A by Jethro Tull

A

by Jethro Tull

Released: August 29, 1980

Electronic rock, progressive rock, folk rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Genre Shift.

01

The Album

A was released after a significant lineup change: drummer Barrie "Barriemore" Barlow and keyboardists John Evan and Dee Palmer left the band, and bassist John Glascock had died from heart complications the previous year. The album features Dave Pegg, who replaced Glascock, on bass, Mark Craney on drums, and Eddie Jobson on keyboards and electric violin, with Jobson credited as a "special guest.". "A" is the 13th studio album by British rock band Jethro Tull, released on August 29, 1980, in the UK and on September 1, 1980, in the United States.

02

Inside the Recording

Originally intended as frontman Ian Anderson's debut solo album, the album's master tapes were marked "A" for Anderson during recording.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album marked a departure from Jethro Tull'sโ€ฆ

The album marked a departure from Jethro Tull's previous work, adopting a more electronic rock sound with heavy use of synthesizers while retaining the band's folk influence and Anderson's flute playing.

Lyrically, the album shifted from fantasy and folkloreโ€ฆ

Lyrically, the album shifted from fantasy and folklore themes to contemporary issues such as the Cold War.

However, it was released as a Jethro Tullโ€ฆ

However, it was released as a Jethro Tull album due to pressure from Chrysalis Records.

Anderson has since expressed regret about this decision

Anderson has since expressed regret about this decision.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"A" is the 13th studio album by British rock band Jethro Tull, released on August 29, 1980, in the UK and on September 1, 1980, in the United States.

Originally intended as frontman Ian Anderson's debut solo album, the album's master tapes were marked "A" for Anderson during recording. However, it was released as a Jethro Tull album due to pressure from Chrysalis Records. Anderson has since expressed regret about this decision.

The album marked a departure from Jethro Tull's previous work, adopting a more electronic rock sound with heavy use of synthesizers while retaining the band's folk influence and Anderson's flute playing. Lyrically, the album shifted from fantasy and folklore themes to contemporary issues such as the Cold War.

A was released after a significant lineup change: drummer Barrie "Barriemore" Barlow and keyboardists John Evan and Dee Palmer left the band, and bassist John Glascock had died from heart complications the previous year. The album features Dave Pegg, who replaced Glascock, on bass, Mark Craney on drums, and Eddie Jobson on keyboards and electric violin, with Jobson credited as a "special guest."

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