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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 5, 2011 18:33:27 GMT
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 9, 2011 17:38:48 GMT
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Post by futureshock on Jan 6, 2012 18:24:29 GMT
Wow, with comments like that, Ian Anderson will never get a recording contract in Nashville! They want uniformity, unchanging cartoon personas who all dress the same and Fender twang, and STOP the expressiveness, Nashville wants singers who recite the lyrics mechanically. None of that Italian "o solo mio" stuff, they want "let's go for a pickup ride, Mary Lou, Mary Lou, let's go for a pickup ride, yo de doo doo doo". That's probably why Jethro Tull didn't last long on Hee Haw.
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Post by steelmonkey on Jan 6, 2012 18:45:00 GMT
Ian could confound them by writing the ultimate anti-Nashville song in which the truck is repaired, the dog is found and the girlfriend comes back !
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Post by maddogfagin on May 2, 2013 8:44:11 GMT
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Post by zobstick on May 2, 2013 14:01:09 GMT
Back in the early 1990's, the much missed London radio station - GLR, ran a feature on their breakfast show called the Triple-Decker whereby listeners could choose three songs to be played - one each from the '60's, '70's and '80's.
I had sent in a selection of three Tull songs with very little expectation of them being played, so you can imagine my total shock when, shortly after 9.30am one weekday morning - up they came!
My choice - for what it was worth (and you don't hear these on the radio in the UK - ever!)
Reasons for waiting Acres Wild The Whalers Dues
Don't know if they would still be my choice now - but I still like them!!
Zob
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tullist
Master Craftsman
Posts: 478
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Post by tullist on May 2, 2013 15:11:57 GMT
Back in the early 1990's, the much missed London radio station - GLR, ran a feature on their breakfast show called the Triple-Decker whereby listeners could choose three songs to be played - one each from the '60's, '70's and '80's. I had sent in a selection of three Tull songs with very little expectation of them being played, so you can imagine my total shock when, shortly after 9.30am one weekday morning - up they came! My choice - for what it was worth (and you don't hear these on the radio in the UK - ever!) Reasons for waiting Acres Wild The Whalers Dues Don't know if they would still be my choice now - but I still like them!! Zob Freaking excellent choices for "our" representation Zob.
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Post by maddogfagin on May 2, 2013 16:11:40 GMT
Back in the early 1990's, the much missed London radio station - GLR, ran a feature on their breakfast show called the Triple-Decker whereby listeners could choose three songs to be played - one each from the '60's, '70's and '80's. I had sent in a selection of three Tull songs with very little expectation of them being played, so you can imagine my total shock when, shortly after 9.30am one weekday morning - up they came! My choice - for what it was worth (and you don't hear these on the radio in the UK - ever!) Reasons for waiting Acres Wild The Whalers Dues Don't know if they would still be my choice now - but I still like them!! Zob Hi Zob Another member of the GLR appreciation society ! One of the BBC's best ever local radio stations. I used to listen to it most of the time back then and, like you, got a few Tull requests played now and then. Great radio. Graham
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Post by zobstick on May 3, 2013 13:39:07 GMT
Ahh GLR...
It was a proper breath of fresh air in the mid '80's when it came along. I remember the first line-up with Johnnie Walker and Tommy Vance taking up much of the afternoon slots, and being given a pretty free rein on their choice of music - and you know what that meant, especially for our old mate Tommy!
Zob
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Post by maddogfagin on May 3, 2013 13:46:20 GMT
Ahh GLR... It was a proper breath of fresh air in the mid '80's when it came along. I remember the first line-up with Johnnie Walker and Tommy Vance taking up much of the afternoon slots, and being given a pretty free rein on their choice of music - and you know what that meant, especially for our old mate Tommy! Zob I got to know Phil Kennedy (now BBC Radio Berkshire) quite well as he presented the early breakfast show and I used to listen when I was on nights at Kingston Uni. In fact all the presenters on the station were very approachable and a few of us got an invite to tour the station and sit in on his programme one morning. Met a few others who now are on BBC 6 Music and elsewhere, not forgetting Bob Harris now on Radio 2. Graham
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2013 17:17:48 GMT
"Rock Island" doesn't get enough respect, in my opinion. Yes, there are tracks that are mere "filler," but there is also some great stuff on there, and the playing is REALLY good! "Ears of Tin," the title track, and "The Whaler's Dues" are all excellent, epic works. And I think "Heavy Water" would have made a better radio single than "Kissing Willie!"
David
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Post by maddogfagin on May 19, 2013 15:08:56 GMT
Your lazy Sunday afternoon reading material. It's not often that a reviewer, Jerry Ewing, uses the word IMPRESSIVE as the headline to an article and also admits to being a Metallica fan. It can be a strange but interesting world we inhabit.
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Post by JTull 007 on May 19, 2013 18:24:24 GMT
Something nice from Metal Forces mag... Impressive In some ways the Grammy was a blessing because it put the Tull brand in lots of discussions. Ian definitely used it to his sarcastic advantage. He mocked Metallica during the Rock Island tour. The image of Metallica's heads turning into 'Bricks' is one I'll never forget. Overall the album "Rock Island" was a great follow up to "Crest of a Knave".
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Post by steelmonkey on May 19, 2013 21:27:13 GMT
I actually like Metallica....the Black Album is almost end to end amazing as are most of Load and Re-Load the earlier super fast stuff doesn't do much for me nor the later 'try too hard era' but for that middle era of those three albums and a ton of covers they were doing at that time, they were a pretty amazing rock and roll band...saw them acoustic at one of Neil Young's bridge benefits and was VERY impressed. Their attempt at symphonic rock ( an album with the SF orchestra called S and M) utterly sucked.
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Post by jackinthegreen on May 19, 2013 22:23:55 GMT
I like most of Rock Island, but not Kissing Wille..... I have tried to like Metallica, but the only song I have found so far that I do like is Nothing Else Matters, which I think is great.... To get back to Rock Island.....isn't Another Christmas Song superb..... my second favourite Christmas song.......after the brilliant Fairytale of New York.....of course......
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Post by wyrdskein on Aug 16, 2014 11:48:46 GMT
I think it's a really good album. If it weren't for Broadsword and the Beast, it would be my favourite 80s Tull album. I think that maybe it isn't immediately accessible and people lay it aside without giving it a chance. There are some great songs, my favorites being Whaler's Dues, Ears of Tin, and Heavy Water. Far superior to any of the 80s pop that was charting then.
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Post by steelmonkey on Aug 16, 2014 17:41:32 GMT
Crest was great but Tull obviously tried a little bit too hard to be market friendly and mainstreamish Tull...Rock Island brought back a bit of the dark, for Tull fan only flavor...Ian has often commented on album pairs reflecting lighter and darker starting points...Crest/Rock is a great example.
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Post by Equus on Aug 17, 2014 6:41:05 GMT
It's a good one alright! Hello everyone, I joined in February but this is my first post. Welcome to the forum Rockislander!
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 17, 2014 9:19:45 GMT
It's a good one alright! Hello everyone, I joined in February but this is my first post. Hi rockislander and welcome along to the JT Forum Look forward to reading your comments and thoughts concerning all things Tull related.
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Post by Equus on Aug 19, 2014 4:45:34 GMT
It's a good one alright! Hello everyone, I joined in February but this is my first post. Welcome Rockislander!
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Post by maddogfagin on Aug 19, 2014 9:55:02 GMT
Welcome Rockislander! Thank you all I'm glad to be here! I have lurked enough to know there are major fans in here and I'm really looking forward to posting more. As an introduction - I have my 8 track cartridges - bought as I found them after they were released! Many still in their sleeves. I climbed aboard with Benefit! 8 track cartridges never caught on here in the UK and Europe (cassettes were the preferred source of musical entertainment) so we missed out on the pleasure of using them in the car stereo. Once, to my eternal regret, I turned down the chance of buying a UK manufactured 8 track sound system for the living room, speakers and all, with a vast quantity of cartridges. In hindsight it would probably been a waste of money as CDs were beginning to take hold with the "Brothers in Arms" album but it would have made a good talking point for a couple of weeks
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Post by bunkerfan on Nov 11, 2015 19:57:44 GMT
I've just made a much needed return to listening to this album and I'm left wondering why I don't play it more often. It's a belter!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2015 15:04:54 GMT
I've just made a much needed return to listening to this album and I'm left wondering why I don't play it more often. It's a belter! All past Tull albums sound good after listening to the recent Ian Anderson Band albums... I love Rock Island. Would appreciate this in 5.1. 'cause all roads out of here, seem to lead right back to your Rock Island. Rock Island. Doesn't everyone have their own Rock Island? Their own little patch of sand?
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Post by rockodyssey on Sept 18, 2016 14:16:48 GMT
My pace has dropped off in recent weeks, but it does mean I'm giving each one a proper listen. Don't worry about any statements of the obvious (re: A Christmas Song), these go on Facebook and the blog too, so I assume the audience is even more ignorant than me. Here's Rock Island...
ROCK ISLAND (1989)
After the rather noble and romantic notions of Crest Of A Knave, Tull return to the gutter on Rock Island. It could almost be a sequel to Aqualung, with 'Kissing Willie' and 'Undressed To Kill' being direct descendants of 'Cross Eyed Mary' in their unsavouriness. In fact Wikipedia tells me that Anderson himself sees the closing 'Strange Avenues' being set in the Aqualung world (but remember, it's still not a concept album). "Nice girl but a bad girl's better' slurps Anderson, whose voice has returned to normal service. Part of his heart remains in the Highlands as he references Glen Shiel and Kintail on 'Ears Of Tin' and there's a few watery themes of islands and whale hunting. Musically it's not much different from Crest Of A Knave, the title track and 'Heavy Water' would have slotted onto that album without difficulty. But there is an unexpected delight in 'Another Christmas Song' (since they'd already done 'A Christmas Song') in which you can almost smell the mulled wine and the flute rings out like a solstice bell. 'Big Riff and Mando' is the embellished tale of the theft of Barre's Mandolin which was later returned (Anderson has helpfully, and somewhat uncharacteristically provided quite lucid explanations of all these songs as part of the re-mastered reissue in 2006. Where's the fun in that?) Nice cover too, emphasising the nautical bent.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2016 21:06:59 GMT
My pace has dropped off in recent weeks, but it does mean I'm giving each one a proper listen. Don't worry about any statements of the obvious (re: A Christmas Song), these go on Facebook and the blog too, so I assume the audience is even more ignorant than me. Here's Rock Island... ROCK ISLAND (1989) After the rather noble and romantic notions of Crest Of A Knave, Tull return to the gutter on Rock Island. It could almost be a sequel to Aqualung, with 'Kissing Willie' and 'Undressed To Kill' being direct descendants of 'Cross Eyed Mary' in their unsavouriness. In fact Wikipedia tells me that Anderson himself sees the closing 'Strange Avenues' being set in the Aqualung world (but remember, it's still not a concept album). "Nice girl but a bad girl's better' slurps Anderson, whose voice has returned to normal service. Part of his heart remains in the Highlands as he references Glen Shiel and Kintail on 'Ears Of Tin' and there's a few watery themes of islands and whale hunting. Musically it's not much different from Crest Of A Knave, the title track and 'Heavy Water' would have slotted onto that album without difficulty. But there is an unexpected delight in 'Another Christmas Song' (since they'd already done 'A Christmas Song') in which you can almost smell the mulled wine and the flute rings out like a solstice bell. 'Big Riff and Mando' is the embellished tale of the theft of Barre's Mandolin which was later returned (Anderson has helpfully, and somewhat uncharacteristically provided quite lucid explanations of all these songs as part of the re-mastered reissue in 2006. Where's the fun in that?) Nice cover too, emphasising the nautical bent. Crazy...not too. I like this album more than I should...more than This Was....yikes too much. Love Another Christmas = just don't tell steelmonkey. Cool enough!
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Post by JTull 007 on Sept 19, 2016 2:58:48 GMT
My pace has dropped off in recent weeks, but it does mean I'm giving each one a proper listen. Don't worry about any statements of the obvious (re: A Christmas Song), these go on Facebook and the blog too, so I assume the audience is even more ignorant than me. Here's Rock Island... ROCK ISLAND (1989) After the rather noble and romantic notions of Crest Of A Knave, Tull return to the gutter on Rock Island. It could almost be a sequel to Aqualung, with 'Kissing Willie' and 'Undressed To Kill' being direct descendants of 'Cross Eyed Mary' in their unsavouriness. In fact Wikipedia tells me that Anderson himself sees the closing 'Strange Avenues' being set in the Aqualung world (but remember, it's still not a concept album). "Nice girl but a bad girl's better' slurps Anderson, whose voice has returned to normal service. Part of his heart remains in the Highlands as he references Glen Shiel and Kintail on 'Ears Of Tin' and there's a few watery themes of islands and whale hunting. Musically it's not much different from Crest Of A Knave, the title track and 'Heavy Water' would have slotted onto that album without difficulty. But there is an unexpected delight in 'Another Christmas Song' (since they'd already done 'A Christmas Song') in which you can almost smell the mulled wine and the flute rings out like a solstice bell. 'Big Riff and Mando' is the embellished tale of the theft of Barre's Mandolin which was later returned (Anderson has helpfully, and somewhat uncharacteristically provided quite lucid explanations of all these songs as part of the re-mastered reissue in 2006. Where's the fun in that?) Nice cover too, emphasising the nautical bent. Another honest review. We all have our own "Rock Island" somewhere. Most TULL albums have a theme and this one is hard to pin down. I was originally uncertain. I suppose you can see one after a few spins but the LIVE performance sealed the deal again.
Favorite tune is "Kissing Willie" which put the TULL videos on thin ice! Solid album in many ways. After winning a Grammy for 'Crest' the highlight was seeing Metallica's heads turn to bricks!
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cecil
Journeyman
Posts: 162
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Post by cecil on Sept 20, 2016 22:39:43 GMT
A remix would fix this album a lot. Get rid of the crappy reverb in the drums and layer Ian's voice a bit. He sounds like he's 70 years old when he's only about 40
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Post by maddogfagin on Apr 6, 2018 9:24:23 GMT
Alan Fluff Freeman with Jethro Tull in the studio plus archive sessions from Marillion and Pink Floyd
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2019 9:55:57 GMT
Been listening to this album properly (i.e. giving it repeated listenings) for the first time in a fair few years. While it's still in my bottom tier of Tull, I actually think there's quite a decent album struggling to get out. A key problem is, I think, the running order. The album doesn't REALLY get into its stride until the title track, by which time it's all a little bit late. My three standouts are the same as they always were - title track, 'Strange Avenues' and 'Christmas'. Great tracks, all. I always thought 'Avenues' should have started the album - just like they started the '89 tour set with it. It worked brilliantly at those gigs and teed up the crunch of the blistering live version of 'Steel Monkey' absolutely beautifully. It's lost being stuck right at the end of the album where it just sounds like an add-on, disconnected with the rest of the record. Plus, of course, 'Willie' really needs to be hidden away - it's not just the title and the subject matter that's the problem, it's the opening guitar line which sounds like it could have been produced by any rock band at any point in the last 50 years. There's no Tull imprimatur on it - and that's a key reason why the song was Tull's worst-ever album opener. Overall, though, it's a pretty enjoyable album and a masterpiece compared with 'Catfish', which I still just don't 'get' at all.
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Post by JTull 007 on Aug 13, 2019 11:14:57 GMT
Plus, of course, 'Willie' really needs to be hidden away - it's not just the title and the subject matter that's the problem, it's the opening guitar line which sounds like it could have been produced by any rock band at any point in the last 50 years. There's no Tull imprimatur on it - and that's a key reason why the song was Tull's worst-ever album opener. No 'Willie' ... No WAY !!! This song had so many people talking about TULL on MTV, VH1 and was the BEST video ever made !!! Of course Ian has had other tunes that offended a few back in the day... "My God", "Aqualung", "Cross-Eyed Mary" Humour and music are always a good thing for those who can appreciate it.
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