Jethro Tull - Benefit


Year of Release: 2001
Label: Chrysalis-Capitol
Catalog Number: 35457
Format: CD
Total Time: 49:34:00

Jethro Tull's third release was Benefit (1970). Indeed the third time is the charm. Ian Anderson's vocals were getting stronger and more dominating, while his flute playing maintained its unfailing authority. Anderson remarks in the liner notes that his writing was getting darker and that he realized thirty two years later that he was being cynical in reference to being on the road and away from home. His feelings regarding the music industry were coming through as well.

"To Cry You A Song" was the strongest introduction to the fresh and new formula that they would continue to follow and develop for the rest of their long and fruitful careers. Although the group's love of blues and jazz remained evident, they were leaning heavier towards more rock and folk arrangements, which allowed them to reach a much wider audience. "Inside" was another song that was to rapidly become a trademark of the Jethro Tull sound with Anderson's flute taking a lead role and Martin Barre strumming a soft acoustic guitar in the background. Although Barre rarely remained in the background on any song, he was now more comfortable in his new surroundings and showed all of his colors on this album. This new formula was to delight listeners worldwide. The group's diversity pleased those that loved to rock and the other segment of listeners that enjoyed the more folk, classical, and ethnic sounds that they had offered on their previous release Stand Up. Ian Anderson was becoming the true court jester onstage and the consummate leader. This was a position that was solidified on this album and one that he would never relinquish.

The bonus tracks give an interesting glimpse into the future and a peak into the upcoming golden age of Jethro Tull.

First released in 1970 in the UK by Island/Chrysalis (ILPS 9123); in the US by Reprise (RS6400)


Tracklisting:
With You There To Help Me (6:19) / Nothing To Say (5:14) / Alive And Well And Living In (2:48) / Son (2:51) / For Michael Collins, Jeffrey And Me (3:51) / To Cry You A Song (6:15) / A Time For Everything? (2:44) / Inside (3:49) / Play In Time (3:49) / Sossity; You're A Woman (4:42) / Bonus Tracks: Singing All Day (3:07) / Witch's Promise (3:52) / Just Trying To Be (1:37) Teacher (Original UK Mix) (3:49)

Musicians:
Ian Anderson - flute, guitar, harmonica, piano, horn, vocals, mouth organ
Martin Barre - flute, electric guitar
Clive Bunker - drums, hooter
Glen Cornick - bass

Discography:
This Was (1968)
Stand Up (1969)
Benefit (1970)
Aqualung (1971)
Thick As A Brick (1972)
Living In The Past (1972)
A Passion Play (1973)
War Child (1974)
Minstrel In The Gallery (1975)
M.U. The Best Of (1976)
Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll: Too Young To Die (1976)
Songs From The Wood (1977)
Repeat - The Best Of Jethro Tull Vol 2 (1977)
Heavy Horses (1978)
Bursting Out - Live (1978)
Stormwatch (1979/2004)
'A' (1980)
The Broadsword And The Beast (1982/2005)
Under Wraps (1984)
Original Masters (1985)
Crest Of A Knave (1987/2005)
20 Years Of Jethro Tull (1988)
Rock Island (1988)
Catfish Rising (1991)
A Little Light Music (1992)
The Anniversary Collection (1993)
25th Anniversary Box Set (1993)
Nightcap (1995)
Roots To Branches (1995)
J-Tull Dot Com (1999)
The Very Best Of (2001)
Living With The Past (2002)
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)
Classic Masters (2003)
Stand Up/This Was (2003)
Essential (2003)
Nothing Is Easy: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004)
Aqualung Live (2005)
Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson (2005)
Extended Versions (2006)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2007)
The Best Of Acoustic Jethro Tull (2007)
Living With The Past/Nothing Is Easy (2008)
This Was (expanded) (2008)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004/2008)
The Anniversary Collection/A New Day Yesterday (2008)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2008)
Live At Madison Square Garden (2009)
Christmas Album (2009)
Live In Switzerland 2003 (LP) (2014)
A Passion Play - An Extended Performance (2014)
War Child - 40th Anniversary Theatre Edition (2014)
Minstrel In The Gallery - 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition (2015)

Living With The Past (DVD) (2002)
A New Day Yesterday: 1969-1994 - The 25th Anniversary Collection (VID/DVD) (1994/2003/4)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (DVD) (2005) Live At Montreux 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Jack In The Green - Live In Germany (DVD) (2008)
Live In Bethlehem, PA, 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Their Full Authorized Story (DVD) (2009)
Live At AVO Session 2008 (DVD) (2009)
Live At Madison Square Garden (DVD) (rec 1978, rel 2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: July 30th 2002
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck

Artist website: www.jethrotull.com
Hits: 2608
Language: english

  

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