For a long time now I enjoyed the music of Jethro Tull, of course especially Ian Anderson's flute. He's an extraordinary flautist - he's got a unique style and is an amazing improviser. So there wasn't much to think about when I found out Jethro Tull were playing in Paderborn.
The location - well - not so amazing but the band didn't seem to mind and made it a great show.
Ian Anderson had experienced some voice problems years ago which is why he had an additional singer who also made it possible for Ian to play his flute more - to my delight.
The concept of the tour is to play both parts of Thick as a Brick, the first from 1972, the second from 2012, plus some additional songs.
"This tour will feature a more theatrical production with video,
additional musicians and a troupe of dancing elephants. (Just
kidding about the dancing elephants: they don't dance.,...)" - quote from jethrotull.com.
The quote mirrors Ian's special humour, very dark, bizarre at times, the albums were greatly staged with video sequences, costumes and acting of the band members.
Ian's voice surely has its limits nowadays (the guy was born in 1947!) but he's energetic and surely a professional and gifted musician on stage. I enjoyed every minute, every song of the concert which lasted way more than two hours and featured my truly loved Jethro Tull highlights Bourrée and Locomotive Breath - the last one in a literally breathtaking version as the last song of the evening.
Update, 9.1.2013: After posting this I found out that Jethro Tull will play a tour in Germany and I will finally see them play - I've just bought tickets!
Once in royal David's city stood a lonely cattle shed,
Where a mother held her baby.
You'd do well to remember the things he later said.
When you're stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties,
You'll just laugh when I tell you to take a running jump.
You're missing the point I'm sure does not need making
That Christmas spirit is not what you drink.
So how can you laugh when your own mother's hungry,
And how can you smile when the reasons for smiling are wrong?
And if I just messed up your thoughtless pleasures,
Remember, if you wish, this is just a Christmas song.
Hope everybody's ringing on their own bell, this fine morning
Hope everyone's connected to that long distance phone
Old man, he's a mountain
Old man, he's an island
Old man, he's a-waking - says,
"I'm going to call, call all my children home"
Hope everybody's dancing to their own drum this fine morning -
the beat of distant Africa or a Polish factory town
Old man, he's calling for his supper
he's calling for his whisky
Calling for his sons and daughters, yeah -
calling, calling all his children round
Sharp ears are tuned in to the drones and chanters warming
Mist blowing round some headland, somewhere in your memory Everyone is from somewhere -
even if you've never been there
So take a minute to remember the part of you
that might be the old man calling me
How many wars you fighting out there, this winter's morning? Maybe there's always time for another Christmas song
Old man, he's asleep now
Got appointments to keep now
Dreaming of his sons and daughters and proving,
proving that the blood is strong written by Ian Anderson performed by Jethro Tull
I couldn't find the original from the album Rock Island (1989), this versionis a bit smooth and too peaceful for my taste. It doesn't fit the lyrics as good as the other one. Still (and always) in love with Ian's flute though.
Doesn't everyone have their own Rock Island? Their own little patch of sand? Where the slow waves crawl and your angels fall and you find you can hardly stand. And just as you're drowning, well, the tide goes down.
And you're back on your Rock Island.
Lyrics by Ian Anderson, from "Rock Island" on Rock Island, 1989. www.jethrotull.com
