The 1972 Tull classic has seen genre-spanning covers over the decades: Metal, prog, and even country! Apparently no Irish cloggers or Appalachian washboarders have given it a try...yet!
I was introduced to Tull by my college roommate, who had all their albums, but played this one the most. I was already fan of Focus at the time, so the flute sounded natural to me--I've seen some people comment that it was a stretch for them. But I have to say, it would not have occurred to me that this was covered by anyone, let alone this many! I like the countrified version, among others. I rarely like covers that try to emulate the original--I like it when they bring a new twist. Great piece Brad!
Great story, Charles! And, thanks for enjoying & the compliment! I had the opposite "flute indoctrination"---having been familiar (thru my dad's 20,000 LP & 78s jazz collection) with the likes of Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Herbie Mann, and others, I was familiar with "jazz-style" flauting prior to Ian, and hearing my first Tull album when their debut came out in '68 (I was 13)!
With Focus breaking with "Hocus Pocus" in '71, I was certainly impressed (look up, on YT, Focus's appearance on "The Midnight Special" doing "HP"---they do it double-time because A) they can, and B) they apparently were told they had less camera time than was originally planned!)....did you know Thijs van Leer had at least one solo album (on CBS Records) in the mid-'70s? I know I had it and listened to it at the time, but remember nothing about it.
As for "Locomotive Breath," I had the Rabbitt album upon its release, and of course, was amazed at their round orbs aka balls for even covering it (the first, of course, to do so)! Wanting to write something about Rabbitt (and how they whelped a future Yes-er and Bay City Roller), anyway, I suddenly switched to this one about the various covers, and like you, was amazed at all of 'em, and the varying genres spanned!😲Always gotta hand it to those who can put a different and unexpected spin on a song! Stay tuned, Charles!🎼🎶
Always fun, Brad. Growing up with classical, I of course heard lots of flute, but I often hear rock fans say they don't like hearing classical instruments in rock. I don't get that--everyone from the Beatles to Zeppelin used them to great effect! Yes, I've seen the double-time HP--hilarious and impressive. van Leer and Akkerman both did solo albums--Akkerman actually had two, if I recall-I have at least one. He is one of the great underrated guitarists of the golden age--again, in part because the US media just didn't pay attention.
Apr 16, 2023·edited Apr 16, 2023Liked by Brad Kyle
We can always count on you to have actually handled the albums! By the way, thinking of classical instruments, when you have time, check out my latest post, about the lady who plays doom-pop on church organs.
I actually don't know how you do it! But I'm going to add another possible assignment: I wanted to write something about Carol Kaye, but you would be far more an authority on her, so I was wondering about a collab. Maybe two parallel pieces on her, where you did into the backstory as only you can, and I try to tie her to some contemporary artists. Just an idea. Thoughts?
Fantastic analysis, as always! Aqualung is one of my dad's all-time favourite albums (I would dare say his absolute favourite), so anything about that album brings me fond memories of my childhood. I listened to this song more closely now (I mean, I must have heard it a million times being played on the small family stereo, but I was so young I don't have any specific recollection of it... I do remember the iconic album cover, though... how could I not!). Now, back to the song, I loooove the bluesy progression in the intro, and what a poignant message the lyrics convey. I wasn't familiar with any of the covers but I really liked Bjorn's modern take on it. Gave me Gary Clark Jr vibes. Once again, thanks a lot for this deep dive and helping me discover (or re-discover) this gem!
My dad was all over jazz when I was growing up, but thanks to the freebies he'd bring home, I was brought up on the classic rock of Tull, et al! What's astounding, Andy, is that, thanks to YOUR dad, you had a scarily similar musical upbringing that I had....separated by several decades!😱
Bjorn certainly had a unique take, and a good call on the Gary Clark, Jr. vibe.....Gary a native of my current residence of Austin, TX! Bjorn's voice also puts me in the mind of Captain Beefheart, never one to be confused by anyone as a "mainstream artist"!
Glad you enjoyed the article and its music, Andy...happy to scratch where you musically itch! It was fun for me to discover all these covers, too, of a song I' ve known since release! I had the Rabbitt album when it came out, and really enjoyed it, and I was amazed (but, not really surprised) at how attractive to metal bands the song was!
Makes me curious about some other well-known Tull songs that might have attracted some unique covers! Has anyone ever covered the 45-minute "song," "Thick as a Brick"??!!🤷♂️
I know, it's crazy when you put it that way, but it's true! My dad would absolutely love your Substack, but there's a language barrier as his English is quite limited. Still, I've told him about you and the stuff you write about, and he is absolutely thrilled!
I also wonder if anyone would dare cover some of those typically long progressive rock pieces! My dad once had a girlfriend (he and mum are divorced) who would tease him about "all the things you could get done" during those 7-, 8-, sometimes 15-minute-long progressive rock tunes... as you can probably imagine, and if you'll pardon the pun, it didn't last very long! :)
Thanks for filling Dad in on our FR&B efforts! I'm honored. Bless his heart, he scores high in the raising kidlets department! His one-time gal-friend sounds way too practical for us vinyl purists! "All the things that could get done"?? You mean, like listening to records by other artists?!😂
Thank you very much, you are too kind! Yes, I agree, way too practical and completely missing the point with that whole "the things that you could get done" nonsense. You might as well skip sleeping because of all the things you could get done in 8 hours!
When I hear or read Jethro Tull, I think "snot is running down his nose". Such a great album in my wheelhouse. It took me a while to accept woodwinds or horns (Chicago band) as a part of my personal rock and roll experience. But these bands really made it work.
of Styx and the Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra. The kids and their conductor are having the best day of their lives. So refreshing to watch the happy kids playing with such a cool band.
Thanks, Paul! That IS an amazing video...good on Styx for being so selfless, and having just enough time on their hands to do this!⌚More bands should try to do something similar...more than just play FOR the kids, but integrate a performance with a school's band or ork! I can't imagine, a decade ago, these teens had heard much of or about these 50- and 60-somethings' music from the previous century!
I imagine them going home and eagerly telling Mom and Dad (or Grandpa and Grandma!) about how their favorite band from their youth played at their school....and they with 'em! Too cool!👏
True dat! As for jokes....jokes don't get old; they just shop around for some new duds and a new audience. To paraphrase the great writers on "The Dick Van Dyke Show," when confronted with a joke that's "old hat," it's up to us to find a new band to put on that old hat.🤠Which, speaking of old hats, leads me to the memory of a sign on the Army Hats store from the "Police Squad" TV series (all 6 eps!): "Military Millinery."
Great post, Brad!! Sometimes I thought I was the only one in my circle of friends back then who could even pronounce Jethro Tull, much less knew the music! Everyone was into Led Zeppelin or something. Then they all discovered the devil’s lettuce and started asking me if I’d heard of this Jeffro guy....
Thank you, Michael! A fan since jr. high in '68 (see my comment elsewhere on this page)! As I saw once at an '89 Tull concert....a guy wearing a t-shirt that read, "Which one's Jethro?" But, then, I've known teens who refer (reefer?) to Led Zeppelin, saying, "Yeah, he's great, man!"😂
I used to love how Ian Anderson looked like a headbanger and stood on one leg. Now when he's interviewed, he looks normal and is well-spoken and erudite. It's a crying shame.
Well, bless him, I'll overlook Ian's recent and current desire to rely on a two-leg stance. He's got a good decade on me, and even I sometimes find it untenable to maintain a "dipod" stance! Ian's a lifelong hero; I was on the first Tull LP at 13 in '68. Within two years, I had rented a flute, so enamored was I of the surprising sound he was getting from his!
When most teens at the time were picking up guitars, wanting to emulate Page, Clapton, Hendrix, et al, I couldn't care less....I just had to see if I could replicate that awesome, beguiling sound Ian was making! One lesson to learn the embouchure and fingering, and off I went! Dropping the needle on all the records, I ended up learning, by ear....and quickly, all Ian's flute licks thru "A Passion Play" (including his "Locomotive Breath" solo), and saw the band, easily, about a half-dozen times by the mid-'70s!
For my money, the BEST, most creative and riveting front man in rock history! You can have your Mick, Roger, Robert, Rod, et al....Ian beats 'em all, IMO! And, STILL not in the rock hall!😱
I was introduced to Tull by my college roommate, who had all their albums, but played this one the most. I was already fan of Focus at the time, so the flute sounded natural to me--I've seen some people comment that it was a stretch for them. But I have to say, it would not have occurred to me that this was covered by anyone, let alone this many! I like the countrified version, among others. I rarely like covers that try to emulate the original--I like it when they bring a new twist. Great piece Brad!
Great story, Charles! And, thanks for enjoying & the compliment! I had the opposite "flute indoctrination"---having been familiar (thru my dad's 20,000 LP & 78s jazz collection) with the likes of Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Herbie Mann, and others, I was familiar with "jazz-style" flauting prior to Ian, and hearing my first Tull album when their debut came out in '68 (I was 13)!
With Focus breaking with "Hocus Pocus" in '71, I was certainly impressed (look up, on YT, Focus's appearance on "The Midnight Special" doing "HP"---they do it double-time because A) they can, and B) they apparently were told they had less camera time than was originally planned!)....did you know Thijs van Leer had at least one solo album (on CBS Records) in the mid-'70s? I know I had it and listened to it at the time, but remember nothing about it.
As for "Locomotive Breath," I had the Rabbitt album upon its release, and of course, was amazed at their round orbs aka balls for even covering it (the first, of course, to do so)! Wanting to write something about Rabbitt (and how they whelped a future Yes-er and Bay City Roller), anyway, I suddenly switched to this one about the various covers, and like you, was amazed at all of 'em, and the varying genres spanned!😲Always gotta hand it to those who can put a different and unexpected spin on a song! Stay tuned, Charles!🎼🎶
Always fun, Brad. Growing up with classical, I of course heard lots of flute, but I often hear rock fans say they don't like hearing classical instruments in rock. I don't get that--everyone from the Beatles to Zeppelin used them to great effect! Yes, I've seen the double-time HP--hilarious and impressive. van Leer and Akkerman both did solo albums--Akkerman actually had two, if I recall-I have at least one. He is one of the great underrated guitarists of the golden age--again, in part because the US media just didn't pay attention.
Akkerman IS underrated....his '70s albums were on Atlantic and Polydor. I just remember rackin' 'em in the store!💿💿💿💿
We can always count on you to have actually handled the albums! By the way, thinking of classical instruments, when you have time, check out my latest post, about the lady who plays doom-pop on church organs.
I will....it's in line, as I'm behind in my reading, and trying to stay on top of my writing, as well!
I actually don't know how you do it! But I'm going to add another possible assignment: I wanted to write something about Carol Kaye, but you would be far more an authority on her, so I was wondering about a collab. Maybe two parallel pieces on her, where you did into the backstory as only you can, and I try to tie her to some contemporary artists. Just an idea. Thoughts?
Fantastic analysis, as always! Aqualung is one of my dad's all-time favourite albums (I would dare say his absolute favourite), so anything about that album brings me fond memories of my childhood. I listened to this song more closely now (I mean, I must have heard it a million times being played on the small family stereo, but I was so young I don't have any specific recollection of it... I do remember the iconic album cover, though... how could I not!). Now, back to the song, I loooove the bluesy progression in the intro, and what a poignant message the lyrics convey. I wasn't familiar with any of the covers but I really liked Bjorn's modern take on it. Gave me Gary Clark Jr vibes. Once again, thanks a lot for this deep dive and helping me discover (or re-discover) this gem!
My dad was all over jazz when I was growing up, but thanks to the freebies he'd bring home, I was brought up on the classic rock of Tull, et al! What's astounding, Andy, is that, thanks to YOUR dad, you had a scarily similar musical upbringing that I had....separated by several decades!😱
Bjorn certainly had a unique take, and a good call on the Gary Clark, Jr. vibe.....Gary a native of my current residence of Austin, TX! Bjorn's voice also puts me in the mind of Captain Beefheart, never one to be confused by anyone as a "mainstream artist"!
Glad you enjoyed the article and its music, Andy...happy to scratch where you musically itch! It was fun for me to discover all these covers, too, of a song I' ve known since release! I had the Rabbitt album when it came out, and really enjoyed it, and I was amazed (but, not really surprised) at how attractive to metal bands the song was!
Makes me curious about some other well-known Tull songs that might have attracted some unique covers! Has anyone ever covered the 45-minute "song," "Thick as a Brick"??!!🤷♂️
I know, it's crazy when you put it that way, but it's true! My dad would absolutely love your Substack, but there's a language barrier as his English is quite limited. Still, I've told him about you and the stuff you write about, and he is absolutely thrilled!
I also wonder if anyone would dare cover some of those typically long progressive rock pieces! My dad once had a girlfriend (he and mum are divorced) who would tease him about "all the things you could get done" during those 7-, 8-, sometimes 15-minute-long progressive rock tunes... as you can probably imagine, and if you'll pardon the pun, it didn't last very long! :)
Thanks for filling Dad in on our FR&B efforts! I'm honored. Bless his heart, he scores high in the raising kidlets department! His one-time gal-friend sounds way too practical for us vinyl purists! "All the things that could get done"?? You mean, like listening to records by other artists?!😂
Thank you very much, you are too kind! Yes, I agree, way too practical and completely missing the point with that whole "the things that you could get done" nonsense. You might as well skip sleeping because of all the things you could get done in 8 hours!
Good article as usual.
When I hear or read Jethro Tull, I think "snot is running down his nose". Such a great album in my wheelhouse. It took me a while to accept woodwinds or horns (Chicago band) as a part of my personal rock and roll experience. But these bands really made it work.
I remember so fondly this video https://youtu.be/dASsnykRwm4
of Styx and the Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra. The kids and their conductor are having the best day of their lives. So refreshing to watch the happy kids playing with such a cool band.
Thanks, Paul! That IS an amazing video...good on Styx for being so selfless, and having just enough time on their hands to do this!⌚More bands should try to do something similar...more than just play FOR the kids, but integrate a performance with a school's band or ork! I can't imagine, a decade ago, these teens had heard much of or about these 50- and 60-somethings' music from the previous century!
I imagine them going home and eagerly telling Mom and Dad (or Grandpa and Grandma!) about how their favorite band from their youth played at their school....and they with 'em! Too cool!👏
And they will tell their kids one day while showing the youtube video. If they have enough time...joke's gotten old...
True dat! As for jokes....jokes don't get old; they just shop around for some new duds and a new audience. To paraphrase the great writers on "The Dick Van Dyke Show," when confronted with a joke that's "old hat," it's up to us to find a new band to put on that old hat.🤠Which, speaking of old hats, leads me to the memory of a sign on the Army Hats store from the "Police Squad" TV series (all 6 eps!): "Military Millinery."
Great post, Brad!! Sometimes I thought I was the only one in my circle of friends back then who could even pronounce Jethro Tull, much less knew the music! Everyone was into Led Zeppelin or something. Then they all discovered the devil’s lettuce and started asking me if I’d heard of this Jeffro guy....
Thank you, Michael! A fan since jr. high in '68 (see my comment elsewhere on this page)! As I saw once at an '89 Tull concert....a guy wearing a t-shirt that read, "Which one's Jethro?" But, then, I've known teens who refer (reefer?) to Led Zeppelin, saying, "Yeah, he's great, man!"😂
I used to love how Ian Anderson looked like a headbanger and stood on one leg. Now when he's interviewed, he looks normal and is well-spoken and erudite. It's a crying shame.
Well, bless him, I'll overlook Ian's recent and current desire to rely on a two-leg stance. He's got a good decade on me, and even I sometimes find it untenable to maintain a "dipod" stance! Ian's a lifelong hero; I was on the first Tull LP at 13 in '68. Within two years, I had rented a flute, so enamored was I of the surprising sound he was getting from his!
When most teens at the time were picking up guitars, wanting to emulate Page, Clapton, Hendrix, et al, I couldn't care less....I just had to see if I could replicate that awesome, beguiling sound Ian was making! One lesson to learn the embouchure and fingering, and off I went! Dropping the needle on all the records, I ended up learning, by ear....and quickly, all Ian's flute licks thru "A Passion Play" (including his "Locomotive Breath" solo), and saw the band, easily, about a half-dozen times by the mid-'70s!
For my money, the BEST, most creative and riveting front man in rock history! You can have your Mick, Roger, Robert, Rod, et al....Ian beats 'em all, IMO! And, STILL not in the rock hall!😱