 |
|
Talking
English
Your Passport to Better Language Communication |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jethro Tull
Regular readers of this column will recall that in 2006 I went to see Whitesnake and Gary Moore in concert at Helsinki Ice Hall. On both occasions I was very unhappy with the tinny sound quality, poor view and atmosphere in general. I even vowed not to waste my time and money travelling to Helsinki for a concert again. So when my girlfriend, a flute enthusiast, announced that she wanted to go and see Jethro Tull, I was not best pleased.
The original Jethro Tull (1672 – 1741) was an English agricultural pioneer. He helped transform agricultural practices by inventing or improving numerous implements, the most notable being the seed drill, which he invented in 1701. Before the seed drill was introduced seeds were sown simply by being cast upon the ground to germinate (or fail to germinate) where they landed. The seed drill significantly improved this process by creating a hole of specific depth, dropping in a seed, and covering it over, three rows at a time. The result was an increased rate of germination, and a much-improved crop yield.
Hailed as the biggest band on the planet in 1971, the modern incarnation of Jethro Tull was ‘born’ in Blackpool, England in the 1960s. Following an unsuccessful single, "Sunshine Day", on which the band’s name was misspelled Jethro Toe, Jethro Tull became only the third band signed by the Chrysalis record label. Total record sales now top 60 million.
Ian Anderson, the band’s leading performer, has pioneered the flute (which he likes to play standing on one leg) as a rock instrument, making it his trademark emblem. He also plays the acoustic guitar, mandolin, mandocello and harmonica. Now in his 60s Anderson is a true showman and entertainer with more energy and enthusiasm than many musicians half his age.
The band blends various themes into its refreshingly different lyrics and musical style, including elements of classical, Celtic folk music and art rock. One of the many concert highlights was a startling arrangement of "Bourée", one of Tull's better-known songs and a re-working of Bourrée in E minor by J.S. Bach. The concert also featured an improbable yet dazzling screaming heavy metal guitar and flute duet. The added bonus was the concert being staged in Finlandia House, making the sound quality first class and not just a loud indistinguishable deafening thud – individual sounds could be heard with a clarity that the Helsinki Ice Hall can only dream of.
In 1988 Jethro Tull caused one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Grammy Awards. No one can dispute that Jethro Tull deserved a Grammy, the problem was that they won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. The album ‘Crest of a Knave’ featuring the single Budapest (yet another highlight of the Helsinki show) sounds very much like Dire Straits and is most definitely not heavy metal. Fans of Metallica were most upset.
After the show and while researching for this article, I discovered that Anna Phoebe accompanied Jethro Tull on the English leg of the 2007 tour. Born in Germany, Anna is a former director and Solo Violinist of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. In addition to playing 6-string and acoustic violins, with Jethro Tull, Anna has been hired by many musians including Nitin Sawney, Le Ann Rimes, George Michael and Sean “P Diddy” Combs.
Thanks to Finland’s position as a gateway to Russia and the East and the success of the Eurovision Song Contest, an ever increasing number of major international acts are now touring Finland – urhh well, Helsinki. Once again, I encourage the entrepreneurs of Lahti and venue managers to attract these bands to Lahti. In 35 years of touring, Jethro Tull has now played in excess of 2,700 concerts in over 40 countries including the 2002 orchestra tour. It would be great if the next time they play in Finland they are backed by a full orchestra – in Lahti perhaps?
Mike Bangle is the owner of Talking English language consultancy and can be contacted at mike.bangle(at)phnet.fi
Word List
|
|
|
|