Ian Anderson: Living in the Present
Sean MurphyHowever unwittingly, Ian Anderson wrote his artistic epitaph all the way back in 1976. “Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young To Die!”, the hit from the album of…
For J.D. Salinger, Jethro Tull and Me (Revisited)
It was 42 years ago, today, that Jethro Tull's third album, Benefit, was released. I wrote about it (and many other things) over the course of a productive day during…
Five Songs to Welcome Spring
The incomparable John Fahey with the appropriately titled "When The Springtime Comes Again": Janácek's String Quartet "Intimate Letters", 3rd Movement: John Coltrane: "Equinox": Bob Marley, "Natural Mystic": Jethro Tull: "March,…
My Kind of Christmas Music (Revisited)
Tchaikovsky Corelli Bach John Fahey The Who Chuck Berry a three-fer from Jethro Tull! Sonny Boy The Godfather Donny Satchmo Ella! (An embarrassment of riches here, here, and here) Johnny…
Jethro Tull’s ‘Aqualung’: Even Better Than You Thought It Was
Whatever one’s feelings about progressive rock, Jethro Tull’s Aqualung is a rare album that remains at once part of, and above, the fray. It is, to be certain, a cornerstone…
If I Could Wave My Magic Wand…(Revisited)
It was twenty years ago today... No, seriously. Twenty years. Fall semester (because the world was still measured in summers and semesters), sophomore year. Out of all the indelible memories…
With You There To Help Me: Cheerio To An Old Teacher
Shortly after 2011 began, I noted the unhappy occasion of Gerry Rafferty's passing and did my best to articulate (and celebrate) what his work meant to me (original post here). In…
The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time: Part Five
5. Genesis, "Watcher of the Skies" The mellotron certainly had its time and place. It became overused, a crutch for bands hoping to mimic the sounds made by bands like…
The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time: Part Four
10. The Who, “Underture” The Who were not a prog-rock band. While both Tommy and The Who Sell Out could—and should—be considered crucial touchstones that helped pave the way, Pete…
The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time: Part Two
20. King Crimson, “Red” The progenitors of math rock on their last album of the ’70s. Red is the paradigm that every pointy-headed prog rock band worships at the altar…