STAND UP

This is such a classic and it was the first Jethro Tull album I listened to. STAND UP caught my attention right away and it is as enjoyable today as the first time I listened to it. Mick Abrahams has been replaced by Martin Barre on guitar which is the only change in the lineup. Mick Abrahams was a more standard blues rock guitarist where Martin Barre is a bit more innovative.

The music has evolved from pretty basic blues rock on the debut album THIS WAS to rock music with a folky touch. Ian Anderson´s flute playing is omnipresent on STAND UP and was from this moment on their trademark.

The album starts with the classic A NEW DAY YESTERDAY which is one of the songs that are always played at Jethro Tull concerts along with the instrumental BOUREE which is also a Jethro Tull classic. Other stand out tracks would be FAT MAN with the wild percussion and REASONS FOR WAITING with the string arrangement ( something that Jethro Tull would explore further on later albums). But in truth there are only outstanding songs on this excellent album.

The sound quality is ok for the time, but it could have been better. It doesn´t take anything away from the album though and you have to remember that this was 1969.

This is one of the best albums Jethro Tull have made and a true rock classic. If it is a true prog rock album is up for discussion but the quality is not. It was innovative for the time though and fully deserves the masterpiece stamp. 5 stars for this essential album.