Jethro Tull - This Was 1968

Go back to the beginning of the band's history and introduce the first album. The first group of Ian Anderson (Ian Anderson), founded in 1963 in Blackpool, called The Blades. In 1966 the name was changed to John Evan Band, on behalf of the pianist and drummer John Evan. The group was part of Barry Barlow (Barrie Barlow), who would later become a party to Jethro Tull. In search of a better life the band moved to London neighborhood (in the town of Luton). Often they frequented in Liverpool. However, great strides team failed to win, and very soon the majority of its members went back to Blackpool. Were only the most persistent: he Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick (Glenn Cornick). They did not give up, and soon joined creative forces with blues guitarist Mick Abrahams (Mick Abrahams) and drummer Clive Bunker (Clive Bunker), who played in the local team McGregor's Engine. Initially, the case in the new ensemble went wrong, and they are rarely invited more than once in the same institution. Naturally, the best way out was to constantly change the group name in the hope that the owners of the clubs do not remember them in the face. The names were changed so often that team members have simply run out of imagination, and they asked to come up with another version of the guys from technical support. And then, once again, one of them, a history buff, proposed a variant «Jethro Tull» in honor of the English agronomist innovator XVIII century. The only reason for this name is well established for the group was the fact that it was under this name it saw the first director of the club, to which performance of the musicians more or less had in mind, in connection with which they were invited to perform again. Director was John Gee (John Gee), and the club was famous Marquee. They signed a contract with a thriving agency Ellis Wright (Ellis-Wright Agency) and thus became, the third group (after Ten Years After and Clouds), whose cases led company, soon turned into an empire Chrysalis Music. The first single, Jethro Tull, produced by Derek Lawrence (Derek Lawrence), and have not gained a lot of recognition from the audience (it was a pretty corny song «Sunshine Day», written by Abrahams), but has become a valuable collectors prey, since the cover plate band's name was written with a misprint: «Jethro Toe». Soon, the band released their debut album in the style of blues This Was (1968). On this disc, in addition to original creations Anderson and Abrahams, present version of the famous song «Cat's Squirrel», in the performance of which was evident blues-rock leanings Abrahams. Anderson got the opportunity to fully demonstrate their talent flutist in jazz composition «Serenade to a Cockoo» Roland Kirk. By the way, Anderson first picked up the flute for only six months before the album's release. The general style of the period Anderson group defined as "a kind of mixture of progressive blues with a pinch of jazz." After this album, Abrahams left the group and founded his own - Blodwyn Pig (There are albums of this group on the blog here and here). The reasons for his departure were few: Abrahams was an ardent supporter of classic blues, while Anderson wanted to use, and other musical styles; Kornik acrimony and Abrahams; not too great eagerness to travel, especially abroad, and play more than three times a week, while the rest of the team members wanted to see the world and become well-known outside the country. In connection with the departure of Abrahams group had to find a new guitarist. Was seen many candidates, one of whom was Tony Iommi (Tony Iommi), later became famous with Black Sabbath. The latter, though, and appeared with the team on the famous TV show recording The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (where all participants Jethro Tull, except Anderson, had to perform to the soundtrack), the group has not caught on (the exact cause care unknown versions of: musical differences, addicted to marijuana Iommi, Tony desire to continue to work with his team). After long and painful trial, Anderson argues for the role of guitarist Martin Barre (Martin Barre). Above all, he struck Anderson's insistence, he was so nervous on the first viewing, that he could not play at all, and appearing on the second audition, I forgot to grab the cord to connect the guitar to the amplifier. Despite these misunderstandings, it was Martin Barr became a permanent replacement Abrahams in Jethro Tull and this long-lived group, losing it for so long that this indicator is inferior only to Anderson.

 


01. My Sunday Feeling (Anderson) - 3:38
02. Some Day The Sun Won't Shine For You (Anderson) - 2:44
03. Beggar's Farm (Abrahams / Anderson) - 4:16
04. Move On Alone (Abrahams) - 1:55
05. Serenade To A Cuckoo (Kirk) - 6:03
06. Dharma For One (Anderson / Bunker) - 4:11
07. It's Breaking Me Up (Anderson) - 4:57
08. Cat's Squirrel (Traditional, arranged by Abrahams) - 5:36
09. A Song For Jeffrey (Anderson) - 3:17
10. Round (Anderson / Abrahams / Bunker / Cornick / Ellis) - 0:49
Bonuses:
11. One For John Gee (Abrahams) - 2:02
12. Love Story (Anderson) - 3:00
13. Christmas Song (Anderson) - 3:04




- Ian Anderson - flute, mouth organ, claghorn, piano, harmonica, vocals
- Mick Abrahams - guitar, 9-string guitar, vocals
- Clive Bunker - drums, hooter and charm bracelet
- Glenn Cornick - bass

**Enjoy**