STAND UP

With Mick Abrahams leaving the band to form Blodwyn Pig and classically trained Martin Barre coming in Tull abandoned more and more with each subsequent album their original blues roots. This album must be considered the starting place for Tull's distinctive sound defined by a dynamic blend of Celtic folk, classically-oriented tonal structures and hard rock elements along with Ian's flute play, unique vocals and songwriting. Lyrically many songs here are about Ian's relationship with his parents, a subject that he would continue on "Benefit". "Fat Man" is considered to be a hint to Mick Abrahams and "Jeffrey Goes" is the second one of the series of songs devoted to Ian's old boyhood friend Jeffrey Hammond who would later join the band. Musically there isn't any flaw to be found on this highly versatile record with obvious highlights like "Bouree", "Look Into The Sun", "Nothing Is Easy", "Fat Man " and "Reasons For Waiting". Actually just the knowledge that they could do even better after that keeps me from giving the full score but ****1/2 really!