This Was (Collectors Edition) (2CD) [Special Edition, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks, Import]

Jethro Tull | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 10, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Special Edition, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks, Import
• Label: EMI
• ASIN: B00166BL6Y
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,411 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. My Sunday Feeling

2. Some Day the Sun Won't Shine

3. Beggar's Farm

4. Move on Alone

5. Serenade to a Cuckoo

6. Dharma for One

7. It's Breaking Me Up

8. Cat's Squirrel

9. A Song for Jeffrey

10. Round

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. My Sunday Feeling

2. Some Day the Sun Won't Shine

3. Beggar's Farm

4. Move on Alone

5. Serenade to a Cuckoo

6. Dharma for One

7. It's Breaking Me Up

8. Cat's Squirrel

9. A Song for Jeffrey

10. Round

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

2008 two CD 40th Anniversary collector's edition of Jethro Tull debut album. Disc One contains the mono version of the album, which has never been available on CD, plus nine BBC tracks from sessions which relate to the album. Disc Two features a new stereo mix of the album plus four bonus tracks from rare early singles: 'Sunshine Day', 'Song For John Gee', 'Love Story' and 'Christmas Song'. This release also features new liner notes and anecdotes from the band members. This Was originally reached #10 in the UK charts, partly thanks to great airplay from BBC Radio DJ John Peel. 35 tracks. EMI.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Was (Collectors Edition), June 12, 2008

By 

Stuart Jefferson (San Diego,Ca) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: This Was (Collectors Edition) (2CD) (Audio CD)

Two discs. 71,55 min. each. Remastered sound. I must first make a confession-this is still my favorite album in Jethro Tull's catalogue. So with that in mind,here we go. Recorded rather quickly and on the cheap,this contains a lot of why British "rock" music was so interesting. Take a bit of blues,some Roland Kirk-style flute,including singing into the flute while playing,a slight bit of folk music,and some good old rock and roll-English style- and there you have it.

In 1968 I can remember purchasing this as an "import" from Tower Records. On first listen,I thought,what in the world is this? At the time very few people seemed to like it,thinking it a curiosity. Now we have the 40 year anniversary release,and if you liked the original,you'll like this. The new stereo mix lets the various instruments breathe a bit and the overall sound is cleaner than previous releases. There is a curious overall "lightness" in the sound,not in a negative way,but the combined force of the music is not as immediate when compared to the mono version. Being of an age when mono was the only way you heard most music,maybe that's a predjudice that can't be overcome. However,it's nice to have both in one handy package,along with other tracks from the period.

The BBC session,while sounding a bit flat,is certainly nice to have. The first track,So Much Trouble,has the Tull slide guitar-harmonica sound which we all know. It's interesting but not truly essential. My Sunday Feeling and Serenade to a Cuckoo both follow the originals. That could also be said for the rest of this session. Not until we get to Stormy Monday do we hear a track not from the album,but a song Tull had in their live repertoire at the time. This track demonstrates why this album has always been a favorite of mine. Here they take a blues tune,add some jazz drumming and flute and Ian Anderson's best blues vocal,and come out at the end with that "This Was" sound. The two final tracks pretty much follow the originals,but as I said,for anyone who likes this era of Tull,thats just fine.

As for the new stereo mixes of Love Story and Christmas Song on the second disc,they too have a much more "open" feel than previous recordings. Unlike the majority of this album,Christmas Story looks ahead to the Tull sound that went on to capture the imaginations of Americans everywhere. The vocal is pushed forward and the sound is leaning towards the minstral-folk sound Tull would make famous. The four mono tracks,all period singles, that conclude this set are typical Tull at that time,though I must say that One For John Gee is a personal favorite-what with the flute,bass and drums all pushing into jazz territory.

So,like I said,if you liked this album and found so much to listen for throughout the original album,you will like this. Included is a booklet with period photographs,the original liner notes,and input from the band members looking back all those years. This is an album,that,while dated, will never go out of style,as long as people are interested in something,as Ian Anderson says,that is a bit off.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent sound on a great classic album!, June 17, 2008

By 

Stereo Fan "Stereo Fan" (Southern CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Was (Collectors Edition) (2CD) (Audio CD)

I have just A/B'd the stereo disc of this new 2CD version of "This Was" with two previously issued CD versions (the Chrysalis and Hollywood versions). This one is the big winner BUT some will have good counter-arguments because the mix presented here is not the original mix. The listener of the new set will notice the heavy reverb that was applied to Anderson's voice is nearly entirely gone. Both previous issues had heavy reverb on his voice. With the reverb gone, the mix sounds so much cleaner. The voice and instruments are still in their general stereo positions (voice on the right, lead guitar on the left, etc...). The EQ is significantly different than what we hear on the Chrysalis version, and not so different from the Hollywood label version. The old Chrysalis CD clearly used a tape mastered for lp with the heavy bottom sucked out to keep the consumer's stylus from jumping the groove. This new double CD issue is a great improvement on the original mix. The original mix can only be preferred for sentimental reasons.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Massive Overkill But Still A Keeper, October 13, 2008

By 

Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: This Was (Collectors Edition) (2CD) (Audio CD)

It doesn't seem so long ago that the first three Jethro Tull albums were remastered and reissued with bonus tracks. So why buy this Collector's Edition of This Was? Well, unless you are a huge fan of the earliest incarnation of Jethro Tull, there is no good reason to particularly if you already own the previous edition. But, if you began your Tull experience when This Was was originally released, then you certainly will want to add this to your collection.
Admittedly, the This Was Collector's Edition is massive overkill. Not only do you get the ten songs (in mono) from the original release, nine additional songs from a pair of John Peel sessions are tacked onto the first CD. The second CD features the entire original album remixed in stereo, four remastered mono recordings of songs related to but not included on the original release, and stereo mixes of two of the bonus tracks. To sum it up, there is an astounding amount of music provided for what is currently a very fair price.
To me, My Sunday Feeling and Serenade To A Cuckoo are two of the early Tull pieces which, though utterly different in style, helped bring the band attention from a much wider range of listeners than it might have received if it were not so eclectic. They certainly got my attention and remain favorites to this day. I also favor Beggar's Farm, Move On Alone, and It's Breaking Me Up. Among the cuts from the Peel Sessions, I most enjoy My Sunday Feeling, Serenade to a Cuckoo and Beggar's Farm.
On the bonus disc, I most enjoyed the stereo mixes of the ones I like best on the mono version as well as One For John Gee which is kind of a poor relation to Serenade To A Cuckoo. One I don't like is Sunshine Day which is very unTull-like. Indeed, overall the extras don't match the quality of the songs ultimately selected for inclusion on the original album.
The double gatefold style presentation includes a small booklet containing pictures, commentary and album notes. So to reiterate, if you are a Tull fan with no particular attachment to the early years then you might be better off buying the single-disc remaster of This Was issued several years ago. But if you are one like me who still thinks that the first few Tull albums are his best, then This Was (Collector's Edition) is a keeper that will give you pleasure for the rest of your life.