2017 - September 18 - Aqualung

Today's song is one of those songs that I had heard of for much longer than I actually have heard it. The opening riff and following lyrics... "Sitting on a park bench" That was really all I knew. But after several listens, the reason it has been considered a prog-folk classic is obvious. The song is Aqualung by Jethro Tull. It is without Ian Anderson's trademark flute, but his voice and acoustic guitar is prominent. The lineup for the Aqualung album from 1971 featured Martin Barre as lead guitarist, he has played on every studio album except the debut, This Was from 1968, and was for the longest time the one consistent member along with Ian Anderson, who is the only member who has been in every single lineup. Rounding out the band for Aqualung were John Evan on keyboards, Jeffrey Hammond on bass, and Clive Bunker on drums. The album is really great, but the opening track - and the opening riff... Wow!