Locomotive Breath
Encyclopedia
"Locomotive Breath" is a song by the English
progressive rock
band Jethro Tull
from their 1971
album, Aqualung. It is notable for a long bluesy piano introduction (particularly during live performances) and its flute solo by rock flute virtuoso Ian Anderson
. The lyrics use the imagery of an impending and unavoidable train wreck as an allegorical portrayal of a man's life falling apart. The song receives frequent airplay on classic rock
radio station
s. It was covered by W.A.S.P.
on the reissue of their 1989 album The Headless Children
(as a bonus track), Styx
on their 2005 album Big Bang Theory, and Helloween
on their 1999 album Metal Jukebox
. A Swedish rock band, formed in 1995 by Janne Stark
, takes its name from the song.
The term "locomotive breath" ostensibly refers to the steam
ejected from a steam locomotive
's piston
s, which provided a characteristic foggy atmosphere and metallic odor to 19th-century train station platforms. It also implies that the protagonist of the song is a chain smoker.
and vocal parts in addition to bass drum
, hi-hat
, acoustic guitar
and some electric guitar
parts. Then John Evan
's piano parts were recorded; Clive Bunker
added the rest of the drums and Martin Barre
finished the electric guitar parts. All of these recordings were then overdubbed onto each other because Anderson was finding it difficult to communicate his musical ideas about the song to the other band members.
- Flute
, Lead Vocals, Bass Drum
, Hi-Hat, Acoustic Guitar
, Electric Guitar
John Evan
- Piano
Martin Barre
- Electric Guitar
Jeffrey Hammond
- Bass Guitar
Clive Bunker
- Drums
It is also on the video Slipstream
.
This list only includes non-bootleg Jethro Tull albums.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
from their 1971
1971 in music
-Events:*February 1 – after months of feuding in the press, Ginger Baker and Elvin Jones hold a "drum battle" at The Lyceum.*February 8 – Bob Dylan's hour-long documentary film, Eat the Document, is premièred at New York's Academy of Music...
album, Aqualung. It is notable for a long bluesy piano introduction (particularly during live performances) and its flute solo by rock flute virtuoso Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson (musician)
Ian Scott Anderson, MBE is a Scottish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work as the leader and flautist of British rock band Jethro Tull.-Early life:...
. The lyrics use the imagery of an impending and unavoidable train wreck as an allegorical portrayal of a man's life falling apart. The song receives frequent airplay on classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s. It was covered by W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982. They emerged from the same Los Angeles scene that spawned Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Quiet Riot and others. The band's popularity peaked in the 1980s, yet they continue to record and tour, making them one of the most enduring of the West Coast heavy...
on the reissue of their 1989 album The Headless Children
The Headless Children
The Headless Children is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band W.A.S.P., released by Capitol Records in 1989. It is now the highest selling W.A.S.P. album to date , producing 3 UK Top 40 hit singles, with 'Mean Man' missing the top 20 by one spot...
(as a bonus track), Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
on their 2005 album Big Bang Theory, and Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
on their 1999 album Metal Jukebox
Metal Jukebox
-Personnel:*Andi Deris - vocals*Michael Weikath - guitar*Roland Grapow - guitar*Markus Grosskopf - bass*Uli Kusch - drums...
. A Swedish rock band, formed in 1995 by Janne Stark
Janne Stark
Janne Stark is a Swedish guitarist, writer and author.-Biography:Stark recorded his first 7" single with the band Paradize in 1979, then formed the band Overdrive in 1980. He released the 12" MLP Reflexions in 1981, after which the band was signed by Planet Records and released the albums Metal...
, takes its name from the song.
The term "locomotive breath" ostensibly refers to the steam
Steam
Steam is the technical term for water vapor, the gaseous phase of water, which is formed when water boils. In common language it is often used to refer to the visible mist of water droplets formed as this water vapor condenses in the presence of cooler air...
ejected from a steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
's piston
Piston
A piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from...
s, which provided a characteristic foggy atmosphere and metallic odor to 19th-century train station platforms. It also implies that the protagonist of the song is a chain smoker.
Production
"Locomotive Breath" was recorded in a rather unusual manner: The entire track was pieced together from overdubs; most of the parts of the song were recorded separately. Ian Anderson did his normal fluteFlute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
and vocal parts in addition to bass drum
Bass drum
Bass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
, hi-hat
Hi-hat
A hi-hat, or hihat, is a type of cymbal and stand used as a typical part of a drum kit by percussionists in R&B, hip-hop, disco, jazz, rock and roll, house, reggae and other forms of contemporary popular music.- Operation :...
, acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
and some electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
parts. Then John Evan
John Evan
John Evan , played keyboards for Jethro Tull from April 1970 to June 1980. He was educated at King's College London....
's piano parts were recorded; Clive Bunker
Clive Bunker
Clive William Bunker is a British rock drummer. He was the original drummer in the British band Jethro Tull....
added the rest of the drums and Martin Barre
Martin Barre
Martin Lancelot Barre is an English rock musician.Barre has been the guitarist for rock band Jethro Tull since 1969. He has appeared on every Jethro Tull album except their debut This Was...
finished the electric guitar parts. All of these recordings were then overdubbed onto each other because Anderson was finding it difficult to communicate his musical ideas about the song to the other band members.
Personnel
Ian AndersonIan Anderson
Ian Anderson may refer to:* In music:**Ian Anderson , head of the rock band Jethro Tull**Ian A. Anderson , folk musician and editor of Roots magazine**Ian M...
- Flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, Lead Vocals, Bass Drum
Bass drum
Bass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
, Hi-Hat, Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, Electric Guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
John Evan
John Evan
John Evan , played keyboards for Jethro Tull from April 1970 to June 1980. He was educated at King's College London....
- Piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
Martin Barre
Martin Barre
Martin Lancelot Barre is an English rock musician.Barre has been the guitarist for rock band Jethro Tull since 1969. He has appeared on every Jethro Tull album except their debut This Was...
- Electric Guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
Jeffrey Hammond
Jeffrey Hammond
Jeffrey Hammond sometimes credited as Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, is a former bass guitar player for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull....
- Bass Guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Clive Bunker
Clive Bunker
Clive William Bunker is a British rock drummer. He was the original drummer in the British band Jethro Tull....
- Drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Other Than Aqualung
Locomotive Breath has been featured on many albums other than Aqualung:- Living in the PastLiving in the Past (album)Living in the Past is a double album quasi-compilation collection by Jethro Tull which contains album tracks, outtakes, the "Life Is A Long Song" EP, and all of their singles non-lp tracks except "Aeroplane", "Sunshine Day", "One For John Gee", "17" and the original United Kingdom version of...
- M.U. - The Best of Jethro TullM.U. - The Best of Jethro TullM.U. – The Best of Jethro Tull, released in 1976, is the first proper greatest hits album by Jethro Tull. It spans the years 1969-75. The earlier Living in the Past compilation mainly dealt with non-album material, but this album only features one previously unreleased song, "Rainbow Blues"."M.U."...
- Bursting OutBursting OutBursting Out is a 1978 live album by rock band Jethro Tull. It was recorded at various locations during the European Heavy Horses tour of May and June 1978, but it is not certain where each track was recorded...
(Live) - A Classic CaseA Classic CaseA Classic Case is the 16th album by Jethro Tull, playing with the London Symphony Orchestra, released in 1985. The music was arranged and conducted by David Palmer. The album features band members Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, Dave Pegg and Peter-John Vettese.The album was recorded during the...
- 20 Years of Jethro Tull20 Years of Jethro Tull-Disc two:Flawed Gems and Other Sides Of Tull-Disc three:The Essential Tull-LP Track listing:The track numbers shown below are for the five LP set...
- Rock IslandRock Island (album)Rock Island is the 17th studio album by the British rock group Jethro Tull, released in 1989.The album continued the hard rock direction the band took on the previous effort, Crest of a Knave...
(Only as a bonus track on the 2006 remastered edition) - Live at Hammersmith '84Live at Hammersmith '84Live at Hammersmith '84 is a live album by Jethro Tull, recorded on Sunday September 9, 1984 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. It was the fourth release in an official series of similar, radio-archive releases by several bands , this title being released in 1990...
(Live) - Original MastersOriginal MastersOriginal Masters is a greatest hits album by Jethro Tull released under Chrysalis Records in 1985. It was the band's third such effort, the first two being M.U. - The Best of Jethro Tull and Repeat - The Best of Jethro Tull - Vol II...
- Through the YearsThrough the Years (Jethro Tull)Through the Years is a compilation album by the progressive rock band Jethro Tull. It is something of a retrospective; with songs from many different periods in the band's history...
(Live) - A Little Light MusicA Little Light MusicA Little Light Music is a Jethro Tull live album. All songs were recorded during the A Little Light Music European concert tour of May 1992. There are two versions of this album. The second version was printed in Italy and is marketed and distributed only in Italy and Greece...
(Live) - Living with the PastLiving with the PastLiving with the Past is a live album by Jethro Tull. Disc one contains material from the Hammersmith Apollo performance on November 20, 2001 and features songs from different eras of Tull's history as well as two pieces from Ian Anderson's solo albums: "The Habanero Reel" from The Secret Language...
(Live) - 20 Years of Jethro Tull: Highlights20 Years of Jethro Tull: Highlights20 Years of Jethro Tull: Highlights is a 21-track distillation of the Jethro Tull box set 20 Years of Jethro Tull.It was released in the US on January 16, 1989, a few months after the original UK release.-Track listing:-See also:...
- The Extended Versions
- 36 All-Time Greatest Hits
- The Best of Jethro Tull
- The Very Best of Jethro TullThe Very Best of Jethro TullThe Very Best of Jethro Tull is a greatest hits album by Jethro Tull. It includes some of the band's biggest hits from 1969 to the present day...
- Aqualung LiveAqualung LiveAqualung Live is a live album by Jethro Tull,a live performance of Aqualung before an audience of 40invited guests at XM Studios in Washington, D.C.....
- 100% Classic Rock (The Pure Gold Collection)
- Live At Montreux 2003 (Jethro Tull)Live At Montreux 2003 (Jethro Tull)Live At Montreux 2003 is a video and an album by British rock band Jethro Tull, released in 2007. It shows footage of the concert Montreux Jazz Festival where the band played in 2003.-CD 1:# Some Day The Sun Won’t Shine For You ...
(Live) - Ian Anderson Plays the Orchestral Jethro TullIan Anderson Plays the Orchestral Jethro TullIan Anderson Plays the Orchestral Jethro Tull is an album and DVD by Jethro Tull frontmanIan Anderson, featuring the Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt, conducted by John O'Hara. The DVD was recorded at the Rosengarten in Mannheim on December 8, 2004....
(Live)
It is also on the video Slipstream
Slipstream (Jethro Tull)
Slipstream is a video by Jethro Tull, recorded during the 1980 A tour.It was originally released on VHS, Capacitance Electronic Disc, and laserdisc, and was released on DVDin Brazil in 2003. It is also includedin the bonus dvd edition of A...
.
This list only includes non-bootleg Jethro Tull albums.