Thick As A Brick only had one song- the entire album. I recently acquired a thirty-year-old version of a MoFi numbered, limited edition, half speed mastered audiophile LP that sounds the best of all. As soon as I was able, I bought the album-which I still have. I recorded it on a portable cassette player and literally hung the player on the handlebars of my bicycle so I could listen to it while riding through the neighborhood. I first heard this album at a friend’s house in 1972. If you were thinking Thick As A Brick, you would be correct. My all time favorite and one to which I still listen regularly is from the English band Jethro Tull. Along with Wakeman’s own band, The London Symphony Orchestra (lso.co.uk) and the English Chamber Choir (all blend perfectly together for a certified gold masterpiece. On the album cover is Wakeman with his long blond hair dressed in a white choir vestment and surrounded by keyboards. Conceptually, it was based on Jules Vern’s book of the same title. Few, if any, rock and roll works have reached this level of success.Īnother one of my favorites was Rick Wakeman, Journey To The Center Of The Earth. The movie, released in 1975, starred the likes of Ann Margaret, Jack Nicholson, Eric Clapton and Elton John. So successful has this creation been, in addition to being available for forty-five years since it’s 1969 release as an LP, CD, SACD or download, Tommy has been a movie, performed on Broadway, and an opera.

Pete Townshend’s masterpiece tells the story about a deaf, dumb and blind kid with a masterful talent for pinball.

Perhaps the best known Rock Opera is Tommyby The Who. Rather, this was an entire rock album dedicated to one theme or story.

Despite what you may be thinking, the opera part is not opera like you might expect. Twitter Facebook Email Print LinkedIn Pinterest SMS WhatsAppīack in the 1970’s there was an occasional classification of music called Rock and Roll Opera.

Jethro tull rock opera review