By the time I bought the LP, in 1971, some two years after it had been released, it was only available with the new “palm tree” Island label, but the master pressing was the original. I am confidently informed that when later pressings came out on the Chrysalis label, they were not as good. Since then, I have been able to buy a second hand copy on the lovely pink label:
Th first track is “A new day yesterday”, which is as fine an opener as you could hope to find. It is a classic rock song with a stupendous riff, full of drama and power from beginning to end. For many years the main Fanzine was named after it.
Track 2 is “Jeffrey goes to Leicester Square”, which is a brilliant, lilting piece. The Jeffrey is Jeffrey Hammond Hammond, who later joined the group.
The next tune is a unique jazz/Bach instrumental called “Bouree”, which features a splendid bass line. This is followed by a masterful light rock song, “Back to the family”.
Side 1 ends with m favourite song on the album ” Look into the sun”, and showcases Ian Anderson as a very talented acoustic guitarist. The intro is a deceptively simple bit of strumming round the A chord, but the effect makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. This pattern in fact continues throughout the song, which is just lovely. Curiously, I also have a different version of this piece on a European LP simply called “Jethro Tull”, which has an additional electric rythmn guitar.
Comments