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