I messed up on the Asia timeline (see comment below). I could have sworn that their debut album came out when I was 10 or 11. Regardless, the Asia vibe must have been in the air because I do hear Asia vibes on BATB. Anyway…oops.

Big Tull fan from a long-ago Xmas when I was gifted the AQUALUNG lp. Sadly, after a long relationship, I bailed after the double-live BURSTING OUT. Last year, a friend talked me into A and I was glad he did. A surprisingly strong album though it's a pity that Anderson couldn't have started his solo career here. Recently, I picked up the expanded CD of BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST and was, again, happily surprised. Although not every song is a banger (I would drop "Seal Driver" for one of the better bonus tracks). In both cases, the embrace of electronics to compliment the guitar/flute Tull sound is refreshing. Anderson is still in good voice and is still writing some perceptive songs. Enjoying this ranking very much, Shaggy!

Broadsword and the Beast (my overall 10 or 11) Crest of a Knave - 14 Roots to Branches -15 A -16 RokFlote - 17 A Christmas Album -19 The Zealot Gene -20 Rock Island -21 Catfish Rising -22 J-Tull Dot Com - 23 Under Wraps -24 I included not only A Christmas Album but also Living in the Past since it served as an album of mostly new music at the time of release.

Under Wraps was alarming when it came out because it was such a non-Jethro Tull sound. But over the years I have come around to the opinion that it is Tull's BEST album of the '80s. Certainly their most daring and experimental. Great songs, and a cool vibe in the lyrical themes of international tension and intrigue. (I could really do without all the songs about the older Ian leching after young girls that we started getting on the subsequent albums.) And Ian's vocal approach on Under Wraps is so bizarre and wonderful, all those weird yips and grunts...I have no idea why he chose to do that, but I love it. Your timeline is off regarding Asia--their first album actually came out at exactly the same time as Broadsword and the Beast, so it couldn't have been an influence. I just listened to Crest of a Knave a week or two ago for the first time in ages and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. (Always loved "Budapest" despite what I just said about songs about Ian lusting after sweet young things.) Rock Island is just awful, down at the bottom of the barrel along with Catfish Rising. Only "Whaler's Dues" and "Strange Avenues" save that one.

Broadsword makes my top 10 Tull albums I bought it when it came out ..I think some of the bonus cd tracks should have been on the original album instead of 1 or 2 others.

Thanks for your video series like these ... always interesting perspectives ... re Under Wraps .... needs to be re-mixed with proper drums to bring out the quality of the tracks ... Ian has said that he did not think there would be a return for the cost to do this ... maybe if he did a crowd-funding of this he would be surprised to find that the Tull fan base would "Stand Up" 'cause of their love of the band .... a set with a re-mix with the new drums added, re-master of the original plus a full set of the concert(s) done at the time touring the album (there were great shows at the time and the Under Wraps material works great live) would definitely sell ... I'd be up for that to add to the ever growing collection .... the rest of '80's Tull works for me - especially Broadsword (love it ... and so many superb outakes that did not make the album), "A" and Crest of a Knave (sure it's Dire Straits-y but that works for me) .... Cool video once again, CMcG, Aberdeen, Scotland (p.s. saw Tull in Aberdeen 3 months back ... really great night, good set list, current band in great form - lots of energy and Ian's vocals were perfectly fine .... no issues from my perspective ... would buy a live release of tour if one materialises in due course)

@calummcgregor3662

19 күн бұрын

P.S. meant to say that while the 90's + were not necessarilly stellar years for Tull, Rocks On The Road is a top Tull track for me .... and the flute playing on Rokflote is really very very good.

Nice to hear nice words about "A" - so many ditches this album with "Under Wraps" - which is totally unfair. Its probably their last masterpiece for me (Broadsword is almost a masterpiece, but TOO many outtakes around from that period)

Interesting approach to go thrpugh this by decade. I personally prefer Under Wraps over Rock Island and Crest of a Knave, but great presentation overall.

Broadsword and the Beast I agree number 1 Does Jeffrey Hammond Hammond have Captain Beefhearts TMR hat ?

Wish Ian Anderson hadn't ruined his voice. Early Tull is delicious.