Jethro Tull - This Was

2014 reissue, stereo cut from new 2008 mix

180-gram gatefold LP

Jethro Tull was initially a strange kind of blues band. Their first line-up included Mick Abrahams, Glenn Cornick, Clive Bunker, and Ian Anderson. In June 1968, just before recording of This Was began, Jethro Tull began a residency at London's famed Marquee Club (where the ‘Stones and The Who also launched their careers). Band advisers failed to get Ian to give up the flute and let Mick do all the singing. The album was recorded without any record company contract presuming, correctly, that a deal could be made afterwards.

The debut album hit No. 10 in the British charts, partly thanks to great airplay from BBC Radio DJ John Peel. Just before the release in the U.S., guitarist Abrahams left to form "Blodwyn Pig," primarily due to Anderson's preference for a less blues-orientated future.

Tull began their first US tour in January 1969, immediately after securing the services of guitarist Martin Barre.

The album had little commercial impact in the US charts (No. 62) but the U.S. tour did earn the band a strong cult following.

This Was is the debut album by the rock band Jethro Tull, released in 1968.