Great Guitar Albums: Jethro Tull's Aqualung (1971) as told by Martin Barre

[@avlisk]

Much appreciated that Mr. Barre would do this interview for a record that's 50 years old. Thank you for doing it for us fans.

[@waterlec8718]

The rhythm guitar in Locomotive Breath has a very Latin feel to it, I love it ‼️ Aqualung ( Album ) is Jethro Tull's best work, I believe.... It's their "Stand UP and up and be COUNTED" as a fantastic rock band moment, I think.😄

[@calsurflance5598]

Understated true English gentleman, and a monster guitarist!🎸 Without Martin it’s not Jethro Tull.

[@morrisanderson3180]

agreed. no Martin, no tull & a lovely human being as well.

[@malcolmbliss777]

Back when THIS album came out? JT were THE band the guys in all the OTHER bands looked up to (Zeppelin, the Who, et al).

[@zoefoster1873]

@@morrisanderson3180 I met and interviewed him some years ago and he was just delightful! I could have spent all day chatting to him, sadly he was on a tight schedule...!!

[@morrisanderson3180]

@zoefoster1873 I'm very envious! have all his post tull work. excellent musician.

[@colindixon6973]

Martin Barre is a great player. Doesn't get recognition he deserves as a guitarist.

[@glenostrander]

I agree. Very underrated. Fantastic player.

[@stephanjones8424]

I'm envious. To be immensely successful but still able to walk down the street and probably only approached by other musicians that love your work. He's got it made.

[@cameroncameron2826]

Good heavens yes, one of most underrated.

[@apchsiri1156]

​@@cameroncameron2826Highly recommend The Martin Barre Band live.

[@minkahl1644]

Not being a household name ≠ Not getting accolades. He kind of is the definition of a musicians musician. Also audiophiles and proggers top musician.

[@drvee1983]

Great interviewer. Relaxed, doesn't interrupt, and asks poignant questions. Thanks for posting.

[@acusticsix]

just saw martins band last night 11-2-2024 in woonsocket ri... oh my god ! his arrangements of the classics are better than ever.....i've seen tull over ten times in the providence area over the years and really enjoyed this show... so glad your still touring after all these years... best wishes to you and your awesome band.... cheers from RI

[@carlhardwickofficial]

Martin was a monster guitar player in the 70s and he's even better now. Long live Martin Barre!

[@bradconklin2878]

Great album and a very classy dude. Thank you, Martin.

[@craigpetterson3962]

What a great interview with a great guy. Well done Martin.

[@robert-wr6md]

Aqualung is a great album still sounds good today.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

Sounds good today is the sort of comment I don't really comprehend. If it sounded good then, it sounds good now.

[@robert-wr6md]

@@wahid-lg1kk Don't "your ears" change? Mine do. I used to think Trout Mask Replica was rocks greatest departure, but in 2024, I'm not so sure, time has made me appreciate the Magic Band more but Don Van Vliets contribution less. To the point that I now only listen to the Grow Fins release sans Beefheart. Led Zep 3 is another, I want to hear it without Plant, just the other three. I don't hear it the same today as when it was released, because I loath certain aspects. Hero's by David Bowie is an example of a piece of music that I once thought was so perfectly formed that it had been moulded by the hands of God, nowadays if I hear it I have to run out of the room. Totally subjective and personal but that's music or art is it not?

[@wahid-lg1kk]

@@robert-wr6md everyone changes.. It's a good point.. I listen to stuff now that I wouldn't have in the 70s, and my relationship with things I loved back then, is not always the same..

[@tomcoryell]

When CDs became the standard, Aqualung was the first album I bought. I didn’t even own a CD player at the time. I just new it would be nice to have the album in a format that I could listen to constantly without wearing it out.

[@charleshendry5978]

It definitely makes my top 25 albums to have "if you were stranded on a desert island " list!

[@MarsG0Dofw4r_]

I'm randomly scrolling down my feed and posting positivity. You are valued and important to people. You are a good person and make a difference in this beautiful world ❤

[@ASelbo]

Mentioning Leslie West as a main influence made me smile. He was one oft the great, just as Martin Barre will forever be. Martin Barre brought so much to JT,. Just as Mike Campbell was the grey eminence in The Heartbreakers, Martin Barre was so much part of JT when everybody else just saw Ian Anderson. Remember back in -77 Ian asked if we had any requests and I shouted at the top of my voice "MY GOD!", and they delivered. My God, I was ecstatic😃

[@tomhenninger4153]

A Martin Barre poster was hanging on the wall in my bedroom my entire high school days! I had a Jethro Tull belt bucket as well. Bravo Martin! Love your work!

[@drvee1983]

It takes real fan of Tull to wear the belt buckle. Most people today don't realize how big they were. They sold out stadiums like Floyd, Zeppelin, and The Stones.

[@zippyt.libertine3787]

I went to every Jethro Tull concert in Central Florida and Atlanta, Ga. between Nov 1974 to Oct 1982. Exceptionally professional, every song clicked off and no messing around between songs wasting time. The best live show ever and I never thought I had paid too much.

[@Jay-yy9ol]

Do u remember the tennis ball pooping horse stage show character in their concerts during mid seventies? I saw Tull about three times in the Boston Garden between 1974’ to 78’, I think.

[@Peter-sk5vg]

Genuine man, fine player. Refreshingly down to earth

[@sworgan1]

Martin Barre seems a really nice bloke, just like his dad with whom I used to work when I was an apprentice toolmaker back in the early seventies, he was also had a great sense of humour just like Martin who strikes an eerie resemblance to Lance.

[@markr.devereux3385]

are those guys part of the Birmingham crowd that played the British hard rock . THEY AR E THE FOUNDING FATHERS

[@DannerPlace]

Great interview. Jethro Tull is such a great band. Love Aqualung and Songs form the Wood the most.

[@cobyward2878]

I absolutely love his guitar tone and Jethro Tull in general. What a great band with amazing music. 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@petedazer3381]

I still listen to Aqualung…. The guitar solo in the title track made me want to play guitar all those years ago

[@stevec-b6214]

yep- why wouldn`t you, it is timeless.

[@danottley2627]

Very nice interview Jamie, really enjoying these. Great to Martin Barre. Never knew that was a Junior, always assumed it was his standard. Thanks.

[@muffinman4353]

Love Martin's guitar work on the song, "My God"....

[@Strat-o-Man]

Martin is by far my all time favorite guitarist. It is tragic he is so under recognized. That all said, this was a great interview. Thanks!

[@stevec-b6214]

Just so different and fresh, I loved Tull from the start.

[@ChrisIrelandNJ]

I saw Martin and his band play in Somers Point,NJ a few years ago on a small beach on the bay. After seeing Tull about 6 times in big venues, it was surreal be able to ride my bike down to watch the show. He sounded as good as ever! Got some decent photos too.

[@GuitarDaze2023]

The aqualung album has that old British classic feel to it,evolving as more of a prog rock meets blues,meets rock and roll with a touch of old English classical feel,a totally beautiful piece of work, one of a kind rock and roll,we wore that album out from playing it so much to the point of having to buy another album,it’s still a favorite album of mine to this day.

[@kimholland9316]

Interesting man and a good interview

[@kellypurcell9545]

Amazing that these recording sessions were one or two takes! He seems so humble. He tells us that he has a great memory and then does this interview somewhat objectively like a good reporter.

[@hawaiisteve932]

Aloha Martin, a fellow Brummie , all around nice guy & phenomenal Guitarist , I had the pleasure ofseeing Jethro Tull on my 18th Birthday at Birmingham Odeon on Nov 20th 1974 , what a brilliant night that was . I still have my original Aqualung album along with all the good albums, thanks for a great interview long may you keep touring .

[@miguelangelmontenegro9939]

Martin is the more GREAT rock guitar player Overall !!! And the Aqualung Solo is the Best one !! With distortion, Overdrive, or with a clean guitar, Martin makes me cry of emotion!! I Saw Jethro Tull with Martin 8 times in Argentina, and The Martin Barre Band a few years ago..., with personal encounter with Martin and the whole band. He was awesome !!! A lot of energy and Soul ! And i told him..., Martin, You are the GOAT!!! With a Great bow and photos, cd's signed.... Martin..., You are the Best!!! Cheers from Buenos Aires Argentina 🤙

[@TheShadman47]

What a lovely guy. Great interview.

[@pauloribeiro4337]

One of my favorite guitar players. I love his solo on We Used to Know.

[@d.r.mathias9648]

Good interviewer - very poignant and well-thought questions. I think many would agree that the solo from Aqualung is one of the greatest of that time. It fits so well with the song and truly stands out as one of the very best and most creative.

[@robertfoster1339]

It’s almost criminal how underrated Martin’s guitar skills are. I had heard that he used a junior on that album. Cross eyed Mary is one of my favorite Tull songs

[@dixiefallas7799]

Fantastic Martin Barre. Hope he’s touring UK soon 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@michaeldrasic7587]

I was fortunate enough to be at the "Thick As A Brick" concert in Chicago '72 and they performed entirely note for note and their theatrical performace was just as fantastc. Great night great concert. Thanks Tull!

[@mtradz]

what a wonderful interview thank you so much for uploading this!

[@deborahcox7698]

seen tull live 60 + times met martin twice great guy and guitarist thanks again martin come back to the fingerlakes new york

[@robertfiorellino6070]

The guitar solo in Aqualung is one of my favorites. It matches up with any rock solo. Thanks for sharing your talent.

[@CherylMajeske]

Martin Barre is one of the true masters of the guitar, whether playing solo or filling in with background licks. You could always recognize his guitar, no matter what he was playing. Without him, Tull would never have gone as far as it did.

[@TheLeadSled]

Martin Barre is a true legend on the six string, imagine how many songs this man leanred over the years since Jethro Tull bascially released an album a year from the late sixties until the 1980's; that's a heck of a catalog to put to memory.

[@stevefiorito5379]

I played, full-time, in a night club cover band during the 70s. We covered a lot of music, but no Tull. Not sure why, but anything we played had to be very danceable. This was in the greater LA area, and there was a cover band that was a tribute band to Jethro Tull, and they did a great job covering your tunes. They had found themselves a neat little niche ... and a dedicated following. Thanks for all of the great music, Martin. My favorite Tull album was and still is "Songs From the Wood".

[@GordiansKnotHere]

Excellent interview from an iconic guitarist. Great energy from Mr. Barre. Thank you for some great music sir.

[@vidtrax662]

Mr. Barre, an underatted consummate guitarist. Tull is still great to listen. 😎

[@cityman1111]

I was fortunate enough to see Tull twice, Once opening for Led Zep and the other as headliner. They were two of the most incredible shows I have seen.

[@jimfritz2087]

What year did you see them open for L. Z. ? I saw Tull / Zep / Vanilla Fudge in 69. First tour for J. T. + L. Z. $ 5 Chicago USA

[@davidcollin1436]

$4 in SF😂​@@jimfritz2087

[@aschule5684]

Tull and Zep ? Wow what a dream concert, you're very lucky people!

[@RC-gf8cs]

Nice 1st saw zep 71 sept msg nyc ..73.75.77 2x each msg .tull warcild msg thru 1995 .bout 15x or mor​@@jimfritz2087

[@robertlinscott1551]

I saw them do Aqualung in concert in 1971 at SUNY Delhi, NY. Great concert. Ian Anderson jumped off the amps into the spotlight when the piano entre ended in Locomotive Breath.

[@aschule5684]

Thanks for this, never miss a "Ian" interview. He's such a humble genius and great guy. I always admired how as a guitarist he could say the most playing the least and every note had meaning and and impact. Always tasteful and brilliant.

[@MichaelOrthodoxChristian]

Always a pleasure to listen to Mr Barre. Excellent interview.

[@clevebaker8399]

Saw Tull in 72, they played all of thick and aqualung! Martin is top 10 in the world

[@montbob100]

I admire Martin Barre as a great guitarist. Glad i got to see him on songs from the wood.

[@tractordirt5167]

Brilliant interview! Martin is a treasure--what a player and gentleman. So glad he's still out there making it happen. Had to pull out my Les Paul and a riff a few! Splendid job by interviewer.

[@markkneill-boxley7434]

Thank you Martin, your understated talent shone through. May your star continue to shine

[@allancrow134]

To this day Aqualung is one of my all-time favourite classic rock songs. It's so original and eclectic with great guitar riffing. Thought-provoking as well....open to one's own interpretation. Brilliant. :)

[@marcillioficino4663]

The guitar solo in the song Aqualung is brilliant.

[@terrygrady7683]

A true icon. Still great. I saw them recently and you realize how important Martin was. He has certainly aged well. Come on Ian., one more time .

[@michaelfrank2266]

A very good interview. I am happy I watched it.

[@jmason61]

Very cool video. My favorite LP is Minstrel cause I believe it was the tightest thing, & prog rock with all sorts of digress. & the sound of that LP played loud! BRAVO

[@billminor3712]

It’s a three way tie between Thick, Aqualung, but Minstrel would be first mainly because of the title song! Just a brilliant song with such a great energy and hook!

[@realheadphonecandy]

Hard to pick one. Passion Play is up there too.

[@JelksCabaniss]

​@@billminor3712That album came out during Tull's Minstrel Period.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Martins work on A Passion Play is incredible.

[@polo7155]

I totally agree, although I'm not a fan of his particular guitar sound on it...But when I saw rhem play the Passion play live it was astounded by the drive it gave to the whole song! That Les Paul guitar through the Hiwatt amp was just marvelous and it rocked a lot more than the studio album...

[@milosbhat6920]

Both Martin Barre and Phil Manzanera gave their bands their unique distinguishing charachter and because they blended so well in the overarching musical compositions, their work naturally tends to be overlooked.

[@TheRonnierate]

Martin Barre created, and performed the best guitar solo of all times, in my opinion with Aqualung.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Ian was totally brilliant to take a great blues band and evolve it over time into Jethro Tull. Aqualung was my first Tull album when it came out. I liked it and worked my way backwards to This Was, Then Thick As A Brick came out and the rest is history. Martin is so bloody brilliant on guitar. He's the greatest.

[@branscombeR]

Great interview ... Aqualung is still a stand-out album even today ... R (Australia)

[@KossoffFan]

Martin's spare guitar that he mentioned was a '62 Strat. As he said he used it for slide. He ended up selling that to Robin Trower when Procol Harum opened for them. Robin plugged the strat in and fell in love with the sound. That's the guitar he used on the last album he did with Procol Harum and on his first solo album.

[@koroba01]

Great insightful interview. Saw Jethro Tull at the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium back in ‘73 (I think), a fantastic concert. This interview explains a lot about the band, I understand them better. I was hoping the interviewer would ask about Passion Play which is a very eclectic and unusual piece of music, but in the same vein very good music.

[@JanPienkos-s7r]

Aqualung was such an original sound and i still love it today at 74! after a rough shift at the hospital (RN) I’d get home and crank it up as loud as i could!

[@cato451]

The lead on Agualung has always been a top five for me.

[@GlennJackson-d8e]

This is why the music of the late sixties and early seventies was so good: musicians played from the heart and learned from each other. The object wasn't to play safely, it was to create something new and meaningful.

[@chizmo7]

I saw the Aqualung tour at the Albuquerque Civic Auditorium June 11, 1971. Mott the Hoople was the opening act. I was 14 years old. Absolutely blew my mind.

[@stevec-b6214]

flippin eck! I bet it did!!

[@leftypick4854]

Gotta love Martin Barre, The Tulls, that couch and Sweet home Alabama.

[@markschulte-b4f]

One of the truly good records, by one of the most iconic and personal bands. 😊

[@jeffseven2194]

Big brother told me about this show at Tyndall Armoury in Indianapolis. Jethro Tull doing Aqualung and Yes doing Fragile. I lamented being too young for that show

[@theshallowsea]

Great interview ,thank you very much for posting this gem .

[@justgivemethetruth]

The guitar on the Aqualung rock electric songs are so brilliant from Martin, they are like a genre of its own, with no competition.

[@jackjustice1731]

Uniquely and superbly talented musician.

[@pumkinbreath]

Love the 330 single pick up. Nice taste Martin

[@markdaly818]

Had the pleasure of meeting him when he played Cambridge with his band. Absolute gentleman.

[@ricenglish4556]

That sound Martin gets, for lack of a better description, almost sounds as if his guitar is barking at you. You really hear it on "Wind-Up," and "My God" for that matter. It's the best Rock guitar sound I've ever heard and probably ever will.

[@brucechelemer328]

I was Jethro Tull's interpreter for their concert at a music festival in Tallinn about 35 years ago. They invited out for curry after the concert, and I sat between Anderson and Baree. Down to earth geniuses. Funny as hell. Drowl and intelligent. Pure class.

[@markmoody1954]

I saw the Aqualung show and also the previous tour and both were incredible! My favorite band and guitarist!

[@vonfolta]

I love Jethro Tull ... what a great Band! and what a great album (Aqualung) but the album that always gets me out of a mental rutt is Benefit. Thanks for the great music and for this video

[@mikewhitfield2994]

Pretty much all the classic bands hold up very well, but Tull is probably the freshest sounding.

[@travelinben1966]

One of my all time favorites.😊👏👏👏👏

[@DropAnchor1978]

I still marvel at the fact that Jeffrey Hammond was a novice or non-musician. He must have been quite a sponge because in short order, he came across as a very solid accomplished player, especially during the Minstrel days.

[@carlmassengale1027]

Seems many people want to dwell on the fact that Jeffrey entered as a novice, and continue to discount him as though he never was a proper bassist. I always wonder if those critics can play "Thick As A Brick" and "A Passion Play" live, from beginning to end.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

@@carlmassengale1027 I saw JHH play many times for Tull and he was an excellent player , his work for the band was fantastic

[@aschule5684]

I was amazed to learn that about Jeffrey, all these years I never knew until just now when I heard Ian's words about it. It was in no way obvious at any point. I'd thought him to be quite accomplished as the rest of the band. Tull wasn't average music by any means and the musicians weren't either.

[@DropAnchor1978]

@@carlmassengale1027 Exactly, Carl. I hear those often complex parts played at quite a frantic tempo and the timing is spot-on. I don't hear any signs of a rote or mediocre bass player. The playing is even and competent. Add these to the fact that Jeffrey did it live while jumping around manically on stage.

[@Zippy1415]

Excellent and interesting interview.

[@d.r.mathias9648]

I had the privilege of seeing Martin's band twice - both time, the exact same seats years and miles apart. A pleasant coincidence since it was front row and right in front of Martin. To be honest, I haven't been able to listen to any of Ian's recent work - it's gloomy, dark and definitely lacks the influence of Martin. There would not have been a Jethro Tull without this man. Never had a lesson - never needed one. Raw talent matured into an art.

[@timgainnes5534]

MB solo tours are not to be missed, a great player and performer.

[@bodystomp5302]

My boomer parents played Aqualung a lot in the 70s & 80s. I was young, but over the years I became to deeply respect the unique sound of the record. Nobody does it like Tull.

[@63mckenzie]

Ian wrote the songs, but Martin's playing added some beautiful textures to the songs.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

It's not like Ian wrote every specific chord and variation, susp7 here, flat5 there, here is the run, aeolian, 6/8, no..

[@63mckenzie]

@@wahid-lg1kk The most famous one is Andy Summers coming up with that distinct broken chord riff for The Police's Every Breath You Take, but got absolutely no credit for it.

[@EM-mw2qr]

That Aqualung solo was Martin's and Martin's alone.

[@jrm2fla]

I saw them at Miami Jail alai fronton Nov. 4, 1977, they were amazing, so professional and tight! I still have the ticket stub!

[@Tonetwisters]

EXCELLENT! Had no clue, he is such a nice person. Good on him!! (Saw them in Jacksonville around '71/72 doing this album ... they blew me away, and I had been a musician for 8-9 years by that time.)

[@danielcombs3207]

He’s a remarkable musician I loved his playing on those Tull albums. Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung, Thick as a Brick. That was a wonderful period for the band.

[@musictosoul]

A big influence when I was young…incredible tone and phrasing…..there was something in the air!

[@MichaelB5150]

Was fortunate to see Tull in West Germany in September '82. Anderson and Barre were at top form. Great show with King Crimson also on the bill.

[@johngarrison1505]

My favorite of any British band. Barre is a great musician. Anderson is a mad genius

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

I still have a picture of Mick Green ( Johnny Kidd / Pirates ) holding a Les Paul Junior. I always wanted one but never got one and am pleased to hear that's what Martin used. P90's are amazing pick ups.

[@RhinoTheTerrible]

Two songs that I'll play, at the drop of a hat, for any occasion; Aqualung and Locomotive Breath.

[@chuckbaker8413]

Bought Stand Up in 8th grade Bought Benefit in 9th.. Aqualung in 10th Thick as a Brick in 11th By the time I got as a junior in college… it was Songs of the Wood…(or whatever that name was..?? I was stoned…!) Saw Martin Barre in a very small club in Santa Barbara…!!! He is so Good..!

[@daskitten1]

Wow! for a guy who 'didn't know one end of the bass from another' Jeffrey Hammond played really well. The tune Aqualung is a pretty complicated bass part!!! Great interview. Love Martin with Tull & his new band.

[@justgivemethetruth]

It's the muscicality of Jethro Tull that I love. Just as Martin is saying how the band / bands have intuitive understanding of the bandmembers as the music had a lot of improvisization and odd notes just appearing out of nowhere. It was always so fun to hear them.

[@AudiophileTommy]

And he very well should STILL be in Jethro Tull now especially 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Hedg]

I noticed this is filmed in Martin's beautiful west country house, that was featured in a newspaper article recently. He said the radio system on his guitar allows him to play wherever he likes in the house. I'm just a little surprised a rock colossus would have such little speakers! But his house is so tastefully decorated.

[@TeddyCavachon]

I saw Jethro Tull live in Peoria, IL back on November 9, 1971 while a student at Knox College in nearby Galesburg, IL where Alice Copper and REO Speedwagon played in the college gym in August 1971 at the first day of school ‘Welcome Back’ dance concert. Damn I miss the good old days 😂 I nearly got crushed to death at the Tull concert because I arrived early and was at the door of the venue (Bradley University Field house) when the doors were seen to open for admission and the crowd behind pushed forward. It was chaos for about ten minutes until people figured out the doors opened outward and nobody was getting in until everyone backed the F off. I had play Tuba in my high school band and going to the Tull concert inspired to go to a music shop in Galesburg where Knox is located and rented a flute which I taught myself to play by listening to the Aqualung album, still one of my favorites in on the CD player in my little red Miata roadster. Thanks for rekindling the memories with this video 😊