STAND UP

This is the first Jethro Tull album I've ever heard and also the first progressive rock album. That was approximately 6 years ago (I was 12 at the time) and instantly liked it. The combination of beautiful folk melodies, hard rock guitar riffs and blues orientated songwrithing, is the reason for this. There are no bad songs on this album, only the folky "Jeffrey goes to Leicester Square" and the goofy far-East influenced "Fat Man" are not on the same level as the rest of the songs. Many people think that "Fat Man" is meant to gibe the departed guitarist Mick Abrahams.

Musicianship on this album is perfect. Ian Anderson played eight instruments and sung, Glen Cornick did an amazing job on the bass guitar (especially on "Bouree") and Clive Bunker gave the rest of the band a solid groundwork with all manner of percussion. Martin Barre took over the guitars from Mick Abrahams giving them a less bluesy feel.

I recommend Stand Up to every fan of progressive rock. As for those who consider them self Jethro Tull fans this album is absolutely essential.