Customer Reviews

Mu: Best of

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

M.U. The Best of is the first Jethro Tull album I bought after reading that one of my favorite heavy metal bands was greatly influenced by them. As soon as I heard the first track "Teacher", I was hooked. I loved the overall sound of the record and Ian Anderson's voice was terrific during this time. Very smooth and lower than on later albums. "Rainbow Blues" is a wonderful number with an orchestra in the background. At the time, I did not realize that this was the first and only record to carry this track at that time (it is now available on the War Child re-mastered CD, which I also recommend highly). I also love the edited version of "A Passion Play." Later, I bought the album A Passion Play, and this edited version is definitely the best part of the album. M.U. The Best of Jethro Tull captured me and I knew I would not be disappointed in the rest of Tull's catalogue, and I was right. In fact, the next Tull purchase I made was for a CD box set, so I quickly made a commitment as a Jethro Tull fan.

I remember the spring of 1977. Riding my 10 speed to the mall with money I made doing yard work for neighbors, just to buy this album. At 16, my collection already consisted of a fair cross section of Rock 'n Roll including "Eat a Peach", "Brothers and Sisters", "Diamond Dogs", Joe Walsh's "Smoker you drink, Player you get" (plus "James Gang Rides Again"), Bad Company's self titled album, "Mott The Hoople Live","Pet Sounds", and all the requisite Zepplin, Stones, Dylan, and Beatles.

But there was something about Tull. I remember earlier on in 1972 hearing a friend's older brother's cassette of "Thick as a Brick" and saying, "what the hell is that"? Later on, rainy New Jersey Saturdays doing algebra homework, listening to War Child "Skating Away". Living too far outside of NYC to catch the regular shows at the "Garden", I could only listen to Tull and imagine, but the mysteries it suggested. . .

MU was a whole opera in overture form. I take away one star because I miss the cracks, spits, and scratches of my worn out vinyl copy.

Today, talking about Tull is like as if in 1973 someone was talking about Glenn Miller, but I don't care. . . it's only Rock 'n Roll . . . and you know the rest

In my opinion, this is the best "Best Of" collection of Jethro Tull that you can find (for the money)... unless you're willing to buy the box set or double album collections. This one is the most fulfilling collection for me. Why? Because, in addition to having JT's commonly available hits, like Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, and so forth, this album features lesser known cuts, like Fat Man, Rainbow Blues, and Nothing Is Easy. Fat Man has always been one of my favorite JT songs. I could have bought any other collection, but I chose this one for that reason. I think you will, too. It's definately the "best" of Jethro Tull.

As with any collection of greatest hits, the intention is to give something to those fans who only like the hits and not the full LPs or to hook in those who may have only heard of one or two songs, but are unaware of all the other great tracks. As such, this is an excellent introduction to the Classic Tull tracks and should hook in any marginally interested listener. However, as with many of these things it also does that little underhanded trick of including an unreleased track just to tempt the already hooked fans into buying it. But it's still a great compilation record. And that bonus track is pretty darn good too.

This is it! If you are trying to get a glimpse of the greatness that Jethro Tull was/is/are..this is the place to start. It captures the best of all the pre-1979 albums and can turn you into a fan in just one listening. I personally love every track on the album and you will too.

This is the first Tull album that I purchased, and I don't regret the investment. It is an above average album with many popular songs. It is the best album to purchase if you are just getting started on Jethro Tull.

Sometimes it's difficult to rate "greatest hits" albums, especially when a band has as many different greatest hits albums as Jethro Tull. This is a good representation for an introduction into Jethro Tull's music. It covers the standards from the 1970s with a previously unreleased song as well. Critics question why edited versions of songs are included, but most people do not want to hear 20 minute songs (unless they are true fans of the band). I've always thought those who purchase "best of" collections are more or less casual fans at best. The other problem is Jethro Tull really never put out that many quality songs. One or two here and there is about as best as this band could muster. Album sales will confirm the public's satisfaction with any musician's efforts, and most Tull albums only found their way into Tull fans collections.

With only 11 cuts, this collection of early Tull is really for fans of the radio friendly Tull of the 70's. It has the basics but a real fan will look elsewhere.

I am a hard-core Tull fan, and don't believe in Tull compilations. It is however, good for beginners. For Tull veterans, buy it for "Rainbow Blues", one of Tull's best songs.

I Bought this Album (Vinyl) At A Tiny Local Record Shop in Cleveland Hghts. Ohio in 1976,..I Was A Junior in High School and It Was the Middle of Winter,..I Remember School Was Canceled Because of the Weather So I Trudged My Way Down to This Tiny Local Record Shop About Ten Minutes From My House and Browsed New Releases and Record Albums and This One Caught My Eye Displayed On An Endcap With a $4.99 Sale Sticker On It So I Picked It Up and Turned It Over and Began Reading the Songs Which Were On It and Saw A Few I Had Enjoyed Via Radio Play in the Past So I Bought It,..Took It Home Put it On the Turntable and To Be Honost Was Totally Blown Away With This My First Jethro Tull Album and Shortly Thereafter Went Out and Bought "Minstrel in the Gallery" After Hearing the Title Track Played On A Local Radio Station,..Have Been A Tull Fan Ever Since!!