Jethro Tull - This Was


Year of Release: 2001
Label: Chrysalis-Capitol
Catalog Number: 35459
Format: CD
Total Time: 45:20:00

This Was (1968) was the beginning for Jethro Tull. I think most fans of the group today don't realize that they were heavily influenced by the blues on their first outing. There was Ian Anderson's unique vocal style and flute playing to suggest a slight progressive mindset within the framework of their sound at the time, but it's primarily the blues that reigned supreme. The group changed suddenly after this release, as the departure of lead guitarist Mick Abrahams required the group to look for a replacement. That change would be enormous in the development of the Jethro Tull sound.

"My Sunday Feeling" leads off the set with the familiar Tull musings. On instrumentals such as "Serenade To A Cuckoo" and "Dharma For One" the group showed how adept they were by incorporating jazz and blues into their sound. Anderson's flute gave them a uniqueness that nobody else in rock music could claim. The classic blues tune "Cat's Squirrel" is a fine rocker, once again showing the many colors of the group's makeup. Instrumentals were to become much more complex in later years (Listen to Thick As A Brick).

This may seem like a dated back-catalog album offering, although in actuality it is a priceless gift of historical importance to the group, and an exemplary listening experience for all of those who appreciate Jethro Tull and have an interest in understanding how the group was born and why they developed into one the most successful rock groups of all time. The bonus tracks are always a delight, the sound is superb, and Ian Anderson's wistful and wry commentary in the liner notes is a joy. Let it be noted that his guidance in the remastering process was key in making this entire project a success. And to think that this is only the beginning, we all have a lot to be excited about and a lot to look forward to in the near future with these fine remastered versions of their catalog.

First released in the UK in 1968 by Island (ILP 985); 1969 in the US by Reprise (RS6336); reissued again in 2008 by EMI


Tracklisting:
My Sunday Feeling (3:43) / Some Day The Sun Won't Shine For You (2:49) / Beggar's Farm (4:19) / Move On Alone (1:58) / Serenade To A Cuckoo (6:07) / Dharma For One (4:15) / It's Breaking Me Up (5:04) / Cat's Squirrel (5:42) / A Song For Jeffrey (3:22) / Round (1:03) / Bonus Tracks: One For John Gee (2:06) / Love Story (3:06) / Christmas Song (3:06)

Musicians:
Ian Anderson - glute, guitar, harmonica, piano, horn, vocals, mouth organ
Mick Abrahams - guitar, arranger, vocals, 9-string guitar
Clive Bunker - drums, hooter
Glen Cornick - bass<

Discography:
This Was (1968)
Stand Up (1969)
Benefit (1970)
Aqualung (1971)
Thick As A Brick (1972)
Living In The Past (1972)
A Passion Play (1973)
War Child (1974)
Minstrel In The Gallery (1975)
M.U. The Best Of (1976)
Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll: Too Young To Die (1976)
Songs From The Wood (1977)
Repeat - The Best Of Jethro Tull Vol 2 (1977)
Heavy Horses (1978)
Bursting Out - Live (1978)
Stormwatch (1979/2004)
'A' (1980)
The Broadsword And The Beast (1982/2005)
Under Wraps (1984)
Original Masters (1985)
Crest Of A Knave (1987/2005)
20 Years Of Jethro Tull (1988)
Rock Island (1988)
Catfish Rising (1991)
A Little Light Music (1992)
The Anniversary Collection (1993)
25th Anniversary Box Set (1993)
Nightcap (1995)
Roots To Branches (1995)
J-Tull Dot Com (1999)
The Very Best Of (2001)
Living With The Past (2002)
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)
Classic Masters (2003)
Stand Up/This Was (2003)
Essential (2003)
Nothing Is Easy: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004)
Aqualung Live (2005)
Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson (2005)
Extended Versions (2006)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2007)
The Best Of Acoustic Jethro Tull (2007)
Living With The Past/Nothing Is Easy (2008)
This Was (expanded) (2008)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004/2008)
The Anniversary Collection/A New Day Yesterday (2008)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2008)
Live At Madison Square Garden (2009)
Christmas Album (2009)
Live In Switzerland 2003 (LP) (2014)
A Passion Play - An Extended Performance (2014)
War Child - 40th Anniversary Theatre Edition (2014)
Minstrel In The Gallery - 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition (2015)

Living With The Past (DVD) (2002)
A New Day Yesterday: 1969-1994 - The 25th Anniversary Collection (VID/DVD) (1994/2003/4)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (DVD) (2005) Live At Montreux 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Jack In The Green - Live In Germany (DVD) (2008)
Live In Bethlehem, PA, 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Their Full Authorized Story (DVD) (2009)
Live At AVO Session 2008 (DVD) (2009)
Live At Madison Square Garden (DVD) (rec 1978, rel 2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: July 30th 2002
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck

Artist website: www.jethrotull.com
Hits: 2577
Language: english

  

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