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The Ballad of Jethro Tull
Ballad of Jethro Tull the first official, illustrated, oral history of prog rock legends Jethro Tull, The Ballad of Jethro Tull is Illustrated throughout with previously unseen, personal and classic photographs and memorabilia. Tull's story is told by Ian Anderson, band members past and present and the people who helped them to become one of the most successful bands in rock history.
Each copy comes with a download* of ‘The Ballad of Jethro Tull’, a specially-written spoken word telling of the Tull story performed by Ian over classic Tull track backing, plus a recording of Ian reading ‘Marmion’ with specially created musical backing. The recordings are only available with this book.
Each copy comes with a download* of ‘The Ballad of Jethro Tull’, a specially-written spoken word telling of the Tull story performed by Ian over classic Tull track backing, plus a recording of Ian reading ‘Marmion’ with specially created musical backing. The recordings are only available with this book.
- GenresMusicNonfictionHistory
216 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 5, 2019
It's hard to believe that I've been a fan of Jethro Tull for over thirty years. I first saw them live in 1987 on the Crest of a Knave tour & have seen them many times since. Sadly on their 50th anniversary tour in 2018 (& not surprising after all these years) Ian Anderson's singing voice has completely gone, but he's still a great musician & showman.
This book is the story of the band with each chapter heading being the title of a Tull song. What I love about this bok is that instead of it being just a written history it's told in a series of interviews with many of the bands 36 members who came & went over the years. There are also some truly superb photographs of the band on stage & a lot more besides.
Ian Anderson's early days as a musician (before Jethro Tull formed) are as informative as they are amusing. Tull's changing musical style is discussed in short, sharp interviews with band members & record producers & there's plenty of input from front man Ian Anderson along the way.
My only real criticism is that the interviews with guitarist Martin Barre are taken from other sources. After over 40 years with Jethro Tull Martin Barre was replaced & that is such a pity as he was, for many people, an integral part of the band. He has said that he & Anderson don't communicate anymore, which is a great shame as I'm sure he could have made some important contributions to this book.
That aside it's still a fine book celebrating 50 years of the best band in the world. Well, they are my favourite band anyway!
This book is the story of the band with each chapter heading being the title of a Tull song. What I love about this bok is that instead of it being just a written history it's told in a series of interviews with many of the bands 36 members who came & went over the years. There are also some truly superb photographs of the band on stage & a lot more besides.
Ian Anderson's early days as a musician (before Jethro Tull formed) are as informative as they are amusing. Tull's changing musical style is discussed in short, sharp interviews with band members & record producers & there's plenty of input from front man Ian Anderson along the way.
My only real criticism is that the interviews with guitarist Martin Barre are taken from other sources. After over 40 years with Jethro Tull Martin Barre was replaced & that is such a pity as he was, for many people, an integral part of the band. He has said that he & Anderson don't communicate anymore, which is a great shame as I'm sure he could have made some important contributions to this book.
That aside it's still a fine book celebrating 50 years of the best band in the world. Well, they are my favourite band anyway!
February 7, 2020
Oh, what a treat this volume is! I constantly had a smile on my face and more than once I burst out in a big laugh. It is many times the spinal tap moments that were at play. On the other hand, there were also a lot of going into the motions moments, about serious things. Yes this a fantastic history told by so many members of Jethro Tull that makes their 50 years celebration coming alive.
March 15, 2020
Great fun! I knew about the bands history, and have followed their music and career for 50 years, but happily this book gave me many insights. The book is comprised of interview sections from various members who number in the 30 plus over the history of Jethro Tull. The essential member of Jethro Tull is Ian Anderson, who has been the songwriter, and primary force since their second album when he began to steer the band past it's Blues band roots. Fans of Jethro Tull should enjoy the inside view of the group's evolution. I read it non-stop from cover to cover.
April 1, 2021
A great overview of Tull, from many of its members. It covers all the eras, though some in much less detail than others. Full of great anecdotes. It also helps paint a clearer picture of Ian Anderson, and the band's changing dynamic through time.
For Jethro Tull fans, this is a must.
For Jethro Tull fans, this is a must.
August 31, 2020
Plush. As band biographies go, this is very good. A very enjoyable immersion, for a not-too-extreme fan.
December 19, 2020
Beautiful! Filled with plenty of photos and info on my favorite band of all time.
October 20, 2021
A fantastic read. Honest, open and revealing. Great photos too.
February 9, 2024
An entertaining book full of intermingled interviews conducted with Ian Anderson and many of the numerous Jethro Tull members – although inclusions from Barriemore Barlow and Martin Barre were taken from existing publications. These collected memories provide facts and opinions on various aspects of life within a successful band, but much of Tull’s long history has already been recorded elsewhere, so some content only repeats what dedicated fans already know.
The design and print quality of the book is fine, and the included imagery – album and single covers, gig posters, newspaper clippings, studio and live photos, advertisements, pages from Ian’s notebooks – is mostly of interest, however, some of the old photos are given a lot of space when their overall content and reproduction quality isn’t that great. At times insightful regarding the rigours of touring and the conflicting traits of individual members, The Ballad of Jethro Tull is a pleasing read about one of the most intriguing and durable ensembles in popular music.
The design and print quality of the book is fine, and the included imagery – album and single covers, gig posters, newspaper clippings, studio and live photos, advertisements, pages from Ian’s notebooks – is mostly of interest, however, some of the old photos are given a lot of space when their overall content and reproduction quality isn’t that great. At times insightful regarding the rigours of touring and the conflicting traits of individual members, The Ballad of Jethro Tull is a pleasing read about one of the most intriguing and durable ensembles in popular music.
September 14, 2022
An enjoyable and interesting journey from the humble beginnings to the lofty heights and the innevitable departures of fan favourite band members. The overall narrative comes from Ian Anderson with constant input and edited snippets of wisdom from many of the rogues gallery of Tull's members.
There's a lot of anecdotes that I knew but we're fleshed out in the book, and more than a few that were completely new to me. Thankfully it targets the 70s era and goes into most of my favourite albums in quite some depth (not a song by song breakdown, but that expectation over so many albums would be a huge anthology!), the band's tours, recording and lives are told sensitively and overall it's a must for Till fans - though would pass if for some reason you exclusively enjoy 80s and 90s Tull.
There's a lot of anecdotes that I knew but we're fleshed out in the book, and more than a few that were completely new to me. Thankfully it targets the 70s era and goes into most of my favourite albums in quite some depth (not a song by song breakdown, but that expectation over so many albums would be a huge anthology!), the band's tours, recording and lives are told sensitively and overall it's a must for Till fans - though would pass if for some reason you exclusively enjoy 80s and 90s Tull.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews