Jethro Tull is a band that’s often known as a cornerstone of the 70s progressive rock movement, a style of music incorporating elements of classical music. The British rock band has also often incorporated elements of English contemporary folk into their music, with frontman Ian Anderson being prone to spouting very humorous prose. A heavy amount of these folk influences are part of Jethro Tull’s very identity, most notably a primary instrument being the flute. But, while Jethro Tull’s kinsmanship to olden days was always apparent, what other genre of band they would become was still up in the air in 1969. Would they head for progressive rock, or keep the violent hard rock? Ian Anderson and guitarist Mick Abrahams debated over this. Abrahams wanted to keep the blues of the first album, while Anderson wanted to move away from that for more folk arrangements. Abrahams left the band soon after. With no one to stop him, Anderson moved towards a more orchestral sound with this album, making the album a major transition.
Both sides of Jethro Tull’s vision are shown on this album. “A New Day Yesterday” gleams with distorted guitar licks, the drums pounding like crashing mountains, the dirtiness of the harmonica bringing more of a realness to the music, being perfectly imperfect. The folk influences creep in the middle, with Anderson starting a flute solo to add a little more garnish to this medium rare blues steak. Many of the songs incorporate the hard rock guitar solos, but this song is the boldest statement of the passing Abrahams era. But, this is Anderson’s album, and his vision would soon be realized. In fact, they were almost too obvious, with Anderson going the extra step to cover the classical music piece “Bouree.” Anderson’s flute is prominent here, with the woodwind leading the charge of acoustic instruments, the song changing between a nature-walk and a slow growl, like staring down a bowel of fire. What this adds is not an arrogant statement by Anderson, but an earthy, peaceful prose. World influences of the Middle East and Africa are also present on “Fat Man.”
Stand Up was a great success (#1 in UK and #20 in the US). It set the stage for Jethro Tull’s later prog-rock efforts. It is an early example of prog-rock as well. Folk is simple in its elegance, and “Stand Up” compounds upon that. Ian Anderson’s voice is an instrument on it’s own. I highly recommend one to listen to this album.
For folkiness, an album recommendation would be “Ashes Are Burning by Renaissance”. It cleans off many of the overblown prog-rock aspects for a more simple beauty. For those hitched on hard rock and blues rock, I recommend “Led Zeppelin II.” The songs on it hammer one with catchy riffs, with Robert Plant giving a soulful and screeching voice.