The John Evan Band
Live '66

At the extreme origins of Jethro Tull, before they were known by this name, there was the John Evan Band, when r'n'b meant rhythm and blues in the true sense of the word, and did not yet follow the now-trendy standards of the dreadful rap/hip-hop distortion of this term. In the '60s, myriad bands like this one performed in more or less extravagant forms of covering classics. Among many, this young band from Blackpool.

The John Evan Band was formed in 1964 from the idea of three schoolmates attending art school: Ian Anderson (Spanish flamenco guitar), Jeffrey Hammond (bass), and John Evans (drums), inspired by a local band called The Atlantics, which was very popular with the girls. Female attention was originally one of the objectives of their formation, called "The Blades." Various adventures led the three (then poor) musicians to join drummer Barrimemore Barlow, allowing John Evans to focus on his true passion, piano and keyboards, thus forming the first core of the John Evan Band. It is noteworthy that the name changed from Evans to Evan (which sounds cooler). Other lineup changes occurred, such as the arrival of new guitarist Neil Smith (as Anderson was a poor guitarist and preferred to focus on the harmonica), bassist Bo Ward, and drummer Ritchie Dharma (yes, the one to whom Dharma For One on the Jethro record "This Was" in 1968 is dedicated), plus two horn players.

This record is a rare live testimony from 1966, recorded in October in Casterton, and collects what was the typical repertoire of the time. It includes pieces like Twine Time, Pink Champagne, Mr Pitiful, and Respect by Otis Redding, and the interesting bonus track, Straight No Chaser, recorded at John Evans' house. All the typical traits of Anderson's character are there, like the chattiness and jokes in the presentation of the tracks, while his voice is still very raw. The recordings are made casually and technically the band is not much: the typical product issued to please the die-hard superfans who wouldn't miss anything from their favorite artists.

The collection and its publication were curated by David Rees, the president of "A New Day," the English Jethro Tull fan club. With the consent of Jethro Tull, he managed to release this record in 1990 through his small label A New Day Records. The essential booklet and more than sober CD do not improve the quality of the product: one would have expected at least some small note or biography. Even the cover does not do justice to the record: pictured from right to left are Neil Smith, Ian Anderson, John Evans, horn players Neil Valentine and Tony Wilkinson, but also Barrimemore Barlow and Glenn Cornick, future members of Jethro Tull, but who do not play at all in this live. In short, an edition that, if better curated, could have made a certain impression.

So much historical importance then, but also a laugh that spontaneously arises in hearing that even a compositional genius like Ian Anderson started out this way, like everyone else, with a high school band. Here, there is not yet the histrionic minstrel playing the flute on one leg or the acoustic guitar with that magical touch, but a 19-year-old boy singing and trying (unsuccessfully) his hand at the harmonica.