When asked why he chose the flute, Ian said “it’s easier to carry than a piano”

One of the most eclectic bands of all time!! Why they are not in the Rock Hall of Fame is a mystery

Ian Anderson is such an intense performer, it's like a wizard performing a binding spell.

Congratulations Beth, you just discovered a 70s genius. He is unique, fantastic, different.

15 years old. 3rd row and my 3rd concert. “Thick as a Brick” Tour. Memories flooding, as Ian took the flute and pointed it directly at me. Eye contact. Mind still blown. Great reaction!

Nothing like watching smart young music nerds visit 1970. Love the channel.

Anderson was 23 when he wrote and performed this. Truly remarkable.

self taught in singing and in every instrument he plays , he has his own style everywhere

Ian Anderson is one of the best front men of any classic rock band. I'm lucky enough to have seen them 5 times, the 1st time in 1970 when I was 15, and every concert was incredible.

Ian Anderson created his own mold because he sure doesn’t fit anyone else’s. I still get goosebumps sometimes listening to Tull albums and I have a pandora station devoted to them. He’s a musical genius and deep philosopher. I feel privileged to have been exposed to his music for so many years.

The group has quite the sense of humor. At the end of their concert during their 20th anniversary tour, all the members collapsed to the floor and a group of medics came out and strapped them to stretchers, carried them out and they carried them back in and tipped the stretchers over as if they were bowing to the audience.

I still can't believe how there are people who don't know Jethro in England, or in the English culture. I am from Argentina and luckily I have known them since my adolescence in the late 80s. Jethro's music is one of the jewels of world rock. Greetings from Argentina.

Things you never expect to say in a rock song: "Watch out for the flute solo, it gets pretty crazy" Wanna know the craziest thing? This was recorded only a couple years after he started *teaching himself flute.*

Jethro Tull is my favorite band. I have seen them live about 5 times. Ian Anderson isn't just the lead singer of the band, he is also the conductor. If you notice, everything he he does is is on the beat.

I saw them live several times in the 70s and 80s. I always felt like I got my money’s worth. Nobody worked harder in a show than Ian Anderson.

They (Jethro Tull) and he (Ian Anderson) were so damn interesting and entertaining. Musicianship, presentation, and the unexpected.

My father saw them live back in 1970, opening for Led Zeppelin.... it was a mighty fine evening, he's told me.

Hi Beth, if you start digging in the music of the 70's, you will find enough material for the next 10 years of your podcast.

Manager: Ian, no one is going to sit through four flute solos. Ian: hold my beer.

i'm not sure what i loved more: Ian's performance, or your reaction to it. this all makes me so happy.

Ian Anderson was the modern Minstrel of the 70"s.Aqualung is a master piece album of the seventies.

JT is why we old-school folks will rock on forever.

Ian Anderson is some sort of fae creature. At least a faun who took music lessons from Pan.

FINALLY, some vocal expert talks about the amazing Ian Anderson.👍 :D

I once had the pleasure of seeing Jethro Tull in concert. It was incredible!

Great reaction. He often describes himself as a minstrel.

When I was a toddler my brother who is ten years older than me, was really into Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin. Played them all the time. To this day, there is something about the sound of Ian Anderson’s voice that triggers something deep inside my mind that make me feel warm and safe and calm, like a hugging your parents. It will pick you up, and carry you away. That music is deeply woven into the fabric of my mind from a time when it was an open book waiting for words to fill in its pages. Check out the Jethro Tull song The Witches Promise. Or Bungle in the Jungle to hear that warmth I’m talking about.

I grew up on Tull. Anderson is a showman extraordinaire. I've seen them live several times. Never failed to blow me away. In 1996 I took my son to see them at Poplar Creek just outside Chicago. He was 12 and familiar with the band from me and he loved it. He was more excited to see Tull than Ozzie Osborne.

This has always been my favorite song from Jethro Tull, because of the lyrics, the acoustic guitars, the heaviness, and the changes. I saw them live twice.

I saw Jethro Tull live back in 1972 when I was 16 was so impressed bought all the albums he had

One other thing, if you take the time to watch Ian play flute over the years, he gets better and better with the instrument. He eventually became a concert level flutist. Self trained.

Saw this particular tour and lineup live early 70's sitting front row. There had been nothing like them before so needless to say we were in awe! 😮😍

Tull likes to go from a soft intro to a rock "blast" sometimes. "The Minstrel in the Gallery" is a good example, too.

Always loved Ian Anderson's delivery . For me his voice is an "instrument" !

Beth, thank you for analyzing one of the best Jethro Tull songs of all! The dynamics of this song are so crisp and driving! Kudos to you for picking a song only true Tull fans love that's not the most radio friendly song they did! It truly shows the caliber of artist\performer\visionary Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull are! Yes, I've listened to your analysis many many times! It's nice to see someone of your generation get so much thrill and enjoyment from this masterpiece! Keep up the classic! 👍🏼👊🏼🤙🏼💯

1971, and my 13 year old self listened and watched this and my brain exploded... I had the same reaction that Beth is having. I’m listening and watching this now (I’m now 62) and I’m crying with joy and memories....

I'm so happy to see young people discover rock classics (and Ian in particular). One of the many reasons I like your channel, Beth.

this is an early version of this song , imagine being in the crowd and out of nowhere this new amazing song plays

NEXT, you absolutely have to see his performance at Madison Square Gardens . Thick As A Brick. Stage presence extraordinary and intoxicating.

Ian Anderson, even to this day, is the consummate performer. And yes, he does like to throw in comedy when he performs. I remember one time, in the middle of a song, a phone started ringing. The band stopped dead. Anderson located a phone and said 'hello'. There was apparently no one there. He looked around and found another. Same result. About the fourth or fifth one, he nodded then said something like 'Front row? Wearing a mushroom cloud T-shirt? Yes he's here.' Then he said 'It's for you.' And handed it to a guy in the front row. Then he returned to his place and the song continued right on the beat it stopped on. And it was jamming. The whole thing was classic.

Thank you for bringing my youth back to me with your reactions. I saw all the bands live back then, from Genesis to Jethro Tull, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and many others. Please do more from this time.

Your Patreons have great taste 😁

Saw them in Pittsburgh 1973. They played all of Aqualung, took a break, came back and played all of Thick As A Brick! A show I will never forget, and I’ve seen alot!

Ian Anderson is a self-taught flutist. It's amazing.

It's great to see such a fun reaction! And that You got as much of a kick out of seeing Ian Anderson perform live as His fans do. I wish I were old enough to have seen him perform live in his prime.

What I always love about your reactions is the sheer joy of watching people perform. And Ian Anderson is such an eclectic soul that you just have to throw caution to the wind and go with where he takes you. I LOVE that you're so willing and enthusiastic about doing JUST THAT

Back in the day I saw this group multiple times. Every concert was vantasticly awesome.

Hi Beth I am 66 years old an have seen Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson 3 time thru the 70's and 80's and was without a doubt the best Band to see live. Ian was quite exciting to see and hear

When I saw Tull in concert (many decades ago) we could also see when he would run offstage, lean over and pant like a mad man and then run back onstage and continue making it look easy. Amazing show, Ian!

Beth, I love watching your reactions on this particular performance by Jethro Tull. All the 'reactions' to various rock artists I've watched of yours are always a delight, but this time, your excited reactions, dare I say charming girly moments are treasure.

i just watched your reaction to Jethro Tull Cross Eyed Mary.. i loved how much you loved it... the way you talk about how people get the different sound tones is awesome and very helpful..being a loungeroom guitarist singer .. your advice is very useful ... and yes Ian Anderson was a Legend

I have been to at least a dozen Jethro Tull concerts beginning in 1970, when I was 14. I was born in the greatest era of Rock :) He was always AMAZING at every level, as a musician, as a performer. Every member of the band was super talented. Martin Barre, particularly is a seriously underappreciated lead guitarist, and Ian Anderson is, of course, absolutely unique. Thanks for the reaction!

Tull, from the early (Stand Up album) period were so powerful, it's almost unbelievable now (like the way this song explodes in the second verse), and builds through Aqualung, Thick as a Brick and (to me) culminates with Passion Play, one of the greatest progressive rock albums ever. And live? This gives a clue. They just blew you out of your seat.

I wish I could go to a live rock show and find Beth there, she would be so excited and having fun hahaha your reactions are so fun to see!

. In my eighth decade I am so, so pleased a generation long behind me is discovering this genius. Dare I hold on hope that Ian Anderson will achieve the musical immortality he deserves?

I'm a 65 year old American who at 14 or 15 years of age when my dad was stationed in Germany I have the pleasure of seeing them for the first time. Saw them many times afterwards. But watching you watch them was such a treat for me. Brought tears to my old eyes. This show was around that same time. 1969/70 or so.

Ian is an absolute gem. He's an extremely unique lyricist too. He'll be releasing a book soon with all the lyrics to every song from his career!

The crazy thing is he actually progressed in ability as a flautist beyond what you see in this performance.

This definitely made my day. I’m someone who remembers when Jethro Tull first appeared and have been a fan ever since. It’s was really enjoyable watching you listening to them. Reminded me of how great Ian Anderson is. 🙏🏼

I've loved Jethro Tull and this song for many decades now, but Beth, your reaction makes it all fresh and new and exciting once again.

I always thought of Ian as a kind of modern jester. He does silly things but in a very professional way :-D Also I myself have started to learn whistle btw, hoping to get to an Irish flute one day! ps. 'balalaika' (балалайка) is indeed a Russian folk mandolin-like instrument.

Beth, I loved watching your reactions to this vid. I discovered Tull back in the late 80s and they are one of the greatest bands and acts of all time. I would encourage you to explore some of their other music and performances. They never disappoint.

When you were shocked by the transition from acoustic to rock, all I could think was "you don't even know the half of it yet!". That flute solo is absolutely insane and I love it. The way he'll seamlessly go from beatbox flute as you said, to basically panting into it, to playing a tune with no breath, to holding the flute and just singing out flute noises with his mouth... and somehow it all works! Also love the way his face switches between "Greek philosopher deep in thought" and "comic book madman wreaking havoc" with no middle ground

Saw Jethro Tull in concert twice in the 70s, yes I'm that old. Ian Anderson was a master entertainer and him and his flute will always be in my mind. The experience of seeing him in concert was priceless!

I have been a fan of JT since the album This Was in 1971 and Ian Anderson has gotten better with age.

He sings in his own frame. This is the sound of the soul.

I have loved Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson since I first heard Aqualung in 1971, and it is so enjoyable nowadays to see members of the younger generations getting to enjoy them for their first time also. Tull & Ian rock on forever.

To watch you enjoy Tull the way I did when I was younger made my day. I’m 66, so…

You don’t have to apologize for talking... we’re here to listen and learn! Cheers!

The point you make is very interesting. It's not just technique that makes good music. There are artists who are so sure of their music and lyrics, of the content of their performance, that they can go outside the received techniques and invent something of their own. It still has to make musical sense, obviously, and with Anderson it does, a lot.

When I discovered Jethro Tull, in 1970, at the L.A. Forum, my life changed. Ian Anderson became the avatar of my life, as Merriam-Webster defines it: "an incarnation in human form". When I watched from my seat, way in the back, with my binoculars (I wish they had had the huge screens they use now!), when he would come out on stage I felt a thrill and a kind of joy. It's odd to realize and remember that Ian Anderson's wizardry (as another commenter put it), the spell he cast, became my refuge and defined the meaning of life for me, for years. I loved this view for the first time, of the vocal coach. It was good to see that the meaning that was discovered in music in those amazing years, the late sixties and some of the seventies (but by 1975 it had been lost and forgotten I think) can still come across.

Watching people react to Jethro Tull music for the first time has long been one of my pleasures in life, but watching people react to their performance, especially Ian Anderson, is so very much better!!!

So glad you did this one!

It might seem different, but the band was always sober at the shows. There’s no other way to perform the excellent music.

I'm glad that you enjoyed Jethro Tull. You said you wish you could see Tull live. I went to his concerts in 1977,1978, and 1979. I attended his 1978 Concert at Madison Garden. He explained to the audience what would happen, otherwise people would have likely been upset. He opened with a few songs, then the band left the stage and the lights went down. The audience reacted as they did to encourage the band to come back out for another song. But as Anderson had explained, the concert was going to restart to be broadcast live in England on the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test TV show. So the lights came back up, the band came back on the stage but to those watching in England, it appeared that the concert was just starting. To understand some of his mannerisms, (and a flute instructor recorded her reactions to his flute playing) if you watch more of his flute portions, he uses guttural sounds while playing the flute. Listen to Jethro Tull's Aqualung song. The song describes the character of Aqualung and Anderson seems to incorporate some of the characteristics of Aqualung. (His one gesture that caught you by surprise would be just what a crude person like Aqualung would do.) My take of his strange vocals is his mixing of his character of Aqualung with his performance. Brings back many enjoyable memories having had the opportunity to watch Tull when they were at their peak.

One of the coolest videos on this great channel! Seeing the face of young Beth full of joy and surprise with what was produced when I was a child (and later young), is really priceless!

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Anderson is a terrific terrific guitar player (IMHO) but I think he realized he'd get much more attention being a top-three rock flautist than a top hundred rock guitarist.

Nice to see you discover one of the greatest bands of all time, not to mention one of the best frontmen and rock n’ roll poets to ever grace the stage. Seen them at least a dozen times. Keep in mind Ian is only 23 here. He picked up the flute after realizing he could never play guitar like Clapton. Ridiculous talent. And he only got better. I hope you will explore more Tull and their endlessly enjoyable music. Enjoy the journey.

Since 1973, i have seen this band 12 times. I had never seen this video. You, Beth are a delight to listen to on all of your productions, but you really were great company on this video. If you listen to his later works you will discover that his flute playing has gotten even better.! Thank you carina!

5:19 Her: "This is so much better than Anchorman" Me, who knows the flute solo is about to start: *cackles knowingly*

Ahhh...my early teen years, known for his humming/singing while playing....very interesting indeed. Wouldn't it have been interesting to see Ian and Joe Cocker on stage together? Thx for sharing with us Beth!!!

I saw Jethro Tull (for the eighth and last time I saw them 😟) on August 10, 1997 at Harbor Lights in Boston MA, USA on Ian Anderson's 50th birthday. There was no opening act, they were performing the album "Songs from the Wood" in it's entirety. After that, they had an intermission and then played all their greatest hits. As the band exited the stage to the right of us, a Bagpipist in full Scottish regalia came in from the left and started playing "Happy Birthday". The entire crowd, including myself, sang Happy Birthday to Ian Andersen on his 50th birthday. That is one of my all time greatest concert memories. He came back onstage and bowed to thunderous applause....good memories.... 😊

One of the most wonderful aspects of the performers who began their careers in the 1960s, particularly the UK bands of the era, was that they had a wide variety of influences from so many different forms of music. Folk, Jazz, Blues, R&B, religious, Classical, Rock 'n' Roll, US Girl Groups, anything you can imagine. They incorporated it all into their music and made it all so creative and innovative. In the early days of what was to become Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson looked at his peers and decided he needed something more than being just another guitarist. So he picked up the flute and taught himself how to play. His style is completely unorthodox and that makes it even more interesting as he pushes and breaks formal barriers. Something the best of the '60s had was a respect for tradition and a desire to make it into something new. I love your reactions to his showmanship. Anything goes and it's all in a love for, and fun with, the music. Above it all, Jethro Tull was always entertaining and no one could ask for more as a concert goer. If you're interested, there's another reactor on KZfaq who is a classically trained flautist from, I think, Norway. While you focus on Ian Anderson's voice and the show, she's watching his technique and style, doing things she never imagined doing on her instrument. Very cool Take care and stay safe, Beth. Thank you for another entertaining video ☺♥

I read somewhere he said he taught himself how to play the flute, and when he tried to help his daughter who was learning in school, she told him he was doing it wrong. He then relearned how to play properly with her.

Personally I like my Songs From The Wood but I'm that old.

Beth, I have been fortunate to have been able to see Jethro Tull several times in the past (both the Thick as a Brick tour and Minstrel in the Gallery tour as well as Songs From the Wood). All I can say is that it was never a disappointing time. Seeing them in concert was incredible, but seeing your reaction to this particular segment was truly priceless. Should you ever get the chance to see Ian in concert, I highly recommend that you attend. To even see him perform without the band will be highly entertaining.

Jethro Tull are the favorite bands of my parents and one of my favorites as well. Live, their music is an experience. If it the first time you heard them it an amazing trip to explore them more.

I had a sculpture professor in the late 80s who saw Jethro Tull open for Led Zeppelin on LZ's first U.S. tour. He said 'People went in LZ fans, and came out Jethro Tull fans.' They were a phenomenon. They were one of the most productive, creative, profitable and popular bands of the 70s. Tremendous stuff. Thanks so much for this reaction, it's a very interesting video to have checked out. You rule. And roar.

Your reaction is like an innocent lamb, rabbit in headlights! Very cute 😇

I am fortunate to say I saw Jethro Tull open for Led Zeppelin on 8-10-1969. Fortunate in two respects: 1. That I got to see these great bands. 2. That I’m still alive to talk about it.

Probably one of the most underrated bands along with the Moody blues. Wrote great music, played multiple instruments in very often would get almost symphonic in their sound. Great reaction

This song helped open my eyes about religion when I was 13 years old.

This was at The Isle Of Wight in 1970!

"Crazy Places", that is certainly Ian. I love watching people react to JT. I have seen them live more than any other band and as a flute player, have played their songs often. Ian is one pure genius, he literally speaks different languages through musical instruments. He is one of a kind. And Beth, I am impressed that you caught the roots of grunge in his voice.

It’s so nice and lovely to see your natural reaction to the unique Ian Anderson performance.

I watched them live back in 1991. I am a metalhead and this is far away from my usual taste,but omg it was so good...

When he started in with that unhinged virtuosity, your face went “loading screen” for a moment...

Hey Beth. I love it that you "Get" Jethro Tull straight away. That was my exact experience when I first heard them over 50 years ago. I still get that same feeling even now, and I enjoyed seeing you share the moment with us.

I grew up listening to thier music. My brother is named after Ian and I have seen them twice in concert. Thanks for the reaction video. It made me so happy!