Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson appears as guest on “The Real Deal” Friday, May 24

Mike Lytle, host of “The Real Deal” music show on KKFI reports that “Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull has finally agreed to be on my show! We are taping this just prior to its airing on Friday, May 24 for his July 13 show at Kaufman Center!!! Ian tells me he will be playing ‘Thick As A Brick’ in its entirety followed by his latest release ‘Thick As A Brick 2’ ….. Wow ! If you have any good questions you want me to ask him, please let me know. I’m calling it the ‘Ian-terview’!!”

Here’s a report from Ian Anderson and his crew:

Ian Anderson’s tour will feature a more theatrical production with video and additional musicians, including Ian’s band: bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O’Hara, drummer Scott Hammond, and wunderkind guitarist Florian Opahle– all of whom have performed with Ian on his solo dates over the years as well as having performed at various times as members of Jethro Tull. British singer Ryan O’Donnell, who has been active in the UK theatrical scene will also be singing.  Ian added the young performer as he wants to perform vocals and instrument parts as they appeared on the original THICK AS A BRICK.

Ian’s new album, THICK AS A BRICK 2 (TAAB2) also features David, John, Scott, and Florian. It was produced by Ian Anderson and mixed by Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson (who also re-mixed Jethro Tull’s AQUALUNG-Special Edition, released this past fall.)

TAAB2 answers the question 40 years later, whatever happened to Gerald Bostock (the person credited with writing the lyrics for THICK AS A BRICK, which hit number one on the US Billboard Pop Albums chart. With the first THICK AS A BRICK, Jethro Tull broadened rock beyond the limitations of the short song format).  Ian Anderson says  “Part two” gave him a chance to wonder, “how we baby-boomers look back on our own lives, and often feel an occasional ‘what-if’ moment. Might we, like Gerald, have become instead preacher, soldier, down-and-out, shopkeeper or finance tycoon?”  

Since 1972, the original THICK AS A BRICK has never been performed in its entirety although a few minutes of the material have been a regular repertoire staple in both Tull and IA solo shows over the years.

After 45 years of leading Tull to 54 countries worldwide and over 60 million albums sold, Ian Anderson celebrates these true progressive rock classics with old and new fans across world-wide. Ian is known as the flute, voice and composer of the legendary Jethro Tull which formed in England in 1968. Since their first performance at London’s famous Marquee Club in 1968, the band has released 30 studio and live albums and earned a prominent place in rock history.

Ian Anderson will be performing at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, in Kansas City, on July 13 at 7:30 PM. Ticket prices range from $39 to $69.

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