The former front man of Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson, has etched a niche into the fabric of rock n’ roll history. Jethro Tull has long been known for their theatrical performances. The whole concert being a story not just a set list. Tuesday night at Wolf Trap a blend of theatre and hard rock as Ian Anderson presents Thick As A Brick and Thick As A Brick 2, Whatever Happened to Gerald Brock? The long awaited sequel released 40 years later!
I feel Ian Anderson’s goal was to make Thick As A Brick as over the top as he could and he did so with fantastic results. Firstly, the album was one 44 minute long self titled track; which I think this is great! This technique was really ahead of it’s time and really progressive as well; DJs today frequently record their music as one continuous track, on the same token, classical music is often written as one suite and broken into various movements. Secondly, it’s progressive in the sense there is a variety of multiple instruments. I say the more instruments the better. It’s always great hearing a combination of instruments played together that you never heard before. Thirdly, it’s a parody! The term thick as a brick referring so someone that is dumb. The album cover is a mock newspaper laced with spoofs and humor meant to poke fun at amateurish local journalism; he he. With that you have all the ingredients for not only a great album but a fantastic live show as well.
Ryan O’Donnell
The concert started with vocalist Ryan O’Donnell climbing up on stage and opening up a large briefcase. He was met by the rest of his band mates and they all were wearing light brown trench coats. They acted as stage hands preparing for the concert. They performed comical useless tasks like sweeping the floor and dusting off the drum set.
John O’Hara
When the music started it was a magnificent sound! I particularly liked John O’Hara’s digital organ. It mixes so well with Anderson’s flute. There were spinning magazine covers of Boy’s Own Paper and Boy Scout Magazine projected. I think Ian Anderson’s artistic direction could be heavily influences from his time working as a vendor at a newsstand. Ryan O’Donnell’s vocals were good. He pranced around stage with a detachable broom handle that actually worked as a wooden flute. I’d say the sound was almost like Pink Floyd. A bit on the lighter side of course. Other hints of similar sound also included Black Sabbath and Frank Zappa. None of those bands for the most part didn’t have any flute in them with the exception of Zappa but the hard rhythm and melodies were similar. Ian Anderson was really good! He would make outstretched poses fluttering his flute. He did his infamous flamingo pose several times, just like a medieval court jester.
There were other spoofs as well. Like a funny colonoscopy awareness skit. They also skyped a violin part, although I don’t think that it was live, it was still entertaining. They went on to play Thick As A Brick 2, it sounded just like old Jethro Tull. The best part of the concert had to be the encore when they performed Locomotive Breath. It was heavy, it was loud. Guitarist Florian Opahle really let loose and coupled with Ian Anderson whaling on his flute, it was a audacious experience.
