Benefit - JETHRO TULL*****

With You There To Help Me/Nothing To Say/Alive And Well And Living In/Son/For Michael Collins Jeffrey & Me/To Cry You A Song/A Time For Everything/Inside/Play In Time/Sossity You're A Woman

Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull continue to fire on all cylinders. Benefit features a stunning collection of progressive rock songs which cemented the group's reputation as one of the hottest acts of the early 1970s. (US:11 UK:3)

"I remember when this came out all those years ago thinking how terrific this album was and my view has not changed with the years. The mood is sombre but as a whole this album is the most emotive, moody and soulful in the Tull catalogue. In this respect it is unique."

"Benefit is one of the greatest heavy progressive rock albums every made. Every song here simply cooks. Guitarist Martin Barre is astounding; his guitar is sharp and stinging. Ian Anderson's vocals are amazing and his flute gives Tull the extra edge they need to ascend to true greatness. Benefit is one of the greatest, and heaviest, of all the first generation progressive rock albums - all the songs are amazing."

“Benefit is one of Jethro Tull's more challenging albums, in that it demands the listeners' full attention, dedication, and willingness to revisit it for repeated listens for its musical gems to be revealed."

"As their fame continued to rise, so did the quality of their material. This is similar to the previous release, but slightly better, and with some psych influences this time round. On top of their distinctive blues based prog rock are a few soft folk driven ballads thrown in for good measure. The songwriting at this time in their career was top rate."

"The music is intricate and multi-layered, and yet somehow natural and organic, a feat that is well demonstrated in the opening song, With You There To Help Me. The crescendo of flute, keys, guitars (both acoustic and electric) and vocals is so carefully crafted, that one marvels at the cohesiveness of the piece."

"The years have been good to this one. Still packs a punch. Powerful writing, powerful playing. Before Ian Anderson developed megalomania, he was an amazingly good and original songwriter and performer."

"I could really go on about how special and brilliant this album is - every track. I'd give it the nod over Stand Up for being a little more consistently devastating."