Ian Anderson’s strong urge to release new Jethro Tull album
Ian Anderson, the lead vocalist, lyricist, and flautist of the rock band Jethro Tull, recently opened up about the feelings of “desperation” he experienced when creating the band’s latest album. The album, titled Curious Ruminant, is a nine-track record set to be released on March 7. Anderson shared that the decision to create a new album often came unexpectedly when the time felt right.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind Curious Ruminant, Anderson revealed, “It’s a mixture of desperation, in the sense of growing much older and knowing that if I don’t crack on with it now, there might not be a second chance.” He described the creative process as feeling both desperate and exhilarating. Anderson highlighted the significance of engaging in the creative process and how it organically evolves over time, building momentum.
The singer-songwriter emphasized that the latest album “evolved into being,” with all the lyrics being written within a few weeks. He expressed a shift in his songwriting, moving towards more personal reflections and views as opposed to storytelling. Anderson shared the story behind the first song on the album, which originated from a demo of a flute duet created in 2007. This forgotten demo was rediscovered by his son, prompting Anderson to revisit and complete the piece.
Reflecting on Jethro Tull’s early days in London in the 1960s, Anderson acknowledged that his unique inclusion of the flute in a rock band garnered attention. He described the group as quirky and odd, embodying a sense of competition with himself to continually evolve and surpass past achievements.
The album features former keyboardist Andrew Giddings and drummer James Duncan, alongside current band members David Goodier, John O’Hara, Scott Hammond, and guitarist Jack Clark, who is making his recording debut with the band. Jethro Tull recently achieved their first top 10 on the Official Albums Chart in 50 years with The Zealot Gene. This milestone marked a resurgence in the band’s popularity since 1972’s Living In The Past.
Established in 1968 in Luton, Bedfordshire, Jethro Tull has released over 30 albums and produced hits such as Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, and Cross-Eyed Mary. The band’s musical influences span genres, including folk, classical, blues, and jazz, showcasing their diverse and evolving sound.
Overall, Ian Anderson’s reflections offer a glimpse into the creative process behind the band’s latest album and the timeless appeal of Jethro Tull’s music across decades of musical evolution.