Music at its very best
Ok, this is my first review, so I humbly apologize in advance for my inexperience. That being said, here goes. Jethro Tull's album Benefit is sheer brilliance. From the eerie flute we first here on With You There to Help Me throughout the last strum of the guitar on Sossity, Ian and Co. take us on a beatiful journey that gets better every time I listen to this album. This album captures Tull's unique sound, blending rock and folk that makes them so prominent among classic rock artists. In my opinion this album even outdoes the amazing Aqualung. Each song is a beatiful piece of music,complete with very intimate lyrics, complemeting each other quite nicely. The first side of this album flows effortlessly. With You There to Help Me, into the dark Nothing to Say, followed by Inside and then the overly criticized, and to me quite humorous Son lead into for Michael Collins, Jeffrey, and Me, which in my opinion is Tull's most beautiful song. From here, it continues to impress with the overpowering To Cry You a Song, The aptly titled A Time for Everything?, and the very upbeat (albeit poppy) Teacher and Play in Time, before closing with the ironic and sarcastic Sossity. This album stands as Tull's crowning achievement, and one of the greatest albums to come out of the 1970's. I highly recommned it to anyone familar or unfamiliar with Tull. It is sure to please. Thanks for reading this, I hope it was not too bad.
Third Time does the Trick
For starters, I'm not crazy about remasters of original releases, especially with new tracks. I mean, the original is the original. If I wanted an extension, I'd buy a "best of" and be really happy. But still...Imagine 1970, a house on a lake in the woods with nothing to do for a day. My true introduction to Tull was in Columbia, MO. "Stand Up" was an eye opener. But "Benefit"? That's where the house on the lake comes in. Nothing to do but listen to Benefit over and over and over and so on. Remember, it was 1970, the house was in New Hampshire and everybody I knew was on some sort of jag. Ten tracks of angst, anger and re-or-un requited romance. all set to the edged voice and whispering like thunder flute of Ian Anderson, bash-about drums of Clive Bunker, the strong bass rythym of Martin Barrre and the co-lead-work of Mick Abrams. After 18 hours straight, these guys were inside my head.
For openers, "With You There To Help Me" plaintively weaves the story of someone who's just about had it. The saving grace is you, probably. The lyrics are cleverly twisted while the melodies segue through a plodding set up and end the song with joyful whispers.
"Inside" is a marvelous desription of relationships and the comforts of home, while "Son" is a true teen tirade. "To Cry You a Song" sums up the regrets for the night before.
The seven remaining cuts are just a strong. The album closes with "Sossity, You're a Woman" is the tenderest of "its not me, its you" breakup tunes.
All in all, this is one of my most loved recordings. Too bad the "new age" re-releasers of this gem had to add the bonus tracks.
Still retains enough of the edginess and eccentricity
"Benefit" remains my favorite Jethro Tull recording, likely for all the wrong reasons. First, this was the first session where Ian Anderson and his band mates embraced folk music over the blues-tinged sound of their earlier work. Next, Martin Barre sounds engaged, determined, and focused on guitar, and his strong effort here keeps the music well grounded (something that is a failing on some Tull recordings in my opinion). Third, John Evan's returns to the fold and adds some stellar work on keyboards that greatly enrichs the sound. Fourth, I liked Glen Cornick's bass lines better than those by any other Tull bass player. Fifth, Ian Anderson crafted some of his best lyrics for "Benefit," avoiding the ornate and tiring style on both his later and subsequent Jethro Tull recordings. Sixth, Mr. Anderson plays some inspired flute and contributes some excellent acoustic guitar that meshes wonderfully with Mr. Barre's amped up electric guitar.
This recording still retains enough of the edginess and eccentricity that caused Jethro Tull to stand out during the band's early years and that caught my ear way back when. I would recommend getting the remastered CD more for the improved sound quality than the bonus tracks (which aren't bad though).
nice to have- but 'UK mix' is disappointing error
One of my favorite albums ever - doesn't really need any improvement but nice to have in the convenient CD form. I also appreciated the liner notes by Ian since I have always wanted some personal background on this era that led to this great music. Unfortunately it seems this was a somewhat depressing period in Ian's evolution and he seems to kind of want to forget this part and get on with the next 'big one' so maybe that's why the project seems kind of flat. I liked the additions from Living in the Past but was disappointed with the same old USA version of Teacher and like another reviewer said I don't like the UK edition that much but it should have been there. Why not have included both? Also I think there was some other material they played at the time or live stuff that could have made a more enjoyable remastered version. But, at least now I don't have to get up and flip the record after for michael collins,jeffrey and me!
Buy This Disk!!!!!
If you can appreciate great musicians, at the top of their game, if you enjoy fantastic songwriting, if you want to hear a band on the verge of breaking out, you must BUY THIS DISK! Ian Anderson wrote some of the most memorable Tull on this disk alone. "Cry you a Song" is a masterpiece that will echo in your head for days. Martin Barre's guitar work on this album is simply great. Ian Anderson's vocals and flute work show why Tull has such a loyal following four decades after their debut. "Teacher" is such a fun song, and the instantly recognizable bass line intro still gets the blood pumping! If you thought Jethro Tull's career began with "Aqualung" do yourself a favor and BUY THIS DISK! It's amazing how the quality songs on Benefit still stand up in the 21st Century! This is a heavier Tull than thier debut and I feel a stronger album than the 3rd disk "Stand Up". If you are learning to play guitar or bass, this disk should be required listening!!
Digitally remastered reissue of 1970 album includes four bonus tracks, 'Teacher' (Original UK Mix), 'Witch's Promise', 'Just Trying To Be' & 'Singing All Day'.
Digitally Remastered Reissue. Includes Four Bonus Tracks: The Rarities 'teacher (Original UK Mix) and 'teacher (Original USA Mix)' , plus 'witches Promise', and 'just Trying to Be'.
