THIS WAS

Initially here this morning to review this album's follow-up, Stand Up (1969), here I'll be reviewing this, their 1968 debut (and another 2001 remaster). Unlike what follows, this album has writing responsibilities split between Anderson and original lead guitarist Abrahams (only found here for Tull; I had no idea, but he then went on to found Blodwyn Pig).

"My Sunday Feeling" was a solid opening number. Straight-ahead and upbeat. Then we are into the Bluesy Blues on "Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You"... Nice sentiment; thanks, mates... Boring, by the way. To follow is "Beggar's Farm"; very boring and straight in the first half, I had quite a surprise in the final half. This jam picks up and interest builds. "Move on Alone" is pretty interesting, texturally, I guess(?).

Back to the Blues on "Serenade to a Cuckoo", an instrumental number. Clive Bunker has a pretty solid drum solo on "Dharma for One". That's most of the song, anyhow. Pretty alright Blues on "It's Breaking Me Up". More moans, please. Next is the more rockin' "Cat's Squirrel"... Is that a squirrel that is owned by a cat as a pet?... One thing that can be said here is that Abrahams certainly can play. "A Song for Jeffrey" was... a little more interesting, I guess. "Round" closed out the original release low, slow and boring.

Onto the bonus tracks, we have the nice jam "One for John Gee". This has a very lively flute solo from Anderson. I don't really have anything to say on "Love Story". "A Christmas Song" is equally less glowing...