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Who were the Jethro Tull before they had written "Aqualung"? Who were they when masterpieces like "Stand Up" or "Thick As A Brick" had not even been envisioned?
In 1968, progressive rock was not yet born; it was in gestation, in an embryonic state, but it was already destined to explode. Jethro Tull at their debut were light years away from the albums that would come later. "This Was" is a perfect example of Folk Rock imbued with Blues and Jazz, with glimpses of what would become Hard Rock. The entire album heavily focuses on Ian Anderson's flute and Mick Abrahams' guitar. Already, one can notice Anderson's great composing and writing skills, as he, with his flute, manages to master any type of situation, both in a soloistic manner and in accompaniment with the rest of the group. The group's sound is already strong and compact, as is evident from the very first beats of "My Sunday Feeling," where all the elements of the band are recognizable. The song is direct, and Anderson's voice contributes to giving it a strong folk imprint. The harmonica and Glenn Cornick's bass are the main instruments in "Some Day The Sun Won't Shine For You," a track halfway between blues and jazz, a meeting/clash that we will often find within the album. "Beggar's Farm" travels on the same track but appears much more incisive, highlighting Anderson's ability with the flute. Beautiful folk atmospheres for the very short "Move On Alone," which, unlike the previous track, highlights Abrahams' guitar. The following "Serenade To A Cuckoo" is a long instrumental to be savored calmly. Abrahams' ability is fully evident, as is Anderson's. Cornick and Clive Bunker keep time well with bass and drums, making the piece intense like few others. Harder sounds are touched with the following "Dharma For One," which starts with folk themes, passes through a small Abrahams solo, and continues with a great drum solo by Bunker. Only at the end do we find the guitar for one last intense cry. One of the tracks that most closely resemble what will be the progressive rock of subsequent works. Still folk/blues with "It's Breaking Me Up," which reprises the harmonica heard a few tracks earlier. The guitar solo is also beautiful here. "Cat's Squirrel" is the hardest track on the album, where the real protagonist is once again Abrahams' guitar, with bluesy solos and typically Hard Rock riffs. We are at the final stages of the album, and the group has already said a lot. We leave the right space for Anderson and his wind instruments in the playful "A Song For Jeffrey," and we close beautifully with the very brief "Round."
A great debut. It was in the air that the group was destined for something great. The folk component in Jethro Tull has always been a constant presence, but never has there been so much homage to this genre as in this work. Especially when compared to the more recent works.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 My Sunday Feeling (03:42)
My Sunday feeling is coming on over me.
My Sunday feeling is coming on over me,
Now that the night is over.
Got to clear my head so I can see.
Till I get to put together,
That old feeling won't let me be.
Won't somebody tell me where I laid my head last night?
Won't somebody tell me where I laid my head last night?
I really don't remember,
But with one more cigarette and I think I might.
Till I get to put together,
Well that old feeling can't get me right.
Need some assistance, have you listened to what I said?
Need some assistance, have you listened to what I said?
Oh, I don't feel so good.
Need someone to help me to my bed.
Till I get to put together,
That old feeling is in my head.
03 Beggar's Farm (04:20)
You're taking chances.
And your reputation's going down.
Going out in the night-time.
You think you make no sound.
But you don't fool me.
'Cos I know what you feel.
If you ignore the things I say --
Someday soon's gonna find you
'way down on Beggar's Farm.
I pay my money for no returns.
I think I need you.
Going to find someone.
Oh, you don't fool me.
'Cos I know what you feel.
When you go out I ask you why.
And I won't worry when I see you lying
Down on Beggar's Farm.
When you run to me, going to turn away.
Won't even listen when you try to say
That you were only fooling around --
'Cos I know what you feel.
But if you ask me nicely, woman --
I'll wake up early one day soon and
I'll visit you down on Beggar's Farm.
04 Move On Alone (01:58)
I feel so sad now that she's gone,
I've been loving that woman too long.
There is no place to go because my friends have all moved,
Got nothing but sit in the sun.
Got tired of crying, guess I'll move on alone.
My bed is so empty and my heart is grown cold,
Guess I'll just die before I grow old.
The place is untidy, that's 'cos I ain't done my dirt,
I just grown tired of thinking.
Got tired of crying, guess I'll move on alone.
06 Dharma for One (04:15)
Dharma, seek and you will find
Truth within your mind, Dharma.
Dharma, each to his own we say,
Together we'll end astray, Dharma.
Truth is like freedom, it doesn't fool me.
Be true to yourself, never think that you're free.
Dharma will come eventually.
07 It's Breaking Me Up (05:04)
So many long days. In so many ways.
I try to get through to what lies deep inside of you.
Oh, baby. I said, you're breaking me up, woman.
Yeah, you're breaking me down.
You're lying in little pieces --
scattered all around.
You're doing your worst to see me get hurt.
You're waiting to see the tears running out of me.
But, oh, baby, I said you're breaking me up, woman.
You're breaking me down.
You're lying in little pieces --
scattered all around.
My teares have run dry and you wonder why.
I've found a new woman who don't do the things you can.
Oh, baby, I said you're breaking me up, woman.
You're breaking me down.
You're lying in little pieces --
scattered all around.
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Other reviews
By AntiComunista
"Ian does not have the role he would have later... and shares the leadership with Abrahams."
"From an instrumental point of view, besides the presence of the flute, a very unusual feature that would forever be one of Tull’s trademarks, there is significant use of the harmonica."
By fedecure
"'This Was', the debut album of Jethro Tull is pure grace and majesty that every good listener with some intelligence understands from the very first track."
"The real novelty lies in introducing the flute as a perfectly harmonized instrument with everything else... Unique and Extraordinary."
