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RollingFreak
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Mongoose
As a drummer, I was a big fan of Barrimore Barlow, and once he left the band (along with John Evan on keys) they didn't hold as much interest to me.
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The Sicilan
If you are a fan, which three albums would you consider to be their top three?
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The SicilianQuote
Mongoose
As a drummer, I was a big fan of Barrimore Barlow, and once he left the band (along with John Evan on keys) they didn't hold as much interest to me.
Singers and frontmen always get the accolades and attention, but I always love how more serious listeners and fans look deeper into a band and see importance of other members of the group and rhythm section. Many times their contributions have more meaning to the sound of the group than just the lyrics and singing.
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The Sicilian
Any opinions on the 1970 Isle of Wight show?
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Hairball
For the most part, always loved them - from hearing my older brothers Aqualung album in the early '70s to seeing them live at the Santa Monica Civic in 1979 when I was 17. That was my first ever front row center concert, and have to say it still ranks near the top of greatest concerts ever - definitely left an impression. Studio output from the late '70's forward is erratic and leaves a bit to be desired (even some of the earlier stuff is a bit iffy), but to see them live at that point in my life under those front/center circumstances is indescribable. Saw them several times after that, but none of them matched that Santa Monica Civic show.Quote
The Sicilan
If you are a fan, which three albums would you consider to be their top three?
Stand Up - 1969
Benefit - 1970
Aqualung - 1971
These are holy trinity for me, and as a bonus I would throw in the Living in the Past compilation (1972) which contained outtakes, non-album singles, and other special oddities.
Living in the Past
Hey, they beat Metallica for the first Best Metal Grammy ever! That counts for something, lol.Quote
RollingFreak
I do not really think they are either. I am a fan of Jethro Tull. Let me rephrase, I am a fan of the first 5 years of Jethro Tull. They kinda lose me after Thick As A Brick (and even that) but the stuff before it is super solid. I do not think they are progressive geniuses. They were riding the wave, or creating/furthering it, but to be a genius at it I feel like you need to be amazing with it. I do not believe they were, I believe they were very good. I believe Yes was much better, I believe Genesis were much better and more successful with it. I give credit to Jethro Tull for being adventurous, but with mixed results.
I did know about Tony being in there briefly, mainly from our own Rock And Roll Circus and because I was obsessed with that. Its also why I know they mimed that performance to a track, minus Ian's vocals and flute which were live.
As for Aqualung, I think its far and away their greatest album. IMO the only one that even remotely comes close is Stand Up and its still a ways off. Aqualung is a fairly perfect album as far as perfect albums go. Do I think its the most underrated album? Not really. I think most people see it as their peak, and if you ask anyone thats probably the album they know. It maybe doesn't get enough credit for songs like Wind Up, Up To Me, Hymn 43, but largely everyone knows the record and there have been many covers of stuff like Locomotive Breath and Cross Eyed Mary. Maybe a bit of an underrated album but most underrated is definitely a stretch.
I do not believe they are a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame level band. Listen, the Hall we have now, yes, I do believe they belong. But if this was a true Hall Of Fame for the best of the best, no way in hell would I say they should be in. They would go in that Very Good Hall Of Fame I think about. My father vehemently disagrees. Like me, he also only likes up to TAAB, so his argument is fairly weak IMO. To me, what kills them is they were very good for a small amount of time. And in that amount of time I don't think the albums are flawless, minus Aqualung. Bands like the Stones, Elton John, The Who, Prince, those guys were constantly reinventing themselves and pulling it off. They had strings of phenomenal records. They changed the game. To me THAT puts you in the Hall, and someone like Jethro Tull, who were good but more or less just around at the right time, I feel is a knock to those genuinely amazing bands. Again, with what is in now that shouldn't be, I feel Jethro deserves their chance. But to me they were always a pretty good band with a decent string of albums there in the beginning but that was never anything super special. Aqualung is, but its not like they had 3 Aqualungs. Ian is a pretty out there guy but seems cool. Martin gave as much to that band as Ian. I respect what they've done but I'd personally never call them underrated or geniuses.
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DaveG
I loved that a frontman played the flute, as I also play the flute. I bought Stand Up and learned every flute lick on the record!
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The SicilianQuote
DaveG
I loved that a frontman played the flute, as I also play the flute. I bought Stand Up and learned every flute lick on the record!
I can't think of any other musician for a rock band that played a flute. The only other instance I can relate is Jimi Hendrix at the Winterland in 1968 playing "Are You Experienced" with flutist Virgil Gonzales. Do you know of any others?
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resotele
Check out all of Mick Abrahams work, with Blodwyn Pig, and solo, electric and accoustic : wonderful
resotele
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ROLLINGSTONE
Heavy Horses is one of my favourite albums of all time. Back in the day Anderson was as good as any frontman in Rock (a lot of it performed standing on one leg!)
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The SicilianQuote
ROLLINGSTONE
Heavy Horses is one of my favourite albums of all time. Back in the day Anderson was as good as any frontman in Rock (a lot of it performed standing on one leg!)
I watched a couple shows of the last decade or so and Andersons voice really struggles badly even in the mid range. But those early shows are just priceless. He actually had one of the smoothest pitched voices I've heard. But his voice is tough to describe, sort of old salty sailor like. Maybe it's the Welsh accent. It's amazing, maybe someone here can give a proper description because I can't quite put it in words.
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The SicilianQuote
ROLLINGSTONE
Heavy Horses is one of my favourite albums of all time. Back in the day Anderson was as good as any frontman in Rock (a lot of it performed standing on one leg!)
I watched a couple shows of the last decade or so and Andersons voice really struggles badly even in the mid range. But those early shows are just priceless. He actually had one of the smoothest pitched voices I've heard. But his voice is tough to describe, sort of old salty sailor like. Maybe it's the Welsh accent. It's amazing, maybe someone here can give a proper description because I can't quite put it in words.
Saw him last month. His voice is GONE. The band is fine, and he can work a room and play flute and guitar. But he was no range anymore