THIS WAS

Can't think of any other classic prog band with a debut as fine as this. THIS WAS may be old-fashioned blues-rock, but even so it contains many of the elements of Jethro Tull's mature style, albeit in embryonic state. 'Beggar's Farm', for example, is based on a bluesy Mick Abrahams riff, but it also has a thoughtful vocal line that would fit right on to any of the band's later albums. And then there's Ian Anderson's flute, of course. Right from the start, Ian acknowledges his debt to the jazz-player Rahsaan Roland Kirk, one of whose compositions he covers in the delightful 'Serenade to a Cuckoo', a clear precursor to the better-know 'Bourree'.

I think I can imagine Ian's face when guitarist Mick Abrahams announced he wanted to do a five-and-half-minute instrumental number on his own, simply accompanied by bass and drums ("What? You mean without... without FLUTE?") but 'Cat's Squirrel' sounds totally delightful, even though I have no idea what blues specialists will make of it. All the other numbers are just as much fun - including the bonus tracks. Tull freaks need not hesitate!