What Jethro Tull album do I need?

Hi Drew - good question.

My own personal answer would be Heavy Horses, but I am absolutely biased towards their folkier side, and this album is the epitome of that and a natural progression from Songs from the Wood. Following on from that, Broadsword and the Beast which incorporates both their folkier & more rock oriented sounds in one album, and is also exceptionally accessible.

A great band, with any luck you will eventually join me in owning and appreciating some (if not all) of the work on each and every album.

Minstrel In the Gallery - it has folk on it (but heavy), a major epic with some orchestral arrangements as a bonus. Excellent album.

If you like Songs From The Wood then you need the follow-up: Heavy Horses. It's just as good, though a bit different. The same can be said about Stand Up and it's relation to Benefit.


Edited by Swan Song - February 15 2009 at 13:29

Depends. I think that every Tull fan should check A Passion Play, I love it, but it's their most difficult to get in, there most controversial and eclectic/experimental.

Then Minstrel in the Gallery is a must, excellent heavy passages with acoustic ones. I like to define it like Aqualung but much Proggier.

Then if you liked Songs From The Wood definitely check out Heavy Horses, I prefer Songs, but who knows. And then get Stormwatch to finish the trilogy.

Of their new stuff, depends, you want proggy stuff check Roots to Branches, if you want pop oriented acoustic/heavy then check their 80's albums, specially Crest of a Knave.

From their early days, Stand Up is a great folk rock with blues album, full of classic tunes, as well as This Was, though much more bluesier. Like others said, Living in the Past is a great compilation of these classics plus the bonus tracks of these albums, which are killer also.

Since you enjoy Songs from the Wood, try Heavy Horses.

Also try Minstrel in the Gallery just because.

Honestly, though, you've got all the Tull you need.

Stand Up and Passion Play.  Both are outstanding.

Drew wrote: I have: Thick as a Brick Songs From the Wood Benefit Aqualung I enjoy them all very much- so which one should be next on my shopping list? THANKS

I would suggest in the following order....

I depends on taste, but i would definatly recomend minstral. Thats mainly because i love the baker street song. I would also warn against passion play. Listen before you buy. I like the vinyl versions but thats also personal taste. However, you already have the best albams.  

cacho wrote: I think that every Tull fan should check A Passion Play, I love it, but it's their most difficult to get in, there most controversial and eclectic/experimental. Then Minstrel in the Gallery is a must, excellent heavy passages with acoustic ones....

Agreed on those two counts!

Stand Up! Stand Up! Stand Up!