Thoughts on Jethro tull-This was?

To me, " This Was" is an absolutely fantastic album. So many great blues based songs. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the more prog/ theatrical music that came later, but to be honest, to me this is one of the great debut albums. I own the a fairly marginal copy of the original LP , but it still sounds fantastic is my opinion. I'm quite sure you could pick one up at Discogs or a local record store without breaking the bank. A VERY worthy addition to your collection.

 

Blodwyn Pig is the band, the album is called Ahead Rings Out. The picture on the front is a pig head a nice big fattie cigarette of odd substances in its mouth. Look for a UK vinyl or cd

 

Thanks...DR 14 that is nice.I wonder how the dynamics on the new mixes hold up. Maybe too hot too handle?

 

I love folk and blues (as my avatar would suggest) but Tull's first never caught my fancy.

 

Ohh i see.Gonna check that one out.

 

on a related note, ian has announced a 50th anniversary tour. it would be nice if some original members would be included.

JETHRO TULL: 50th Anniversary Tour, US Summer 2018

 

The 3-disc 2008 Collector's Edition is worthwhile. It's not brickwalled. You get remastered original mono, remixed stereo, bonus tracks, and a live BBC set.

Analyzed folder: /Volumes/Music Library 2/Jethro Tull/This Was (2008 remaster)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR Peak RMS Filename
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR10 -0.86 dB -13.17 dB 1-01 My Sunday Feeling (stereo).aiff
DR12 -3.20 dB -19.35 dB 1-02 Some Day The Sun Won't Shine For You (stereo).aiff
DR12 -0.11 dB -14.60 dB 1-03 Beggars Farm (stereo).aiff
DR12 -0.33 dB -15.50 dB 1-04 Move On Along (stereo).aiff
DR12 -1.14 dB -16.47 dB 1-05 Serenade To A Cuckoo (stereo).aiff
DR11 -2.25 dB -16.46 dB 1-06 Dharma For One (stereo).aiff
DR13 -0.35 dB -15.18 dB 1-07 It's Breaking Me Up (stereo).aiff
DR12 -0.87 dB -14.43 dB 1-08 Cat's Squirrel (stereo).aiff
DR14 -0.53 dB -16.90 dB 1-09 A Song For Jeffrey (stereo).aiff
DR11 -4.21 dB -20.67 dB 1-10 Round (stereo).aiff
DR13 -0.13 dB -15.72 dB 1-11 Love Story (stereo bonus track).aiff
DR13 -0.37 dB -19.29 dB 1-12 Christmas Song (stereo bonus track).aiff
DR11 -0.09 dB -12.83 dB 2-13 My Sunday Feeling (mono).aiff
DR9 -3.09 dB -16.26 dB 2-14 Some Day The Sun Won't Shine For You (mono).aiff
DR12 -0.09 dB -14.59 dB 2-15 Beggar's Farm (mono).aiff
DR10 -1.22 dB -14.79 dB 2-16 Move On Along (mono).aiff
DR11 -0.82 dB -15.66 dB 2-17 Serenade To A Cuckoo (mono).aiff
DR12 -1.61 dB -15.24 dB 2-18 Dharma For One (mono).aiff
DR11 -1.52 dB -14.17 dB 2-19 It's Breaking Me Up (mono).aiff
DR10 -1.07 dB -13.49 dB 2-20 Cat's Squirrel (mono).aiff
DR10 -1.70 dB -15.62 dB 2-21 A Song For Jeffrey (mono).aiff
DR9 -5.21 dB -21.84 dB 2-22 Round (mono).aiff
DR11 -2.08 dB -13.88 dB 2-23 Sunshine Day (mono bonus track).aiff
DR10 -1.00 dB -14.00 dB 2-24 One For John Gee (mono bonus track).aiff
DR10 -2.13 dB -14.55 dB 2-25 Love Story (mono bonus track).aiff
DR13 -0.20 dB -17.10 dB 2-26 Christmas Song (mono bonus track).aiff
DR10 -2.34 dB -15.78 dB 3-27 So Much Trouble (live on BBC 1968).aiff
DR9 -2.30 dB -13.17 dB 3-28 My Sunday Feeling (live on BBC 1968).aiff
DR12 -2.32 dB -16.52 dB 3-29 Serenade To A Cuckoo (live on BBC 1968).aiff
DR10 -3.10 dB -14.13 dB 3-30 Cat's Squirrel (live on BBC 1968).aiff
DR10 -2.85 dB -15.47 dB 3-31 A Song For Jeffrey (live on BBC 1968).aiff
DR10 -2.39 dB -14.99 dB 3-32 Love Story (live on BBC 1968).aiff
DR10 -2.12 dB -15.74 dB 3-33 Stormy Monday (live on BBC 1968).aiff
DR10 -2.93 dB -14.68 dB 3-34 Beggar's Farm (live on BBC 1968).aiff
DR10 -3.14 dB -15.50 dB 3-35 Dharma For One (live on BBC 1968).aiff
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of files: 35
Official DR value: DR11

 

If you missed This Was and are now just getting into it I thought I'd add this video of Blodwyn Pig the band that Mick Abrahams joined/started after his departure from Jethro Tull, it'll explain the sound on This Was.
London blues at it's best

 

I would have picked Change Song, but yours is almost as good.

 

Blodwyn Pig was Mick Abrahams next group after he left Jethro Tull. Their first album, Ahead Rings Out is a minor classic.

This song got a fair amount of airplay in 1969:

 

If you like blues and jazz, you'll like Tull's debut. I think it's a weak debut when compared to other UK debuts that year from bands like Family and Second Hand and a regression from Tull's superb MGM single earlier in the year. Not very heavy and songwriting is derivative and not very strong. I haven't had the lp in my collection for years and don't miss it. I do love Song For Jeffrey but have that on a single.

 

The UK version has three different songs. "See My Way" is not on the UK version.

 

The US 2 tone Reprise version of this sounds plenty good on vinyl. The original UK is somewhat better but costs a lot more

 

That was nice! Abrahams was a much better singer than Ian Anderson in those days.

 

Jethro Tull is one of my very favorite bands and This Was one of my very favorite records. I love the heavy blues feel of it and the experimentation. A lot of it is like Cream with a flute. I love it.

 

when did Reprise get this from A&M?

 

This is the one I prefer. I got a sealed one on eBay not too long ago for a pretty good price. I don't know who designed the CD label, but they butchered a few track titles! Also note that the CD contains pre-emphasis. I have a couple of scans on my website if you want a general idea of what it looks like: Jethro Tull - This Was (Chrysalis CDP 32 1041 2) - nick99nack's CD Universe!

 

Thoughts on TW? i like it

 

My favorite Jethro Tull album.I'd look for an original lp.

 

This LP version from Italy is far from an original but sounds darn good and is probably available for little money to someone already on the continent. The cover repro job is dreadful (not as pictured here, which is generic), but it's mastered by Piero Mannucci who is an engineer of renown.

Jethro Tull - This Was

 

I've not seen Tull This Was on A&M so I assume you are talking about something else, likely Bloodwyn Pig

 

I can't believe all these answers and not one person is answering your original question but giving you information you didn't ask for. I guess they know what is best for you.

Anyway, I own the remastered vinyl and it is terrific. Go get it and it shouldn't be expensive. The album is good and a fun introduction to Ian's writing to come.

 

Your post followed the one on B Pig, I assumed you were referring to it. sorry

 

This is great!!!! Also great sound.Great musicians.

 

Sounds a bit like Cream with more of a Southern Us thing to it