STAND UP

After the release of the excellent ''jethrotullized'' blues-rock album TIME WAS, it seemed evident that a conflict between the 2 heads of the band was looming as a deep creative divide separated IAN ANDERSON and guitarist MIKE ABRAHAMS. IAN wanted to evolve beyond the blues-rock genre as ABRAHAMS was more of the conservative type. I even wonder how they even started together in the first place.

One day, IAN ANDERSON came to the studio with demos of new songs which were not to the liking og tha guitarist-at all; so he quit and went to form the modestly succesful BLODWYN PIG ( reference to Ian??)

Entering MARTIN LANCELOT BARRE taking over guitar duty. And still around 38 years later; IAN ANDERSON found his perfect sidekick.GLEN CORNICK on bass and CLIVE BUNKER on drums stayed on board, having no problems with the direction IAN ANDERSON wanted to go with the new JETHRO TULL.

Let's be honest; On STAND UP there is hardly anything prog on this album; this is classic rock with already all the JETHRO TULL caracteristics; a zest of classical musicL the classic BOUREE still played on stage these days, a blend of folk like the great LOOK INTO THE SUN , some good rocking numbers like the opening track A NEW DAY YESTERDAY or NOTHING IS EASY. Evidently, the flute is omnipresent compared to TIME WAS and became already the trademark of JETHRO TULL music. Ian anderson proved that he can take charge of all the writing duties. He is also showcasing his multi-instrumentalist abilities as he is playing the flute,of course, but also acoustic guitar, hammond organ, piano, mandolin.....balalaika! and mouth organ. Did i forget to mention he sings as well! A lot of responsibilities for one man!!

The band sounds tight as the rythm section is definitely a very lively combo full of vitality. But the hero is definitely MARTIN ''LANCELOT'' BARRE who proved he was the right guy for JETHRO TULL; there is plenty of scorching sounding guitar all through the album, especially his wonderful special wah-wah solo on the great WE USED TO KNOW, the highlight of the album, which to this day, is still one of my 5 favorite JETHRO TULL songs.

This is a very good album; i can't think on one bad track on STAND UP; a good, great original rock album with good energy, good musicianship and already this unique JT athmosphere. The original LP was something of a kind with inside, a pop-up interior of the 4 members. I've never seen something like that anywhere else. Can't definitely not do that with CDs!

As with any remasterised JETHRO TULL cd, STAND UP comes up with 4 great bonus tracks---available also on LIVING WITH THE PAST, the original 2 LPs compilation. All of them are good , especially the song LIVING IN THE PAST and the great SWEET DREAM.

3.5 stars for the album; STAND UP has to be part of any respectable JETHRO TULL collection, of any rock collection for the matter. And with the good bonus tracks..........

4 STARS1 A

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