It's kinda cool that Glory Row was released as early as 1975 in Spain though. The rest of the world didnt get to hear it until two years later....
I don't listen to it much, because it doesn't sound all that great, but I have an original Island cassette of Benefit that came in a plain pink cover with just the band, title and island logo. I've also got the reel to reel, but, unfortunately, that was one of the 3 3/4 i.p.s. ones.
Most excellent album. I slightly prefer the at times crazed energy of "Stand Up" but "Benefit" has a better overall balance and variety of songs. The groups growth from "Stand Up" to "Benefit" is indeed a harbinger of "Aqualung". That troika is peak Tull to me. I truly enjoy their next several outings (except TOTRnR, which was a massive let down) but my Tull listening time usually goes to "Stand Up", "Benefit" and "Aqualung". At their peak one of the greatest live acts ever.
Interesting that they issued banded copies of Passion Play for radio but not the much more radio friendly TAAB.
I really like "Benefit", its folk-rock and moderate use of the Hammond organ. I have the gatefold version (Germany) unfortunately the release without poster. "Sossity; You're A Woman" is one of the best songs of their entire career.
You would think so, but no, as a 16 year old with limited spending money I only wanted the latest. That first JG album was already way over a year old, so ancient. Unless it was a Blues album, of course.
There was a TAAB radio edit LP. Apparently it is much rarer than the Passion Play edit LP. Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick
I guess they figured parts of side two had no chance of getting radio play. I have the Passion Play LP and although it is closer in length to the standard version, it is missing a few bits (the "Lifebeats" prelude and the "there was a rush" reprise at the end). Also, "The Hare" is not split between sides (improvement).
My fave Tull album... and a Top Ten All Time album for me! Watery eyes of the last sighing seconds, blue reflections mute and dim beckon tearful child of wonder to repentance of the sin...
Mistake methinks -- my memory of reading Tull history is that the band was called The John Evan Smash
He predated that with "For a Thousand Mothers" on Stand Up, which I'd guess would be every bit as difficult for his parents to listen to as "Son."
And it wasn't a mistake. The "s" went on purpose to avoid the impression that it was John Evans his band, as with an ' before the s. Btw. Songs from the wood is the only regular Tull album with John where it says "Evans"
Just listened today. I like how it’s the only Jethro album with a lot of studio gimmicks. It’s a great album.
It's the opposite for me. It was a great soundtrack to driving (on eight-track no less) in the fall of 1970. After listening again to the CD on a long drive, from start to finish, it sounds greater than the sum of it's parts. There are the great sound effects and personal "awkward" parts but I appreciate it more with each run-through. Stand Up seemed to say, "We've hit the big time" and Benefit - "The big time's not all it's cracked up to be." Where's the boook?
Benefit is great. It's in my JT Top 3 together with TAAB and Heavy Horses. Together with Heavy Horses it has the best JT album opener. It is so much better than the overrated Aqualung. Really looking forward for a Book version.
Absolutely agree that 'Benefit' is Tull's greatest album. It has powerfully emotive songs, great playing, and a unique, ethereal production that perfectly compliments the intense, misty haze that predominates the record*. Fine as 'Aqualung' is, it pales by comparison next to this. (*Steven Wilson's remix replaced this with a sterile clarity that ruins the album's feel for me. The original 1970 mix is the real deal.)