Monday night, Mark and I met our friends Rick and Brenda downtown for a Jethro Tull concert.   That's right, I almost can't believe it myself as I sit here typing.   In high school, Jethro Tull had a reputation as a hard core rock band with devoted fans ranging from band geeks to pot heads.   At the time, the Styx and Journey in my album collection, were a far cry from the hard rock flautist that is Ian Anderson.

Funny how my music tastes have evolved into metal core, so far from something as tame as Tull.   It's for this reason that Mark wasn't really sure that I would like the concert.   I semi-listened to an Aqualung CD when we ordered the tickets, but the music seemed way to tame for my Tool tempered tastes.   On concert day I still wasn't convinced I would connect with Tull.    And I have to say that after the first few songs I was still kinda thinking the same thing.   I did really like Ian's version of a 16th century piece written by non other than King Henry VIII, but much more for the historical significance than for the musicality.   As much as I love the flute, I'm just not really moved by anything classical or even classical-folksy.   I can appreciate the complexity, but that's where it ends.   I dislike all the positive "happy" chords that are considered good classical music structure and prefer the lower tones, sonic dissonance and distortion that is metal core.   That's why I love bands like Korn so much.  

In Tull's second act, once they got past the Bernstein medley and the holiday junk, I became mesmerized by what apparently was classic TULL rock.   That's when they launched into Aqualung and Thick as a Brick as well as some  other known heavier rock songs.   I have to say, my jaw dropped to the floor.    Up until that point in the concert I was just really loving the flute sounds and the pretty rock music combo, but was disappointed with how the lead guitar was so mellow and seemingly pushed so far back behind the flute.   I craved that hard, loud thumping sound I've become so addicted to.  But Tull didn't disappoint, in the later half of the second act, the lead and bass guitarists whaled at full volume simultaneously with the overlapping flute alternating between a feminine high pitched sound and a guttural low roar.   Ian actually made that flute growl and fit right into the thick pounding rhythms of the hard rock.  This was the kind of rock that I loved.  Intricate, pounding, overlapping sounds that have unique contrast (in this case the beautiful alternating high low of the flute against the heavy masculine riffs). WOW, now I know what all the fuss was about in 1981.

Tull and Ian were FABULOUS, not just good or great but truly an experience I will never forget.  I really felt like I was witnessing something completely unique and awesome, the tingle in my spine was definitely present.   Jethro Tull was completely worthy of all the praise that they have received through the years.   I am a convert that's for sure.   I'll be seeking out some of their greatest hits, especially the harder stuff.  From what folks tell me, the live show is a bit harder and louder than some of the original tracks, but that always seems to be the case.