Finally, a brother in arms. Benefit has always been, the perfect, realization of Tull. A personal sound, the ultimate statement that told the world- this is it, the pentacle of where we are, and will never surpass, all commercial success aside. Join Evans was a pivotal moment, galvanized the Symphonic impulsive side, and gave a new focus and sophisticated approach. Benefit is to me, what Aftermath was for the Stones.......🎉
I've always loved Benefit and it always sounded to me like an album that came after Aqualung rather than before it simply down to the progression that is involved in the written material. it's well more progressed than Aqualung and in terms of progression John Evan's piano intro on "Locomotive Breath" is the only real bit of progression that is contained on the Aqualung album. Aqualung is really a bit of a mixed bag of rock and folk songs, whereas Benefit is more of a solid rock album. You could say that Benefit is a bit like Led Zeppelin II in terms of its power and the couple of acoustic tracks that make it up. As for the package, the Tull Mediabooks simply cannot be beaten. They put 90% of the way other artists have repackaged their albums into box sets to shame with what little you get in them and especially how overpriced they are. As for Steve Wilson, his ears are way better than most and he's done the Dogs Bollox on these mixes.
After having (accidentally) bought two copies of the 40th Anniversary edition a year or two ago, I was quite miffed to find out that the 50th Anniversary edition was coming out this year. My personal vow to postpone its purchase, of course, fell by the wayside and I caved. And, of course, I love it. These Steven Wilson anniversary edition are visually and auditorily stunning. Purchase them all, as your pocketbook allows.
Hi Barry o love this album I mean teacher and with you there to help me are one among their classic catalog and regular Playlist thanks for this and your very valuable opinion on all things tull I am trying to get all of these I missed out the thick as a brick and aqualong book format and now too hefty a price God bless and hope santa brings more goodies as these ps cannot wait for broadsword box
Benefit has always been my favorite Jethro Tull album. I saw them perform it in Austin, TX with Scotland's Clouds as the openin' act. The best 1-2 punch I've ever experienced in a live performance. A life changin' concert I wish each person readin' this could have been a part o'. I also saw the Aqualung tour with Yes openin' in 1971, followed by Thick As A Brick, A Passion Play and so on and so on...but nothin' matched the 1970 Benefit tour.
Since buying the box set a few weeks back I have been listening to this constantly. The Steve Wilson remix has given it a new lease of life. I didn't really know it before and didn't really play my CD of it in part because of the sound quality. But OMG, I have rarely enjoyed (re)discovering an album as much as I have with this one. It really is far far better that Ian A gives it credit for and is currently in my top 5 JT albums easily. Just lots of really strong tunes. The one bug bear I have with most JT is the unpleasant double tracking of IA's vocals. When it's just a solo voice track his voice sound terrific; I just wish the remixing could reduce the processing of his voice.
Thankyou for such an interesting van in depth review, you've certainly inspired me to give my copy another airing (been a while!). I only have the original basic CD version however, ... I'm jealous🙂
I know a lot of Tull fans that consider Benefit the pinnacle album by the band. I do love the album especially with Teacher and With You There To Help Me. The album does begin the strong period for Tull with Aqualung and War Child as some of my favorites.
You can buy an original vinyl copy on Reprise at Glebe market for 25 bucks. I'm with Martin B. Ian never wrote a better song than "Cry you a Song". Sing it in the cab going home from the airport after flying from on Perth. Great great album.
Somewhere between recording Stand Up and recording Benefit, Ian learned how to sing. This alone would make Benefit an important milestone in the Tull discography.
I have ordered a copy of this box set . Aus $100 . I bought the Benefit album when I was still at school . I actually like Stand Up more , I always thought Benefit was a bit over produced . Hopefully I will hear the new version soon .
I liked them at school and travelled from the north east to see them at Manchester Apollo in 1977 I think. Still got most of the vinyl but never got this album and can't think why.
I tend to echo your thoughts on where Benefit ranks in the Tull chart countdown. The album’s predecessor is my favourite of theirs and most of the albums which followed it in the 1970’s probably have as much, if not more to admire than Benefit. That being said, it’s still very good, thus emphasising once more just what a musical genius Ian Anderson is.
I'm with you. It's just so different sandwiched as it is in between two all-time greats. I have never cared for the original mix and SW's isn't much better. I probably play this one the least. But will listen to "Cry You a Song" at least yearly.
It is a wonderful package Barry; superb value for money and I love the Steven Wilson remixes. Benefit has always been an odd one in the Tull catalogue: I don't think it works particularly well artistically, but it does capture Tull with the classic line-up for the first time, at their most moody and introspective. The singles they released at the time, such as Teacher, were far stronger but I always loved Benefit. The songs weren't as good as on Stand Up but there was some deep listening for early fans of the band. Thanks for your review.
Great Tull album, that's all the great albums done in this format now. Downhill from here on but I know I'll still buy them, even the dreadful Under Wraps when that comes out, should be Broadsword next.
Thanks for the review. Pardon my lack of knowledge...but is this new packaging have the original 2013 5.1 remix, or did Wilson revisit that with a new mix for 2021?
This album is in the middle for me overall though it contains a few of my all-time favorite tracks like "With You There to Help Me," and "To Cry You a Song." And Martin still plays several of these tracks live, which is nice because they suit Dan Crisp's voice. Ian certainly can't sing most of them these days. And yeah, I'm the guy who is totally unimpressed with Hack Wilson's remixes. "Heavy Horses" sounds like it was recorded outside a barn in a barrel with a walkman. And he somehow made "A" an even weaker album. To me he buries some of the instruments and it sounds muffled. But this is worth grabbing for the live recordings, if nothing else.
Benefit is one of my favorite tull albums so I was eagerly awaiting this release. The value for money is amazing here. As for the remixes by Steven Wilson, I generally like what he has done here but there are a couple of songs where I think he missed the mark. Overall a great addition to my tull collection.
'tis my favourite Tull album (Pete Pardo of Sea Of Tranquillity fame also shares this view) which has a claustrophobic vibe. For me this album is underrated and, conversely, i think Aqualung is a little overrated... superb album as it is.
Finally, a brother in arms. Benefit has always been, the perfect, realization of Tull. A personal sound, the ultimate statement that told the world- this is it, the pentacle of where we are, and will never surpass, all commercial success aside. Join Evans was a pivotal moment, galvanized the Symphonic impulsive side, and gave a new focus and sophisticated approach. Benefit is to me, what Aftermath was for the Stones.......🎉
I've always loved Benefit and it always sounded to me like an album that came after Aqualung rather than before it simply down to the progression that is involved in the written material. it's well more progressed than Aqualung and in terms of progression John Evan's piano intro on "Locomotive Breath" is the only real bit of progression that is contained on the Aqualung album. Aqualung is really a bit of a mixed bag of rock and folk songs, whereas Benefit is more of a solid rock album. You could say that Benefit is a bit like Led Zeppelin II in terms of its power and the couple of acoustic tracks that make it up.
As for the package, the Tull Mediabooks simply cannot be beaten. They put 90% of the way other artists have repackaged their albums into box sets to shame with what little you get in them and especially how overpriced they are. As for Steve Wilson, his ears are way better than most and he's done the Dogs Bollox on these mixes.
After having (accidentally) bought two copies of the 40th Anniversary edition a year or two ago, I was quite miffed to find out that the 50th Anniversary edition was coming out this year. My personal vow to postpone its purchase, of course, fell by the wayside and I caved. And, of course, I love it.
These Steven Wilson anniversary edition are visually and auditorily stunning. Purchase them all, as your pocketbook allows.
Hi Barry o love this album I mean teacher and with you there to help me are one among their classic catalog and regular Playlist thanks for this and your very valuable opinion on all things tull I am trying to get all of these I missed out the thick as a brick and aqualong book format and now too hefty a price God bless and hope santa brings more goodies as these ps cannot wait for broadsword box
Benefit has always been my favorite Jethro Tull album. I saw them perform it in Austin, TX with Scotland's Clouds as the openin' act. The best 1-2 punch I've ever experienced in a live performance. A life changin' concert I wish each person readin' this could have been a part o'. I also saw the Aqualung tour with Yes openin' in 1971, followed by Thick As A Brick, A Passion Play and so on and so on...but nothin' matched the 1970 Benefit tour.
Wow, that's impressive. Thank you for sharing.
Wow! Lucky you!
I hated Benefit when I bought it, some 40 years ago. Now, it is the album I have listened most ftom JT. I love it.
Since buying the box set a few weeks back I have been listening to this constantly. The Steve Wilson remix has given it a new lease of life. I didn't really know it before and didn't really play my CD of it in part because of the sound quality. But OMG, I have rarely enjoyed (re)discovering an album as much as I have with this one. It really is far far better that Ian A gives it credit for and is currently in my top 5 JT albums easily. Just lots of really strong tunes. The one bug bear I have with most JT is the unpleasant double tracking of IA's vocals. When it's just a solo voice track his voice sound terrific; I just wish the remixing could reduce the processing of his voice.
Thankyou for such an interesting van in depth review, you've certainly inspired me to give my copy another airing (been a while!). I only have the original basic CD version however, ... I'm jealous🙂
I just ordered mine rather late, but I found it at a good price. This is definitely my favorite Jethro Tull album by far.
Benefit is most certainly my favourite Tull album, closely followed by Stand Up and This Was... RIP Glenn Cornick
I agree the Steven Wilson remixes are very faithful to the originals. He opens them up adds more space and dynamics.
I went to see them " Live at The Spectrum " in Philadelphia in 1972 . An amazing 2 hour concert .
My first paid concert at Long Beach Clouds, Eric Burton and War, Jethro Tull . Life changing.
I know a lot of Tull fans that consider Benefit the pinnacle album by the band. I do love the album especially with Teacher and With You There To Help Me. The album does begin the strong period for Tull with Aqualung and War Child as some of my favorites.
I agree
You can buy an original vinyl copy on Reprise at Glebe market for 25 bucks. I'm with Martin B. Ian never wrote a better song than "Cry you a Song". Sing it in the cab going home from the airport after flying from on Perth. Great great album.
Somewhere between recording Stand Up and recording Benefit, Ian learned how to sing. This alone would make Benefit an important milestone in the Tull discography.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is shite until Jethro Tull is inducted. Nice review!
One of my favourite Tull albums! Just bought my copy of this box set last week.
Underrated album, glad to see this Anniversary Edition coming out.
I have ordered a copy of this box set . Aus $100 . I bought the Benefit album when I was still at school . I actually like Stand Up more , I always thought Benefit was a bit over produced . Hopefully I will hear the new version soon .
I liked them at school and travelled from the north east to see them at Manchester Apollo in 1977 I think. Still got most of the vinyl but never got this album and can't think why.
My first JT album. It is still one of my favourites.
I tend to echo your thoughts on where Benefit ranks in the Tull chart countdown. The album’s predecessor is my favourite of theirs and most of the albums which followed it in the 1970’s probably have as much, if not more to admire than Benefit.
That being said, it’s still very good, thus emphasising once more just what a musical genius Ian Anderson is.
I'm with you. It's just so different sandwiched as it is in between two all-time greats. I have never cared for the original mix and SW's isn't much better. I probably play this one the least. But will listen to "Cry You a Song" at least yearly.
It's a great album.
I love Aqualung but do not agree it overshadows Benefit. It is a wonderful album with great tunes. No comparison to Aqualung.
It is a wonderful package Barry; superb value for money and I love the Steven Wilson remixes. Benefit has always been an odd one in the Tull catalogue: I don't think it works particularly well artistically, but it does capture Tull with the classic line-up for the first time, at their most moody and introspective. The singles they released at the time, such as Teacher, were far stronger but I always loved Benefit. The songs weren't as good as on Stand Up but there was some deep listening for early fans of the band. Thanks for your review.
My pleasure
If you don't mind, when you are done talking, I will play Benefit. I am 64 and been listening to you since I was 15.
Great Tull album, that's all the great albums done in this format now. Downhill from here on but I know I'll still buy them, even the dreadful Under Wraps when that comes out, should be Broadsword next.
Thanks for the review. Pardon my lack of knowledge...but is this new packaging have the original 2013 5.1 remix, or did Wilson revisit that with a new mix for 2021?
New packaging with some additional stuff. But it is the 2013 mix
All time fav songs from JT Teacher & Locomotive Breath
This album is in the middle for me overall though it contains a few of my all-time favorite tracks like "With You There to Help Me," and "To Cry You a Song." And Martin still plays several of these tracks live, which is nice because they suit Dan Crisp's voice. Ian certainly can't sing most of them these days.
And yeah, I'm the guy who is totally unimpressed with Hack Wilson's remixes. "Heavy Horses" sounds like it was recorded outside a barn in a barrel with a walkman. And he somehow made "A" an even weaker album. To me he buries some of the instruments and it sounds muffled.
But this is worth grabbing for the live recordings, if nothing else.
I'm hoping to catch Martin Barre live next year.
Benefit is one of my favorite tull albums so I was eagerly awaiting this release. The value for money is amazing here. As for the remixes by Steven Wilson, I generally like what he has done here but there are a couple of songs where I think he missed the mark. Overall a great addition to my tull collection.
'tis my favourite Tull album (Pete Pardo of Sea Of Tranquillity fame also shares this view) which has a claustrophobic vibe. For me this album is underrated and, conversely, i think Aqualung is a little overrated... superb album as it is.
GREAT album! Anyone remember "Catsquirrel"?