Jethro Tull’s debut, “This Was”, serves as a time capsule of the band’s initial explorations into what would become their signature sound. The album was recorded in quick sessions, reflecting the band’s live energy, with tracks like “My Sunday Feeling” showcasing their blues roots while hinting at the folk elements to come. Mick Abrahams’ guitar was prominent, providing a rock backbone to Anderson’s emerging flute work.

Ian Anderson has often looked back on this album with a mix of nostalgia and critique: “This album was us finding our feet, literally. We were still very much in the blues scene, but my interest in folk music was creeping in. It wasn’t until later that the flute became as integral as it did, but here you can hear my love for the instrument starting to take hold.” The production was raw, mirroring the band’s live performances, which was both its charm and its limitation.

The track “Cat’s Squirrel” stands out for its frenetic blues-rock energy, yet songs like “Serenade to a Cuckoo” begin to show Anderson’s penchant for melody and composition outside conventional rock structures. This album set the stage for Jethro Tull’s journey into more eclectic musical territories.