Blog #9--Jethro Tull Sees Big Picture
Blog #9 --Jethro Tull Sees Big Picture, by Jack Tuttle http://dreamtime3.wix.com/jacktuttlebook
I include references to the inspired lyrics of a number of musical artists in my book “It’s a Secret, So Pass It On: a Toolbox For Life.” The three who have usually uplifted me most consistently are Paul Simon, Supertramp and Jethro Tull. I am a creature of my generation, as are we all. I hope to re-introduce the younger generations to Ian Anderson and his group Jethro Tull at this time.
Anderson is a tremendous all-around musician and life-long entertainer. First of all, any flutist who can create popular rock-and-roll music has to be special; flutes do not usually accompany electric guitars, let alone play the lead. Anderson also plays the guitar and tin whistle, among other instruments, with great proficiency, and he sings the lead when not playing the flute. But I believe his greatest contribution to the world is his lyrics.
Many lyricists are poetic and indirect in their approach to telling a story; Anderson does that also, but he sometimes shares his opinions more directly. In the songs “My God,” “Teacher,” “Wind Up,” and “Christmas Song,” he talks about religion and spirituality by including the discrepancies and hypocrisies he notices. He makes us think, whether we agree with him or not, and that has value in itself.
Anderson has always seemed willing to give all of himself in his performances. He has big stories to tell in “Thick As A Brick” and “Passion Play.” The former took over 40 minutes to perform, and the latter became an entire concert. Having performed many times with bands, orchestras and choruses, I can vouch for how difficult it can be to play and/or sing lengthy songs to near perfection. His passion for his beliefs comes out clearly in his music.
He cares about people from all walks of life and teaches us something about their problems and successes. He reminds us of story lines few are inspired to broach. How many musicians expect to make a living extolling the plight of the homeless like Anderson does in “Aqualung” and “Locomotive Breath?” He may be the only rock-and-roll musician who has dedicated songs to steel workers (“Steel Monkeys”), farmers who sell their land (“Farm on the Freeway”) and draught horses (“Heavy Horses”).
As I’ve learned to think more deeply and indirectly over the years, my favorite Anderson song is now “Skating Away (On the Thin Ice of a New Day).” Various people may interpret it differently, but I see it as a reminder that one must let go of what doesn’t work and doesn’t make sense in order to approach a new day from a more expansive perspective. A perspective that consistently provides peace of mind.
Those who observe the world as well as participate in it may notice themselves in the latter portion of the song. Anderson points out how this world may be a movie in which we believe we are living. This reinforces my book’s chapter on the world as a possible illusion. Whether this is a Universal Truth or not, those who observe the world know they aren’t alone in their observations upon hearing this musically interesting, lyrically inspired song.
In his younger days, Anderson often played his flute while standing on one leg. His appearance is remarkably similar to Kokopelli, a Hopi Indian deity. Cynics might assume Anderson is standing this way to pretend he is a real life representation of Kokopelli. But when seen performing as an older man, while he could no longer stand one-footed for extended periods, it appeared to be his instinct to bring his leg upward repeatedly as he performed. Perhaps it is just an interesting coincidence, but one must wonder about other possibilities.
Ian Anderson has many ideas that will interest those who like to think about things. That’s on top of music that is consistently outstanding. I encourage interested readers to check out Anderson’s lyrics on websites approved to carry them, or videos of his performances.
Comments and questions can be directed to dreamtime@insight-books.com