Jethro Tull: Worst to Best | Albums Ranked

[@divallecurie9656]

What the hell is your problem, pal?! Sure, I like 'Passion Play'--but it's in no wise better than the dozen or so albums you rank below it. It belongs somewhere just under 'Crest of a Knave'. It's certainly not Anderson's #1.

[@classicalbum]

In your opinion.

[@BobC59]

90% of this boils down to personal taste, so why the harsh reaction? Wanna have some fisticuffs over it? Sheesh! Surely you have a different list as do the umpteen other Tull fans of the world.

[@BobC59]

How did part of my text get strike-through effect???

[@awrogers3013]

Don’t agree with you mr c

[@BobC59]

@@awrogers3013 That’s cool. Different tastes and opinions make life interesting. As the saying goes, “Variety is the spice of life”! What would you rank as their best? On any given day, and depending on mood, I’d probably switch order between at least 5 albums - maybe more.

[@Williamottelucas]

It's a well-known fact that Tull admirers come to look like Ian with time!

[@WhiteOwlet]

As a Tull fan, it's frustrating how accurate this is.

[@taco2947]

@@WhiteOwlet Haha. I thought the same thing.

[@huwpatt3817]

Never noticed but now you've drawn my attention to it ...

[@knowhere60]

☺

[@pamelatrane9833]

Hope that doesn't apply to us female fans....lol

[@GaryBook]

I have not seen a better overview of Jethro Tull. I am going to go back to their catalog and revisit their works. Thank you for journeying me back into their body of work. I think Thick As A Brick is their masterpiece, but there are some many gems that I had missed and now will revisit.

[@GaryPhelpsII]

Thank you for this; Passion Play is my favorite album, period. I feel vindicated😻😻😻

[@classicalbum]

No problem!!

[@1988WHISKY]

Good review man. I love Songs from the Wood, Too Old to Rock'n'roll, Aqualung, Heavy Horses and Stormwatch

[@billvrabel1502]

I've loved JT for years, but surprisingly have heard little of their material. I'm starting to collect their LP's and this helps to decide which to get next which will probably be either Passion Play or Songs From The Wood.

[@justgivemethetruth]

In "A" are you forgetting "The Pine Marten's Jig". I like this album a lot, it was almost orchestral. Love Uniform as well, that is a masterpiece.

[@ScottHouston1]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge in this thoughtful review. I'm going to take a fresh look at: Catfish Rising, Stormwatch, Crest of a Knave, and A Passion Play as a result. A Passion Play at the top is a tough one for me to grasp but I'll listen with an open mind and see if I can get it. Certainly there are parts of A Passion Play that have always grabbed my emotions in a way that the other Tull albums do not. My Top 5 are #1 Benefit, #2 Stand Up, Songs from the Wood, Aqualung, and Thick as a Brick. I've always had a great affinity for Warchild, Minstrel in the Gallery, and Heavy Horses (wow, your #5!) that lifts them higher in my ranking than some critics. I remember riding my bicycle to the record store on the days that Songs from the Wood and Heavy Horses came out and not really knowing what to make of them. After all, think of what came before them in comparison. They were very different. Those two albums get better with every play and they are among the true gems. Down towards the bottom of your list, the assessment of 'A' is fair. It really was a solo album. Eddie Jobson is amazing and there are some interesting things going on there. That concert tour was enjoyable. I'd add that "Roots to Branches" is the "best of the worst albums" for lack of a better term. I was pleasantly surprised when I first heard it. I think it has some interesting themes and musical influences. ...thanks again.

[@mikeciresi3697]

Benefit is my favorite Jethro Tull albums, loads of hooks.

[@edub1961]

totally according to this list. A Passion Play is a masterpeace, and together with Thick and Aqualung make up the big three

[@daniellestone3126]

We are in perfect agreement!

[@leesnider4363]

Some good insights on one of my favorite groups. Living in the Past never makes it onto anyone's best-of-Tull list because it's considered a compilation album. Actually, only six of the 23 tracks were previously released, so it deserves a place among the best Tull records of all time. It's my No. 1.

[@lawrencefeldman7744]

Mine too side 4??!?!? One of the best album sides ever!

[@allornadaaccordingtojack7601]

Some similarities in the top of your list and mine. Excellent job on your assessment of all the Tull albums!!

[@classicalbum]

Cool, thanks!

[@gpfarah]

This is terrific! Thanks for your thorough analysis.

[@johnb2182]

Must add that Thick as a Brick is a masterpiece. Amazing lp indeed.

[@classicalbum]

Yes, indeed.

[@shb7772000if]

Thick as a brick is a work of genius.

[@oskarileikos]

Greatest prog album and greatest prog song (the part 1) of all time

[@JK-wt5cq]

In my opinion, This Was should be higher up. It rocks pretty hard. It's a top 10 Tull record for me.

[@clouddog2393]

" Stand up " , "Benefit " , " Aqualung" and " Songs from the wood "are my favourite Tull albums . Saw them in '71 when l was 16 my first ever gig . Brought " Aqualung "the next day . The title track and guitar solo are incredible and l still get a buzz from it all these years on . What a great decade for Prog the ' 70's was .

[@philmcdonald7956]

For me....... 1. Aqualung. 2. Thick as a brick. 3. Heavy Horses. Aqualung is one of the greatest albums of all time to me.

[@SasquatchMelee]

I concur. No fillers on Aqualung!

[@user-gg7jk8kx6p]

I agree but I really never liked the song Aqualung. All the rest are terrific.

[@chasea.johnson4437]

This album has changed my life several times. And LOVE the title track and am sorry, J, that you cannot share this pleasure w/ me. But I could, under duress, jettison "It's Up to Me". It's darned good, but every thing else is pure gold, despite hyperbolic hatred of the Church of England (what hypocrisies would emerge from scrutiny of Ian's life or mine?). Join me in praying to all the gods that you can count for Ian's sadly and conveniently Buddhist soul.

[@user-gg7jk8kx6p]

@@chasea.johnson4437 WOW, I am curious how it changed your life? And I kind of like "Up to Me" especially the line "And leave you in a Wimpy Bar."

[@axelibrotherus3526]

Ouh i think benefit and stand up are much better passion play and minstrel in gallery are also great

[@hoosieronan]

Benefit and Stand Up are to this day my favorite for the period in my life.

[@apugalypse_now]

Stand Up is my favorite as well. Criminally underrated.

[@gowensbach2998]

Those are my two favorites as well

[@gowensbach2998]

Duke Sweden Aqualung is like the Abby Road of Jethro Tull. Its good, but thats where the really classic stuff starts to vear off.

[@davelogan9221]

Agree..That Was ..Stand Up..Benefit..Aqualung..4 albums were Jethro Tull..the Ian Anderson Band after..

[@gowensbach2998]

that really updated my journal . I saw a show...dont remember what it was, but the guy took out some records to target practice with, and one was Stand Up. I was horrified! As a drummer, I love Clive Bunker’s vigorous play! And the way the sound was produced, is interesting as well, but a person has to be able to hear that stuff to appreciate it.

[@travelinben1966]

I love Tull, and if I could only have one of their albums, it would be “Benefit.” Rest In Peace Glenn.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@gerhardhauptmann9939]

I was fascinated by A Passion Play when I bought it at 14 years of age, shortly after its release. And now at 61 I still love it!! A true work of art.

[@kurthenke2248]

Passion Play is the only album I’ve ever bought on every type of media; I still have the 8-track around here somewhere

[@karlhess7064]

@@kurthenke2248 It's out on 5.1 also.

[@robertbradley6393]

It's terrific

[@edwarddehooge4469]

Thank you. I just turned 56 I got Passion Play after seeing Tull in 82. It is in a class of it self. For me it was a tough listen but it took awhile. Thank you.

[@papadopp3870]

@@edwarddehooge4469 I know what you mean. It’s my favorite, though. When I bought, not long before the tour arrived here, I love it musically but, yeah, it took a while to figure out the narrative starting with a death and a funeral, visits to a bland heaven and a much more interesting visit to hell before the protagonist ends up (maybe?) back in a railway station. Or something. That’s what I finally got after a couple hundred obsessive listens, lyrics in hand.

[@entwistling]

This was a stellar review. I was initially a bit confused to see you rate some of these so low, but you said it yourself once you hit Minstrel: it's just a testimony to the awesomeness of the albums above it. When watching something like this, you really have to keep in mind how wonderful most Tull albums really are. They were a very experimental group, and each album has its own color and sound. My personal favorite is Heavy Horses, and I think you placed it fairly. Happy to see A Passion Play at number one. I feel that one often gets overshadowed by TAAB.

[@stevetree3]

I love their live album from 1978.."Bursting Out" I thought that might get a mention..superb playing on that..especially from Barriemore Barlow..

[@donpaul5474]

Wow! What a tremendous and thoughtful breakdown of the Jethro Tull oeuvre. They were my favorite band during my teenage years in the 70’s. In fact very simply put, Benefit is the reason I found my love of music. From the opening chords of With You There to Help Me.. I was in love with music. Benefit demonstrated to me that music could be WAY more then just ear candy. So Benefit is my sentimental favorite but a VERY close second is Stand Up. Not articulate enough to say why, just love the vibe of it, stylish, intelligent, well...fun. As for your first place pick, here I would defer to you, the much more well versed in Tull lore. However I find it just a fanciful & indulgent excursion. Musically very well done but the whole conceptual idea kind of leaves me...meh. You (and other commentators) mention the denseness of the music on this one but it must be my own denseness that prevents me from appreciating it. As it happens I pretty much moved on from Jethro Tull in the late 70’s after I heard the likes of The Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads (you get the idea) but I still come back to my old Jethro Tull vinyl once in a while and fall in love all over again. Oh... and I sure love me some This Was. Thanks for the work and thought you must have put into this video. Well done.

[@classicalbum]

Thanks.. do check out my other videos.

[@budg.6094]

Of all of Ian’s many brilliant decisions, there is something about the way we are eased into Benefit with the quiet, building beauty of With You There To Help Me that I think is really cool.

[@tullmonkey]

Passion Play is an incredible album and one that i never get bored of....there is no other album on the planet like it.

[@enriquemachorromendoza4310]

Hi Norman, I am agree with you, try Allusa Falax from Italy "Intorno alla mia cativa educazione". Regards

[@alphacrusis2632]

One of my all-time favourites too

[@berniekellman405]

A Passion Play is to the Tull catalog what Tull is to the rest of music.

[@claytonchaney9171]

This album requires the listener to do.some heavy lifting...not for the casual listener....I dig it

[@jonhoward180]

I've got every album by Jethro Tull. A Passion Play is my least favourite. Admittedly, I've only listened to it all the way through twice but It comes across as amateurish and pretentious.

[@rwsmith7638]

Best discussion of Tull albums EVER! I'm going to listen again in case I missed something.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for watching...

[@alanrebel1755]

Album "Heavy Horses" is The Best One for me!

[@fernandowaters312]

Absolutely, the best of the best.

[@franknada8235]

Absolutely! Change the places between A Passion Play and Heavy Horses, which _is_ the quintessential Jethro Tull album - the must have!

[@franknada8235]

Lol, just saw everyone else used the same word: "absolutely". But it's just because it's so evident.

[@donallyons7504]

Oh I think it's there worst I think it's worse then j tull.com and under wraps it has no memorable tracks and the writing is lazy mixed with the complete lack of musical talent and the worst album cover of all time and u have there worst album

[@donallyons7504]

@A F how

[@irishguy13]

Songs From the Wood. Has anyone ever made a better album?

[@argelbargel7680]

My favorite as well.

[@tommisabre666]

Perfect album from start to finish

[@gordonjackson217]

Jethro Tull.

[@markrago7217]

Depends on your tastes really. Rainbow-Rising was amazing, Black Sabbath-Heaven and Hell, King Crimson-Red, Rush-2112, all great

[@sciwiz57]

irishguy13 None better

[@tomryan943]

My favorite album is "Benefit".Although I didn't buy it until I had purchased " Aqualung", (it wasn't available in the States until after Aqualung was released Number 2 is Aqualung, number 3 is "Thick as a Brick", and 4 is "Living in the Past". 5 is Stand Up.

[@godfreyberry1599]

The great amount of positives for the album Benefit and Heavy Horses is quite enlightening - magnificent all time classics.

[@berniekellman405]

I agree with a lot, disagree with a bunch but one thing for sure is that this gentleman really, really knows what he is talking about. Very impressive and detailed assessments.

[@crusheverything4449]

Except when he mentions The Secret Life of Birds. 🙄

[@goran5570]

Benefit is the number one for me 👍

[@sbearly]

Me too. Maybe because it was my first and it was so different from everything else I was hearing at the time. 2nd best was the quite different Songs From the Woods.

[@jimvandemoter6961]

I agree, followed by Aqualung then Benefit.

[@bustedfender]

Heavy Horses and the adjacent two for me...

[@eipi5173]

Ditto

[@thunderc45]

Benefit is superb with Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me one of his finest ever

[@Darrylizer1]

My number one is Stand Up. There's something so fresh and wonderful about the album due in large part to its simplicity in terms of arrangement. Tull is playing without much studio trickery and the recording is beautiful. Serendipity at the core! Edit: bold move putting A Passion Play at number one! The only album where Ian plays sax I believe. I'd put it at number two.

[@leighfoulkes7297]

1. "Songs From the Wood" and 2. "Heavy Horses". I don't know what would follow after but I'm a huge fan of his 1970's works.

[@franknada8235]

Those are truly the Folk Rock that is Tull's trademark. I'd recommend people to listen to those first.

[@martinrasinger6306]

If you like "Heavy Horses" I think You also will like the following album "Stormwatch". "Stormwatch" is my favourite album from Jethro Tull - a dark melancholic masterpiece !

[@progger53]

Have you ever thought of going to KZbin and listening to the rest of the LPS?

[@sizzlechest69]

Jethro Tull? Yes, I like him as well. He's great. His 70s works are masterpieces. What a guy, Mr. Jethro Tull.

[@gemini2012100]

Only one problem with "A Passion Play". It needs to be longer. I can listen to it over and over again.

[@classicalbum]

Yes... that's why I combine it with the Chateau d'Heroville recordings

[@NelsonMontana1234]

It all depends on when you first heard them. For me, I was a fan from the start. And to this day, I consider "THIS WAS" as one of their best albums -- as unlike the others as it may be. I can understand not preferring the jazzy British Blues slant, but ranking it 14th is just absurd. And for me, STAND UP is his masterpiece. Passion Play is certainly ambitious but it misses the mark in too many ways -- and I think Anderson would agree.

[@smujismuj]

From 68 through 72 this band was pure genius. Ian Anderson is the full package, the whole enchilada, a triple...quadruple threat. A consummate poet, musician, and human.

[@bradslowgrove1128]

They died with Thick as a Brick. I do not like to be ripped off when I buy an album instead I got a one song wet dream.

[@quailstudios]

Thank you! I like your list. I haven’t listened to A passion play for years. I’ll have to go back and revisit it and see what I think now. This is the first time that I have listened to a video from your channel. I’ll be back again.

[@classicalbum]

I hope so... thank you for dropping by

[@loupeluso1223]

i cannot believe i just watched a list where aqualung is number three and thick as a brick number TWO and PASSION PLAY NUMBER 1 so of course immediately subscribed. this after breathlessly watching tales from topographic oceans to the top of the Yes list. this man is is a genius. The list I have been waiting for since the 70s. passion, especially as redone by steven wilson is a fkn revelation. thank you for this.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you so much for watching.

[@marcusbah]

"Stand Up" should be Number ONE

[@teedub9295]

I would agree with these choices. It's tough but Passion Play is sincerely underrated. And they are all great albums.

[@donallyons7504]

@@marcusbah exactly with stormwach being second

[@kevinjekyll1521]

Yes I think you got it just right, no one will ever agree, we all identify personally. I think the band started off trying to find a groove. Ian took a lead, then they built and combined to Passion Play. You have remember the time, their were other great bands right in their backyard. What a great time musically. To my mind really was, just that Tull was; intelligent, witty, and the the band members were outstanding, and allot of their work still stands up to day. A lot of great songs mentioned here, thanks for the memories.

[@martinhayward4466]

After many years of digesting Tull, my top 5 are: 1. A Passion play 2. Stand Up 3. Minstrel in the Gallery 4. Stormwatch 5. Songs From The Wood Guarantee the next 5 aren't too shabby either.

[@kottmeier]

Stand Up is a real gem.

[@danieldelrio1411]

1. A Passion Play 2. Aqualang 3. Stand Up 4. Minstrel Gallery 5. Storm Watch / Heavy Horses

[@BobC59]

Here’s an idea: Rather than ranking albums, how about doing a Tull top twenty (or 25)? It would take away the requirement of including entire collections of music assembled for “best sales” and allow for just the best music recorded by JT. Say, the top 20 -25 Tull songs of all time - the perfect “best of” album, you might say… Of course there’s the problem of two “songs” being album length 🤔

[@zenclover8468]

Jethro Tull is a deep well of which ive listened to about half of their work, and seen them live once i think in 2010. I am fascinated, surprised, annoyed, excited, intellectually stimulated, etc... my thoughts and feelings run the gamut on this band and i look forward to listening to albums like passion play which ive purposefully been saving for a rainy day when i can really spend some time listening with headphones. Surprised you did not mention "black satin dancer" which has dark and chunky ominous guitar riffs or pan dance which shows off ians enchanting flute. Bungle in the jungle i think was also left out of being mentioned which surprised me (unless im mistaken). Yes there are too many tull songs to mention but these would make my personal list as some of my favorites. Appreciate your hard work and effort. Much Love and peace to you and all Tull fans out there !

[@Glenrsi]

Great video. My top 6 Jethro Tull albums have always been. Stand Up / Aqualung / Benefit / Songs From The Wood / Thick As A Brick / Crest Of A Knave. No particular order.

[@LordOfLight]

For a few seconds I thought that was Ian Anderson himself on the screen in front of me. So it's true then: JT fans really DO end up looking like the man. Oh God................

[@cleepvs]

A very difficult exercise but I am astonished at how low Minstrel In The Gallery is rated. Number 4 for mine after Stand Up, TAAB and Aqualung

[@classicalbum]

It's a great album--- maybe I should have ranked it higher.... Happy new year to you... Thanks for watching

[@marcelob4132]

I concur with most of your ranking but strongly disagree with the poor placement of the brilliantly arranged Minstrel In the Gallery

[@jpsullivan4845]

I've always considered A Passion Play to be Jethro Tull's 'Dark side of the Moon' and similarly Yes' 'Tales from Topographic Oceans'; all done in 1973. I would move up Minstrel in the Gallery as it has so much honesty coming from Ian about himself. Also I would have included Living in the Past as it was highly successful and would be in the middle somewhere. Side 4 is one of my favorite all time JT sides. Nice to see Catfish Rising getting some props- I consider it to be their last good album.

[@francopacelli7753]

I agree with you: A Passion Play is my best Jethro Tull album too !!!

[@Agmash29a]

This video is incredible! What an amazing, well researched run-through.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for you kind comments. Please subscribe and share this video.

[@Cr8Tron]

@@classicalbum Yeah...actually, Riley's right; you *did* offer quite a few fine details in the run-through. So, I think I *will* subscribe/share. Anyhow... another little fun fact I can offer: On JT's defense, Crest of a Knave sounding like Dire Straits is arguably a bit of a backwards statement, considering that Mark Knopfler actually consulted Martin Barre about how to achieve his exact guitar tone (prior to any of Dire Straits' catalogue, if I understand correctly).

[@classicalbum]

I didn't know that ... an interesting point. However, I don't think Tull were trying to sound like Dire Straits, I just think Anderson's voice was lower in key and sounded a bit like Knophler. The press just assumed they were trying to cash in on the success of Brothers in Arm.... but then what do they know

[@Cr8Tron]

@@classicalbum Yeah, the press often assumes a lot. I'm just pointing this out because I personally think that it's just as valid (if not more valid) to say that DS can sometimes sound reminiscent of the old JT (at least guitar-wise).

[@paulatB2B]

Well-informed review. Better than the average 'I like X and Y and I'll limit myself to reading a few song titles as evidence' approach.

[@thomaslansing6485]

The last time I saw Jethro Tull even Ian Anderson admitted that Passion Play was a big mistake which still had "a couple of nice moments". The public performances in 1973 were panned by the audience as I witnessed on its premiere! Stand Up, Benefit and Songs from the Wood are pure delights without the excesses of Aqualung and Thich as a Brick (which are still very good), and are my top 3!

[@crusheverything4449]

@Thomas Lansing - What are the excesses on Aqualung?

[@josedealbuquerquejr.941]

He was deeply disturbed by the very negative reviews the album got after the marathon that was A Passion Play recordings… It’s a remarkable album, but TAAB is better undoubtedly imho

[@mikegray8776]

What a Tour de Force of an analysis !!! I have always regarded myself as something of a Jethro Tull connoisseur - but I am completely humbled and blown away by the depth of your knowledge, and understanding of what under-pinned each album. Bravo! I would be rather older than yourself, and (bizzarely) remember the early days altogether more vividly than the more recent offerings. Like you, Tull would be one of my absolute favourite bands of all time, and have been since 1971. I would agree with almost all of the points you make, and virtually all the rankings you attribute to each album, with perhaps only a handful of qualifications, which (out of interest, but not dogmatic conviction) I would mention below ...... * I would inter-change Minstrel and Benefit, not because of any qualitative judgement, but because Minstrel played an inportant part in my youth, and I have enormously warm memories of it, whereas Benefit [to me] being sandwiched between two of the best albums of all time (of any band) seemed a little flat by comparison to them. I know Martin felt Benefit was a better platform for his contributions than Stand Up - but I definitively do not. One of the most modest 'great' musicians I have ever encountered, I think he still felt like a "green" novice on this first album - but he is possibly the only person I have ever encountered who thinks this (Ian Anderson included!). * Stand Up was for me the 3rd best Tull Album (on certain days perhaps the 2nd best, edging out Aqualung) and even now I still listen to many of the tracks every month. There is not one weak track amongst the 10 - and "We Used to Know" is one of my 3 favourite Tull songs ever. [Martin's short solo is absolutely magnificent!] I would therefore promote this ahead of the excellent Heavy Horses & Songs from the Wood - both of which I love as much as you do. * Passion Play was a monumental album, innovative, uplifting and incredibly important. But much though I loved it as a stand- alone piece, it did not move me to anything like the same extent as Thick as a Brick, or indeed the 3 albums which preceded it. But, that said, it is still solidly within "my" Top 10 * Crest of a Knave is for me a classic "70's" Tull offering, and - developmentally - should really have followed Stormwatch. Massively the best of the latter-day albums, Crest was another unblemished album with not a single weak track - and absolutely stacked with memorable classics (Steel Monkey, Farm on the Freeway, Budapest, Raising Steam.....) * So - by process of elimination - my No2 and No1 were (and still are) Aqualung - the best Album of perhaps the 2nd best year for Albums ever (1971) - and of course Thick As a Brick in pole position; over the years I have virtually worn through Side 1 [which is also the favourite "track" on my iPod] - and Side 2 is absolutely no slouch either! "The Poet & The Painter" is absolutely what recorded music is all about. So - for what it's worth - my Top Ten would be :- 10 Stormwatch 9 War Child 8 Passion Play 7 Minstrel in the Gallery 6 Heavy Horses 5= Crest of a Knave 5= Songs from the Wood 3 Stand Up 2 Aqualung 1 Thick As A Brick PS - I was at the same "Crest" gig at the NEC which you attended - what a fabulous evening, and what a triumphant return to form for the boys after a few quieter years! (As I remember, the balloons may have made a comeback that year too?) Thanks for a really interesting, informed and nostalgic round up! I know i was late in finding it - but it was a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend 40 minutes! Well done indeed.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you. Do check out my other Tull videos

[@jonmagidsohn]

Nice work from a true fan. Your justifications for each selection are sound. Couple of things: Too Old to Rock N Roll may be thematically thin, but the songwriting and some of the melodies are superb ('Crazed Institution', 'Salamander'). 'Tall Thin Girl' has that Indian feel because it's very much a sequel - and named antithetically - to 'Fat Man'. I agree that Broadsword... is massively underrated and would even consider putting it higher due to the strong songwriting. 'Dark Ages' is not on Bursting out, unless there are some bonus tracks somewhere that I haven't heard. 'Reasons for Waiting' on Stand Up is one of the most beautiful acoustic songs ever. How it fits onto that album I'll never understand, but it does. To me, Passion Play was a great failure, especially after TAAB, but I've known others for whom, like you, it's their favourite album.

[@classicalbum]

Hi.. you're right about Dark Ages not being on Bursting Out... that was just my mistake. I was thinking on No Lullaby

[@classicalbum]

I think I was confusing it with a bootleg I owned from 1979 or 1980 that starts with Dark Ages.

[@BobC59]

It’s always been one of my faves

[@xerozoo]

1. Heavy horses 2 . Stormwatch 3. Songs from the wood 4. Broadsword and the beast 5. Under wraps edit: I have not heard a passion play nor thick as a brick, and now i think i probably should immediately

[@knotsobad]

Agreed with Passion Play and your list and reasons was excellent

[@moshemosh7792]

,,,stend up .benefit. the best.

[@ricardo-fotografia]

Great work. Ben a JT hardcore fan since a child and counting, I must confess that there are some differences compared to my own chart. I run my own internet store, it´s called Rockisland upon your #19 which I consider much better, while not quintaessential of course. You seem to have much more patience than me on things I feel quite a bit boring as Crest Of a Knave (Apart from the fantastic farm on The Freeway, and ... bleh !... "Beastie..." After watching this wonderful review I will force myself to listen to it carefully again. Regards from southamerica.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for watching

[@mikemb123]

my favorite was Minstrel in the Gallery.

[@fernanmas1779]

For me too. Simply perfect

[@ziggystardust7833]

Love your reviews, but did you say that Dark Ages was on Bursting Out? Not on my version... Minstrel should be ranked higher! Keep the reviews coming.

[@classicalbum]

No you're right 'Dark Ages' is not on 'bursting out.' I'm confusing it with a bootleg I had of the 1980 tour. my mistake.

[@spontaneousgroovincombusti2902]

One of my very favorite acts of all time. It’s hard for me to grade the excellence of Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, and A Passion Play in any particular order. I love them all and consider them to be at the top of the work. Songs from the Wood comes very close for me. I also really like War Child. Minstrel in the Gallery comes nowhere close for me and I’m really surprised to see Heavy Horses mentioned many times in the comments. I did not like it at all. And it was actually the last one that I bought back in the day. Whilst there are other fantastic songs such as Teacher and Living in the Past, the core of Tull’s heyday is for me: Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, A Passion Play, Songs from the Wood, and War Child. Admittedly I’m unfamiliar with the post-Heavy Horses work! Your commentary is brilliant.Thanks!

[@bboyzagy]

Interesting how people often forget about Rover. That has to be my favorite song off the Heavy Horses record. It's wonderful to listen to and play.

[@classicalbum]

One of my favourites

[@miguelbarahona6636]

My all time favorite is Wheathercock. Heavy Horses is my 2nd favorite JT´s album. The first is Aqualung and the third Thick as a Brick.

[@jonesy2111]

Passion Play is Tulls zenith absolutely. An ambitious piece of art rock that was inspiring and creative as anything youd care to mention. The critics panned it when it came out but what do they know? Then Benefit, War Child and Aqualung. I saw JT live many times and they had the best live sound of anyone. I'm talking about the classic lineup. The A album was the beginning of the end

[@fryderyk2462]

Passion Play is the proof that critics have no idea of what innovation is...

[@jonhoward180]

*nadir

[@uncleambient]

Excellent video, glad that A Passion Play was number 1 :)

[@rwsmith7638]

I don't know how I missed it, but I never got the meaning and 'plot' of the Passion Play until about a year ago when I read some about it after I picked it up again. I'm looking at it with new eyes. I liked the music, but didn't get the 'story'.

[@martinknill]

Likewise - "Passion Play" I also my favorite. However, disappointed that "Living in the Past" didn't appear in the list at all :(

[@mannthemann6118]

@@martinknill That would be because "Living in the Past" is not a studio album as such. It's more like a compilation of singles, outtakes, alternative versions and live rarities.

[@martinknill]

Yes - you're right - and I did realise my stupid mistake that after I posted my previous comment (doh!). Because it's my go-to album for older material, I overlooked this.

[@johnwilliams4658]

Great. Warchild would be in my top 10 too. It's too often overlooked. Excellent choice for no.1. I've loved Passion Play since the first day I heard it sometime in the later 70s. Cheers.

[@InsideBilderberg]

I agree with A Passion Play, my favorite Tull album too, number two for me is Minstrel In the Gallery and three Songs From the Woods.

[@handebarlas6248]

I am so delighted to have listened to your extensive review. I have just finished watching it and I want to thank you very much for such a well informed and insightful review. I still feel very excited. I would put Stormwatch much higher in my list as I think it has just the correct atmosphere musically, lyrically and soundwise in conveying its subject matter. However, as you say, this is your list and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is always a pleasure to listen to or read comments from people who really understand and appreciate Tull and the genius of Ian Anderson, as well as of course the all important contribution from the band members. Thank you once again.Now I am off to watch your A Passion Play Review. Exciting.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for your kind words. I do hope you will subscribe for more content.

[@handebarlas6248]

@@classicalbum I already have.

[@gz1619]

Most people don’t like the debut album for Tull but I think that it is a pretty good jazzy psych blues album, But my favorite album is probably Thick as a Brick or Passion Play.

[@andyo3689]

I think that the very first Tull album actually is more a debut of Bloodwyn Pig then Jethro Tull.

[@truthmonger5791]

What a great video. Thick As A Brick is #1 for me. I never got A Passion Play, but because you put it on the top of your list, I must give it another chance.

[@jonhoward180]

Save your money

[@truthmonger5791]

@@jonhoward180 LOL! So why do you think it sold so well?

[@sply77]

Painfull to see This was and Minstrel at the same level of A

[@Auvigraphe]

Love your ranking and reviews, I'm with you Passion Play is my #1, saw it live in Quebec city in 1973 what a show !!!!

[@Lanarkish]

25:35 Well done for pronouncing Bert's name properly. I've seldom heard anyone else do so.

[@rockyvannucci2964]

Awesome review! You forget to mention Barrie Barlows drumming on Passion Play, unbelievably creative! Thanks for taking the time to put this together

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment

[@reeceguisse17]

This is the first of your videos that I've watched. Recommended, of course, because I'm a Tull fan. I disagree with both ends of your list, but only in detail, not concept. Which of the worst was THE worst? any of the last three will do, although I never cared for Catfish Rising, I'd've knocked that down a few pegs. My opinion of Rock Island may be a bit colored by the food poisoning I had during the concert. At the top end, I would not have put A Passion Play at number one, but you make a compelling argument. While Aqualung is a master work, I've always thought it was cheapened by the way singles were pulled off it, leaving some amazing songs virtually unknown even by the people who love the 3 "main" songs. anyway, here's my tops: TaaB, Minstrel, Aqualung, Passion Play, TOtR&R,TYtD, Crest of a Knave (my first Tull experience and one of the first cassette tapes. I was in the Navy at the time and it had just come out.) Heavy Horses and Songs from the Wood are in a dead heat. As you alluded to, these could have been a single unit. Under Wraps ( I know you don't care for it, but I do like the sound very much.) A brief shout out to two "other" albums. A Little Light Music, the acoustic tour album, is one of my all time favorites. The Jethro Tull Christmas album is my go-to seasonal choice. Cheers, and thanks for your insights, history of the group and for acknowledging Dee, the unsung hero of that era in the band's existence.

[@ianson3]

Retained his tickets and programs, knows the albums back and forth. A Fan, with a capital-F. Thank you, really enjoyed this overview.

[@classicalbum]

thank you for watching.

[@crash48one]

No.1 Thick as a Brick, No.2 Benefit, No.3 Stand up, No.4 A Passion Play, No.5 Aqualung, No.5 Songs from the Wood, No.6 This Was-My request: listen to the albums again

[@martinrasinger6306]

"Srormwatch" is my favourite album. Anyone else?

[@isyourbackstillbad]

Not top for me, Martin - but certainly top five

[@anthonysilva5312]

I was just thinking of that today before I even saw this video!!

[@shaynewest8757]

Love the album cover more than the content

[@jesuschambers]

Huge Tull fan and I have to say your review of their albums is brilliant. My number 1 album is: Stand Up and favourite track of theirs is also from that album: We used to know. Glad you also appreciate it!

[@charonianarman6642]

1.MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY...1(b).THICK AS A BRICK..3.AQUALUNG...4.SONGS FROM THE WOOD...5.STAND UP...6.A PASSION PLAY...7.STORMWATCH...8.HEAVY HORSES...9.TOO OLD TO R'N'ROLL...10.BENEFIT...

[@RSimoes10]

Best JT album ever: Benefit. Most boring: A Passion Play. Most underrated: Minstrel in the Gallery. The best that never was: The Chateau d'Isaster (much better than A Passion Play).

[@pauls7803]

A Passion Play more boring than A or Under Wraps???!!!

[@MisterRlGHT]

@@pauls7803 Oh jeez I'd forgotten all about A. Think I liked myself better for it.

[@crusheverything4449]

This Was, Under Wraps, Rock Island and Catfish Rising are far more boring to my ears than A.

[@RC-gf8cs]

Passion play ..thick..his 2 finest imo.saw frm warchild msg nyc thru till 90,s each album tour...whole lotta tull.now? Im old

[@stephensdygert7600]

I love the 2003 bluray. Live at Montreux. Incredibe production. Video and the 5.1 DTS sound. Love the song "Budapest" Everyone must hear Aqualung in Bluray audio 96khz-24bit. You can listen to it 5.1 or 4.0 or 2.0. A must for all Tull fans.

[@jameseicher6916]

I love Jethro Tull. They are, in my opinion, a terribly underrated, too frequently overlooked truly great band. Innovative, creative, "tooting their own horn" (pun intended!), Tull is, for me, among the top tier of rock bands of all time.

[@patricksommer3971]

My all-time favorite is Thick as a Brick

[@YogGroove]

Stand Up Aqualung Heavy Horses Songs from the Wood Benefit Thick As a Brick The Minstrel in the Gallery Roots to Branches A Passion Play Warchild

[@petermiller4097]

Wonderful - you are the only one that I've hear of the loves "Passion Play". It has been my top LP from my first listening. I love the heartbeat running though it. Great work on your list. Cheers

[@classicalbum]

It's so good!

[@HughCorbyCruick]

If you are a Tull fan, as I have been since 1969, I would recommend your checking out their live “A Little Night Music” album. It features some really tasty guitar work from Barre as well as their cover of “John Barleycorn.”

[@michaelmunin5819]

Nice commentary and you favorably ranked a couple of lesser known gems: A, Broadsword and Crest of a Knave. Sorry, but I just can’t agree with A Passion Play as the #1 Tull album. It is just too dense for my taste. I basically agree with your other 10 top choices.

[@lifeinsurround]

Stormwatch Deluxe, with Steven Wilson 5.1 mix coming soon! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qny4dIeXaLZ6hZo

[@fcamiola]

Impressive list! Great detail and knowledge of the albums. My only beef is seeing Minstrel so low! Great job.

[@erikhua5843]

Pra mim a melhor banda que existe...tds álbuns excelentes...sem excessao... Bursting Out melhor show q já vi e ouvi.... Jethro é Jethro.

[@norcoauctions]

Unfortunately, Ian's music will most likely perish with him. He is a SNOB and does not publish his music in Musical Notation so the rest of the world can play his music. We are so glad that Bach Beethoven and Handel put their music into notation so that it still exists today. How marvelous it would be if the local orchestra could play A Passion Play or Thick as a Brick. Just because he can't sing anymore he has turned into an elitist SNOB and will take his ball and go home so no one else can play if he can't. Shame on you IAN. There is no doubt YOU WERE THE GREATEST ROCK PERFORMER OF ALL TIME. There is no doubt. No one comes close. You are not that person anymore. PUT YOUR MUSIC INTO NOTATION FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR

[@zachhaywood1564]

Some of the other albums, I can understand, but I will never know why so many people seem to have such a low opinion of Too Old To Rock N' Roll, it's by far my favorite Tull album.

[@MarkMikelVideos]

I know right? I love this album! Quiz Kid is heavy, colorful and exciting. From A Dead Beat To An Old Greaser is beautiful to the point of heartbreaking. Salamander is as classic as anything they've ever done, as is Checkered Flag: Dead Or Alive. Thank you for your comment, brotherman!

[@Majeure]

I agree! TOTRR is GREAT from start to finish!

[@hepstick]

Easily their most accessible album, and that’s why I love it. Dip in and dip out.

[@laurencelevene4333]

I agree 100%. It's a rock masterpiece, and a criminally underated tull album

[@kentclark6420]

@@laurencelevene4333 I heard it once and didn't like it. Maybe I should give it another try.

[@norcoauctions]

A Passion Play INDEED, was the greatest work in Ian's catalog. Except TAAB, the rest are almost infantile in comparison. One of the greatest compositions in the 20th century

[@georgehenderson7783]

From A Passion Play: All this time, it had been quite plain to Hare that the others knew nothing about spectacles. As for all their tempting ideas, well Hare didn't care. The lost spectacles were his own affair. And after all, Hare did have a spare a-pair... A-pair... Brilliant!

[@michaelwertzy9808]

...and sitting astride a twig of a bush, A BEE!

[@georgehenderson7783]

@@michaelwertzy9808 Ostensibly motionless, the hare 🐰 was trembling with excitement, for without his spectacles he was completely helpless. Where were his spectacles? Had someone stolen them? Had he mislaid them? What was he to do?

[@kramalerav]

The critics at Rolling Stone (along with other major American publications) were always pretty dismissive of Tull’s albums.

[@davidcouch572]

At last someone else who rates A Passion Play.

[@tullfan2560]

My Top 5 Tull albums. Bursting Out (double live) Benefit (psychedelic rock) Broadsword and the Beast (Celtic/Viking theme) Crest of a Knave (Classic Rock) Songs from the Wood (Renaissance Folk Rock)

[@lifeinsurround]

Glad to hear you mention the Steven Wilson book sets. I love his surround mixes of early Tull. That's how I discovered Tull and they're becoming a favorite band. Nice channel.

[@kevinbrown1893]

1. Songs From The Wood 2. Aqualung 3. Heavy Horses 4. Thick as A Brick 5. War Child 6. Stormwatch 7. Minstrel In The Gallery 8. The Broadsword and The Beast 9. A 10. Benefit 11. A Passion Play 12. The Zealot Gene 13. Roots to Branches 14. Stand Up 15. Rock Island 16. Crest of a Knave 17. The JT Christmas Album 18. Catfish Rising 19. Too Old to Rock 'N' Roll: Too Young to Die 20. This Was 21. J-Tull Dot Com 22. Under Wraps

[@danaaronmusic]

Very interesting analysis. Lots I agree with, some I don't, naturally. But how can anything possibly rank below Under Wraps?

[@portcullis5622]

'Dotcom' was poor, but I thought the preceding album 'Roots To Branches' was very good. I think 'Under Wraps' is almost unlistenable now due to the early 1980s sound and production. 'A' had a few good songs, but was mostly weak, a bit like 'Catfish Rising'.

[@bongolong]

A Passion Play is my favorite Tull album (Topographic is my favorite Yes album)

[@NoahC-]

I love a passion play, just listened to it a couple days ago straight through- the only way. Nice vid, Thank you

[@shipsahoy1793]

Let me see, these albums are really hard to rank, but I guess if I was going to pick on your ranking, I’d have to say that I think that heavy horses is too far up on the list and Too Old to Rock ‘N’ Roll: Too Young to Die is too far down the list.. I know Ian Anderson has been quoted to say how much he loves heavy horses but his ability to decide which of his albums are good is certainly flawed, since he didn’t understand the magic behind passion play, partly bc of the stress at the time, the critics trashing it, and the average fan didn’t understand it or give it enough of a listen. I thought they did a great job of turning the bad recording sessions in France into an absolute gem of an album. Also, Ian used to get pissed off when the critics suggested that the too old album was an introspective. Another fine example of why the garden variety music critics don’t know their asses from their elbows.😂 Also, on a sidenote, Ian had this feeling that the saxophones were freaking annoying probably because he felt like he didn’t play them very well compared to the flute, but I found that all the saxophone work on passion play was actually what gave the album some of its charm, but he eventually gave up saxophones completely.. I realize his saxophone playing was unorthodox compared to what your typical saxophone player would do, but that was part of the beauty of it for me. Regarding the Steve Wilson remix of APP, I don’t think Ian being in Steve’s ear allowed that remix to be as good as it could’ve been.