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Aqualung – Jethro Tull – What’s On The Table

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MLT Club 06/10/2023
114 Comments

Hey Aqualung … !

For today’s “What’s On The Table” episode we’re diving into the genius of Ian Anderson. “Aqualung” was Jethro Tull’s 4th studio album and released in 1971. We know some of you here are big prog rock fans but even if you’re not, we hope you’ll enjoy this video and will get a kick out of the band’s incredibly playing and clever songwriting. There’s so many fun moments on this record!

As always, we love hearing your thoughts on the album. Your favourite songs, takeaways and memories connected to the record. And if you’re not (very) familiar with Jethro Tull’s music, what’s your first impression of “Aqualung”? Let’s chat in the comments!

Stay groovy,
Mona & Lisa

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  2. Richard Leach 26/10/2023

    Hi Mona, Hi Lisa
    Having just joined MLT, I have immediately been drawn to your feature “What’s on the table”. It’s great to listen to you talking about some of the records that I grew up listening to in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Aqualung, Disraeli Gears and American Pie grabbed my attention immediately.
    As a suggestion, would you consider reviewing Steely Dan, one of my favourites from my teenage years. Walter Becker and Donald Fagan – another great song writing duo. Either “Can’t buy a thrill” or “The royal scam” would be great – I can never make up my mind which I like the most.

    ATB
    Rich L

  3. John Hitz 25/10/2023

    I used to listen to Tull quite a lot. Saw them on their “Beast and the Broadsword” tour. A good example of storytelling music! Mona, Lisa, you would like their Songs From the Wood album for flute and accoustic guitar playing. Martin Barre has made some fantastic records on his own, too. 👍

  5. Keith Proulx 19/10/2023

    I forgot Loco- Breath was on that album really brings me back to my band days we use to play that song for our opening one.

  6. Keith Proulx 19/10/2023

    One of his best album. BuT!I see in your record holder Close to the Edge by YES huge YES fan and what an album good one to do if you have not yet

  7. Nima Rosepiper 14/10/2023

    I love the ribbony flute behind the sofa!
    I forgot how he wields his flute like a wizard’s staff. Which is a pretty accurate description of his playing.

  8. John Horazy 13/10/2023

    Bringing back the flute is great idea. In the early mid 60’s music used brass instruments, sax, trombone, flutes etc… It was the Beatles that brought the introduction bringing guitars to become more popular. It was Sgt. Pepper and Pet Sounds albums that used the big band sounds. Also ELO Electric Light Orchestra that has big band sounds. Today modern music is arranged in Big Band Sounds by the Postmodern Jukebox group using many different individual recording artist collective in Postmodern Jukebox, who have made over 25 albums. US Todays Country music is the sound like Jethro’s. There is a difference in US Country music and US Western Country music. Your poetic Story telling is beautiful combing with you cover arrangements and originals that are wonderful.

    1. Joe Suggs 13/10/2023

      I love the flute, too. A guy named John Scott- he later scored some films, I think- played two flutes, alto and tenor, same notes an octave apart in “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away”. A beautiful sound that Brian Wilson put to equally good use for “Caroline, No”, one of his most beautiful songs. I don’t know why it hasn’t been done more.

      1. Bud Jackson 15/10/2023

        Hi Joe,

        Thanks for the info on “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away!” In case you’re interested, a Jazz musician named Bud Shank improvised the Alto Flute solo on the Mamas & Papas “California Dreamin’.”

        Also, there are 3 Flutes that are LOWER than the Bass Flute. They’re the Contrabass, Subcontrabass and Double Contrabass Flutes, and they’re huge!

        Check this out! Get Low With This Enormous Flute – YouTube

      2. Joe Suggs 17/10/2023

        Great info, thanks! Never knew that was Shank. The guitar intro is by one of my heroes, Phil Sloan…Got the vid cued up in another tab; looking forward to it as I’m very interested in unusual instruments. (Yet I didn’t even know there was a bass flute!)

  9. Ari Raki 13/10/2023

    Thank you for the good choice ! “Aqualung” is one of the best albums of Jethro Tull and a real classic. Every song on the album is my favorite but to mention few standout songs, the title track opens the album well, “Locomotive Breath” really rocks and the last song, “Wind Up” contains very sharp and accurate critic against organized religion. You have by the way great “Close To The Edge” on your collection too. Nice !

  10. Claire 13/10/2023

    Wow. That was a surprising choice – a good one, but surprising. That’s the best part of WOTT. I can remember in middle school, after about 8 years of flute lessons, wanting to play the flute like Ian Anderson. I think the cool thing is that you would never expect flute on a rock album, much less playing as good as Ian’s. Some of the stuff he does is really quite technical – double and triple tonguing, especially – and pretty impressive for someone who is self-taught. Will Mona be dragging out her flute???

    One of my favorite Tull songs, though, is Thick As A Brick. The flute on that sounds to me like a brook dancing over rocks.

      1. Claire 15/10/2023

        I love the full, round sound of the alto flute. Had a chance to play it, as well as a piccolo (wasn’t good at it – my hands are too big), and I’ve even tried a bass flute (also school owned). Now that was a wild ride.

      2. Nima Rosepiper 23/10/2023

        I played piccolo too. I had the chops to hit the register that shatters crystal. I had about 8 years of lessons too. I still have my flute. Along with a recorder, Native American flute, and maybe a tin whistle. Don’t play the flute much, because I live in an apartment in an old building with thin walls….

      3. Claire 27/10/2023

        Oooh. I do enjoy recorder. In middle school I had a teacher who played as a hobby. She created a quintet that I played tenor in. It was kind of cool in that she would choose the music, do a little history lesson on the era that the music was from or the composer, and then we’d practice the piece. Totally geeky, I know, but it was fun.

      4. Bud Jackson 27/10/2023

        Claire & Nima,

        You’re right, recorder, (and flute) are a lot of fun to play! I never played a recorder until I had to teach it in Elementary School. It was easy to learn since I already had been playing & teaching Band. I have a flute, clarinet & alto sax that I enjoy playing, besides my brass instruments, guitar, marimba & percussion. It’s hard to find the time to keep them all up!

        Here’s a duo called “Perkelt,” that you’re sure to enjoy. The playing is slightly out of sync in this studio performance. But they have lots of live performances on YouTube, proving that she can really play like that!

        They’re originally from Eastern Europe but have lived for years in London. She is amazingly fast on recorder, showing that it can be the equal of the flute. I hope you dig this! (And I’m STILL a huge fan of Mona and Lisa!) — Bud

        Amazing RECORDER player, so called speed folk… – YouTube

      1. Claire 16/10/2023

        I did enjoy the bass flute video! Thanks. I saw your earlier post about the contrabass, subcontrabass, and double contrabass flutes so – if course – I had to search youtube to see if I could find something. Found a couple of videos, with different styles of music. I have to say, I just didn’t care for the sound. But, at least I learned something new today…

      2. Bud Jackson 16/10/2023

        Hi Claire,

        I’m glad that I had someone respond, thanks! The video was interesting, but I really wanted to hear more of the low flutes to get better idea of their different ranges. The video I sent was just an overview.

        Thanks, and have a great week! — Bud

  11. Keith Bennett 11/10/2023

    I love Tull. My favourite group of Tull albums are mid seventies to early eighties; Minstrel in the Gallery, Songs From The Wood (brilliant visual pun on the cover), Heavy Horses, Stormwatch, A and Broadsword and the Beast lured me away from ELO for a time. Of course, Tull had moved away from prog rock by this time, favouring a more folk-rock style.

  12. Johnnypee Parker 10/10/2023

    Gee, guess what I‘be been listening to. I love the phrasing in Mother Goose. Every line paints a picture. Thanks to this song I know what a Lorry is.
    As I did walk by Hampstead Fair
    I came upon Mother Goose 
    So I turned her loose
    She was screaming
    And a foreign student said to me
    Was it really true there elephants and lions too in Picadilly Circus?

    Walked down by the bathing pond to try and catch some sun
    Saw at least a hundred schoolgirls sobbing into handkerchiefs as one
    I don’t believe they knew I was a schoolboy

    And a bearded lady said to me
    If you start your raving, and your misbehaving
    You’ll be sorry
    Then the chicken-fancier came to play
    With his long red beard and his sister’s weird, she drives a lorry

    Laughed down by the putting green
    I popped ’em in their holes
    Four and twenty laborers were laboring
    And digging up their gold
    I don’t believe they knew that I was Long John Silver

    Saw Johnny Scarecrow make his rounds in his jet-black ‘mac 
    Which he won’t give back
    Stole it from a snowman

    As I did walk by Hampstead Fair
    I came upon Mother Goose 
    So I turned her loose
    But she was screaming

    Walked down by the bathing pond to try and catch some sun
    Must of been at least a hundred schoolgirls sobbing into handkerchiefs as one
    I don’t believe they knew I was a schoolboy

  13. Edward Schoepke 09/10/2023

    Jethro Tull was always a favorite of mine, so I was very excited to watch this video. Jethro Tull, ELP, and Renaissance were always on my go-to list for the progressive rock genre. Have you heard Jethro Tull’s Passion Play? This album is about as Progressive Rock as one can get. Indeed those who love Prog. Rock will love it, and those who don’t will hate it. Another favorite from Jethro Tull is Baker Street Muse. The song We Used To Know by Jethro Tull is great too. That is the one that the tune for Hotel California was taken from. I could keep going and going. When I was a teen, my friends and I had all the lyrics to Thick As A Brick memorized. We saw them at Madison Square Garden in 1978.

  15. Tomás F. Calvo 09/10/2023

    Jethro Tull is one of those bands that I know the songs and the band but always had trouble putting the two together. I guess it’s a symptom of growing up listening to FM radio where you couldn’t see what song was playing, sometimes they would mention it, but it would be ten songs later or after a few commercials.
    The drummer in one of my teenage bands was a huge fan of Jethro Tull, must have a special pull for drummers as it seems Mona has all the info on them.
    I never understood the lyrics, so this WOTT was a great education!
    BTW, great timing on that first needle drop!
    Thank you for another great video, and I loved the casual start.

  16. Jim Schoen 09/10/2023

    I haven’t heard this album such a long time! My brother bought it when it came out in 1971. Ian Anderson can really play the flute!

  17. Stephen Kosior 08/10/2023

    Ok. This was a bundle of favorite things awesome. As one of the resident Tull fans in the club, I was really thrilled to see this drop in the email Friday, but I was away for the weekend… and had to wait to watch. For me this album really shines on the lesser-known tracks. I love them all, but the trifecta of “Mother Goose”, “Wond’ring Aloud” and “Up to Me” are still my standouts after years of listening.

    Prog is definitely a time investment to get to know, but once you learn the progressions and transitions, it offers a depth that will keep you coming back.

    Thanks for another fun video!

  18. Frank De Giacomo 08/10/2023

    I’ve never really listened to Jethro Tull music before this. Super impressed with his flute skills, but my favorite flautist is still Mona…

    The era this record was released I was listening to the Partridge Family and the Monkees…

    Always great fun hanging out with my favorites; you make every day brighter!

  19. Bruce Fogarty 08/10/2023

    So great to hear this tuneful album filled with social commentary and memorable (if a bit off color ) lyrics. It raised our collective consciousness if it was not so apparent at the time.

  20. Christopher 07/10/2023

    It is always fun to listen to non-mainstream instruments in rock. Jethro Tull using a flute, AC/DC using bagpipes (It’s a Long Way to the Top is awesome), and of course, the MonaLisa Twins using an accordion!

    Thanks ladies!

  21. Dave Johnston 07/10/2023

    Thx for another thoroughly enjoyable WOTT. Love Ian Anderson and Tull and like at least one other mentioned I own most of their output. Seen them at least 3 times and listen to them often. Ian has a hard time standing on one foot these days and his voice has lost some power but he is still amazing.Would see him again if he comes to this area.
    Martin Barre was his lead guitarist until just a few years ago after the 2nd or 3rd album and was excellent in his own right. You two looked lovely today and there were quite a few Friday Smiles!!

  22. Dennis Grover 07/10/2023

    I always enjoy WOTT whether I’m familiar with the artist/band or not. In this case, I remember the name Jethro Tull, but I don’t remember listening to their music.

    I totally agree with Mona’s comment on headphones. Actually, I almost always listen to music with good quality headphones. I couldn’t believe what I had been missing the first time I put them on.

  23. Len Upton 07/10/2023

    I like to think of prog rock as the second English Invasion, although it was kind of a seamless progression of the earlier pop bands. Jethro Tull was certainly in the mix, but by that time there were just so many bands that it was harder and harder to keep track of them all, and my interest in many of them started to wane. Alongside the stronger stuff, though (and this is a credit to bands like Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, the Moody Blues, and Led Zeppelin), one could hear an occasional english/celtic influence. There were some remarkable musicians, Ian Anderson among them. More and more however, I seemed to gravitate to the electric folk bands like Fairport Convention, The Pentangle, and Steeleye Span. There must have been something in my english blood, even though I’m four generations separated from the olde country.

    2. Bud Jackson 08/10/2023

      Hi Len,

      I just watched several early “Pentangle” videos. I’d never heard of them before, but they’re very good! (If you like British Folk Music…. which I do!) I checked wiki, and the original singer, Jacqui McShee is still around! But I couldn’t find any new videos of them, although they’ve performed at least up until 2018.

      I saw the “Moody Blues” in Reno around 1986, & they were impressive! And I liked the flute player! Their stage carpenter had seen the band that I was in at the time — “The Nico Wind Band.” He liked our Top 40 Rock group, so he gave us 6 free tickets to their show!

      Thanks for the suggestion of Pentangle! — Bud

  24. Sara Pattern 07/10/2023

    classic album. though its not music that you can always appreciate on first listen but like all good albums the more you do the more you appreciate it

  25. David Herrick 07/10/2023

    I just looked up the origin of the group’s name on Wikipedia. (Having known nothing about them until now, I had just assumed it was the name of the lead singer!)

    “At first the new band found it difficult to obtain repeat bookings. They changed their name frequently in order to continue playing the London club circuit… The names were often supplied by their booking agent’s staff, one of whom, a history enthusiast, gave them the alias Jethro Tull after the 18th-century agriculturalist…

    “In an interview in 2006, Anderson said that he had not realized it was the name of ‘a dead guy who invented the seed drill — I thought our agent had made it up’. He said if he could change one thing in his life, he would go back and change the name of the band to something less historical.”

  26. Brian St. August 07/10/2023

    I was never an active fan of Jethro Tull, but I could certainly hear the uniqueness of their music and the quality of their instrumentation. Their music wasn’t something that I would just put on and chill to, because I was always more interested in melodies and strong hooks. They struck me more as a “jazz rock” group. I respected them, but was not a big follower. They were on Chrysalis Records and I was a songwriter for A&R/music publisher Marv Goodman at Chrysalis, but I don’t think Marv ever submitted any of my music to them.

  27. Allan Morton 07/10/2023

    Great What’s on the Table, you both clearly love the albums. Although aware of Jethro Tull I never really enjoyed their sound so only had one album of theirs. Of course their main big single Living in the Past was played a lot on the radio so I knew that well, and also their Xmas Bells songs. Love that you have replaced your normal mugs of tea with a glass of aqua!! Always great to see you grooving to the music!

  29. Vincent 07/10/2023

    My older brother is a big fan of this album. As always, I always learn something new on my favorite little corner of the internet. I will give Aqualung a listen this weekend, unfortunately I don’t have headphones but I will play it loud. the next door neighbors are out of town this weekend although I’m sure they would like it too. thank you very much for sharing!

    1. Johnnypee Parker 07/10/2023

      This one is kool

      https://youtu.be/G0vIEOw5flo?si=KAduOGQkBrDHOKpQ

      Wond’ring aloud
      How we feel today
      Last night sipped the sunset
      My hand in her hair
      We are our own saviours
      As we start
      Both our hearts
      Beating life
      Into each other
      Wond’ring aloud
      Will the years treat us well?
      As she floats in the kitchen
      I’m tasting the smell
      Of toast as the butter runs
      Then she comes
      Spilling crumbs
      On the bed
      And I shake my head
      And it’s only the giving
      That makes you
      What you are

  30. Bradley Bourkland 07/10/2023

    Wow, I really enjoyed this “What’s on the Table” session. I have been a Jethro Tull freak since I was about 13-14 years old. I think Aqualung is probably my favorite Tull album, although they have many albums that are right up there in my rankings as well. Ian Anderson is such a talented (and eccentric) person, with a sense of humor too. I saw them live, double billed with Procol Harum many years ago in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. What a great show! Two great proggy bands in one evening. I think Martin Barre, the guitar player, was the only other consistent member of the band. Otherwise there was a lot of turnover of the musicians over the years

    1. Lisa Wagner 07/10/2023

      We picked the right album for you then 😉
      We had the pleasure of seeing Procol Harum live too, not too long before Gary Brooker sadly passed away. The show was fantastic and his singing still incredible. Glad you enjoyed this episode!

  31. Perry Villanueva 07/10/2023

    I grew up with this music as a teenager in the 1970s. It does bring back my high school days. Aqualung was one of my favorite songs. It was one of those concept songs that really made you think as teenager.

  32. Alan Shaw 07/10/2023

    Fantastic! It came as a bit of a surprise to me that you would have this as a WOTT. I love Jethro Tull and have seen them live many times, as well as Ian Anderson and Martin Barre solo shows. I think I have almost everything they’ve ever released, but Aqualung is probably my favourite. So many great songs and the title track and Locomotive Breath are two of their best ever. What do you think of the Aqualung guitar solo Lisa? War Child and Heavy Horses are both great albums too.

    1. Lisa Wagner 07/10/2023

      Glad it was a good surprise! I’d really love to see them live sometime. They have a few UK shows coming up so we might actually grab some tickets 🙂 To me, the Aqualung guitar solo isn’t what stands out about the track really. But I can see teenagers everywhere in the 70ies playing it over and over again trying to figure out how it’s done!

  33. Chris Weber 07/10/2023

    Some of your vids teach me something, like turning me on to Tommy Emmanuel or Steve Harley, and some I’m very familiar with, like Aqualung. I enjoy both very much.

    At first I was thinking I didn’t own this album, then – wait a minute – and went and found it. Reprise 1st edition that I bought used in the ’70s. I didn’t buy many albums new back then.

    Progressive rock is one of my favourite kinds of music. Tull was the first progressive rock band I ever saw live; they came to Michigan State University in 1975 when I was a student there. I just saw the setlist for another show they did a couple weeks later in that same tour; they played 3 songs from this album – Aqualung, Cross Eyed Mary and Locomotive Breath. The last two of those three, I used to play.

    When I lived in the dorm back then, every term the students would organize a coffeehouse, where anyone could sign up to play a 20 minute set. On my floor in that dorm, we had a drummer, bass, guitar, a singer, and I played piano. We also got a flute player that one of the guys knew, and we covered Locomotive Breath at one of those shows.

    I noticed when you pulled Aqualung off the shelf, the album behind it was Close to the Edge. I saw Yes and Genesis both in 1978. I do love progressive rock.

    The 50 year anniversary of Aqualung was 2 years ago. Anderson released an animated video for the title cut. Thanks for doing this incredible album!

    https://youtu.be/N4zPu3ISCGs

    1. Lisa Wagner 07/10/2023

      I love that you covered Locomotive Breath with your dorm mates. Not an easy feat I can imagine!!
      Glad you enjoyed this episode 🙂

  34. Terry Mann 07/10/2023

    My Main memory of Jethro Tull is their stunning performance on The Rolling Stones Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus film from 1968. But thanks for sharing this as I must now track down “Aqualung” and give it the proper immersive listen that it deserves. Now if you want to enjoy some Prog from 2023, may I suggest the new album from Steven Wilson “The Harmony Codex”. I am currently really enjoying this album. You two stay safe, well and groovy…

      1. Terry Mann 23/11/2023

        There’s also the work of Matt Berry on Acid Jazz Records. His first album “Witchazel” has a guest appearance from none other than Paul McCartney, and his latest album “Simplicity” is out now..

  35. Johnnypee Parker 07/10/2023

    Groovy! I am so happy that you like this album. In the earlier eighties this was a must-have in my circle of friends. It’s engrained in my brain. I haven’t listened to it in a while, but as you played each track it all came back and I sang along. I saw them live twice way back then. Once at a hockey arena on a college campus in Troy, NY and at a slightly bigger hockey arena in Glens Falls, NY. The acoustics were terrible, but the band was a lot of fun to watch. Ian went through a phase of bringing giant beach balls on stage and kicking them into the audience. MLT could do this with planet earth inflatables during I Bought Myself APolitician.🤓

    I don’t remember the set lists from those shows, so I went looking. September 19, 1982. Glen Falls, Ny. No set list found. Holy crap, I did not remember the warmup band was Saga. No one can stop you now. Tonight you’re on the loose.

    Cheap Day Return is my favorite track on this. I have always wondered if this was based on personal experience, or perhaps it’s just a common occurrence for celebrities. Lisa, back then all the girls loved to sing along to the line “What a laugh”. As I was watching I instinctively watched for you both to do it and giggle. Come on, Mona, get with the program.

    Lisa is correct. Locomotive Breath should be listened to with big bass thumping speakers. Guitar should be set to a feedback threatening levels.
    You all could pull this off for sure. Mona Tull and Lisa Anderson.

    Do you know if Ian Anderson still owns a salmon farm? I remember reading a magazine article some time ago and he was raising salmon to sell to restaurants. Did you come across that in your research? I’ll ask Siri.

    TGIF! Thanks for a great WOTT.

    JP

    fun fact: David Palmer, an early member of Jethro Tull, went on to orchestral arrangements, and scoring films. I encourage you to seek out The Music of Pink Floyd Orchestral Maneuvers David Palmer and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. These tracks are beautiful symphonic treasures with some very kool vocal arrangements. There are quite a few Floyd collections like this, but this one tops my list. Who knows, Mona might like it for background music? I will post a link in the Forum.

  36. Joe Martinez 07/10/2023

    I was in my second year in high school when this one came out. I barely remember it because it was played on the underground channel, and I didn’t have FM. Hey, I noticed the flute in the background – maybe Mona will play something on it for the live stream. Peace be.

  37. Robert Sereno 06/10/2023

    Happy Friday,
    I met a friend in college who was really into Jethro Tull. I was not.
    I listen to as much music (or more) as anybody, but there are only so many hours in the day and this is/was not an artist who is on my list.
    However, it’s always nice to see Mona & Lisa smile. (Not the movie lol).
    Hope everyone has a pleasant weekend.
    Bobby S. 😎🎵🧛‍♂️

  38. Bob Donaldson 06/10/2023

    Okay, that was both interesting and unexpected. Not totally my cup of tea, but I can appreciate its unique qualities.

    Intrigued enough to check out their latest album,  rökflöte, which I actually quite liked.

    Thank you for introducing me to some first-time JT.

    1. Robert Sereno 06/10/2023

      Hi Bob,
      I almost used the initials JT in my comments also, but I thought some folks might think I was referring to James Taylor, ha ha.
      It’s all good. Take care.
      Bobby S.

  39. Roger Penn 06/10/2023

    OK, that’s just creepy freaky. I was listening to that this morning! I must say, that’s about the last album I expected to see on a WotT. OK, well, not the last… I think my favorite Tull album is probably “Too Old to Rock and Roll,” but I’m weird that way. What I really love, though, is seeing “Close to the Edge” sitting there on your shelf. Possibly my favorite album of all time.

  40. George Paine 06/10/2023

    I have always loved Jethro Tull. At least their hits. My dad had two compilation cds when we were growing up. Cross-Eyed Mary is one of if not my favorite of their songs. Aqualung & Locomotive Breath are 2 others I love. Me & my brother Jonathan are going to see them in Boston, Ma on the 28th. The current lineup is actually his solo band renamed. Ian Anderson announced the band’s retirement back when I was in high school as I was getting into their albums. He broke up the band to go solo but then he announced the band was getting back together but he is still using his solo band as Jethro Tull. I know it has always been his band. I believe he was the only original founding member left. Martin Barre joined in 1968 replacing founding guitarist Mick Abrahams & Doane Perry was the 5th but longest drummer. He joined in 1984.

      1. George Paine 12/10/2023

        In the past 2 years I’ve gotten to see a lot of artists for the first time. Last year I saw Weird Al Yankovic twice, The Who (featuring Ringo’s son Zak on drums), Paul McCartney, Sammy Hagar, It Was Fifty Years Ago (Beatles Tribute featuring Christopher Cross, Todd Rundgren, Denny Laine, Jason Scheff & Joey Molland), Brian Wilson, Roger Waters, Elton John, Motley Crue, Poison, Rod Stewart, REO Speedwagon, Blondie, Jimmie Vaughn & Eric Clapton. So far this year new artists I’ve seen include Bryan Adams, Dave Mason, Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, Jefferson Starship, Night Ranger, Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room, Hollywood Vampires, Eagles, Peter Gabriel, Billy Joel & Brian Setzer. By the end of the month I’ll see Jethro Tull & Mac Sabbath.

      3. George Paine 12/10/2023

        Yes it is. As you can see my musical tastes are all over the place. Also since I see you have also talked about The Guess Who I have now seen them 4 times all at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI. Once in 2016 with Grand Funk Railroad, once in 2018 with Starship, in 2020 right before the world shutdown with Grand Funk Railroad again & this past February by themselves. I also have all of their albums. I even got them to sign the one they released in 2018 at that show. I bought it on red see through vinyl

  41. Dale Harris 06/10/2023

    More than once you’ve caught me off guard in the WOTT video, particularly “Ennismore” and “For The Roses.” But I’m all over “Aqualung”! I met one of my best friends during my time in the US Navy, and we were stationed together on shore assignment. He had brought his stereo and albums with him (it was 1979) and I could not get enough of this album. He had “Thick As A Brick” too, and later that year Jethro Tull was touring near our base so I was able to see them live. Anderson does not disappoint! Fantastic choice this time, Mona & Lisa! I am constantly amazed at how often something you put forward in the Club relates directly to my life experience, albeit a generation ago. Don’t stop!

  42. Bud Jackson 06/10/2023

    Lisa & Mona/Mona & Lisa,

    WOW, I really enjoyed that! I like your varied taste in Music, & I’m often surprised at the groups you pick for WOTT! I’ve been aware of Jethro Tull since early on, & I admit that I don’t have their recordings. (For me it’s just a matter of “so much music, so little time”….) The flute solo w/the Medieval sounding choir was great, but the guitar playing, and the whole band was wonderful!

    I have heard their recordings & have seen Ian playing flute on YouTube. Now I’ll have to check out their albums, because enjoyed everything they did here!
    What Ian does on the Flute is called “Multiphonics.” It means — playing 2 or more notes at a time on a Wind Instrument, or with the Voice. (The Inuit Tribe of Northern Canada is one example for vocals.) I don’t know when it originated. Multiphonics has been used by some great jazz players on wind instruments.

    I DO like the “weird stuff,” but only if the Music is good & interesting. I listened to Frank Zappa around that time; pre-1971, plus John Coltrane, & Free Jazz. On a given day, I might listen to Louis Armstrong, Beatles, Mozart, ABBA, Latin Jazz, Karen Carpenter, the MLT’s, Sergio Mendes, etc. I don’t try to compare them. I just enjoy all of it for what it is!

    Here’s a group that plays in London that I think you’ll all enjoy. “Perkelt” is a “Pagan Folk Band” that plays Medieval type stuff, but more up to date. You MAY have seen them play on the street, in a Pub, or at a Festival.

    PerKelt- Douce Dame Jolie @ Rapalje Zomerfolk Festival 2017 (NL) – YouTube

    I know that Mona & Lisa’s Music is so great because of their wide range of Musical taste, & deep background & understanding of different Music styles for so long! I really appreciate that!

    THANKS SO MUCH FOR ANOTHER GREAT WOTT! — Bud

  43. Bill Isenberg 06/10/2023

    Mona and Lisa another great WOT! Love these video’s. This album came out in 1971 the same year as Sticky Fingers by the Stones and my best friend loved Jethro Tull and we went back and forth going over his house and listen and then to my house to listen, great times and a huge album for sure. Cross Eye Mary is a great song and a great rocker. Thanks for bringing back great times and memories for me.
    Bill and Maddie Isenberg Huge fans from Pittsburgh PA USA

  44. Rick Twomey 06/10/2023

    First of all I ALWAYS enjoy whatever you girls present us Club members with and I Thank You for doing it….Jethro Tull for whatever reason never excited me but when I listen to you talking about them you bring up interesting little bits that give me a better understanding and appreciation of their music….this has been true on other artists you’ve had on WOTT….as far as prog rock is concerned my go to is Emerson, Lake and Palmer….❤️🧡

  45. Allen Tork 06/10/2023

    Aqualung, came out when I was in highschool.
    The album title , Aqualung is definitely a classic.
    Mother goose could of been written for. Neve , very cool I like it.

  47. Thomas Byrnes 06/10/2023

    Anderson absolutely is a genius, as a musician, performer and songwriter. As you pointed out, he writes about things that no one else writes about. Brilliant! “Mother Goose” is about the people that he saw when walking around near Hampstead Heath and some of their reactions to him. Glad to see that you like Tull.

  48. David Herrick 06/10/2023

    This isn’t really the type of music that I gravitate toward, but I do respect the use of the flute. I find that a featured solo by a single wind instrument tends to make a song vastly more memorable: You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away, Penny Lane, When I’m Sixty-Four, etc. And how would early rock-and-roll have fared without the saxophone?

  49. Tim Arnold 06/10/2023

    These classic albums and songs always bring back fond memories for me. My cousin Paul served in the Army in Germany in the late 70’s. He brought home a powerful Pioneer stereo. He and his girlfriend/wife rented a farmhouse and hosted poker parties every Friday night. Always at least 20 young people there playing poker and dice and drinking and smoking pot. I was never much good at poker but I loved being the one spinning records on that stereo, playing whatever people wanted to hear. Paul had a great collection of classic Rock albums. This album was always a favorite along with Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. I really miss those days. I never owned the album myself but I always loved Locomotive Breath. Maybe the album will inspire Mona to use the flute a little more heavily in the future. Anyway, thanks for the video, always fun and interesting, have a beautiful weekend.

  50. Richard Raighn 06/10/2023

    Thanks for that blast from the past.
    Haven’t listened to that album since the seventies.
    So now i’m headed upstairs to dig it out and listen to it today.

  51. John Grant 06/10/2023

    Cover art for albums is just as special as the songs that’s why I love your WHY album great artwork, wishing you all the best and my love.

  53. David Fogle 06/10/2023

    One of my favorites albums!!!
    And always loved the cover Art too….thanks for choosing this one and for the two of you being such “old souls” with your taste in music and life. I must say tha discovering “Mona Lisa Twins” has been the highlight of this year!!! Rock On Ladies!!!
    Dave.

  54. Phil Whitley 06/10/2023

    Jethro Tull was never my style of music. I was always wrapped up into learning songs by the Eagles, Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits and others in that genre. Listening to the album you are playing, I want to hear more.
    I am into music now by some young ladies called the MonaLisa Twins.🎤🎸👱‍♀️👩‍🦰💖

  55. Michael Rife 06/10/2023

    I remember when it was released. I was in high school in 1971 and later on in the year I started college. And, you are right in some respects…..it was popular among those who smoked pot. I never got into Jethro Tull back then and I tended to stay away from that type of music back in the day. I was more into James Taylor and Gordon Lightfoot. But, that is what was good about music in the late 1960s and early 1970s…..there was something for everyone.

  56. Michael Thompson 06/10/2023

    I was about 20 when this album came out. Ian Anderson was a wild man! I loved how he beathed and grunted while playing the flute. I didn’t think of it as prog rock, that term became popular later. Another song of Tulls that I liked was Bourrée (I believe it was a classical piece) which featured the bass prominently. And of course, I love watching you two bopping and singing along with the music. You are the grooviest!

  57. Tim Johnston 06/10/2023

    I was about 12 when this album came out. I have always liked Locomotive Breath and I have it on several mixes I put together. Generally Jethro Tull is not a band I listened to, their music requires a greater degree of concentration that did not fit in with my usual train of thinking (girls, cars, girls, sports, girls, and girls). I admire their musical ability but never found their output conducive to snuggling closer to the fairer sex in my teenage days. Just being honest 😉. We need goals in life, true?

  58. Charles 06/10/2023

    Good Morning! Interesting that you guys would put Aqualung on the table. That album came out when I was a Sophomore in high school. I did not buy the album and didn’t care for that music. Locomotive Breath was on the radio quite a bit but, Jethro Tull was just too far out for me. I see an album on your shelf that you guys should definitely think about putting on the table……..Close to the Edge. Awesome band, magical album. Just a thought.
    As always, great to see you guys on Friday, hope you have a good week ahead and write some fabulous new music for my turntable 🙂

  59. Jacki Hopper 06/10/2023

    Good Friday morning from Ottawa, Eh ?!… I’m fully awake now, Thankyou ….lol
    Well now, that was interesting, though I’m not really into that genre of music in general, but this worthy of listening to. I have /am familiar with the name of Jethro Tull , ( maybe my 2nd oldest brother has some Jethro stuff in his record collection, thus having then been exposed to it, but I just don’t really recall growing up as a kid in the 70s, paying attention but if I enjoyed what he cranked, I’d let him know, we do share some musical tastes…
    Now, this is going to be own opinion here, if folks disagree/agree , respectively, that’s fine either way, but again, this is my own perspective here that I’m reflecting upon …
    To me , this is a Heinz 57of musical tastings, from instrumentation and lyrical, etc…for me I hear Abba-ish tinges ( flute ), and Dave Mason ( from the band- Traffic ), and it reminds of the song ” Billy Don’t Be A Hero ” ( band name escapes my mind right at tge moment) but can vividly recall living that “Billy Don’t Be a Hero ” song whenever it came on the radio and it appeared on a few K-tel album compilations we had in the house in the 70s, also it reminds me of Susan & Terry Jackson & The Poppins Family stuff of music too.
    As I say, for me it’s a plethora of a Heinz 57 of sorts music genre taste-wise but am glad you chose to do this album for this edition of WOTT, an enchanting , whimsical essence of sorts…. Thankyou for this, made my Friday , Thanksgiving wknd off to a delicious start… Yes it’s the Canadian Thanksgiving Wknd this wknd…. Gobble Gobble… Thankful for MLT and having met /made friendships with MLT Clubbers on here, over the years …. 🤘👌👍😎🦃🇨🇦🍁

  60. Rick Ross 06/10/2023

    Hello Ladies,
    I never listened to Jethro Tull. However i knew who he was. One being so sheltered and two, it just wasn’t something I listened to. The song Aqualung however, I di remember listening to once or twice. Thank you for opening up a new horizon. I doubt it something I would listen to on an extended level. I probably know other songs if I heard them, but not by the name Jethro Tull. Thanks again for another version of WOTT
    Best always
    Rick Ross

  61. David Bradley 06/10/2023

    Wow, I’ve not heard that for a while. After seeing Jethro Tull live in Manchester in the 1970’s, my friends and I learnt how to play an acoustic version of Locomotive breath. I’ve got a few of their albums coz I thought they were so unique and I love how Ian plays and performs with the flute. I also see that your album sits next to Close to the edge by Yes! I think your collection is a duplicate of mine ha ha. I bought a flute recently but I’m struggling to get to grips with it- I’ve been trying out a few Genesis tunes from when one of my favourite singers Peter Gabriel used to be in the band.

  62. Jung Roe 06/10/2023

    My brother was a fan of Jethro Tull and had some of their albums in his collection, so his name and some of Jethro Tulls music was on my radar from early on. I think the medieval feel to the music is really there because of Ian Anderson’s amazing flute virtuosity. They have some really great catchy guitar parts in their music, and it’s all elevated even further with them remarkable flute I think. Aqualong is an awesome rock song, one of the best, and I love how beautiful and elegant the musicianship is throughout, the acoustic guitar work, the flute, etc.

    I love the artistic side of Ian Anderson, and his album cover is just an extension of that and his music. His stage performance is brilliant, and glad to hear the band is still together and Ian Anderson is making albums.

    I really enjoyed this interview with Ian Anderson about Beethoven (at 6:50 mark) influence on Rock and Roll. I guess it takes a genius to recognize another.

    I love your WOTTs, they are so informative and well done, I’ve learned so much from them. It is very special and meaningful to hear your take on an album from your professional music perspective always. Thank You!

  63. Ian Boggs 06/10/2023

    I was ten when this was new. One of my schoolmates older brothers had it and we three listened to the whole thing many times. I’ve always found crashing hard rock sounds a bit hard to listen to but I loved and still love the rhythms, melodies and chord progressions of Jethro Tull. Thick as a brick does all sorts of jumping around with time signatures too which grabs my attention.
    Naturally, as a ten year old, the lyrics went mostly over my head but the music is still with me.
    The lines, “And the train, it won’t stop goin’, no, it won’t slow down”, surely would give Emperor Klausie a….., ummm….., errrrr…., buzz. I’m sure he really would get quite excited. I think the whole damned thing needs derailing but maybe I’m just a bit crazy.

  64. Daryl Jones 06/10/2023

    Wow, talk about a flashback to an earlier day! Aqualung has always been one of my favorite albums. Back in the era when it first came out, we (at least my crew and I) didn’t label it as “progressive rock”, it was just different and “out there” compared to what else was cruising the airwaves. Obviously Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, The Who, Led Zeppelin and such were the mainstream acts that got the most talk and airplay. But Tull was somehow finding it’s way onto the platter at every party and gathering where we were at. Some of us actually got to see them in their heyday in an old arena in Edmonton during the 70’s, it was really an night to remember, Ian was one incredible showman!
    The main storyline/focus of the album (homelessness and less than moral activities) wasn’t lost on us impressionable youth, but Ian had a way of making it attractive rather than inherently evil. Just when the album got a bit too dark, then along came Mother Goose or another lighter track that lifted the gloomy feel and brought the mood back down to something more pleasant.
    And the mention of Focus’ song Hocus Pocus was really cool. When I first heard it, I honestly thought it was a resurgence of Jethro Tull until somebody straightened me out on who it actually was.
    My vinyl copy of Aqualung met it’s demise courtesy of living in a house with three other young adult males, as so many of my precious recordings did. The joys of an exuberant single guy lifestyle I guess. But I still have it on CD.
    I can’t say I totally agree with it being a “headphone” pressing, but I will say it is definitely better when played loud, especially in the dark. I have a killer set of loudspeakers that fairly beg to be cranked with the strains of albums like this. And I still do when I’m alone and in the mood for rekindling my somewhat misbegotten youth haha. It was a time when “stay groovy” was displaced by “hey, far out man!”
    Thanks for this, it was such a treat to have you pull this out for us.
    Of course now I’m going to need to pull up some clips and try and recreate some of the riffs down in my basement practice room…so far out, solid, and right on girls!!!

  65. Eric Reniers 06/10/2023

    Hello Ladies, thanks for another “whats on the table.. Jethro thull is not the kind of band i would listen to, allthough the lyrics are great. This heavy guitar an drumplaying is just not my cup of tea. But its hood that you discuss all kinds of music in your ” whats on the table” after all there probably are much people who love this prog rock albums and appreciate your comments.I would really like you to do much more wott’s for i can still learn a lot from your opinions and stories. So thanks once again. I keep looking forward to every friday video from you. By the way, did you receive the almdudler? I sent it to woolworth records?
    If you had to pay taxes for it i would gladly pay them for you, stay groovy
    Eric

    1. Lisa Wagner 08/10/2023

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
      So far, no Almdudler has arrived but you got us very excited now haha. Do you have a tracking link for the parcel? If you sent it to our PO box it will usually take a few day until it get delivered from there to us. Thank you Eric ♥

      1. Eric Reniers 08/10/2023

        Thnx for your reply, allways nice to hear from you, i sent you a mail with a link to the tracking. Package was delivered on the 29th of sept

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