35. AQUALUNG

Jethro Tull

GUITARIST: MARTIN BARRE (1971)

Melodicism and gorgeous tone.

“Ian [] wrote the riff and verses to the song ‘Aqualung,’ about the title track to Jethro Tull’s fourth album, cut in part at London’s Island Studios. “I said, ‘Why don’t we just play the verse chords in half-time for the first part of the solo, then pick it back up for the rest of the solo?’ It was a simple solution that really worked.” Most remarkable is that the solo — played on a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Junior through a 100-watt Hiwatt head into Hiwatt 4x12 cabinets — was nailed in one take. “We were dealing with 24 tracks, and there wasn’t the availability that you have now for keeping endless takes and having the luxury of picking the best solo.” The pressure was on… which is when Jimmy Page entered the control room. Led Zeppelin were in Island’s basement studio, making . “And here was Jimmy, waving like mad: ‘Hey, Martin!’ And I’m thinking, I can’t wave back or I’m going to blow the solo!” He didn’t, and it stands today as a testament to his melodicism… and focus.