Top 10 Greatest Jethro Tull Guitar Riffs (1969-1971) [Guitar Lesson, Song Analysis, Classic Rock]

In this episode, we review the top 10 greatest guitar riffs from Jethro Tull. This band has so many great riffs that we are going to have to do a 2nd episode! For our first installment, we focus on the early period from 1969-1971 which covers the albums: Stand Up, Benefit, and Aqualung. This is the period when Martin Barre joined the band and the music started to move in a decidedly more progressive direction (and away from the early jazz and blues leanings).
I discuss the riffs and all their nuances as well as the quirky meters that are quintessentially Jethro Tull. You'll notice during the middle of the episode I switch guitars. This is owing to a neck issue that popped up on my Les Paul #1 during the shoot. As a result, my tobacco finished Les Paul #2 makes her world premiere on the channel!
I also have to mention that I have had an extensive career in progressive rock dating back to my band Syzygy and more recently to my band BALDASSARRE. I've often written pieces in the style of Jethro Tull and I would encourage you to check out my album "Collinwood Yards". One track in particular entitled, "Coin a Phrase" has everything you'd ever want in a Jethro Tull styled track: Great riff, phenomenal lyrics (thank you Will Shakespeare!), a Renaissance-era musical breakdown, a Martin Barre styled solo, and a very catchy Tull-like outro!
Check it out on my website www.carlbaldassarremusic.com
Use Promo Code [20offcarlbaldassarre] for 20% off any purchase for a limited time only!
Episode Track listing:
1. A New Day Yesterday (Stand Up)
2. Sweet Dreams (Stand Up)
3. Son (Benefit)
4. To Cry You A Song (Benefit)
5. Play in Time (Benefit)
6. Aqualung (Aqualung)
7. Cross-Eyed Mary (Aqualung)
8. My God (Aqualung)
9. Hymn 43 (Aqualung)
10. Wind Up (Aqualung)
0:00 Intro
0:30 Riff #1
2:44 Riff #2
6:43 Riff #3
8:50 Riff #4
12:21 Riff #5
14:28 Riff #6
16:01 Riff #7
18:06 Riff #8
23:26 Riff #9
28:07 Riff #10
31:28 Conclusion
#CarlBaldassarre #JethroTull #GuitarLesson

[@user-zn6gz4ub7w]

At the beginning of the concert in 1971. the band was in place in the dark. Ian Anderson came out, walked to down stage center into a spot light, threw his flute about 20 feet straight up, and right when he caught it all the stage lighting and the first kick butt song hit. It was AWESOME !!!!

[@nyrocks5580]

Finally, someone giving props to the genius of Martin Barre!

[@cletuschrist]

Man, it's nice to see Barre get some attention. As acclaimed as Jethro Tull is, it's still seemingly underrated. In particular, Barre's ability to arrange guitar parts so they're punchy and don't get mushed up into all the piano and vocal riffing can't be understated. Tull puts on an absolute clinic in arrangement up through War Child.

[@haskellbob]

As a teen I was so in awe of the group, and of Ian Anderson, that any time I met someone new I would wind the subject of Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson into conversation. But it's kind of sad to look at how Ian hogged attention and Martin Barre stayed in the background. Introverted genius (Martin) combined with extroverted genius (Ian). Like, was Ian actually friendly with Martin? Was he ever friendly with anybody? Anyway, Martin Barre's guitar was essential to Tull. Any mediocre guitarist wouldn't have been such a great watershed for Ian Anderson in the creation of their music. I had the guitar solo from "Aqualung" memorized and I used to dance playing my air guitar along with it. I just hope Martin Barre got as much love from his own fans and that he wasn't psychologically affected by the shadow Ian Anderson cast at his expense.

[@KirkHealy]

Amen brother!

[@budg.6094]

Heard an interesting interview with Ian on KZbin. I’m paraphrasing, but he said that offstage he is extremely introverted, does not have a lot of friends and does not need a lot of friends. I respect Ian for all his work and I feel the exact same way about Martin. Love their music.

[@georgetebbens3524]

Beautifully stated! Barre's Jethro Tull guitar parts expertly propel the arrangements without stepping over the other musicians or the vocals. That's not easy in a band so tight as Tull.

[@georgetebbens3524]

Martin Barre was a quintessential member of Jethro Tull. He, like every member of Tull, enhanced the groove without getting in the way. Power when power suits the arrangement. Nuance when nuance suits the arrangement. Delicacy. Subtlety. Martin Barre has been an essential element of Jethro Tull from the start.

[@cafepaul1957]

I agree with everyone, Martin is underrated. I just saw him last Friday, at the age of 76 he's still kicking ass!! Love his guitar work in We Used To know.

[@fourpoint64]

I ❤ the riff on 4wd low ratio

[@BobC59]

Yep. Saw him twice last October, once electric and once acoustic. Both outstanding shows

[@joebloggs8636]

I've seen Tull many times, seen Ian "solo" 3 times and I've seen The Martin Barre ban twice( great ,great band), Martin is so humble, he and his wife talked to myself and my wife for 20 minutes after a show seeing his band...great guy who is so much better than I think history realizes.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

He’s a great person I’m told!

[@mistie710]

I think that's the whole reason why he is underrated; Martin is a modest bloke! When you are playing behind such folk as Ian, that can really take the spotlight off you, though as said here, he isn't short of a few riffs and solos. At his age, however, he has plenty of stories to tell - there's a few interviews knocking around on YT.

[@dustylense]

Martin Barre is so underrated. This is awesome!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Glad you appreciate it!

[@yoyo1899]

Love Jethro Tull. Martin Barre is so underrated that is beyond my comprehension. Thanks for breaking this down, Carl and don't stop, there's people here waiting for more. This channel is a gem.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!

[@st3pp3nw0lf86]

The solo in Aqualung was one of the handful of guitar parts that made me decide I had to learn to play the guitar. His vibrato and the phrasing is just immaculate.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Check this out…A Groundbreaking Song by Jethro Tull: Aqualung - What you didn’t you know??? kzbin.info/www/bejne/lajOi3iwr6mMgs0 Be sure to check out my channel for my other content as well!! I hope you subscribe and share. I need the help!!

[@rockinvida1960]

Have you done an episode on the Anderson/Barre masterpiece “Minstrel In The Gallery?” If not - would love to see that! The guitar playing by Martin is absolutely stunning on that one…thanks for your awesome channel!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Yes. I will cover Minstrel one day! It’s an absolute must!

[@warnistt]

What he said ^^^^^

[@steveone]

Yes please ! I love the intro to Minstrel .

[@vabriga1]

"To cry you a song" - one of my favorite JT riffs.

[@guacamolekid3899]

The solos on Back Door Angels are some of Barre's best work in my opinion, and that's saying something. You're an awesome player yourself! Amazing!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@mistie710]

I'd add Cold Wind to Valhalla to that.

[@swatprof]

Fantastic! I also grew up with Tull, so this was gold for me. And I completely agree that both Anderson and Barre are brilliant guitarists that deserve more recognition. Suggestions for more from this period: “For a Thousand Mothers”, “Driving Song”, “Nothing Is Easy”, “Teacher”, “Nothing to Say”, “From Later”.

[@mistie710]

Rather disappointed that you missed "For A Thousand Mothers" off this list at least.

[@nikha1291]

Great video, Martin Barre is one of my all time favorite guitarists! It's kind of unfortunate that his contributions to Tull tend to be overlooked a lot. My favorite MB riff would probably be "Minstrel in the Gallery", though it's difficult for me to pick just one. By the way, i'd totally recommend seeing him live if anyone has got the chance!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Mine too!!!

[@billjohn4132]

I wasn't a guitarist, I didn't have designs on playing, for some reason I listened to the minstrel in the gallery guitar work endlessly when it came out

[@MarionJInce]

Excellent presentation! I'm a big Tull fan and glad Martin Barre is getting some notice! One of my favorite Jethro Tull songs, off Stand Up, is "We used to know" because of Martin's fantastic guitar work. I really enjoyed your lesson and analysis. I hope you will continue with JT guitar riffs part 2!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I love carrying the flag for Martin and this band. Truly one of a kind!

[@stevesyverson8625]

“To cry you a song” is so very cool!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

My favorite actually. It transports me to a real fond place!

[@jedsmith4988]

Brilliant playing! Nice to see Tull, especially Martin, get well deserved recognition. Tab for these riffs and solos is difficult or impossible to find. Martin's new band is restoring the energy of older live concerts, sans flute. Pibroch (Cap in Hand) and sections of Thick as a Brick and A Passion Play feature Martin's powerful contributions to these masterpieces.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Agreed!

[@sedleyjensen5636]

Dude, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this video. Thank you! Jethro Tull is my all time favorite band. I've been listening to them since before I started learning to play guitar. And I've been playing guitar now for over 50 years. Martin Barre is one of my favorite guitarist, if not my absolute favorite! He is so underrated!! And your playing is fantastic! You are nailing all the little nuances that most people miss. As a musician, I know, Jethro Tull's music is difficult to play. So, thank you for this!

[@claytonphelps9911]

Love your videos, happy upbeat presentation, great riffs, it's all great. Please keep this going, I believe your audience will grow exponentially. Rock on Carl and watch this channel grow. Awesome. Your personality and approach to all this is awesome.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you so much!! Honestly the algorithm doesn’t seem to like my content. I’m not sure why! But I appreciate your support and anything you can do to promote it by word of mouth!

[@c.a.t.732]

The song Sweet Dream wasn't on the Stand Up album, but on Living In The Past. That quibble aside, I absolutely loved this video. Tull has been one of my favorite bands all my life, and it was very cool to see some of Martin's great guitar work featured this way. Thanks!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!!! I’m usually good for one miss per episode!

[@JJKarpinski]

It is included on the Stand Up reissue as a bonus track though!

[@gustavegflaubert]

Thank you this expose was very generous of you! Jethro Tull was one of my favorite bands when I was a teenager. I saw them twice at the Montreal forum. The first show was Thick as a brick the second was Passion play. Both shows were fantastic. Ciao

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Great memories! Thank you!

[@michaelrigoli]

Another great job Carl! Jethro Tull was my very first concert, I was 12 and my cousin took me to the Boston Garden and it was life changing! The lead in Aqualung is one of my all time favorites! It’s epic! Please keep them coming and I’m sharing your channel with everyone I know!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you so much! I really need the support to keep this going…

[@robertstewart6099]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic I like your delivery and you should link with Beato his channel is more established but its a different focus. Folk love music and why not love it together.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Gosh. I’d love to connect with him, but I don’t know how to reach him and I’m not sure he’d even be interested in connecting with me!

[@manuelmontiel5418]

I saw the Aqualung tour in Toledo Ohio 1970 I was twelve and it was my first concert. Slade was the opening band.

[@ricenglish4556]

Carl, you are some kind of player. I almost feel as if I'm listening to Martin and he's my all-time favorite guitarist. You hit just about everyone of my favorite Martin riff's on those first 3 Tull albums. Except for "For A Thousand Mothers" and "Locomotive Breath," you nail them all. I love your Gibson Sunburst and the Marshall amps. I'm a vest man myself, but I wish I had your hair. It's nice to see someone else appreciate Martin's legendary playing. I've always loved that barking sound he gets out of his guitar. By the way, that "Coin A Phrase" is some kind of great song. I love the Tull feel to it. Nice going, Carl, that was really fun to watch. I'll be playing all 3 of those albums tonight in my "Rock Session" sitting outside.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you so much! I hope you pick up my Collinwood Yards album!

[@ray.watts.44]

Thank you Carl another brilliant episode. Martin Barre is one of the all time greats isn't he, very modest humble man and brilliant guitarist. Saw Tull live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in 1978 what a concert, shortly after Heavy Horses was released. Looking forward to more Tull from you, suggestions for some of Martin's riffs, Black Sunday, Minstrel in the Gallery, Hunting Girl, No Lullaby. Keep up the great work Carl, will check out Collinwood Yards, sounds very interesting and right up my street.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you so much! I hope you like Collinwood Yards!! Use the promo code in the description!

[@ray.watts.44]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic just placed order. Thanks Carl.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!!!! Let me know what you think after a couple of listens!!!!

[@ray.watts.44]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Love it. Like the mixture of the classical and rock and yes you really did a great Jethro Tull tribute on Coin a Phrase. Current favourites are Catharsis and Dark Delusions. Great work maestro.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you so much!!! There’s lots of layers. Hang with it and other pieces will open up to you!

[@DBBlocker]

Wish I could understand half of what you were saying, no background in music, but I love Jethro Tull and Martin Barre's guitar work. It was a joy to listen to you talk about the wonderful music.

[@mikec6733]

Mr. Carl B. I am extremely impressed by everything about you and your playing. Just pure excellence across the board.

[@tbone2451]

Martin Barre is a fantastic guitarist. And Tull was a fantastic band, shame on the so called rock and roll hall of fame, these guys should’ve been in years ago.

[@cymruisrael]

Thanks for this. What is amazing is that both Martin Barre and Ian Anderson were only in their early to mid-twenties when these albums came out.

[@rjrj4067]

Wonderfull ...loved it! The always creative, never repeating (out of over 20 albums), and often complex riffs and/or dramatic melodies of Ian Anderson & Martin barre are the best. This vid really pulls them out and highlights them perfectly. Thank you so much for doing this!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@omarazzaoui7223]

the solo on hymn 43 is one of my favorite Martin Barre solos can't get enough listening to it I think is one of the best solos short and sweet.

[@dennishinkle5010]

Martin has always been kind of overlooked as a great guitarist. The complexity of the music and the flute took center stage. The guitar in live shows came through a lot more. The solo to Aqualung was one of the best ever. Later albums I noticed the guitar took a bit more to the front. Great video. I just subscribed. Thank you.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!!!

[@davidwright9318]

We saw Martin Barre Band last summer on Vancouver Island Canada and at 72 (me) I have to say it was one of THE most memorable I’ve seen in a long time. I just never realized how good he is as is the whole band..and he had Clive Bunker with him for the entire Aqualung segment. His energy is amazing for then 75 years of age…talk about memorable riffage.

[@rockpointe5783]

For 50 years there have been two albums that are ALWAYS with me - especially on road trips 1) Benefit 2) Quadrophenia. Thank you, Carl!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Love both of them!!

[@stevenjones6780]

I remember 'Minstrel in the Gallery' from Abraxas days and how much you loved Martin Barre, but I was so singularly 'Pagey' at that time that I could barely comply. It is so great to see you literally "letting your hair down" in this phase of life! You are helping me more than you know. But at the end of the day, that is what you do...!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you my dear beloved brother!!!

[@SpringIsBACK]

Arrrggghhh! I was hoping "Teacher" would be here. While not as "crafty"(?) a riff, it was the one that most drew me to Tull, I think. Just something about it... 🙂

[@douglaschristine8387]

One helluva Renaissance Rock festival idea. These guys were a big part of my young life and I'm estatic that you did a lesson on Tull. I'm sure a lot of young people have never heard of them so my hats off to you Carl.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I hope I can inspire some new listeners to their music!

[@arthurmee]

Ah just commented on your Ten Years Gone and now this one . . .another of my favourite bands and tracks from my favourite period of Tull. Back in the nineties living just a couple or so of miles from Martin Barre I was able to ask talk to him about his guitar playing. Like several others on here I've always thought that Martin Barre has been underrated. Another great tutorial. I'm old enough to have heard these albums in my teens.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you for watching! I hope you subscribe!!

[@liquidsolids9415]

“Sweet Dream” might be a good one for the next video. Thanks, Carl!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Did you see I covered the riff in this video?!

[@liquidsolids9415]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Duh. Sorry. I had to watch the video in a few different sittings and I forgot you had already talked about it. Thanks!

[@mrshiney2]

OK... so I can see what I am doing this weekend. I will never forget the summer of 1970 as my turntable was endlessly cranking out the BENEFIT album

[@btu45nh]

Thanks Carl I have always been a huge Martin Barre fan,seen hm a couple times with his own band.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Me too!

[@carlosmaslaton7990]

Carl, excelente es tu interpretacion en guitarra del sonido de Jethro Tull. Para mí es la mejor banda de aquella época. Desde Argentina te felicito por enseñarnos a tocar como Barre.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Gracias

[@superlogico73]

Proceda con Tull

[@elel928]

That little sparkle on the A chord. I love it. you can make a 5 chord in first position using all strings from the A down. there is a similar E chord with sparkle from first position which works well. they really sound great as a slow down stroke strum. G sparkle in first position is a nightmare though.

[@mackvismusic8622]

Finally! Lol. Like many in the audience, I had the vinyl and wore them out. Thanks again.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

My pleasure!

[@kimbers3112]

Great presentation Carl! You are so talented and thank you for breaking it down. I've been an Ian Anderson fan since I was very young. The guitar riff "To Cry You A Song" is excellent! Aqualung is an all time favorite too! My God is a beautiful song. Hymn 43 is another great one! Passion Play is my favorite album, it takes me back to my childhood days.

[@user-og5cx3ro9n]

I can still drift away with this riff and also Aqualung.

[@TommyRobertsHD]

Great content, big Jethro Tull fan here much appreciated

[@madisongraham9307]

Sir Carl- one of your best episodes to date. Best regards from ATX.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!

[@artsmulski1417]

This is awesome you're bringing me right back to my day Martin Barr even today continues to mesmerize as do you continue cranking out the tall sounds wonderful

[@tomfashing208]

Love this. Tull one of if not the greatest and both Anderson and Barre so unique. Great job by you for sure.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you! That was a lot of work!!

[@kwarunner]

Check out Martin Barre's albums "Order of Play" and "50 Years of Jethro Tull". He has rearranged versions of dozens of Jethro Tull Songs, without any flutes :). He is also great to see live.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I will. I’ve seen him live and love those arrangements!!!

[@user-zn6gz4ub7w]

I saw Tull twice 1971. I was 17 years old. Killer concerts. I had the Aqualung album and listened to it for hours.

[@tullphd]

I was leaning Jethro Tull on an Acoustic guitar back then, I wasn't an electric guitar player, although you do have to stretch your learning from the acoustic to tackle those power ideas. As you remarked about the guitar playing style of Ian Anderson, it isn't like playing other songs. The picking and upward strumming makes his ability a little more difficult to get sorted, which it is sad to say, very few I have seen can pull off Jethro Tull. I use to pay at universities as a solo playing acoustic guitar, once a friend on bass joined me, he had a great ear, but I pulled off most of the classic Tull acoustic songs till I joined a full rock band as keyboard, and acoustic guitar. The band would never learn a Jethro Tull song, I think they were afraid. Thank you for reminding me of such great Tull songs, and riffs. Most people won't dig in here and try to learn these correct methods. Although I shared this video to my friends on Facebook, 3 or 4 might appreciate it.

[@aafjeyakubu5124]

Thanks Carl! I know when I first found your channel I asked about doing some other artists (like Martin Barre) and I just really need to say thank you!!!!!!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

My pleasure!

[@DonII1980]

Most underrated guitar player! You said it, he never plays the same thing twice! AMAZING!

[@Angus_Macgregor]

I must admit that Martin Barre is one of the guitarists I admire most. As you say, he never really plays the same thing twice. As much as I love Ian Anderson's acoustic playing and that fact that he claims to be the writer of all Jethro Tulls work, they would not be nearly the same band without Martin's lead arrangement. He's a very thoughtful and deep player but can really rock at the same time, with totally blistering work (like Minstrel in the Gallery). And such a nice, gentle guy at the same time. Thanks for this extra insight into his work. I look forward to part 2!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you for watching!!

[@PIGFRAN]

Part 2...yeah!! We need it...

[@lindsaydouglas381]

Another amazing masterclass Carl. Perhaps you should add a 'Donate' button. Your lessons are gold,

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you very much. I have to look into that because I’m actually losing money putting these out. That’s not sustainable:(

[@lindsaydouglas381]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Perhaps make a series of short videos with tips on how to play a particular riff, or short theory lesson. Also, make a short video asking this community to help build 'their' community and get the word out to the wider world. We could be 'Jamming at Carl's', or whatever. I am not a fan of Patreon, but I am happy to 'donate', buy a coffee, or some way to pay for what I want when I use it. You do have a lot of competition on KZbin, but what you do is different and so much fun. Are you familiar with Tim Pierce, Rick Beato, and Paul Davids? Get ideas from them. It would be a sad day if you stopped making your videos.

[@lindsaydouglas381]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Here's another thought, what about mentoring, or taking a subscribers song ideas and doing a video analysis and suggestions on how to make it better. There could be shared royalties or someway for everyone involved to benefit. Get the community involved. 🙂

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I’m taking this all under advisement.

[@nickcosta8062]

Once again... Another great rendition of Classic Rock Dope from Mister Carl!... I'm glad you did this because you reminded me of songs I've forgotten or haven't heard since I was an impressionable teen in the late 70's early 80's. Absolutely love the tones your gettin'.. And nice to see the "Storied Les Paul" gettin some just due love!. Love that guitar! Martin Barre is totally underrated. I truly believe him. Leslie West and Tony Iommi gave the world the crunchy guitar sound besides maybe Link Wray. I've been thinking of some tunes you might like to cover.. A personal favorite is "Green Eyed Lady" by Sugarloaf... I also really love "Black Knight" Early DP. How about Nazareth "Hair of the Dog" And "Midnight Moses and Faith Healer by the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. I would also throw in "Snake Bite" And Mick Jones of Foreigner has made some great riffs as well... "Gotta Keep a Runnin' by the Godz (Rock and Roll Machines)... Okay... I''ll shut up now... Awesome sauce , Dudeus!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Very good music memories Nick! Thank you!

[@leeland446]

Martin is and was an amazing musician. The song My God is an unbelievably epic piece , Tull and that line up was was sooo damn good.

[@BobC59]

This was great - hoping to see Part 2... and beyond!

[@billsaunders5717]

Like you, I grew up with Jethro Tull’s music. I finally met Martin earlier this year at a small gig he was playing with his band in Scotland. Your video has made me appreciate even more what a genius was, and remains to this day. Thank you so much!

[@PIGFRAN]

I love Barre's guitar...

[@kitdewd329]

What can I say about those three albums? I have always loved those albums with every fiber of my being. I saw the Warchild tour. I also love The Minstrel In The Gallery, Songs from The Wood, Too Old To Rock ‘n Roll and Heavy Horses. And never forget Living in the Past.

[@johnroberts3723]

Barre,s contribution on thick as a brick and minstrel in the gallery was also incredible. As far as i know sweet dream didn't appear on the English release of stand up.

[@1Rockstok]

Tull! Are you kidding me? So nice to know there’s interest in this music. I loved it back in the day.

[@davidmccaffery7977]

Some of my favorite music ever...and you cover it brilliantly 👍man your playin is so great, not to mention your explanation.. This was,Stand up, Benefit and Aqualung 😉...to cry you a song, oh yea!..My God, such a great explanation..love the candles

[@diffbreak2366]

Tull is one of the best. Ian is an educated maverick.

[@geraldglaubitz9551]

Hi Carl, you are a great guitar intructor and by the way the best dressed rock guitarist on the net.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I try to give you everything I’ve got!!! Style is like composing music. Music decorates time and clothing decorates the body. Besides, everything in life is an “audition” and I want to be compelling!!

[@SuperFreundt]

Maaaaannnnn, please, do a part 2, pleaaaaaaseeeeee! Love so much!

[@asabrick]

I think it is important to remember that Ian Anderson wrote these songs...and most likely, the dominant riffs of the songs. I read in an interview from long, long ago that Ian would compose a new riff every day. That being said, Martin Barre's playing injected the right energy with incredible technique and power.

[@genegibson1690]

What I am really enjoying about this video(other than the riffs by Mr. Barre) is the great flute riffs by the Master. Ian Anderson.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Yeah, we were thinking how we could make the title cards fun and that’s what occurred to us!

[@lindsaydouglas381]

Collingwood Yards is very cool. I especially like Secrets, Dark Delusions, and Catharsis. Nice album to add to the collection. 🙂

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you soooo much!! You picked some great tracks!!

[@seansullivan5965]

Bringing out all the Tull heads dude - awesome show!

[@joemartucci4786]

Oh as a side note glad you love the Benefit album to. Also my fave Tull album not a bad song on it. Criminally overlooked in my opinion. As a bassist myself love Tulls bassists great bass lines.

[@shawntodar4701]

Martin Barre has so many amazing riffs on his solo albums as well. A true riff master.

[@geofheydon546]

Love it Carl. First international band I ever saw live was JT in Sydney australia when I was 14 in 1972. Asked a girl to come with me so I could smuggle in my cassette recorder to capture the whole show. Sadly I could only afford cheep cassettes that didn’t last very long. Loudest show I ever went to. Thanks Carl!!!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Fantastic!

[@solomoto4706]

Top tier quality video, Carl! Love the guitar tone throughout on this one. Makes me want to revisit Tull!

[@michaellerman6349]

Great very enjoyable thanks

[@georgetebbens3524]

I had a Jethro Tull song book about 40 years ago when I was first teaching myself to play guitar. The standard notation didn't instruct players that the opening guitar motif of Thick as a Brick was played with a capo. I struggled to learn to play it without a capo. Extremely difficult, but excellent practice in finding chord voicings and fingerings. Often the wrong way, the hard way, leads to greater discovery. Same with other open-tuned or capo songs -- like Guinevere by David Crosby, or Old Laughing Lady by Neil Young.

[@jakethomas3205]

Great stuff Carl!Thankyou for your really informative videos.

[@gianfrancodefrancesco7117]

I'm not a music critic and love only what I like, but I was a teenager when these 3 fabulous albums came to light and my destiny came across them and they remained in my heart ever since. Thanks to Carl Baldassare for this video, that really makes me happy.

[@midnightblues717]

Cool stuff Mr. Baldassarre, I love JT and Martin Barre, who was/is a criminally underrated! Very much looking forward to part II! Cheers, MB

[@zenellis]

This just popped up in my feed and I'm happy it did! Thank you from a new subscriber. I saw and interview with Martin, where he said he had 3 chances to get a good take on a guitar solo. If it didn't, it became a flute solo 😅

[@lessutor8609]

Impressive presentation, great teaching style. Thanks

[@kennethshort2016]

I like your humility. Your obviously a professional musician but it seems to be a labor of love to help us amateurs. I'll definitely check out your album

[@nandopelusi7699]

Your expert analysis brings those riffs to life.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!

[@douglasrock9414]

Happy to see SOMEBODY who totally gets how to live the classic Tull songs. I learned flute back in the 70's because of Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson. I am from a musically talented bloodline and played trumpet in school and became a lead singer in HS then was out in the clubs doing that at age 18. We are also very gifted at voice impersonations so I could all but duplicate Ian's voice (among many others we did). My brother saw a used flute in an old junk shop for $20 and i put $5 a week down until I payed it off. We were NOT wealthy. I had most of Bouree down in six weeks. I Just happen to have some brothers who all learned guitars, bass, fiddle keys and we went though a bunch of drummers(of course). ANYWAY, yeah.. We did (and still do) Aqualung, Cross Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, A New day Yesterday, Nothing is Easy (irony there for sure!), Bouree, Reasons for waiting, Teacher and I personally learned My God, most of Thick as a Brick and we did several other tunes off subsequent Tull Albums. EVERTHING Carl is saying here is spot on. You have to learn to insert little quick counts or better yet, simply have that innate ability to KNOW when to change in many of these songs. Which Carl here most certainly has that! The Martin Barre guitar... hmmm...yeah..tough. Very.. to do it correctly as Carl does. Now try the FLUTE PARTS! Yeah.. You'd buy a book with pretty decent breakdowns of the guitar chords for the songs... leads, (somewhat) and bass, etc. The flute parts would give you a basic melody line here and there... yay!! THEN it would simply say..IMPROVISE! Improvise? That crazy shit?!? SO, I wore out a lot of record needles plopping the stylus down a thousand times and then my little Radio Shack cassette player rewind...play...rewind... play,. I remember being so determined to break that insane style code of Ian's flute parts that I'd play 6,8 and even 12 hours until my lips were blue. NOT joking. And guess what MF'ers....... I NAILED IT! Yeah.. Still playing and still nailing it. Younger folks don't all remember Tull but they come up to me and say" what the hell was that? It was awesome!" Yeah.. greatness, when reawakened, always lives. Mediocrity fades no matter what you do. So there's part of my Jethro Tull journey.. Thanx a lot!

[@kathleenpett3194]

Amazing! Love the half step demo!

[@RythymBeast]

Baldy, this is amazing! This could possibly be your best video! Amazing lesson and insight! Thank you, sir!

[@remnantsofasoundblast]

Thanks Carl. Ironically I have been digging deeper into Tull's catalog from the 70's for the past 2 weeks. Was In the middle of Songs from the Wood and your Vid just popped up on my notifications. Great Job! I love all of these songs

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Great minds think alike!

[@remnantsofasoundblast]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic I dare say that Tull may be just as (if not more) Prog and complicated than Yes or Rush....? It's worth the thought. Some of their stuff is way out there, right Carl?

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

From a musical memory perspective, they were as random as any Prog band.

[@ramsestoo]

Martin Barre is fantastisk - sometimes I can hear that Tony Iommi was in J.T. for a short time. I once saw a picture of Ian Anderson, Robert Plant and Tony Iommi in an lovely english garden, they had a nice cup of the - really love to hear them doing something together….

[@natscorm3009]

Thanks !you’re awesome . Love your Tull videos!

[@stevesyverson8625]

Yes, I had to listen and learn from Martin Barre again. I like your interpretation of the music of El Maestro. Yes I will watch it again as music soothes the soul. I was fortunate to see and hear Jethro Tull at Newport 69 at Devonshire Downs Horse Track in Van Nuys, CA. It was a three day event costing $20, however the five of us did not have the money. We waited until the Hell’s Angels were clubbing a group 100’ away and we made a break for the chain link fence and dove under. We witnessed such great music there. The second time that I saw Tull was in Las Vegas when Ian decided to remake “Thick as a Brick” and play it along with the original. Martin Barre was replaced and nowhere was to be his delicious tone found. Ian could not sing and the kid on guitar was lackluster. I am happy that I have Carl and KZbin to bring back great memories!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Aw! Thanks.

[@billryan6024]

Awesome! Very well done. Greatest guitar player ever is Martin Barre.

[@joemartucci4786]

Love Tull...my first concert 72 i think Thick as a Brick tour with Gentle Giant opening. Barre great guitarist with killer tone.

[@pauldbrown1010]

Man, how do you converse so enthusiastically and naturally to camera! It's like sitting in front of the best uni lecturer you (mostly didn't) ever had. 🙏👏👏👍 And it just hit me, you are the Gandalf of the Guitar ! A total compliment. 🙏💪👏

[@richardfustino]

Well done and I am also a teacher of Jethro Tull music Richard N. Fustino

[@closs40]

Amazing explanations. Tnhak you so match!

[@chrisbarry4467]

Nice to see Martin getting some props. Man, you can tell that you really love playing and it's all done with a smile awesome!

[@adrianstruys5644]

Excellent

[@mboyer68]

You've got the coolest clothes! And great guitar videos. Thank you for creating and posting:)

[@timculp4126]

Black Satin Dancer is a good one that's a bit off the beaten track. Fire at Midnight is another one.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Love BSD!!!!!!

[@JamesJoy-yc8vs]

The first time I heard that big ol' thundercloud riff on Black Satin Dancer, that's when I found out the phrase "took my breath away" could be the literal truth!