Home › Genres & Styles › Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick and a Passion Play: Inside Two Long Songs
  • Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick and a Passion Play: Inside Two Long Songs by Tim Smolko book cover
1 1

Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick and a Passion Play: Inside Two Long Songs

by Tim Smolko

Be the first to review this book

A close study of Jethro Tull’s two album-length compositions

$31.11 USD
$31.11 USD $31.11 USD

Paperback New English

Format

Print BookAvailable Hardcover $82.04 USD
Print BookCurrently viewing Paperback $31.11 USD
Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.
Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

A close study of Jethro Tull’s two album-length compositions

Tim Smolko examines Thick as a Brick (1972) and A Passion Play (1973) as ambitious continuous-song works within Jethro Tull’s progressive-rock catalog. The book concentrates on how their large-scale forms, changing instrumentation, and intricate arrangements bring together rock with classical, folk, jazz, and world-music traditions. Drawing on insights from Ian Anderson alongside detailed musical analysis, it places both albums in relation to the band’s broader cultural influence and the concept-album tradition. This is a focused exploration of two recordings, emphasizing their construction and musical scope rather than offering a general history of the group.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Listeners interested in Jethro Tull and 1970s progressive rock
  • Music students and enthusiasts seeking detailed album analysis
  • Readers interested in concept albums and rock’s cross-genre influences

Themes

Progressive rockConcept albumsMusical form and arrangementJethro TullRock and classical, folk, jazz, and world-music influences

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Since the 1960s, British progressive rock band Jethro Tull has pushed the technical and compositional boundaries of rock music by infusing its musical output with traditions drawn from classical, folk, jazz, and world music. The release of Thick as a Brick (1972) and A Passion Play (1973) won the group legions of new followers and topped the Billboard charts in the United States, among the most unusual albums ever to do so. Tim Smolko explores the large-scale form, expansive instrumentation, and complex arrangements that characterize these two albums, each composed of one continuous song. Featuring insights from Ian Anderson and in-depth musical analysis, Smolko discusses the band's influence on popular culture and why many consider Thick as a Brick and A Passion Play to be two of the greatest concept albums in rock history.

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

You may also like

View all