Norwegian Progressive Psych Rockers Motorpsycho present a cover version of Jethro Tull’s “Up To Me” taken from the upcoming “Aqualung (Redux)” tribute, set to release along with “Best Of Jethro Tull Redux” companion album on December 06, 2024 via Magnetic Eye Records. Stream the track through the YouTube player below:
“Jethro Tull is a band that made a niche of their own. And pretty much stayed there. They caused a rash of flautists to take up space on stage with more heavy folk-rock bands than you could shake a stick at around 1972, before permanently going out of fashion a couple of years later. Huge in influence for a brief time and much loved by some, they were equally derided and scorned by others. Wonderfully original musical iconoclasts, like The Dead, Rush and a select few other True Legends of 70s rock, Jethro Tull’s orneriness and sense of self-sufficient control rang as true as Fugazi’s 20 years later, and have been as great an inspiration to Motorpsycho over the years.
My personal Tull window pretty much shuts after ‘A Passion Play.’ Not because there is a big change in the music, more because the ambition and self-confidence seemed to receede and diminish around that time. Along with the hair (someone should do something on Ian Anderson as a modern day Samson. Now, there’s a concept album!). A lead vocalist seemingly perpetually in selfdefense mode isn’t really sexy, much less cool, and from the mid-70s on, they somehow just seemed like bitter and serious men in search of some kind of validation, no matter how humorous and light they tried to appear.
But from 69 to 74 their roll was immaculate. If you ask me for favourite albums, I am torn between ‘Stand Up’ and ‘Thick As A Brick,’ but there’s a freshness and a humour in all this early stuff that is all really smart and really good.
It’s a pity they stayed curmudgeons when they first went down that road, and never eased off to became jolly old men instead, like they should’ve. They deserved to, because generations of weirdos love their strangely delightful music and that’s the best validation you can ever hope for in this business. Everything else you can buy, but a fan’s love is pure and true. And if that in itself isn’t enough, you’re in the wrong business, mate. Is there maybe more truth and self-awareness in the Aqualong character than we thought after all?
‘Up To Me’ is a quirky acoustic number on ‘Aqualung,’ and for me one of many highlights on a great album. We first tried to play it like we thought an electric Tull might’ve done it in 1971, but it just sounded respectful and flat – their decision to do it acoustically seemed a better one than ever before to us after trying for ourselves – but fooling around with a drum-machine and doing a less Geezer Butlery bass line than Cornick or Hammond-Hammond would’ve seemed to solve the issue. We eventually ended up with this frantic take that manages to blend our first impulse to something far more modern, and hopefully avoids becoming retro-for-the-sake-of-it and ‘too true to the original’ like many covers tend to do when you love the original too much.
So in the spirit of the original J.T. – at least it’s different!” – Bent Sæther/Motorpsycho
Jethro Tull are musical giants with a unique sound – or rather sounds that have remained singular in the canon of Rock music. Founded in Blackpool, Lancashire, in 1967 by the Scotsman Ian Anderson, the band has undergone several stylistic shifts and changes of image during their still ongoing career of many decades. Yet largely due to the characteristic voice of their frontman and the inclusion of a flute as an essential instrument, Jethro Tull have always had an inimitable and easily recognisable trademark sonic fingerprint.
“Aqualung (Redux)” presents new takes on all eleven tracks from Jethro Tull’s best-selling 1971 album that has by now sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. “Aqualung” achieved their breakthrough as a Rock band on radio and tv shows, and on tour. The lyrics of “Aqualung” primarily revolve around religion and faith but also tackle other subjects such as homelessness. Although it is often described as a concept album, “Aqualung” was never intended as such according to mastermind Ian Anderson. While the band continued to use elements of Blues, Hard Rock and Psychedelia, it also added more Folk style acoustic moments. The single track “Locomotive Breath,” taken from “Aqualung,” is probably the best known and most covered tune of Jethro Tull.
Along with “Aqualung (Redux),” we also present our “Best Of Jethro Tull Redux” companion album, which offers more classics and deep cuts from across the rest of the British rock legends’ extensive and unique catalogue. The Magnetic Eye Redux Series features hand-picked classic albums from across the history of Rock and Metal re-imagined in their entirety from start to finish. Artists we love from within and outside the Heavy Rock landscape choose tracks to make their own, bringing these milestone records into the new millennium with crushing heaviness and searing energy. To date, we’ve produced Redux editions of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” Helmet’s “Meantime,” Black Sabbath’s “Vol. 4,” Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland,” Alice In Chains’ “Dirt,” AC/DC’s “Back In Black” and Soundgarden’s “Superunknown” which have included artists like Red Fang, Matt Pike, Pallbearer, The Melvins, All Them Witches, Khemmis, ASG, Supersuckers, Zakk Wylde, Mark Lanegan, Ruby The Hatchet and many other amazing artists.
Join us for our eighth foray into Redux territory as we pay proper respect to the singular British Rock innovators Jethro Tull!
Pre-Order both compilations here: https://en.spkr.media/
Tracklist:
01. Chris Goss & Alain Johannes – Aqualung
02. The Well – Cross-Eyed Mary
03. Osi And The Jupiter – Cheap Day Return
04. Huntsmen – Mother Goose
05. The Otolith – Wond’ring Aloud
06. Motorpsycho – Up To Me
07. Big Scenic Nowhere – My God
08. Saturna – Hymn 43
09. Mammoth Volume – Slipstream
10. The Sword – Locomotive Breath
11. Domkraft & Arvid Hällagård – Wind-Up