Jethro Tull - Aqualung (Full album 1971)

“Aqualung” is the fourth studio album by the rock band Jethro Tull. Released in 1971, “Aqualung”, despite the band's disagreement, is regarded as a concept album featuring a central theme of "the distinction between religion and God". The album's "dour musings on faith and religion" have marked it as "one of the most cerebral albums ever to reach millions of rock listeners". “Aqualung”'s success signalled a turning point in the band's career, which went on to become a major radio and touring act.
Recorded at Island Records' studio in London, it was their first album with John Evan as a full-time member, their first with new bassist Jeffrey Hammond, and last album featuring Clive Bunker on drums. Something of a departure from the band's previous work, the album features more acoustic material than previous releases; and—inspired by photographs of homeless people on the Thames Embankment taken by singer Ian Anderson's wife Jennie—contains a number of recurring themes, addressing religion along with Anderson's own personal experiences.
“Aqualung” has sold more than seven million units worldwide, and is thus Jethro Tull's best-selling album. The album was generally well-received critically and has been included on several music magazine best-of lists. The album spawned two singles, "Hymn 43" and "Locomotive Breath".

“Aqualung” este al patrulea album de studio al trupei de rock Jethro Tull. Lansat in 1971, “Aqualung”, in ciuda dezacordurilor din trupa, este privit ca un album de conceptie, figurand o tema central a “distinctiei intre religie si Dumnezeu”. “Indrazneala albumului pe tema religiei si credintei” l-a marcat ca “unul dintre cele mai cerebrale albume din toate timpurile, care a castigat milioane de ascultatori rock”. Succesul lui “Aqualung” a semnalat un punct de cotitura in istoria carierei trupei, care va deveni ceva major in domeniul radioului si al turneelor.
Inregistrat la studiourile Island Records in Londra, a fost primul lor album cu John Evan membru deplin, cu noul lor basist Jeffrey Hammond si ultimul cu Clive Bunker la tobe. Ca o departare de munca anterioara a trupei, albumul figureaza mai mult material acustic decat lansarile anterioare; si –inspirat de fotografiile celor fara adapost de pe cheiul de imbarcare de pe Tamisa, facute de sotia lui Ian Anderson, Jennie-contine un numar de teme care se repeta, adresate religiei impreuna cu experientele personale ale lui Anderson.
“Aqualung” s-a vandut in peste sapte milioane de exemplare in lumea larga si astfel este cel mai bine vandut album al trupei. Albumul a fost, in general, bine primit si in cateva reviste de muzica a fost inclus pe lista celor mai bune. Doua single-uri, “Hymn 43: si “Locomotive Breath” au fost lansate de pe album.

List of tracks

Side 1: Aqualung

1.       "Aqualung" (Ian Anderson, Jennie Anderson)        6:34

2.       "Cross-Eyed Mary"          4:06

3.       "Cheap Day Return"        1:21

4.       "Mother Goose"    3:51

5.       "Wond'ring Aloud"          1:53

6.       "Up to Me"   3:15

Side 2: My God

1.       "My God"     7:08

2.       "Hymn 43"   3:14

3.       "Slipstream"          1:13

4.       "Locomotive Breath"       4:23

5.       "Wind-Up"   6:01

Personnel

Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson – vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, producer

Martin Barre – electric guitar, descant recorder

Jeffrey Hammond (as "Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond") – bass guitar, alto recorder, odd voices, backing vocals (on "Mother Goose")

John Evan – piano, organ, Mellotron

Clive Bunker – drums and percussion

Additional personnel

Glenn Cornick – bass guitar (played with the band at rehearsals for the album in June 1970, some of which may also have been recording sessions – particularly early versions of "My God" and "Wondring Again/Wondring Aloud" – although he is not credited on the album)[6]

John Burns – recording engineer

David Palmer – orchestral arrangements and conducting

Burton Silverman – album artwork

Terry Ellis – executive producer