My favorite Jethro Tull album by a considerable margin

Great album.

nice read thanks for the post.
Not sure if Stand Up or Benefit is my favorite but regardless they are close in any event.

Great article, thanks for the link. Have forwarded to Tull fan friends. Love the record myself- I remember before I knew what Tull was, in fifth grade, probably early 1970, at Kathy Korniloff's house, with my saxophone- trying to play Knights in White Satin, the only pop tune I knew, with her on guitar... saxophone drowned out the guitar, particularly the crescendo on "and I love you.." played horribly, and so that was a failure.

Then she sang and played "Look Into the Sun", from Stand Up. Transported me. I immediately fell in love with her, and Jethro Tull. Never forgot that. Then I learned Bouree on the saxophone, for Kathy. She wasn't impressed. It really isn't a saxophone song.

(Another thing from the article you posted - I knew that Tony Iommi played with Tull briefly, on Stones' Rock Circus, but had never heard of the proto-Sabbath band Earth. Are there any recordings from that group around?)

The first three Tull albums are my favorite. Its interesting to hear the progression form a blues/jazzed/based rock band from This Was to Stand Up and then to Benefit with the latter 2 heading in the prog area.. I would like to hear JT get back to those roots.

You can tell a difference when Martin Barre joins the band. He is a monster on those two releases.

This is a great version of Love Story, much better than the studio cut IMHO.
Love Story-BBC

I think an overlooked Tull release is Catfish Rising from 1991.

Jethro Tull - Catfish Rising (1991) 13. When Jesus Came to Play

Jethro Tull - Catfish Rising (1991) 03. Roll Yer Own

Jethro Tull - Catfish Rising (1991) 09. Like a Tall Thin Girl

Jethro Tull - Catfish Rising (1991) 12. Gold-Tipped Boots, Black Jacket and Tie

Jethro Tull - Catfish Rising (1991) 06. Thinking Round Corners

Jethro Tull - Catfish Rising (1991) 07. Still Loving You Tonight

Jethro Tull - Catfish Rising (1991) 01. This Is Not Love

Have said this before, would love to see Ian Anderson do an outing just solo with guitar. Of course he is too much of a perfectionist to ever do that. Bag the flute, bag the drums, the band, the symphony orchestra, just Ian.