Jethro Tull - Stand Up (1969)
It really distresses me how so many classic rock fans don't have a fucking clue what I'm talking about when I bring up Jethro Tull. The band, in a way, has suffered from the low expectations the world holds for them, as well as accidentally winning the first Hard-Rock Grammy, something that earned them quite a bit of contempt. I mean, how much can a rock band with a lead singer who plays the flute really rock? The answer is that they rock a lot fucking harder than many bands who lack said flute.
Jethro Tull provides heavy riffs, deep lyrics, and tight rhythms throughout their catalog. But the quintessential element of the entire production, the vital component of Jethro Tull's machine, is that flute. Ian Anderson is regarded by many to be one of the best flautists ever, and is well respected in both classical and modern musical circles.
Stand Up is Tull's second album, and one of my favorites. Tull was still fairly unknown on it's release, and did not really earn a wider listening audience until Aqualung. As such, Stand Up really has a small, jam bandish feel. This is the first Tull album with their new permanent guitarist, Martin Barre, and he proves himself worthy of a lengthy tenure.
Tull demonstrates their mastery of the Blues, primarily illustrated in Anderson's ability on the flute. All of his solos on this album rock, there really is not another word for them. The most poignant example is on track 3, Bouree, which is the album's only instrumental track. What starts as a simple Jazz riff, explodes into terrific 3 minute solo from Anderson, as he treats the ears to a multitude of sounds one rarely encounters in rock and roll.
I realize I didn't really talk much about Stand Up, but more about Jethro Tull themselves. I still would recommend Stand Up as their most approachable album for anyone unfamiliar with Jethro Tull, and hope one day people will mention them in the same respect as other gigantic classic rock outfits.
Favorite Tracks: "Bouree", "Look Into the Sun", "Living In the Past"
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