This Was
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| This Was | ||
|---|---|---|
| LP by Jethro Tull | ||
| Released | 1968 | |
| Recorded | June 13, 1968 - August 23, 1968 | |
| Genre | British blues | |
| Length | 42 min 55 s | |
| Record label | Island Records (UK), Reprise Records (US) | |
| Producers | Terry Ellis and Jethro Tull | |
| Professional reviews | ||
| Allen Evans, New Musical Express | Favorable | October 26, 1968 (http://www.tullpress.com/nme26oct68.htm) |
| Melody Maker | Favorable | November 2, 1969 (http://www.tullpress.com/mm2nov68.htm) |
| Jethro Tull Chronology | ||
| (none) | This Was (1968) | Stand Up (1969) |
This Was (1968) is the first album by the rock band Jethro Tull. Recorded at a cost of only 1200 British pounds, the album was definitely the work of amateurs on the rock music scene. One might therefore believe it to be mainly of interest to historians of rock music. Nevertheless, some of the songs reveal the kind of inventiveness that characterizes the band's later work. The album received generally favorable reviews and sold well upon its release. In the documentary film of the Woodstock Festival, portions of the song "Beggar's Farm" may be heard on the PA system, indicating that the album had achieved some notice in the United States.
Unlike their later albums, vocalist Ian Anderson shared songwriting chores with guitarist Mick Abrahams. The album overall has more of a rhythm and blues feel than the progressive rock feel the band is better known for.
Abrahams left the group following this album.
Jethro Tull's next album was Stand Up.
Personnel
- Ian Anderson: Vocals, flute, mouth organ, claghorn, piano
- Mick Abrahams: Vocals, guitar, nine-string guitar
- Clive Bunker: Drums, hooter and charm bracelet (these last two may be jokes)
- Glenn Cornick: Bass guitar
Track listing
This Was was remastered in 2001 and released with three tracks not on the original album.
- "My Sunday Feeling" (Ian Anderson)
- "Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You" (Anderson)
- "Beggar's Farm" (Mick Abrahams/Anderson)
- "Move on Along" (Abrahams)
- "Serenade to a Cuckoo" (Roland Kirk)
- "Dharma for One" (Anderson/Bunker)
- "It's Breaking Me Up" (Anderson)
- "Cat's Squirrel" (Traditional, arranged by Abrahams)
- "A Song for Jeffrey" (Anderson)
- "Round" (Anderson/Abrahams/Clive Bunker/Glenn Cornick/Terry Ellis)
- "One for John Gee" (Abrahams) (2001 remaster)
- "Love Story" (Anderson) (2001 remaster)
- "Christmas Song" (Anderson) (2001 remaster)