THE BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST

In the fall of 1981 the recording sessions started for a new album. Martin Barre and Dave Pegg stayed on, while keyboard player Peter-John Vettese and drummer Gerry Conway (he worked with Cat Stevens) joined. Over the four years to come Peter-John would become a very influential member of the band and contributed so much to the new album, that he was credited for it on the cover. His arrival coincided with a very fruitful period of songwriting. A few months later a series of twenty songs were recorded, from which ten were selected for the new album "The Broadsword And The Beast". Nine of the unreleased songs would later appear being included on the "20 Years Of Jethro Tull" box set: 'Jack-A-Lynn' (beautiful one dedicated to Ian's wife!), 'Too Many Too', 'Overhang', 'Down At The End Of Your Road', 'I'm Your Gun', 'Mayhem, Maybe', 'Motoreyes', 'Rhythm In Gold', 'Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow', all now extra tracks on the new 2005 remastered edition! What a stunning gift to all the JT fans!!

The media regarded 'Broadsword' as the album that dragged Tull into the 80's, and yet the band had achieved their goal of making what could be regarded as a CLASSIC, traditional Jethro Tull album.

A bloody pirate-Vikings-invaders ship afloat on the high stormy seas. and a terrific winged- beast with a great broadsword.

Great songs from JT: in particular The Clasp, Flying Colours, Broadsword, Pussy Willow, Seal Driver.

Excellent, naturally!!