THIS WAS

Although this is my first prog album review I should have picked a more prog orientated album, but nevermind. I have chosen Jethro Tull's This Was because over the last year I have become a huge Tull fan of the '69-'78 era. This Was is definately how Ian Anderson describes it: "how we were playing then...". As JT's first record, having its original line-up back in 1968 and compared to the Tull records that came afterwards, this one has a completely different musical approach. Most of the songs are marked by a clear blues definition, with slow tempos and blues-like lyrics, rather poor considering Anderson's lyrical creation. This first Tull album remarkably lacks of Anderson's signature: the flute. I believe he played it only for three or four songs. My favourite songs are: Dharma for One, Cat's Squirrel, A song for Jeffrey. My Sunday Feeling and Beggar's Farm are alright. Apart from these, the rest of the songs would definately complete a blues album. Summing up, for me it is a fine record though it can hardly be considered a prog album, I believe it can only be appreciated by Tull fans.