ESSENTIAL JETHRO TULL

This cheapy that popped up in a bargain bin in 2007 appealed to me as at the time I had not bought a Jethro Tull compilation so for the price it seemed like a good idea. The problem with this compilation is there is so much missing that it plays like a veritable singles collection and Jethro Tull was never about the singles. They shined when they took off into full flight on legendary epics such as Thick as a Brick and the Minstrel in the Gallery epics.

This compilation focuses on the early years such as the wonderful Teacher, Fat Man, Nothing is easy and Living In The Past, all from 1969, and all legendary.

From the pinnacle of success comes 1971's Aqualung, and Locomotive Breath so no complaints here. Thick As A Brick is poorly represented with a 3 minute edit of the album long epic. Likewise, A Passion Play gets 3 and a half minutes and does not do it justice.

On the plus side the awesome Bungle In The Jungle from 1974 features, along with Skating Away (On The Thin Ice Of The New Day). It wraps things up with Rainbow Blues, but there are so many others that could have been included.

The compilation runs for a criminal 50 minutes or so and is therefore simply a genuine cash-in rather than a decent overview of Jethro Tull's back catalogue. There are better compilations, such as the 25th Anniversary set, and one would be well advised to leave this one where you found it.