Too many people skip over "Living In the Past" because it is not a true studio album (rather, it is a collection of random material, live recordings, "b-sides" to singles and bonus tracks) but it has many of Tull's best early works. Comprised of songs up through the "Aqualung" period, there are some outstanding, gorgeous and thought-provoking moments on there that sadly get overlooked by many people who even are Tull fans.
The track Teacher was released as a single, which was included on the US version of the album instead of Alive and Well and Living In. It's more of a rockin track. Great bass and guitar riffs. Used to hear it on FM rock radio. Love it.
Teacher was written virtually in the orders of the band's record label, who wanted a single for the US market. Ian wrote it quickly and has never been very complimentary of it, despite it being one of the band's biggest hit songs and a fan favourite. I think he begrudges having to write to order!
such a lyric simply about returning home! "Lights in the street Peeping through curtains drawn Rattling of safety chain taking too long The smile in your eyes Was never so sweet before Came down from the skies To cry you a song"
yes! rock, folkie celtic jazzy, asian? This is the first Tull album for me back when it came out. over 50 years it's still fresh. I still listen55 years later and it's still fresh! Part of that is the combination of flute, piano, acoustic guitar,
Anderson wrote a lot of these songs on guitar and actually plays a bit of the electric guitar behind Martin’s lead work. As a result of not having a “rhythm guitar” for live dates Ian called his old band mate John Evan to play piano and organ for 1 or 2 years tops. (turned into a about 20 years). Ian, Jefferey Hammond (bassist later) and drummer Barrymore Barlow were members of John Evan’s band- the John Evan Smash before “Tull” was a band.
Again, this was released in the spring of 1970! I first heard it in the summer shortly after graduating high school (good ol' USofA!). Ian Anderson, and Tull's, fusion of British fold-madrigal songs with progressive rock was completely mind-blowing! There may have been many groups performing this style of music in the UK, but we Americans only heard Tull...and they were face=melting!
MISSING! *Teacher* was included on the American version of this album & it got a lot of airplay in America. I loved it. I became a JT fan based on that song along. One of my favorites! Will you react to it, Jim?
This is a great example of great compositional cohesiveness. There isn't really anything flashy or individually great that stands out, but put all together it just makes sense and is truly great. I think while Jethro Tull is pretty well recognized, they don't often get into that "great" category like Yes and Genesis and that is why. However, you have to give it to Ian Anderson for sticking true to his process and not chasing the fame and fads of the time.
In "To Cry You a Song" we have Ian on electric guitar in one channel and Martin in the other trading solos, a real treat, why it didn't happen more often is a mystery to me.
'This Was' is a very different Tull, very bluesy, but still a great album and good to listen to so you hear their origins and can see how they progressed.
Inside is a single, because it is the best song on this remarkable album 🙂. Always thought so, since I bought this, around I was 18, I guess. This side is golden. Your version seem to have much better sound on Sossity than mine, I have thought its edited that way, but seemingly not. Cant remember have you done Thick as a brick. Side B is even better. A Passion play is really fun. Great stuff, thank you
Hello Jim, don´t care much for Jethro Tull before "Aqualung", have bought most of their albums after that. What surprices me is, that nobody seems to react too, big groups like Procol Harum or Groundhogs, not even British reaktors. Not even when Gary Brooker and Tony Mcfee passed away a couple years ago. Perhaps these groups were bigger in my world then in everybody elses. Love your reactions to Genesis, Yes and of course Frank Zappa.
I'm a big Procol Harum fan but had literally never heard of Groundhogs. Had to look 'em up. Looks like they were pretty much a UK-only thing. Will check them out now.
One of the best early Tull sides. Fluteless songs were (*I think*) Ian on rhythm guitar, which gives a unique feel bc he plays an unusual style with lots of open strings and maybe even strange tunings.
Thanks for playing one of my favorite Tull albums! There are more favorites - I've always liked Passion Play, even though the album review articles said otherwise. And WarChild can be considered as a followup to Passion Play, and the album reviewers liked that one (probably because it follows the usual collection of songs format). Minstrel In The Gallery is a more comprehensive work like Passion Play and Thick As A Brick. Anyway, they're all among Tull's finest work. This Was is a good early work, and has simpler Blues based material.
Hi Jim, It’s the same as yesterday. The band finding out its own style but isn’t there yet. Ian sings slower here than later on albums but I prefer the more faster, snappier singing. Bursting Out is the live album to go for.
The musicianship from that era ? Well they spent 8 hours a day playing their instrument as teenagers. What teenagers does that today ? When you spent 5 hours on the phone and social networks you can't play as much an instrument. Our civilisation is a time eater one. I don't blame anyone it's the evolution of the technology and the way we are kept under control.
Inside is a very unusually structure song. It doesn't have a chorus....you're waiting for them to repeat what you think is the chorus i..e. I'm sitting on the corner feeling glad. Got no money coming in but I can't be sad. That was the best cup of coffee I ever had. And I won't worry about a thing Because we've got it made, Here on the inside, outside so far away. But they don't repeat it! A great bass line BTW by the legendary Glenn Cornick.
There's a line in this song that I always sang to my wife before we were married: "Can you cook, can you sew? Well, I don't want to know.. that is not what you need on the inside, to make the time go." Ian was an original feminist!! But the whole song is very heartfelt and honest about a loving relationship, as much as Nothing to See is about a destructive relationship, and Sossity is about a failed May-December relationship.
Being here in the US, it's always weird hearing Benefit without the song Teacher included.... T
Too many people skip over "Living In the Past" because it is not a true studio album (rather, it is a collection of random material, live recordings, "b-sides" to singles and bonus tracks) but it has many of Tull's best early works. Comprised of songs up through the "Aqualung" period, there are some outstanding, gorgeous and thought-provoking moments on there that sadly get overlooked by many people who even are Tull fans.
It was my introduction to the band. Excellent compilation!
It also has the “Live at Carnegie Hall” which features “By Kind Permission Of”, John Evan’s piano interlude which is really wonderful.
It goes past Aqualung as it includes the whole Life's a long song e.p. with Barrie already on the drums. But yes, it's a fantastic record set.
Minstrel is my most favorite…..next please!
The track Teacher was released as a single, which was included on the US version of the album instead of Alive and Well and Living In. It's more of a rockin track. Great bass and guitar riffs. Used to hear it on FM rock radio. Love it.
Teacher was written virtually in the orders of the band's record label, who wanted a single for the US market. Ian wrote it quickly and has never been very complimentary of it, despite it being one of the band's biggest hit songs and a fan favourite. I think he begrudges having to write to order!
Minstrel in the Gallery and Passion Play remain two of my favorite Tulls. And Jim, Stand Up was a cool album with an awesome gatefold.
I wish you had heard the version that had "Teacher" on it.
“Alive and Well…” was on the UK pressing and not on Benefit in the States. It was replaced with “Teacher” and a FM hit here.
.... after this real good record they walked out of the studio to the park and saw "sitting on a park bench .. " and had ideas for their next album 😆🤘
Yes!!!!
such a lyric simply about returning home!
"Lights in the street
Peeping through curtains drawn
Rattling of safety chain taking too long
The smile in your eyes
Was never so sweet before
Came down from the skies
To cry you a song"
yes! rock, folkie celtic jazzy, asian? This is the first Tull album for me back when it came out. over 50 years it's still fresh. I still listen55 years later and it's still fresh! Part of that is the combination of flute, piano, acoustic guitar,
The second side contains two of my favourite songs from the album,to cry you a song and inside .
Musica e voce che fa bene alla😊 mente ❤️
Anderson wrote a lot of these songs on guitar and actually plays a bit of the electric guitar behind Martin’s lead work. As a result of not having a “rhythm guitar” for live dates Ian called his old band mate John Evan to play piano and organ for 1 or 2 years tops. (turned into a about 20 years). Ian, Jefferey Hammond (bassist later) and drummer Barrymore Barlow were members of John Evan’s band- the John Evan Smash before “Tull” was a band.
John Evan only played from 1970 to 79......so about 10 years not 20..
Again, this was released in the spring of 1970! I first heard it in the summer shortly after graduating high school (good ol' USofA!). Ian Anderson, and Tull's, fusion of British fold-madrigal songs with progressive rock was completely mind-blowing! There may have been many groups performing this style of music in the UK, but we Americans only heard Tull...and they were face=melting!
No one else had the exquisite songwriting skills of Ian, and some of the better musicians...
Passion Play
MISSING! *Teacher* was included on the American version of this album & it got a lot of airplay in America. I loved it. I became a JT fan based on that song along. One of my favorites! Will you react to it, Jim?
@@JJ8KK I prefer the American version of Teacher to the UK one. Possibly because I heard it first, on Living in the Past I think.
I always feel that this album is largely a Martin Barre album. Especially side one. His guitar characterises the album far more than the flute.
Agreed, Tull's Led Zep style album loaded with guitar.
As Ian said, it was recorded for our Benefit. And very good it is too.
Great early JT! Jim, you must hear Teacher (big hit in US).
This is a great example of great compositional cohesiveness. There isn't really anything flashy or individually great that stands out, but put all together it just makes sense and is truly great. I think while Jethro Tull is pretty well recognized, they don't often get into that "great" category like Yes and Genesis and that is why. However, you have to give it to Ian Anderson for sticking true to his process and not chasing the fame and fads of the time.
In "To Cry You a Song" we have Ian on electric guitar in one channel and Martin in the other trading solos, a real treat, why it didn't happen more often is a mystery to me.
Album bellissimo in quei tempi era tutto pazzescamente bello e sorprendente .si ascoltava continuamente e ripetutamente fino a memorizzare ogni nota .
How bout that super extended note at 8:40. 'REM does a similar thing on one of their very early albums
'This Was' is a very different Tull, very bluesy, but still a great album and good to listen to so you hear their origins and can see how they progressed.
Inside is a single, because it is the best song on this remarkable album 🙂. Always thought so, since I bought this, around I was 18, I guess. This side is golden. Your version seem to have much better sound on Sossity than mine, I have thought its edited that way, but seemingly not.
Cant remember have you done Thick as a brick. Side B is even better. A Passion play is really fun.
Great stuff, thank you
Good review and analysis Jim
Hello Jim, don´t care much for Jethro Tull before "Aqualung", have bought most of their albums after that.
What surprices me is, that nobody seems to react too, big groups like Procol Harum or Groundhogs, not even British reaktors.
Not even when Gary Brooker and Tony Mcfee passed away a couple years ago.
Perhaps these groups were bigger in my world then in everybody elses.
Love your reactions to Genesis, Yes and of course Frank Zappa.
I'm a big Procol Harum fan but had literally never heard of Groundhogs. Had to look 'em up. Looks like they were pretty much a UK-only thing. Will check them out now.
One of the best early Tull sides.
Fluteless songs were (*I think*) Ian on rhythm guitar, which gives a unique feel bc he plays an unusual style with lots of open strings and maybe even strange tunings.
Thanks for playing one of my favorite Tull albums! There are more favorites - I've always liked Passion Play, even though the album review articles said otherwise. And WarChild can be considered as a followup to Passion Play, and the album reviewers liked that one (probably because it follows the usual collection of songs format). Minstrel In The Gallery is a more comprehensive work like Passion Play and Thick As A Brick. Anyway, they're all among Tull's finest work. This Was is a good early work, and has simpler Blues based material.
Hi Jim,
It’s the same as yesterday. The band finding out its own style but isn’t there yet. Ian sings slower here than later on albums but I prefer the more faster, snappier singing.
Bursting Out is the live album to go for.
Vai dritto ad una strada lunga😊
The musicianship from that era ? Well they spent 8 hours a day playing their instrument as teenagers. What teenagers does that today ? When you spent 5 hours on the phone and social networks you can't play as much an instrument. Our civilisation is a time eater one. I don't blame anyone it's the evolution of the technology and the way we are kept under control.
Inside is a very unusually structure song. It doesn't have a chorus....you're waiting for them to repeat what you think is the chorus i..e.
I'm sitting on the corner feeling glad.
Got no money coming in but I can't be sad.
That was the best cup of coffee I ever had.
And I won't worry about a thing
Because we've got it made,
Here on the inside, outside so far away.
But they don't repeat it!
A great bass line BTW by the legendary Glenn Cornick.
There's a line in this song that I always sang to my wife before we were married: "Can you cook, can you sew? Well, I don't want to know.. that is not what you need on the inside, to make the time go." Ian was an original feminist!! But the whole song is very heartfelt and honest about a loving relationship, as much as Nothing to See is about a destructive relationship, and Sossity is about a failed May-December relationship.
Very enjoyable. Still probably not in my top 5 JT albums.
✌️
woman... your are too old for me