THIS WAS

Good stuff, considering it's the first band album. The guys show a certain experience thanks to some years 'on the road' and the active presence in that swinging era that hit exceedingly the UK. Sound is basically jazzy or bluesy, a bit folky - progressive moments may be heard only in some flute passages, an announcement of things to happen years later.

Musically, this production is pleasant to listen to: agreeable, even catchy, here and there; nice to be felt in a lazy Sunday afternoon. Seeing the progressive side, it's poor, but for God's sake, This Was 1968, and the real prog scene was far from taking shape.

'My Sunday feelings' is a fine opener, aggressive in the appropriate dosing, just like waking the hearer for the rest of the tracks. 'Someday the Sun won't shine for you' is a bit dull, there's a feeling of hearing this kind of tune hundreds of times before. 'Beggar's farm' has good flute segments; Anderson's voice has that drunken touch one should hear extensively in the years to come. 'Move on alone' is short and tasty, a nice segue-like song.

'Serenade to a cuckoo' is real good, as a Brazilian I see touches of bossa-nova amid the general jazz atmosphere. 'Dharma for one' shows a kind of proggy intro, followed by some rock parts, very hearable; excessive drumming however spoiled the song. 'It's breaking me up' brings some R&B vocals that make a lovely counterpoint to previous track. The harmonica solo is pleasant.

'Cat's squirrel' is an instrumental blues- rock piece, dated as observed from today's ears but still more than audible. Guitars here do a great job. 'A song for Jeffrey', probably the best-known track here is doubtless a good song, a JETHRO TULL's standard among many others released lately. Playing action is really fine. 'Round', the ender, is just a catchy filler.

Evaluating the general progressiveness (none), this album could be a collectors/fan only, however once we consider all JT output I'll raise the rating by one extra star, hence good, but non essential . Total: 3