Jethro Tull started out as a blues band fronted by hotshot guitar player Mick Abrahams. Ian Anderson, the lead singer, and songwriter, was uncomfortable sharing the spotlight with Abrahams. The group’s first album This Was looks as if it were a cryptic message from Anderson to Abrahams, announcing that the second Tull effort would be far different than the first. Anderson decided there was no room for two leaders in his band, especially when there was no common ground for the direction he was taking the music.

Abrahams ended up parting ways with Tull, as it became clear that he could not win the power struggle against Anderson. Ian had a vision in mind that was far different than what Abrahams wanted to do. Enter a new guitar player, who is still with the band to this day, Martin Barre. Mighty Martin understood what Anderson wanted to do and the rest of the band followed suit. The second Tull album, Stand Up, introduced the world to the inner workings of Ian Anderson’s mind and the earliest examples of where he wanted to take his musical composition.

Chrysalis Records has released a new, double CD with a DVD of Stand Up that includes an in-depth interview with Ian Anderson. Disc one includes the original album, remastered, along with several bonus tracks that feature live cuts and other songs written during the same time period including “Living in the Past,” “Driving Song” and “Sweet Dream.”

The second disc features nine songs from the bands live 1970 performance at Carnegie Hall. This is a true gem for Tull fans as one gets to hear early live performances of “Nothing is Easy,” “My God,” “A Song For Jeffery,” “To Cry You A Song,” “Dharma For One” and an interesting guitar solo. The DVD, in addition to the interview with Anderson, also contains the concert audio. The liner notes, written by Ian and are very interesting as well. The original pop-up figures are also included. The band literally stands up when you open the box.

This is the beginning of the true Tull sound. It is interesting to look and see the Tull sound being born. “A New Day Yesterday,” “Bouree,” “Fat Man” and “Nothing is Easy” are all seeds sown that later sprouted into full bloom, bringing us the classic Tull songs of the future. The rawness in both the music, and Anderson’s live delivery, earmark a time when Tull was embarking upon a musical journey that remains as fascinating today, as it was then.