Record Reviews
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  | MICK ABRAHAMS ~ AT LAST
BGO 671 (Barcode: 5017261206718) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2005
2nd album by UK guitarist Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist with the Mick Abrahams BandFind albums by this artist, which was expanded to a quintet for this album with the addition of Mick´s partner in Blodwyn PigFind albums by this artist, reedman Jack LancasterFind albums by this artist. Lancaster´s return marked a change in the band´s overall sound, which was now quite similar to that of Blodwyn Pig, being more Jazz influenced as opposed to the last album being more Bluesy. The rest of the band´s lineup is identical to the one, which recorded the previous album. Lancaster is the main soloist on this recording, with Abrahams keeping a relatively low profile, but he did write most of the music here, with the rest written by keyboardist Bob SargeantFind albums by this artist. Altogether the album is another splendid effort by Abrahams and his team, with great compositions and splendid musicianship, which unfortunately didn´t help much to gain any popularity. Disillusioned by the music business, Abrahams quit the scene completely for two decades, reappearing only in the early 1990s with a new edition of the Mick Abrahams Band, which released several albums since. This is a must for all Blodwyn Pig / Abrahams fans and a splendid piece of British Jazz-Rock Fusion.
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICK ABRAHAMS ~ MICK ABRAHAMS
BGO 0095 (Barcode: 5017261200952) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 1992
1st album by British guitarist / vocalist Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist, one of the most underrated guitar players in the history as far as I´m concerned. Abrahams first achieved recognition as a founding member of Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, with the release of their debut album "This WasFind albums with this title", where he plays some incredible guitar licks, which earned him comparisons with "God" Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist.
A personality clash and musical differences between Abrahams and Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist led to his decision to leave Jethro Tull and form the brilliant Blodwyn PigFind albums by this artist, one of the earliest and best Jazz-Rock / Blues Fusion bands ever. The original Blodwyn Pig lineup lasted just under two years and recorded two outstanding albums, breaking up prematurely.
Abrahams then formed the Mick Abrahams BandFind albums by this artist, which is featured on this album. In later years Abrahams was to reform Blodwyn Pig and record several more album with that group (from the 1990s on) as well as leading the Mick Abrahams Band. His amazing guitar playing is unfortunately only recognized by a relatively small circle of fans, although in retrospect his consistently excellent performances in the last five decades are quite unparalleled.
This album was recorded soon after the demise of the original Blodwyn Pig and features a great lineup of Mick on guitar, Bob SargeantFind albums by this artist on keyboards and guitar, Walt MonaghanFind albums by this artist on bass and Ritchie DharmaFind albums by this artist on drums. The material, all written by Abrahams, is a great example of Blues-Rock, the genre in which Abrahams feels most comfortable. The album lost nothing of its charm and beauty and is certainly worth of an honorable place in any serious record collection.
| | Updated: 28/07/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MARTIN BARRE ~ 50 YEARS OF JETHRO TULL
STORE FOR MUSIC 549 (Barcode: 5055544229573) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020
This is a 2CD album by British guitarist Martin BarreFind albums by this artist, the lead guitarist of the iconic British band Jethro TullFind albums by this artist for the entire duration of the band since the departure of guitarist Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist in late 1968. He appeared on all Jethro Tull albums starting with the second album “Stand UpFind albums with this title”. The album was recorded to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Barre joining Jethro Tull and presents songs written by Ian Anderson and originally recorded by the group. This edition adds four bonus tracks not present on an earlier version of this album.
The first CD presents thirteen songs performed by an electric quartet, with Barre, vocalist / guitarist Dan CrispFind albums by this artist, bassist Alan ThompsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Darby ToddFind albums by this artist, recorded “live in the studio”. The sound of the quartet is remarkably similar to the sound of Jethro Tull, with Crisp’s voice mimicking very closely Anderson’s vocals. Barre’s guitar, which was obviously an integral part of the characteristic Jethro Tull sound is dominating these tracks.
The second CD presents eleven new, acoustic interpretations of Jethro Tull songs, these being very much removed from the original sound. These are performed by Barre with two female vocalists Alex HartFind albums by this artist and Becca CarterFind albums by this artist and vocalist John CarterFind albums by this artist, bassist Paddy BlightFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Josiah JFind albums by this artist. These new arrangements are beautifully fresh and open completely new musical vistas on the familiar material.
Overall, this is a wonderful opportunity to revisit the great material Jethro Tull recorded over the years, get a new perspective on some of them and of course above all listen to one of the greatest Rock guitarists of all time, who is absolutely untouched by the tides of time and delivers every time. An absolute must for all Jethro Tull fans!
| | Updated: 27/04/2022Posted: 27/04/2022 | CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | JETHRO TULL ~ STAND UP (THE ELEVATED EDITION)
CHRYSALIS 190295932862 (Barcode: 190295932862) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2016
This is a reissue of the second album by the British Prog Masters Jethro TullFind albums by this artist and another chapter in the series of reissues of their seminal albums which are being remixed to new stereo and 5.1 surround sound versions by Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist, who is doing similar projects with classic Rock / Prog albums by other artists as well. It follows a similar treatment that Wilson applied to the reissues of early Jethro Tull releases up to their ninth album "Too Old To Rock`N`Roll: Too Young To Die!Find albums with this title", except for the debut album (as of now).
The reissue consists of two CDs and one DVD. The first CD contains the new stereo mix of the original album and a bunch of "associate recordings", three of which were also given the new remix treatment, including the only previously unreleased track in this set, which is an alternate version of "Bouree". A stereo version of A/B sides of a single and four tracks recorded by the BBC are left untouched. The second CD includes nine tracks originating from a live concert recording by Swedish Radio (eight from the second show and one from the first show), all recorded in mono, a mono version of the A/B sides of a single and a couple of promotional radio spots. The DVD contains the video of two of the tracks from the concert recorded by the Swedish Radio, the album and the "associate recordings" remixed in two High-Resolution formats (5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital Surround Sound) and in High Resolution stereo format (96/24 LPCM), and a flat transfer of the original stereo mix of the album and stereo and mono mixes of the single. If you are confused by all these technical terms, don´t be – it is all complete bullshit piece of hype! Basically you get the original album, a live concert, remixed versions of the album, a short video from a live concert and a few bonus tracks, which honestly contribute very little, if anything at all, especially since they were all already available on the 2010 "Stand Up (Collector`s Edition)Find albums with this title" reissue of the album.
The entire set is lavishly packaged in a digibook format, with great photos of the band, background material, the song lyrics and other goodies, which are all beyond reproach.
This album marks the first lineup change for Jethro Tull since their inception. It features the new guitarist Martin BarreFind albums by this artist, who replaced Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist. The change allowed Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist to establish the complete leadership of the group and allow some significant stylistic changes, which included the addition of British Folk and Classical elements replacing almost completely the dominance of the Blues elements, which was the trademark of the debut album. The other members of the group on this album were bassist Glenn CornickFind albums by this artist and drummer Clive BunkerFind albums by this artist.
For most Jethro Tull fans, this is still one of the best albums the group ever recorded, basically pointing out the direction and forging the mold, which all subsequent albums by the group were about to follow.
Side Note
As for the Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist contributions, I´m perplexed time after time why anybody being of sound mind would allow him to butcher the original material and then hype the results as spectacular. These original mixes are untouchable and anybody trying to change them is more or less re-painting Van Gogh, re-sculpturing Michelangelo or re-writing the Bible, all truly barbaric acts of disrespect.
Additionally I find his stereo mixes to be dry, artificial and deviant, badly damaging the original ambience of the recordings. Perhaps for people who are not familiar with the original sound this sounds fine, but for me it´s unbearable and sacrilegious.
In addition I find the surround sound completely redundant, hoping for years that it will go away as did quad and other industry inventions meant to earn some more money from the suckers following the trends. The whole high resolution hype is so ridiculous; in reality most people are deaf anyway and can´t tell one note from another even if it bites them in the ass and use ridiculously lo-fi equipment. In short Emperor´s new clothes, as usual, and no shame whatsoever.
| | Updated: 25/05/2018Posted: 22/01/2017 | 2CD+DVD 3 Digibook Box Set Oversampling DVD-A Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JETHRO TULL ~ THIS WAS
CHRYSALIS 535459 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1968
1st album by the seminal band Jethro TullFind albums by this artist. Although considered early effort and inferior in comparison with their later output, this albums still holds a lot of charm and beauty and is a must in any Prog collection. It includes the original guitar player Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist (who left after this album to form the excellent band Blodwyn PigFind albums by this artist), whose blues feeling is second to none and influences the entire album.
Visitors' Comments
Dr. Rafael Augusto Lara Palmeros
Debut albumn by extraordinary quartet Jethro Tull,one of the most important outfits in Prog Rock History ever… Formed by Ian Anderson (flute, acoustic guitar, claghorn, mouth organ, lead vocals and lyrics), Mick Abrahams (electric , nine-string guitar and vocals), CliveBunker (drums and percussion), Glen Cornick (electric bass) and David Palmer as additional musician (french horn and orchestral arrangements), the group recorded a wonderful mixture of Jazz- Blues- Rock Fusion with Celtic Folk elements. ´Beggar´s farm´, ´My Sunday feeling´ and others are based in Blues progressions and quotes from two well-known Jazz tunes. ´Cat´s squirrell´ is a Blues instrumental covered by numerous Bitish Blues bands on 60´s. ´Serenade to Cockoo´ is a cover version of Roland Kirk´s Jazz standard. ´A song for Jeffrey´ is a tune for the old friend, Anderson´s childhood friend Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, and others very well played tunes. The albumn is an important cornerstone in British Progressive Rock History. On other hand, a deluxe 2- CD fortieth anniversary edition was released in 2008 with mono stereo version, remixes and additional bonus tracks. A must for Prog fan!!!!.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JETHRO TULL ~ THIS WAS (50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
CHRYSALIS 190295611484 (Barcode: 190295611484) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1968 Released: 2018
This is a 50th Anniversary Edition reissue of the debut album by the British Prog Masters Jethro TullFind albums by this artist and another chapter in the series of reissues of their seminal albums which are being remixed to new stereo and surround sound versions by Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist, who is doing similar projects with classic Rock / Prog albums by other artists as well. It follows a similar treatment that Wilson applied to the reissues of the eleven early Jethro Tull releases, which is now completed by the inclusion of the debut album, the last to be given the new treatment and reissued in the digibook format.
The reissue consists of three CDs and one DVD-A. The first CD contains the new stereo mix of the original album (ten tracks) and six "associated recordings", four of which are previously unreleased. The second CD includes "further associated recordings", which are mostly BBC sessions, original mixes of singles and radio adverts and one outtake, altogether twenty tracks of which just one is previously unreleased. The third CD includes the original 1968 UK stereo and mono (remastered in 2008) mixes of the album. The DVD-A contains the album remixed in two High-Resolution formats (4.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital Surround Sound), two "associated recordings" in two High-Resolution formats (5.1 DTS and in High Resolution stereo format 96/24 LPCM). Also included is the original 1969 US stereo mix of the album in High Resolution stereo format 96/24 LPCM. If you are confused by all these technical terms, don´t be – it is all complete bullshit piece of hype!
The entire set is lavishly packaged in a digibook format, with great photos of the band, background material, the song lyrics and other goodies, which are all beyond reproach.
The group´s lineup on this album includes Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist, who handles most of the vocals and plays the flute parts and some piano, with the lead guitar magnificently handled by Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist, the bass by Glenn CornickFind albums by this artist and the drums by Clive BunkerFind albums by this artist. Anderson gets credit for most of the music and lyrics, except for the tracks written by Abrahams or co-written by the band´s members and one Jazz and two Blues standards.
Musically the album is completely different from the rest of the group´s later output, being deeply rooted in Blues and Blues Rock, one of the leading idioms on the British scene at the time of its recording. The group was not yet dominated by Anderson and Abrahams was definitely the most accomplished musician at hand. Of course the personality conflict between Anderson and Abrahams led to the latter leaving the group after the album was recorded and the musical direction of the group gradually changing towards Progressive Rock and Folk Rock, with Anderson firmly at the helm.
Although definitely one of the best white blues guitarists of all time, Abraham´s career did not take off as spectacularly as one might have expected at the time. Today, five decades later, he still plays superbly and releases new albums from time to time, remaining one my favorite guitar players, despite his almost complete anonymity.
For many Jethro Tull fans this album, not surprisingly, is often considered as an odd incident, which in many respects it is indeed. Personally it is one of my favorite British Blues Revival recordings and I revisit it from time to time, repeatedly being surprised by its freshness and originality, despite the passing time. The rest of Jethro Tull´s story is of course a completely different chapter in British Rock history. An everlasting gem by any standard!
Side Note
As for the Steven WilsonFind albums by this artist contributions, I´m perplexed time after time why anybody being of sound mind would allow him to butcher the original material and then hype the results as spectacular. These original mixes are untouchable and anybody trying to change them is more or less re-painting Van Gogh, re-sculpturing Michelangelo or re-writing the Bible, all truly barbaric acts of disrespect.
Additionally I find his stereo mixes to be dry, artificial and deviant, badly damaging the original ambience of the recordings. Perhaps for people who are not familiar with the original sound this sounds fine, but for me it´s unbearable and sacrilegious.
In addition I find the surround sound completely redundant, hoping for years that it will go away as did quad and other industry inventions meant to earn some more money from the suckers following the trends. The whole high resolution hype is so ridiculous; in reality most people are deaf anyway and can´t tell one note from another even if it bites them in the ass and use ridiculously lo-fi equipment. In short Emperor´s new clothes, as usual, and no shame whatsoever.
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 26/01/2019 | 3CD+DVD 4 Digibook Box Set DVD-A Audiophile Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JETHRO TULL ~ THIS WAS (COLLECTOR`S EDITION)
CHARISMA 064972 (Barcode: 5099920649722) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1968 Released: 2008
1st album by the magnificent Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, the only band that survived 40 years of rapidly changing world and still sounds so much better that anything produced today. This debut album is dear to my heart and I remember vividly listening to it for the first time back in 1968 – this was different! Sure, it was based on the Blues tradition and followed the British Blues revival surge, which blessed us all with a plethora of great bands. But these kids (yes they were) had an edge and an attitude, which I liked. Ian AndersonFind albums by this artist had a vice like no one else and his flute playing, although far from being virtuosic, always hit the right note (even if it was the wrong note). Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist was a great Blues guitar player, as was evident already then, and would be proved time after time in following years. Glenn CornickFind albums by this artist played some nasty bass lines and Clive BunkerFind albums by this artist beat the hell out of the set. I loved the nonchalance, the obvious "let´s not take it too seriously" approach, and those glimpses of pure genius, which this album is full of. I loved it then and I love it now – absolutely nothing changed, except for the fact that a whole universe of dreadful music was made since, which luckily I was able to escape. This new edition is a true gem and a collector´s dream, with the original mono mixes, new stereo mix, singles and live BBC material, everything one might hope for. I don´t suppose any Tull fan will need to contemplate the decision as to buying this beauty. Grab it!
| | | CD 2 Digipak Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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