| 2.5 average | Robbit | May 9th 16 |
Jethro Tull's 13th album A marked a curious chapter in their long history. What began as an Ian Anderson solo project
wound up as a Jethro Tull album. In addition, the musicians on the album also replaced the original Tull lineup, all at
the insistence of Chrysalis records. Only Martin Barre & Ian Anderson remain from the
prior lineup, while Eddie Jobson guests on keyboards and violin.
While the core Jethro Tull sound is still present on this record, Jobson's synthesizers lend more of an Art Rock touch
to the proceedings. There were only trace elements of the traditional folk-based sounds of their prior records here.
These changes to the classic Tull sound weren't received well by some long term fans, but the main problem was the lack
of any really standout songs to help sell this album. "Black Sunday" contains a well played instrumental break, but
rest of the songs seem only mildly interesting at best.
Whenever I reflect upon the A era, I can't help but chuckle about the white jump suits the band are wearing on the album
cover, as well as in live performance. What was the deal with that anyhow?
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Jethro42 | August 22nd 08 |
This was not even supposed to be a Jethro Tull album, but the first Anderson's solo album.
'Black Sunday' is an outstanding classic Tull song. 'Flyingdale Flying' and 'Protect and Survive' are some of the ''A'' highlights. Eddie Jobson (UK, Roxy Music, Curved Air) appears as a guest, playing violins and keys in most of the tracks. Drummer Mark Craney (Jean-Luc Ponty) had replaced Barriemore who left the band shortly after bassist and friend John Glascock died. He soon realised he was unable to get over it. 'A' may contain some filler songs, but it's a good effort nonetheless, considering the advent of the ruthless Dark Age of prog, and the big shift in the staff as well.
Let down; ''Working John Working Joe''
Bump |
| 2.5 average | gk1979 | June 30th 20 |
| 3.0 good | PAB | April 27th 19 |
| 3.5 great | e210013 | February 11th 18 |
| 3.0 good | igi78 | May 7th 17 |
| 3.0 good | RouJe | November 7th 16 |
| 3.5 great | DarthGL | September 25th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Divaman | September 1st 16 |
| 3.0 good | Abraxas | September 29th 15 |
| 3.0 good | Superb | March 17th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | jodro | March 2nd 15 |
| 2.5 average | manosg EMERITUS | November 23rd 14 |
| 3.0 good | elry2k | October 15th 14 |
| 2.5 average | slackr | March 26th 14 |
| 2.5 average | denislg | October 20th 13 |
| 2.5 average | qiblas | September 24th 13 |
| 3.0 good | Matski | September 20th 13 |
| 2.0 poor | DRZ | October 16th 12 |
| 3.5 great | GROK | September 19th 11 |
| 2.5 average | true | July 13th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | ast | March 7th 11 |
| 2.5 average | adsha38 | February 21st 11 |
| 3.0 good | Ricpru | February 19th 11 |
| 3.0 good | wrax | November 21st 10 |
| 3.0 good | Nach0 | August 28th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | Gyurci | June 23rd 10 |
| 3.5 great | qwe3 | February 5th 10 |
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