Jethro Tull’s Benefit becomes the latest Tull classic to get the big book and multi CD/DVD treatment.
The album marked a sort of transition for the band from the bluesy style of Stand Up moving more towards the folk/rock of what would follow benefit- which was of course the tour de force of Aqualung.
Anyhoo – back to Benefit. Remarkable to think it’s 50 years old. And after all these years it still (forgive me a Tull pun) stands up well today sounding fresh.
Benefit wasn’t highly thought of by the critics on original issue – and it does take a bit of getting in to, though once you’re in there’s plenty to enjoy.
Particularly, in my opinion, Martin Barre’s guitar work as he riffs up a storm and stretches out on some superb soloing starting to define his unmistakable sound. Smooth, effortless, powerful. One of the greatest guitarist of the genre.
The more guitar-oriented stuff – such as With You There to Help Me, Son and To Cry You a Song slot in nicely amongst the more folksy stuff and the whole album fits together well.
There’s some humour and a little weirdness in Play in Time too.
Have a listen to To Cry You a Song. Hear how it’s a sort of precursor to the Aqualung sound:
If you’re an old Tull fan, these big book/box set things are essential. Benefit being no different.
Encased in the chunky hard back cover is:
- A 100-page book – interviews, lots of photographs, lyrics and whatnot
- The original album remixed by Steven Wilson including some bonus stuff such as Sweet Dream, Teacher and My God
- A CD of “associated recordings” from back in the day including the excellent Witches Promise
- A CD of Tull’s performance at Tanglewood from 1970
- A CD of the band performing in Chicago in 1970
- A DVD (audio only) of Wilson’s remix from 2013
- A DVD of the Tanglewood concert
All in all another monster package of high quality in the series of Tull albums getting the treatment. Wonder if we’ll get Broadsword and the Beast next…….
In the meantime – whatever does come next – enjoy Benefit and all the greatness within as Jethro Tull emerge in to that classic folk/rock they’d become so successful at.