Aqualung

by Jethro Tull

Overview

The leap from 1970's Benefit to the following year's Aqualung is one of the most astonishing progressions in rock history. In the space of one album, Tull went from relatively unassuming electrified folk-rock to larger-than-life conceptual rock full of sophisticated compositions and complex, intellectual, lyrical constructs. While the leap to full-blown prog rock wouldn't be taken until a year later on Thick as a Brick, the degree to which Tull upped the ante here is remarkable. The lyrical concept -- the hypocrisy of Christianity in England -- is stronger than on most other '70s conceptual efforts, but it's ultimately the music that makes it worthy of praise. Tull's winning way with a riff was never so arresting as on the chugging "Locomotive Breath," or on the character studies "Cross Eyed Mary" and "Aqualung," which portray believably seedy participants in Ian Anderson's story. The fable imagery of "Mother Goose" and the vitriolic anti-authoritarian sentiments of "Wind Up" both serve notice of Anderson's willful iconoclasm and his disillusionment with the spiritual traditions to which he was born. Varied but cohesive, Aqualung is widely regarded as Tull's finest hour. ~ Rovi Staff

Product Details

Release Date:	04/07/2023
UPC:	0753088014666
Rank:	8872

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jethro Tull   Primary Artist
John Bungey   Primary Artist
Ian Anderson   Primary Artist,Flute,Guitar,Vocals,Voices,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Jeffrey Hammond   Vocals (Background),Vocals,Voices,Alto Recorder,Guitar (Bass)
Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond   Guitar (Bass)
Martin Barre   Guitar,Descant,Recorder,Guitar (Electric)
Clive Bunker   Drums,Percussion
Dee Palmer   Conductor,Keyboards,Saxophone,Synthesizer
John Evan   Organ,Piano,Keyboards,Mellotron,Multi Instruments

Technical Credits

John Walters   Audio Production,Producer
Bernie Andrews   Audio Production,Producer
Terry Ellis   Audio Production,Producer,Producer
Ian Anderson   Audio Production,Arranger,Composer,Producer
John Burns   Engineer
Robin Black   Remix Engineer
David Palmer   Arranger
Jennie Anderson   Composer,Lyricist
John Bungey   Interviewer
Burton Silverman   Painting Concept
Jennie Franks   Composer
Bob Conduct   Engineer
Johann Sebastian Bach   Composer
Allen Harris   Engineer
Steven Wilson   Mixing Engineer,Mastering Engineer
Jeffrey Hammond   Recording
Tony Wilson   Engineer
Dee Palmer   Arranger,Orchestration,Orchestral Arrangements