro Tull and I loved them. Followed them until 1982 when their new albums became less interesting. Still love (and listen to) the older albums and especially the live concerts from that time. Thick as a brick is a great concept album that they themselves don’t consider as one. It is though. Bursting Out is a great live album. ‘Songs from the wood’ and ‘Heavy Horses’ are must hear albums.
1988 at Ohio State University. A buddy and I used to go to a local record store and pick an album from artist unknown to us based solely on the cover. It was Broadsword and the Beast for me. Really liked it so I looked for more Tull and TAAB. Still my favorite.
Nice new set-up, Jim...now if only you'll be able to find everything. :) Anyway, great Tull album - probably their best, in my opinion, and that's saying a lot because the band has a bunch of excellent platters. Nevertheless, in my book, "Thick as a Brick" is 5 full stars!
I first heard Thick as a Brick on their best of album which had the shortened version. When I bought this album it had the unexpected additions. It's still in my basement album box. 🎼☕🙂
Hey Walt 👋! Thanks for the tee shirt 👕…. I went to the PO Box and there was a parcel from you! I’m so grateful, next Renaissance video I make I know what I’ll be wearing!
The music is amazing and yet, in so many ways, this was just one giant Jethro Tull practical joke, poking fun at the label of "concept album" by creating a ridiculous story and building a record around it. Watching Ian perform this (even shortened versions) live onstage is a spectacular show!
In particular, TAAB was poking fun at the record reviewers referring to Aqualung as a concept album, nu? I still personally consider Aqualung to be a concept, but my understanding is the band, especially Anderson, does not.
That album and band occupy a prominent place on my prog bar top. Which I would share if you could add photos to comments😂. But it is a go to album when I am thinking about what to listen to.
I love the full album playthrough and review videos. I just pop over to listen to some really fantastic music with you. It's always something cool to enjoy . Everything looks great too with the editing. I'm going to check out Chicago with you tomorrow. Thanks for what you do Cheers!!
Thanks so much buddy, I appreciate that. It’s super cool when someone (you) watches videos outside their usual area… Devin Townsend, tick! Chicago? Huh, cool!
Wait until you hear A Passion Play. TAAB was my favorite...until PP. That may be one of the most "progressive" albums of all time and is hands-down my favorite Tull. If I had to only have two albums on a desert island, Brick & Passion would do nicely. Gosh they were great.
Very much often underrated the band's contribution to the music and arrangements, particularly Evan and Barre, and later on Palmer. John Evan's playing on this is sublime.
I have not played it for 30 odd years I play the CD as then it is one track and not faded in half. I was interested in the box set as I have bought a few. It is however just the album where the others have numerous extra and live tracks. Three versions of this are enough I think as the original was genius enough.
Happy happy joy joy! Glad to have you around Richard! Oooo! By the way, the 1st and 2nd Mogwai records are being reissued in the new year! Now THAT is exciting!
Looking forward to you hearing the second side, I love the payoff at the end of their.. audio strutting and flexing :P I never knew how tongue in cheek Jethro Tull were until, well, until I heard your "heavy horses" reaction.. that's become one of my favourite of their albums since your video, and that's not a common occurrence in the "Richard's favourite albums" stakes.. anyway I first listened to this when I was around 18 or so and I liked the lyrics, including the kind of mediaeval intrigue.. and yeah, that final paid playoff.. I have yet another reason to look forward to the new year now, I can't wait to see the look on your face when you get to "ex cowboy" and (my favourite) "Christmas steps" on Come On Die Young
Jethro Tull did a lot of good stuff and some not-so-good stuff but this is perhaps the pinnacle of the great stuff. The entire concept is hugely entertaining (get a copy of the newspaper. It's a couple of hours fun in itself) and the music a wonderfully satisfying journey (for once the cliché fits admirably) A true classic.
The newspaper by itself is certainly worth reading - it's a Monty Python thing, and quite good actually. There's not much about the record there though, apart from the lyrics and the album review ;). But there's one thing there which you need to know: it says the lyrics were written by an 8 year old Gerald Bostock whose story is mentioned on the first page and who is depicted there. So you should check that. Many people were actually convinced that the fact he wrote it was all true. Anyway, December this year will see a 50th Anniversary rerelease of the newspaper vinyl with Steven Wilson's remix. I bet you may be interested.
@@JimNewstead Actually, I wrote it wrong. This vinyl release is already available. What comes in December is a rerelease of Steven Wilson's 5.1 remix. The vinyl contains a stereo version of that remix.
The idea that you don't know the backstory of little Milton supposedly writing this poem and then reading it on the BBC and them taking his award away after he read it it's all made up like you said but it is part of the charm and having the actual newspaper it was really taking the prog rock album over the top for the day.
The concept, the lyrics and the musicianship are all top of the class on this album! Hey, Jim, slightly off topic but don't know where else to put this, Bill Bruford just released a 6 CD retrospective box set of his career. Unfortunately only CD no Vinyl yet!
Yeah, I was on this real time back in the day! Great album! Tho reviews seem to be mixed, I am also a big fan of the next, i.e. Passion Play. Cant remember if you hit that one already...
As with Chicago II recently, this is one where you'll want to listen to Steven Wilson's remix. It's outstanding, especially the reissues without the awful mastering job the record company ordered.
Slight correction: Tull has always been rather pleased to be called a Prog band ("progressive" being regarded as a positive, quite rightly). However, Ian Anderson rejected the suggestion that their previous album, Aqualung, was a concept album, saying that a few of the songs were on broadly similar themes, but that was all. So, as a joke, he decided to make the mother of all concept albums - Thick As A Brick. Typically for Tull, what started as a giggle gained a life of its own and became a classic. The aunt of all concept albums - A Passion Play - was to follow next...
I've never been able to get into TAAB like many have. My peak Tull period is 1969-1970 -- This Was... and Benefit (plus Living in the Past). I prefer Tull when they're either rocking harder or more purely folky. IMO there's a few too many ideas spread across this record that aren't always linked together very well. Also, using a dense, 2-sided prog epic to satirize prog seems like an odd idea. That said, there's some great music here so it's never a difficult listen. It's just not something I reach for as often as those earlier albums.
Hello Jim, me again. I've listened to this album on a 2022 remastered version on youtube, I like the "cleaner" version better. That is my problem with vinyls from the 70's, I can hear some bizarre sounds, like the instruments aren't clearly recorded, maybe it's just my old ears doing that. !
@@JimNewstead the longer the packages take to arrive, the more chances you will have them both for your birthday ! at least I hope they'll arrive before that !
I might have to change the lights…. Not Christmas lights, just a multicoloured rope light I’ve fitted to the back of the record shelves to add some sparkle!
Yo! Funny you should mention the first part sounding familiar, that's EXACTLY what I felt as well the first time I heard it 🤯 in particular the little flute part after he sings "thick as a brick" Hm I wonder, does anyone else know if that part in particular perhaps sounds a bit like another tune out there? 🤔 ...aaaand let me stop you right there: No, NOT trying to say either would've copied the other, I'm genuinely interested to know, and now I bloody CAN'T let it go when another fan mentioned it as well, this is going to drive me insane til I figure out what it is! 😤) Anyway, nice to listen to this with you, Jim, and to hear your thoughts. Looking forward to side 2!
I'll admit to a selfish curiosity to see where the lyrics to Awaken have wound up. I like the idea of you following Scot's example, and setting the album jacket facing outward on one of the cubby shelves to be seen.
@@gabiesiren , actually, I think Jim may have shown his studio set up when the family first moved to the current house. I seem to recall Jim using a green screen in videos prior to that. But, I may be wrong. It was around the time I first discovered Jim's channel, I think.
Great album, although it has to be acknowledged that side 2 doesn't quite live up to side 1. (In particular, the first few minutes of side 2 really drive the album car into a ditch before getting back on the road.)
There is a distortion I am not familiar with, and I have heard this album several dozen times minimum, on LP, cassette and CD. Something in your system is being over-driven and clipping the signal. Using a tape output and not the headphone jack, right? Let the music play. Peace out.
Jim is right. Ian's superior lyrics & melody is very accessible. Rooted in traditional eEnglish or Celtic influences, mixing blues, rock and classic into some new amalgamation. Well, lyrics... not so much..
Simply an absolute and flawless masterpiece.
Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson,
the Shakespeare of Rock.
The first Jethro Tull album I ever heard. Also the first album I ever bought. I was 9 years old and became a major Tully. 52 odd years later and still it ranks as one of the best albums in the history of recorded music. You have to listen to it several times to really appreciate it to it's fullest. It's complicated and simple at the same time.👍
Ill always be thankful to my dad for getting me into this stuff
In my opinion this is the greatest album ever created!
i agre - this is outstanding and the greatest album ever created!
My favorite album. Not just by Tull, but by anyone, period.
Can't argue with that.
Mine also!
100% agree. It’s the one album I would want on a deserted island
@@tombillings101 First heard it when I was 13. I turn 63 next month, and still regularly listen to it. Phenomenal album.
I’ve had this album since it was released, but I didn’t have one with the newspaper insert. Recently I discovered, much to my delight, that somewhere along the line I had acquired a used copy that DID have the entire insert. Love their sense of humor! Nearly as much as their music. After all these years of enjoy it, it’s great to see others discovering it. If you do go down this rabbit hole, be warned that it is vast and varied.
When you have finished Thick as a Brick, all you have to do is immerse yourself in their other concept album composed of a unique suite: the inextricable and excellent A Passion Play !!! 😉
well its Tull at their moment so good
Barrie Barlow superior drumming for Tull and never gets a nod from drumming fans!
This album did more to shape my adolescent mind than any other.
John Bonham said "Barriemore Barlow (JT's drummer) is the greatest english drummer!". He Is incredibile! Check the live Bursting Out.
Hi Jim! Great episode! Cheers.
Hey Doug! Yeah, fab record. Thanks for watching! Hope all’s well in your neck of the woods. Catch you soon matey!
My favourite Tull album. Epic masterpiece.
I was in HS when this album was released. I would come home from school and play it everyday. My Mom actually began to like it. Being a female and African American, my family didn’t understand my love for rock and Prog rock.
the Hammond organ/keyboard player John Evan, often written-off by fans as a minor contributor, was a major force in making the ambitious, epic "Thick As A Brick" work.
Without his creative use of the Hammond organ, the album would have been quite boring, or worse. The rapid changes in texture and driving rhythm of the organ carry the whole thing, with the rest of the band hanging flourishes on that foundation.
As a Tull fan I have to say I've never heard anyone under-credit John Evan.
A FANTASTIC ALBUM
Timeless
Still listen to it today
Have the vinyl and the box set
I adore this album. Top 5 for me.
One of the all time greatest rock/prog/folk albums. The classic of classics. One of those albums that I have owned in every conceivable media type (except for reel to reel).
Hey Jim! An interesting story if you didn't know... on June 10, 1971 JT appeared at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver Colorado to a sold-out crowd of over 10,000. Approximately 2,000 other fans without tickets tried to get in by climbing the Rocks behind the theater or storming the gates which ultimately ended up with the police showing up tear gas flying everywhere and it turned into one of the worst riots in Rock and Roll history. Because of this Red Rocks banned rock concerts at the theater for the next 5 years. I was supposed to be at that concert but didn't make it. Good thing!🤩
I grew up on the radio edit of this, which was often played on classic rock radio. I know it's considered anathema to shorten this classic, but I'm glad they did or I would never had been exposed to it. It was only a few years ago that I finally heard the full album. What a delight!
At many parties and get togethers, quite often people would ask if you could only listen to one record for the rest of your life the different bands named were typical. Led Zeppelin 4, Crime of the Century, Rolling Stones, Beatles etc…. For me I always said and stand by my decision. Thick as a Brick is my choice. I love all those bands and have everything they produced. So many great albums. For me Jethro Tulls Thick as a brick tops them all. Strangely enough my second choice would be U.K.’s First Album
My 1st concert when I was 13 at MSG, NYC,,,, Had no idea who Jethro Tull was. A friend of mine had an extra ticket.. I can say this concert/ album officially started my teenage years and has a special place in my heart. I can still hear the sound of the hammond organ when the 'see there a man is born' section starts. Jeffery Hammond was the bass player back then he had just as much stage charisma as Anderson. The guy never stopped jumping around. He was right there with Verdine White of EWF with his outfits and stamina. In those days Tull was a GREAT live band. To me, this album couldn't have turned out the way it did without the brilliant and creative drumming style of Barimore Barlow. And, john Evan on the keys... That guy never got the notority he deserved.. whose john Evan? Well hes the guy playing keyboards on every great Tull song you ever heard!
Thick as a Brick on a Marillion turntable pad - makes my heart happy
Just discovered your channel yesterday and listened to Thick As A Brick with you. It was great having all the pops and crackles on an actual album. There is something about that sound at the beginning of an album and at the end that is nostalgic for me.
Thanks for popping by Hal! If you stick around there might be more Tull (there’ll definitely be more) and Yes, Genesis, Camel, and a thousand other bands from back then, and a thousand from now. I try to play physical media for all of them, there’s bound to be something else you enjoy! Thanks again 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
@@JimNewstead Yes... checking in again Jim. How are you doing?
It was my great pleasure to grow up in the 60s and 70s. It's only now I truly appreciate the freedom that flourished especially in music this album as exhibit #1.
😎
I have the original album, in the gatefold was the newspaper that had all the stories, some related to the album some not. The main story if my memory is correct was about a certain "Gerald Bostock" who won a prize for writing a poem ie. Thick as a Brick....
Next… A Passion Play!!
I love this album!
Thanks Jim for more Tull. If you get the chance give a listen to the live version from their Bursting Out album. It’s condensed down to 12 minutes and is one hell of an amazing performance.
What a way to spend some time with you. Thanks for sharing
That's a real classic you chose Jim. I'm glad relistening it in your company.
Hey hey!
A Great Classic Prog Epic Jim !!! 🎶
One of Jethro Tull's Best with Aqualung/ Minstrel in the Gallery/ Songs from the Wood/ Stand Up 🎼👍
And of course their Best is their great Live album "Bursting Out" which captures the band at their very best !! I saw Tull many times Jim From 1972' to 1978' from Boston, CT to NYC and Burst Out is the great representation of this Classic era 👍🎶🎼
Thanks Jim. My first listen to Jethro Tull and I love it. So much to catch up. Its almost like discovering a new band. I love this channel
Love that frenetic organ work...followed by that almost joyful change up build with piano, deep base and that trademark flute...into 'the poet and the painter...' 💘
My Jethro Tull top 5 at mo...
5 Thick as A Brick
4 Heavy Horses
3 Aqualung
2 Stormwatch
1 Broadsword and The Beast
And yes it changes order....all the time.... Music aye?🤷♂️
All of them genius
A fluid list then!
The original album cover was a gatefold album, which when you opened the gatefold, there was a part that unfolded down so that you had an opened broadsheet, filled with hilarious Pythonesque stories about the fictional British village.
Hey Jim! Get ready for a true masterpiece. Enjoy!😎
Hey buddy! Hope you had a great weekend? I spent hours moving my room around! Not sure if it's entirely worth it, but I'm glad I did it! Hope you enjoy the video.
@@JimNewstead Always good to change things up a bit.😎
@@JimNewstead the room looks great.. speaking as an [redacted], no reason why you can't make a second, targeted re-arrangement to fine tune the space
Without Jethro Tull we'd have no scarecrows thus no Wizard Of Oz
My goodness Jim I have three copies of the original It actually opens up like a gatefold album and the newspaper opens up inside it's pretty neat there are actually two different versions everything the same except for just a couple articles It happened because he they changed record labels pretty interesting all of the articles were written by the band members and have a lot of the Monty Python kind of humor to them that was pretty popular back in the day
Wow, thanks for that. This was the first time I ever listened to that album and began to hear progressive rock. It kept reminding me of the Yes, Close to the Edge album, and sometimes The Small Faces with Happiness Stan...
It just isn't possibe that you have never heard this before Jim. Holy crap! Enjoy one of the best albums ever created.
Oh it is I’m afraid! Totally possible!!!
This album was already published, 1972, before I was finding out what my favorite type of music was (puberty). But in 1974 I stumbled upon Jethro Tull and I loved them. Followed them until 1982 when their new albums became less interesting. Still love (and listen to) the older albums and especially the live concerts from that time.
Thick as a brick is a great concept album that they themselves don’t consider as one. It is though.
Bursting Out is a great live album.
‘Songs from the wood’ and ‘Heavy Horses’ are must hear albums.
Cracking stuff, in my top 3 Tull albums along with Songs from the Wood & Benefit
Hey Lemmy’s Mole! 👋
1988 at Ohio State University. A buddy and I used to go to a local record store and pick an album from artist unknown to us based solely on the cover. It was Broadsword and the Beast for me. Really liked it so I looked for more Tull and TAAB. Still my favorite.
Truly classic album!!! I know it all by heart! It’s good to see u Jim!!
Excited! An old favorite. I often play bits of it on flutes and recorders. Listening forward to this...
Enjoy!
Nice new set-up, Jim...now if only you'll be able to find everything. :) Anyway, great Tull album - probably their best, in my opinion, and that's saying a lot because the band has a bunch of excellent platters. Nevertheless, in my book, "Thick as a Brick" is 5 full stars!
A parody of a concept album. Gotta love Ian Anderson.
I first heard Thick as a Brick on their best of album which had the shortened version.
When I bought this album it had the unexpected additions. It's still in my basement album box. 🎼☕🙂
Hey Walt 👋! Thanks for the tee shirt 👕…. I went to the PO Box and there was a parcel from you! I’m so grateful, next Renaissance video I make I know what I’ll be wearing!
@@JimNewstead 🙂☕🎸
The music is amazing and yet, in so many ways, this was just one giant Jethro Tull practical joke, poking fun at the label of "concept album" by creating a ridiculous story and building a record around it. Watching Ian perform this (even shortened versions) live onstage is a spectacular show!
I can imagine! It’s certainly great fun listening, and I need to dig into the sleeves more, it looks hilarious!
In particular, TAAB was poking fun at the record reviewers referring to Aqualung as a concept album, nu? I still personally consider Aqualung to be a concept, but my understanding is the band, especially Anderson, does not.
That album and band occupy a prominent place on my prog bar top. Which I would share if you could add photos to comments😂. But it is a go to album when I am thinking about what to listen to.
I love the full album playthrough and review videos. I just pop over to listen to some really fantastic music with you. It's always something cool to enjoy . Everything looks great too with the editing. I'm going to check out Chicago with you tomorrow. Thanks for what you do Cheers!!
Thanks so much buddy, I appreciate that. It’s super cool when someone (you) watches videos outside their usual area… Devin Townsend, tick! Chicago? Huh, cool!
I CAME RUNNING AS SOON AS I HEARD!
Such a great album. I'm excited to see your thoughts. :)
Still another side to go yet!
Wait until you hear A Passion Play. TAAB was my favorite...until PP. That may be one of the most "progressive" albums of all time and is hands-down my favorite Tull. If I had to only have two albums on a desert island, Brick & Passion would do nicely. Gosh they were great.
incredible musical ideas in this and much of Anderson's work.
Very much often underrated the band's contribution to the music and arrangements, particularly Evan and Barre, and later on Palmer. John Evan's playing on this is sublime.
I think I have the original newspaper version of this sat in my attic somewhere. No idea if it is still playable after all these years.
Real excited for this one! I do believe I'll be adding some more Jethro Tull to my collection in the near future.
Whoop whoop 🙌
I do have an original with the newspaper bought it for a quid back in the 1980's of a college mate.
I have not played it for 30 odd years I play the CD as then it is one track and not faded in half. I was interested in the box set as I have bought a few. It is however just the album where the others have numerous extra and live tracks. Three versions of this are enough I think as the original was genius enough.
Lucky bugger!
@@JimNewstead Do not consider it luck but prudence.
Oh happy, happy, happy day, huge props Jim
Happy happy joy joy! Glad to have you around Richard! Oooo! By the way, the 1st and 2nd Mogwai records are being reissued in the new year! Now THAT is exciting!
@@JimNewstead egads! Go on Jim gimmie a belated Christmas present!
Looking forward to you hearing the second side, I love the payoff at the end of their.. audio strutting and flexing :P I never knew how tongue in cheek Jethro Tull were until, well, until I heard your "heavy horses" reaction.. that's become one of my favourite of their albums since your video, and that's not a common occurrence in the "Richard's favourite albums" stakes.. anyway I first listened to this when I was around 18 or so and I liked the lyrics, including the kind of mediaeval intrigue.. and yeah, that final paid playoff..
I have yet another reason to look forward to the new year now, I can't wait to see the look on your face when you get to "ex cowboy" and (my favourite) "Christmas steps" on Come On Die Young
Yes, Ian apparently learned to play violin around this time…
Heard this incessantly played on the 6th form LP player, in my last year @ school... will listen tonight on big system :)
Enjoy!
Ian Anderson and Roy harper to me have a very similar voice.
Jethro Tull did a lot of good stuff and some not-so-good stuff but this is perhaps the pinnacle of the great stuff. The entire concept is hugely entertaining (get a copy of the newspaper. It's a couple of hours fun in itself) and the music a wonderfully satisfying journey (for once the cliché fits admirably) A true classic.
Yeah, I need to.
The newspaper by itself is certainly worth reading - it's a Monty Python thing, and quite good actually. There's not much about the record there though, apart from the lyrics and the album review ;). But there's one thing there which you need to know: it says the lyrics were written by an 8 year old Gerald Bostock whose story is mentioned on the first page and who is depicted there. So you should check that.
Many people were actually convinced that the fact he wrote it was all true.
Anyway, December this year will see a 50th Anniversary rerelease of the newspaper vinyl with Steven Wilson's remix. I bet you may be interested.
You bet correctly!
@@JimNewstead Actually, I wrote it wrong. This vinyl release is already available. What comes in December is a rerelease of Steven Wilson's 5.1 remix.
The vinyl contains a stereo version of that remix.
The idea that you don't know the backstory of little Milton supposedly writing this poem and then reading it on the BBC and them taking his award away after he read it it's all made up like you said but it is part of the charm and having the actual newspaper it was really taking the prog rock album over the top for the day.
This album is one of the more important album in the history.
One of my favorite prog-rock albums, made by a guy who created this album to make fun of prog-rock.
3:09 "Life is a Long Song" ?? anybody ?? Gawd I remember this as a young 14 yr old when it came out.
The concept, the lyrics and the musicianship are all top of the class on this album! Hey, Jim, slightly off topic but don't know where else to put this, Bill Bruford just released a 6 CD retrospective box set of his career. Unfortunately only CD no Vinyl yet!
Yeah, I was on this real time back in the day! Great album! Tho reviews seem to be mixed, I am also a big fan of the next, i.e. Passion Play. Cant remember if you hit that one already...
Not yet…. Will get to that at some point!
OH YEAH!
If you love Hammond organ, you've come to the right album!
Thanks for this Jim.
You're very welcome ☺️
As with Chicago II recently, this is one where you'll want to listen to Steven Wilson's remix. It's outstanding, especially the reissues without the awful mastering job the record company ordered.
What a great album this is! (Hope you did not have too many bits left over when you reconstructed the furniture………..😂😂)
Loads!
"... and your silver pasta shoes." ~ hahaha, wut? ... great album! ; )
Thanks for listening
Really decent track this Jim and not really featured that often as a piece. Well done mate!
Update from me. Confidently sitting here thinking I’d heard it but no. It was a totally new listen as well. Still loved it
Huh! I thought *I* was the album reaction channel 🤣
Slight correction: Tull has always been rather pleased to be called a Prog band ("progressive" being regarded as a positive, quite rightly). However, Ian Anderson rejected the suggestion that their previous album, Aqualung, was a concept album, saying that a few of the songs were on broadly similar themes, but that was all. So, as a joke, he decided to make the mother of all concept albums - Thick As A Brick. Typically for Tull, what started as a giggle gained a life of its own and became a classic.
The aunt of all concept albums - A Passion Play - was to follow next...
Thanks for the correction!
Brilliant album, all the more brilliant for the newspaper album cover and the fact that Ian was making an anti prog song lol.
I've never been able to get into TAAB like many have. My peak Tull period is 1969-1970 -- This Was... and Benefit (plus Living in the Past). I prefer Tull when they're either rocking harder or more purely folky. IMO there's a few too many ideas spread across this record that aren't always linked together very well. Also, using a dense, 2-sided prog epic to satirize prog seems like an odd idea. That said, there's some great music here so it's never a difficult listen. It's just not something I reach for as often as those earlier albums.
Hello Jim, me again. I've listened to this album on a 2022 remastered version on youtube, I like the "cleaner" version better. That is my problem with vinyls from the 70's, I can hear some bizarre sounds, like the instruments aren't clearly recorded, maybe it's just my old ears doing that. !
The original album was released with a Gatefold Cover, not a single cardboard sleeve.
Hello Jim, even though this is from the 70's, I like Jethro Tull a lot! Any signs of my parcels?!
Hey Gabs, no I’m afraid not. I checked today. There was a parcel from someone else but not yours.
Sounds like what happened to my shipment waaaayyyy back when Jim first got the PO Box...
@@JimNewstead at least you got something!
@@JimNewstead the longer the packages take to arrive, the more chances you will have them both for your birthday ! at least I hope they'll arrive before that !
@@gabiesiren fingers crossed Gabs…. I’ll check again early next week.
cracking choice Jim love this album, on another point do you have your Christmas tree up looks like it with the reflection on the cabinet behind you.
I might have to change the lights…. Not Christmas lights, just a multicoloured rope light I’ve fitted to the back of the record shelves to add some sparkle!
I'm sitting comfortably... you may begin.
Yo! Funny you should mention the first part sounding familiar, that's EXACTLY what I felt as well the first time I heard it 🤯 in particular the little flute part after he sings "thick as a brick"
Hm I wonder, does anyone else know if that part in particular perhaps sounds a bit like another tune out there? 🤔
...aaaand let me stop you right there: No, NOT trying to say either would've copied the other, I'm genuinely interested to know, and now I bloody CAN'T let it go when another fan mentioned it as well, this is going to drive me insane til I figure out what it is! 😤)
Anyway, nice to listen to this with you, Jim, and to hear your thoughts. Looking forward to side 2!
Don’t you hate that? Happens all the time.
It has been used in a commercial, so you very well may have heard the first part.
@@NewBritainStation thanks for the suggestion but I was born 1990 and live in Sweden, how likely is that? 😆
Welcome to Tull Barrymore Barlow.
Er…. Ok.
You will appreciate this comment more after getting to side 2.
Could we have a tour of your rearranged studio?!?
It’s not finished yet, but yes I’ll defo do that if you’d be interested.
@@JimNewstead yes I am, you've never done that, a proper tour of your studio!
I'll admit to a selfish curiosity to see where the lyrics to Awaken have wound up.
I like the idea of you following Scot's example, and setting the album jacket facing outward on one of the cubby shelves to be seen.
@@gabiesiren , actually, I think Jim may have shown his studio set up when the family first moved to the current house. I seem to recall Jim using a green screen in videos prior to that.
But, I may be wrong. It was around the time I first discovered Jim's channel, I think.
Very good! For me, levels rather too loud in places (on LP, not you Jim... and I had it cranked as neighbours away!). On to Side 2... :)
Might be my voice not loud enough!
There were a couple short radio edits you likely heard, under 4 minutes.
Great album, although it has to be acknowledged that side 2 doesn't quite live up to side 1. (In particular, the first few minutes of side 2 really drive the album car into a ditch before getting back on the road.)
.....and, scene
There is a distortion I am not familiar with, and I have heard this album several dozen times minimum, on LP, cassette and CD. Something in your system is being over-driven and clipping the signal. Using a tape output and not the headphone jack, right?
Let the music play. Peace out.
Buy a cheap music stand to put the record cover on.
Jim is right. Ian's superior lyrics & melody is very accessible. Rooted in traditional eEnglish or Celtic influences, mixing blues, rock and classic into some new amalgamation.
Well, lyrics... not so much..
I also noticed the xmas lights and didgeridoo! Well done, bravo
Is it Animal that I see in the bottom left corner of the screen?!
Indeed it is!
I’m hoping they didn’t look TOO Christmasy. They are a permanent addition!
@@JimNewstead just enough lights to be merry!