1968

The story of Jethro Tull’s first album “This Was” is of two people who had different visions for the band. At this point the band was a quartet, Ian Anderson (vocals), Mick Abrahams (guitar), Glenn Cornick (bass guitar) and Clive Bunker (drums). Originally starting out a a blues band then morphing into a blue-eyed soul the band were always developing their sound.

By the time Jethro Tull had recorded “This Was”, the sound was a mixture of progressive rock mixed with blues/RnB sound. The progressive element came from Ian Anderson while Mick Abrahams provided the blues element. Indeed the pair would share songwriting credits on the album.

The album itself reflects these two influences and it is why it a great album. Songs like “My Sunday Feeling” and “A Song For Jeffrey.” It was a showcase for Anderson’s flute playing and Abrahams guitar skills.

Sadly, this line-up would not last. Soon after the release of “This Was” Abrahams left the band. Various reasons were given. Abrahams was a blues purist who did not like the direction the band was going in. He had heard that management had wanted to push Ian Anderson as the star of the band. Or that Abrahams was unwilling to travel for overseas gigs. Whatever the reason it left Ian Anderson in total creative control of the band and the rest as they say is history.

That said ‘This Was” remains an impressive debut album and one wondered which direction the band would have gone if the line-up stayed together. For some people “This Was” remains their favourite Jethro Tull album.

Steve Whitty

Today’s album is The Beatles by The Beatles which was released on 22 November 1968. The record is more commonly known as “The White Album”.

The White Album was the band’s 9th studio album and only double album. The majority of the songs were written between March and April 1968 while in Rishikesh, India studying Transcendental Meditation.

The record was recorded between May and October at Abbey Road. The sessions saw arguments breakout over creative differences. The Beatles were beginning to pull in different directions. Another factor was John Lennon bringing his new girlfriend Yoko Ono to the sessions. This distraction went against the policy of not having wives and girlfriends in the studio. However, it is forgotten that Paul’s then girlfriend and George and Ringo’s wives attended some sessions. Ringo would leave the band at one point fed up with the criticism of his drumming from McCartney. The other three successfully persuaded him to return.

Musically this was the last album to be mixed separately mono and stereo. The album contains various styles and is the most musically diverse of all the albums featuring elements of blues, country, hard rock, music hall, folk, ska and avant-garde. It was a departure to the highly produced sound of Sgt. Pepper. The whole concept was to remove itself from the previous album as emphasised with the stark white album cover.

While I do not consider The White Album to be their best album it is one of The Beatles top albums. A highlight for me is the emergence of George Harrison’s songwriting from the shadows of Lennon and McCartney. Yes, it was worth being released as a double album. Each song is listenable and I include Revolution 9 in that.

Steve Whitty Music

Album Of The Day 04/10/2022: Jethro Tull – This Was (1968)

Album of the Day 27/06/2021: The Beatles – The Beatles (The White Album) 1968