A Literalist Reaction to Jethro Tull - Aqualung

[@Maclaine007]

I'm 69 now and I remember the Summer of 1971 in a tiny little town in Northwest Michigan.We would cruse the County listening to 8 tracks.Two must have LPs was Jethro Tull Aqualung and the other Black Sabbath Paranoid. The influence of the music in those days had a lot to do with setting the paths our lives went.Like your channel and I'll watch some more.

[@paulhart3812]

Nice reaction. Ian Anderson’s wife was a photo journalist who took photos of the homeless people in London’s Hyde Park in 1970. This song, Aqualung, is based on one of those people (an elderly man) she encountered. She (Jennie Anderson) even wrote the lyrics to this song. It’s probably the only Tull song that Ian didn’t write the lyrics for.

[@nyrocks5580]

Listen to this whole album in one sitting. Incredible.

[@scottmoquin]

People always point out the guitar and Ian Anderson's voice, I would like to point out how much the piano carries this song.

[@franciscodiaz183]

You're right, @scottmoquin. In fact, the entire band is extraordinary.

[@lennartforsberg1519]

Growing up in the 1970's with the prog scene, and bands like King Crimson, Yes, ELP, Jethro Tull, Genesis, and some other bands. Even early Mothers of Invention was an early prog band.

[@tomwagner4406]

I've been a Tull Nut for over 50 years and have viewed quite a few reactions to Aqualung and most of the reactors don't get it on the 1st listen, it warms my heart that someone finally got it after the 1st listen

[@cpmf2112]

Thank you for "dog-end", I never knew that reference.

[@taab7]

Ironic that the biggest complaint by some Tull band members and just music listeners in general is that there is too much flute in Tull music. Here's an iconic 'fluteless' song and this dude complains...(sigh's)...Lord have mercy.

[@coils4foil537]

Put it on the playlist, Dave. … and great reaction as always!! Looking forward to the next one.

[@fernandotor3266]

Glorious album

[@jermaschinot]

"The flowers bloom like madness in the spring I think is blood coughed up on the snow.

[@fernandotor3266]

Jimmy page was there..enjoying the recording of aqualong..and he has a blast

[@erickvermeulen9734]

I think most interesting is the two views on this homeless person, when electric guitar plays it is negative, condemning him, while in the acoustic part it is empathic.

[@cogline]

Very perceptive as always, Dave. I think the louder part is the public perception of Aqualung (eyeing little girls), and the softer part is the reality (you poor old sod)

[@jermaschinot]

you're flute solo comes immediately just after the end of the song in the incredible Cross Eyed Mary.

[@TogonzoMedia]

There's two flute solos, but it's my favorite off the album. Starts off all sensual and enticing then slams into cynicism and power chord riffage. Gives me goosebumps thinking about it! 😅

[@riveralph3687]

Well done, Dave! What a juxtaposition of upbeat music against the very depressing, observational lyrics. This song has always been joy to listen to...until you dig into the story. Appreciate you guys! PS - Martin Barre's scorching guitar work here more than makes up for the dearth of flute. Thanks for teaching me what dog-ends are too!

[@TogonzoMedia]

The music on this album isn't really upbeat accept for the intro to Cross Eyed Mary. Overall, it's got a theatrical yet sinister tone with a lot of jangle riffs, fanfares (Aqualung & Locomotive Breath), and their trademark sustained chord that heightens the drama and suspense. It reminds me of those "damsel tied to the railroad tracks" silent movie soundtracks with a little "Dragnet". Martin Barre is one of the most brilliant yet underrated guitarists out there. The piano player, too. Forget his name. But he's got those piano rolls that transport you to an old west bawdy house. Liquor in the front. Poker in the rear. 😝

[@riveralph3687]

I meant just this song; it is still a toe-tapper, no matter what, that belies the darker lyrics.@@TogonzoMedia

[@johnheyyuri231]

Absolutely

[@Prone2Thrill]

It's always hard to grasp a person never hearing such an iconic song that has been accompanying another's whole life. Hey John did you hear Toni Iommi (Sabbath guitarist) talk about when he was invited to join Tull? Can you imagine that tone! Try some songs from Stand Up like Nothing is easy or A new day yesterday

[@robmcgrath5202]

That was my first thought. How could someone of adult age not have heard this song? I'm happy he was exposed to it. At least he's familiar with Tull.

[@LiteralistReactions]

@@robmcgrath5202 It's been a process. - JD

[@TogonzoMedia]

I recently bought the Steven Wilson remix/remaster of this album and love it. This album wasn't mastered very well. Steven remarked that he was shocked at how well the analog multitrack sounded versus the master that was used for mass production and asked Ian if he could fix it up to be more like the multitrack tape. Ian gave his blessings and it's phenomenal. Some people don't like it. They like how Aqualung's original patina gave it it's character. They're not wrong, either. Oh, but Dave is gonna adore "Cross Eyed Mary" and not for the two flute solos ... 😊 There two narratives at play here. The first is how the public sees Aqualung - with contempt and suspicion; borderline lecherous pedophile. Then the narrative shifts to how a friend sees Aqualung - with compassion, understanding. Because of the contempt, Aqualung is even feral among those who know him and shuffles away from them. Poor guy has shut the real cruel world out and prefers to be left to his devices ... and his cup of tea! Sod off, ya bugger ... 😏

[@LiteralistReactions]

Cross Eyed Mary is a good choice, must say. - JD

[@TheirFinestHour]

Maybe the best start to finish album I ever owned

[@michaelbaucom4019]

The two different tones are representing two different views of Aqualung...the harsher tone is the way (most of)the world sees him(not a good view), the softer tone is that of a person who pities him/is perhaps a friend From this album: " My God "..the reaction will be " My God "...Tull's best song, IMHO, but, there are numerous candiddates for that honor

[@robmcgrath5202]

I've always thought of the softer part as being from the homeless man's point of view but, I suppose, it could be from someone with or near him, like you said maybe a friend or at least more empathetic.

[@LiteralistReactions]

You'll have to watch it again to see! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6eammeBa7B6ma8 - JD

[@ArnoldStirrup]

The movie you might have heard this in could be Anchorman,, as they parody this/Ian.

[@Ninang363]

In the hospital I work the automatic hand sanitizer things on the walls everywhere run on D Cell Batteries

[@richardpalermo9020]

Love your channel and than too play a song by one of my favorite bands outstanding. If you wanted more flute than you should have done Locomotive Breath off the same album.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Hey, Richard! We did Loco Breath in the early days of the channel (and other Tull). kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5bPknlrqL-fmbM Enjoy!

[@cpmf2112]

It is sad, there is more than enough wealth and food for everyone but the distribution is all out of whack. 😢

[@donaldweis1199]

Vocabulary translation dogend is a cigarette but bog is a public loo or bathroom 😮

[@LiteralistReactions]

thanks for clarifying - JD

[@eckthtraetheth]

Nithe boom bockth, Jon. If thomeone ever doeth an off Broadway verthion of Aqualung, Dave ith an obviouth choithe for the thtaring role. Wardrobe and makeup not nethethary.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Yeah... every time I run into Dave on the street I hand him some loose change before I realize it's him from the smell. - JD

[@eckthtraetheth]

@@LiteralistReactions ewww. Eau de foot and ath. I almothed barfed a little.