A Conversation with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

June 30, 2006
Larry Sakin
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/06/30/060136.php

There are few rock musicians that can say they’ve experienced all
the different phases the musical form has taken in the last forty
years or more. One of them is Jethro Tull vocalist, flautist,
violinist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter, Ian Anderson. I
spoke with him by phone earlier this month as he was preparing to
tour Europe and Asia.

[snip]

In between his solo recording and his work with Tull, Anderson
has been working with full classical/pop orchestral arrangements
of Tull music. In July, Anderson will be touring the US, playing
with several orchestras.

Interesting theory, and probably true, but if he had skipped the comedy
music and just done all that incredible music he would not have reached
as large an audience to begin with. So net net I think his audience
was larger for the cool music even as a result of the comedy stuff.

Amazing though that Tull is still grinding it out, I always really
liked them too.

Gary wrote:

And he wouldn't have been true to himself, which probably meant more
than anything else.

It didn't 'ruin' him. Anderson is wrong.

Why the hell is it that rock acts don't feel they've made it until
they've worked with an orchestra?

For Ian, working with an orchestra puts more emphasis on the
"instrumental" arrangements rather than "vocal", since his voice has
diminished over the years, while his instrumental talents have even
improved--it could be argued.

I agree with his assessment of FZ, but Frank always tried to remain
'topical' in his (song-based) subject matter and musical satirical
elements live, which caused a certain uneveness--and more change-over
stylistically from band to band; while Tull was based in a more
'timeless' British folk-rock/blues/rock n' roll/Monty Python
traditio

Michael Gula said the following:

True that.

Gary said the following:

The "comedy music" was a means to an end, as I believe, FZ
himself stated. Without doing the "comedy music" he would have
been a starving artist creating virtually unheard "classical"
music far outside the accepted norm for that oeuvre.

Yes, I believe so. His "comedy music" and outstanding rock music
endeared me to him enough that, as a musical ignorant, I delved
into and appreciated not only his "classical music", but, that of
Varese, Xenakis, and avant garde music in general.

If FZ hadn't shown and led me to alternatives, I likely would
have remained just another mindless sheep subsisting on what is
now considered classic rock, and, oldies music.

Shrike! wrote:

Even FZ's orchestral music often included comedic elements. IMO,
Anderson's suggestion that the association happened against FZ's wishes
is incorrect.

Pat Buzby
Chicago, IL

Michael Gula wrote:

Well, Frank needed to continue to produce more commercial (to his fan
base) comedy music to support his desire to produce his less commercial
endeavors, like LSO, Jazz From Hell, Boulez, and Yellow Shark. If he
would have continued to only produce Jazz From Hell type works, he would
have quickly gone out of business. I actually prefer his more serious
works, which I think have held up better over time than silly pieces
like Dinah-Moe Humm and Titties 'n Beer.