Jethro Tull - Stand Up

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Free Music Notes for Stand Up

Free Music Review: The Essential Jethro Tull
Hit: 5 Stars

Lead guitarist Martin Barre made his debut on this disc, replacing Mick Abrahams (who left to join Bloodwyn Pig) after deciding that change in the musical direction following the first album ("This Was") did not suit his musical sensibilities. Barre's playing on "Stand Up" is masterful and rife with excitement. He's backed by the venerable rythm section of Glen Cornick on bass and Clive Bunker on drums, who provide a rock steady backbeat on every song (even when Bunker is playing the bongos, his percussion work is impressive).

Ian Anderson plays no less than seven instruments, including his signature flute. He is responsible for giving this instrument equal standing with the rock guitar in this genre of music. The songs are tuneful, and filled with memorable hooks. The playing is vital and fresh. The arrangements are superb. For the progressive rock attack, witness "For a Thousand Mothers," "We Used to Know," and "A New Day Yesterday." They are as impressive as anything Anderson wrote subsequently. Ballads such as "Look into the Sun" and "Reasons for Waiting" are enchanting.

Beware that there are some problems with the sound. These include a compressed frequency range, and buried vocals on some songs. In some instances, the sound seems quite muddled. The production was done by Terry Ellis and Ian Anderson, so it is somewhat of an enigma that the production was weak.

The orginal vinyl US release on Chrysalis in 1969 was the victim of a poor pressing. I was interested in hearing the remastered CD. Unfortunately, none of the production weaknesses were ameliorated with this re-release. Additionally, the four "bonus tracks" (Living in the Past, Driving Song, Sweet Dream, and 17 {with a Phil Spectre-ish "wall of sound production"}) were previously released on on the two vinyl disc set, "Living in the Past" in 1972. Therefore, they do not represent anything new to Tull's legion of fans.

Putting aside the poor production, this album remains one of Ian Anderson's brilliant successes. This record, and the succeeding album (Benefit), define the essential Jethro Tull sound for many fans. This was before the "formula heavy rock" of Aqualung, and the spate of "concept" albums (Thick as a Brick, Passion Play) Anderson conceived and recorded in the 1971-1975 era, before his muse deserted him almost entirely in a string of unmemorable Tull albums in the late seventies and eighties.

The combination of Glen Cornick on bass and Clive Bunker on drums were, for me, always more compelling than their replacements in the group (Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond and Barrimore Barlow). Stand Up (and Benefit) showcase their considerable talents in backing Ian Anderson. Martin Barre is a superb guitarist, and his playing was never more impressive than on this record and the following album. Unfortunately, Glen Cornick left the group after Benefit to co-found the group "Wild Turkey." Clive Bunker exited Tull after "Aqualung" was recorded. The group definitely suffered as a result of the departure of these two stalwarts, despite the "technical proficiency" of their replacements.

For those Tull fans who have never heard "Stand Up," by all means purchase this CD. The songs are classic in construction and execution by the group. The signature Tull "tight as a drum" musicianship is in full evidence on this album. Anderson's lyrics are more accessible than his subsequent efforts, and the wide ranging influences evident on "Stand Up" are always interesting. The production problems not withstanding, this is a "must have." Highly recommended to the uninitiated.

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