View source for A (Jethro Tull album)

{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2007}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = A
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]]
| cover      = Jethro Tull - A.jpg
| alt        =
| released   = 29 August 1980
| recorded   = 16 May – 6 June 1980
| studio     =  Maison Rouge Studios, [[Fulham]], London <br>Maison Rogue Mobile, [[Radnage]]
| genre      = {{Hlist|[[Electronic rock]]|[[progressive rock]]|[[folk rock]]}}
| length     = 42:30
| label      = [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]
| producer   = {{hlist|[[Ian Anderson (musician)|Ian Anderson]]|Robin Black}}
| prev_title = [[Stormwatch (album)|Stormwatch]]
| prev_year  = 1979
| next_title = [[The Broadsword and the Beast]]
| next_year  = 1982
| misc       = {{Singles
 | name        = A
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = Fylingdale Flyer" / "Working John, Working Joe
 | single1date = 10 October 1980<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1980/Music-Week-1980-10-11.pdf|title=Music Week|page=32}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{Album reviews
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>Eder, Bruce. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10382/review|pure_url=yes}} A review] allmusic.com. Retrieved 20 June 2011.</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|year=2007|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|edition=4th|isbn=978-0195313734|title-link=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref>
}}
'''''A''''' is the thirteenth studio album by British [[rock music|rock]] band [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]]. It was released on 29 August 1980 in the UK and 1 September of the same year in the United States.

The album was initially written and recorded with the intention of being frontman [[Ian Anderson]]'s debut solo album. Hence the album's title: the master tapes were marked "A" for Anderson during recording. However, the album was eventually released as a Jethro Tull album after pressure from [[Chrysalis Records]]. Anderson has since stated that he regrets allowing the album to be released under the Jethro Tull name.

Musically, the album was a departure from prior Tull works, adopting more of an [[electronic rock]] sound with heavy use of [[synthesizers]], although still retaining the band's trademark folk influence and Anderson's flute playing. Lyrically, the album saw a similar departure from the fantasy and folklore themes of previous Tull work, instead emphasizing contemporary matters such as the [[Cold War]]. The album was the first Tull album released following a large lineup change which saw drummer [[Barriemore Barlow|Barrie "Barriemore" Barlow]] and keyboardists [[John Evan]] and [[Dee Palmer]] departing the band in 1980 while bassist [[John Glascock]] had died from heart complications the previous year. The album instead features Glascock's touring replacement [[Dave Pegg]] on bass in his first recorded appearance with the band, [[Mark Craney]] on drums and [[Eddie Jobson]] on keyboards (with Jobson credited as a "special guest") and electric violin.

== Overview ==
''A'' was recorded as an intended [[Ian Anderson (musician)|Ian Anderson]] solo album before Tull's record label, [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]], asked that it become credited to the group.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kovarsky |first=Jerry |title=Interview: Eddie Jobson |url=https://www.keyboardmag.com/artists/interview-eddie-jobson |website=[[Keyboard Magazine]] |access-date=28 July 2019 |date=November 17, 2016}}</ref> This is the reason for the album's title, as the tapes were marked "A" for "Anderson". It is noted for its more synthesiser-based sound, a fact which created controversy among many of the band's fans.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}} On the other hand, it features a folk-influenced piece, "The Pine Marten's Jig".

''A'' features a dramatically different line-up of Tull from the band's previous album, ''[[Stormwatch (album)|Stormwatch]]'' (1979). Former keyboardist [[John Evan]] and organist [[Dee Palmer]] were fired from the group, while drummer [[Barriemore Barlow]] left the band due to depression over the death of [[John Glascock]] as well as plans to start his own band.

The only members of Tull to appear on both ''Stormwatch'' (1979) and ''A'' (1980) are Ian Anderson and [[Martin Barre]]. This is also bassist [[Dave Pegg]]'s first appearance on a Tull studio recording, but he had become a member of the band during the ''Stormwatch'' tour in 1979, replacing the deceased Glascock. Conflicting reasons have been given for the line-up change. Anderson has stated that he wanted to take the band in a different direction from the folk rock and progressive rock of the 1970s.<ref>''A New Day Yesterday: The 25th Anniversary Collection, 1969–1994''</ref>

Barriemore Barlow was unhappy with the direction the band was taking and later stated that he would have left anyway. However, biographer David Rees reports in his book ''[[Minstrels in the Gallery: A History of Jethro Tull]]'' (2001) that Anderson had never intended to replace Jethro Tull's previous line-up with the musicians who recorded ''A'', but was forced by Chrysalis Records, which had decided to release his 'solo' album under the name Jethro Tull.<ref name="Minstrels in the Gallery">{{cite book | title=Minstrels in the Gallery | year=1998 | author=David Rees | pages= 224}}</ref> This claim was further evidenced by Anderson's note in the 2003 re-release of the album.

A 40th anniversary box set was released in April 2021, featuring the album remixed by [[Steven Wilson]].  It includes some bonus tracks, a DVD of [[Slipstream (video)|''Slipstream'']], and audio of a concert in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jethrotull.com/jethro-tull-a-40th-anniversary-edition/|title=Jethro Tull 'A' 40th Anniversary Edition|date=17 February 2021|website=Jethrotull.com|access-date=19 May 2021}}</ref>

== Track listing ==
{{Track listing
| all_writing = [[Ian Anderson (musician)|Ian Anderson]] with additional music material from Eddie Jobson; arranged by Jethro Tull
| headline = Side one
| title1 = Crossfire
| length1 = 3:55
| title2 = Fylingdale Flyer
| length2 = 4:35
| title3 = Working John, Working Joe
| length3 = 5:04
| title4 = Black Sunday
| length4 = 6:35
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| title1 = Protect and Survive
| length1 = 3:36
| title2 = Batteries Not Included
| length2 = 3:52
| title3 = Uniform
| length3 = 3:34
| title4 = 4.W.D. (Low Ratio)
| length4 = 3:42
| title5 = The Pine Marten's Jig
| length5 = 3:28
| note5 = instrumental
| title6 = And Further On
| length6 = 4:21
}}The 2004 remastered two-disc edition includes ''[[Slipstream (Jethro Tull)|Slipstream]]'' as a bonus DVD.

=== 2021 40th Anniversary A La Mode Edition ===
{{Track Listing
| headline      = CD 1: Original Album And Associated Tracks Steven Wilson Stereo Mix
| title1        = Crossfire
| length1       = 4:05
| title2        = Fylingdale Flyer
| length2       = 4:35
| title3        = Working John, Working Joe
| length3       = 5:07
| title4        = Black Sunday
| length4       = 6:42
| title5        = Protect And Survive
| length5       = 3:37
| title6        = Batteries Not Included
| length6       = 3:52
| title7        = Uniform
| length7       = 3:33
| title8        = 4.W.D. (Low Ratio)
| length8       = 3:44
| title9        = The Pine Marten's Jig
| length9       = 3:25
| title10       = And Further On
| length10      = 4:25
| title11       = Crossfire (Extended Version)
| length11      = 4:39
| title12       = Working John, Working Joe (Take 4)
| length12      = 5:16
| title13       = Cheerio (Early Version)
| length13      = 0:39
| title14       = Coruisk
| length14      = 6:29
| title15       = Slipstream Introduction
| length15      = 2:51
}}
{{Track listing
| headline      = CD 2: Live At The LA Sports Arena, 1980 Part 1 Steven Wilson Stereo Mix
| title1        = Slipstream Introduction
| length1       = 3:01
| title2        = Black Sunday
| length2       = 7:07
| title3        = Crossfire
| length3       = 3:59
| title4        = Songs From The Wood
| length4       = 4:51
| title5        = Hunting Girl
| length5       = 6:04
| title6        = The Pine Marten's Jig
| length6       = 3:43
| title7        = Working John, Working Joe
| length7       = 4:17
| title8        = Heavy Horses
| length8       = 7:29
| title9        = Musicians Introductions
| length9       = 1:55
| title10       = Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day
| length10      = 3:28
| title11       = Instrumental (Inc Flute Solo)
| length11      = 6:16
}}
{{Track listing
| headline      = CD 3: Live At The LA Sports Arena, 1980 Part 2 Steven Wilson Stereo Mix
| title1        = Trio Instrumental
| length1       = 5:08
| title2        = Keyboard Solo
| length2       = 7:58
| title3        = Batteries Not Included
| length3       = 4:14
| title4        = Uniform (Inc Drum Solo)
| length4       = 6:48
| title5        = Protect And Survive (Inc Violin Solo)
| length5       = 6:24
| title6        = Bungle In The Jungle
| length6       = 5:31
| title7        = Encore Intro - Guitar And Bass Instrumental
| length7       = 3:01
| title8        = Aqualung
| length8       = 9:48
| title9        = Locomotive Breath / Instrumental / Black Sunday (Reprise)
| length9       = 7:02
}}
{{Track listing
| headline      = DVD 1: Steven Wilson Album Remix
| title1        = Crossfire (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title2        = Fylingdale Flyer (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title3        = Working John, Working Joe (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title4        = Black Sunday (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title5        = Protect And Survive (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title6        = Batteries Not Included (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title7        = Uniform (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title8        = 4.W.D. (Low Ratio) (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title9        = The Pine Marten's Jig (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title10       = And Further On (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title11       = Crossfire (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title12       = Fylingdale Flyer (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title13       = Working John, Working Joe (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title14       = Black Sunday (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title15       = Protect And Survive (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title16       = Batteries Not Included (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title17       = Uniform (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title18       = 4.W.D. (Low Ratio) (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title19       = The Pine Marten's Jig (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title20       = And Further On (Original 1980 Album Mix (96/24 Stereo LPCM))
| title21       = Cheerio (Early Version) (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title22       = Coruisk (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title23       = Slipstream Introduction (96/24 Stereo LPCM, DTS 96/24 5.1, Dolby AC3 5.1)
| title24       = Crossfire (Extended Version) (-Stereo Only-)
| title25       = Working John, Working Joe (Take 4) (-Stereo Only-)
}}
{{Track listing
| headline      = DVD 2: Live At The LA Sports Arena, 1980 Steven Wilson Concert Mix (DTS 96/24 5.1 Surround, Dolby AC3 5.1 Surround, Stereo 96/24 LPCM)
| title1        = Slipstream Introduction
| title2        = Black Sunday
| title3        = Crossfire
| title4        = Songs From The Wood
| title5        = Hunting Girl
| title6        = The Pine Marten's Jig
| title7        = Working John, Working Joe
| title8        = Heavy Horses
| title9        = Musicians Introductions
| title10       = Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day
| title11       = Instrumental (Inc Flute Solo)
| title12       = Trio Instrumental
| title13       = Keyboard Solo
| title14       = Batteries Not Included
| title15       = Uniform (Inc Drum Solo)
| title16       = Protect And Survive (Inc Violin Solo)
| title17       = Bungle In The Jungle
| title18       = Encore Intro - Guitar And Bass Instrumental
| title19       = Aqualung
| title20       = Locomotive Breath / Instrumental / Black Sunday (Reprise)
}}
{{Track listing
| headline      = Slipstream Video Steven Wilson Album Remix (DTS 96/24 5.1 Surround, Dolby AC3 5.1 Surround, Stereo 48/24 LPCM)
| title1        = Slipstream Introduction
| title2        = Black Sunday
| title3        = Dun Ringil
| title4        = Flyingdale Flyer
| title5        = Songs From The Wood
| title6        = Heavy Horses
| title7        = Sweet Dream
| title8        = Too Old To Rock'n'Roll: Too Young To Die
| title9        = Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day
| title10       = Aqualung
| title11       = Locomotive Breath
}}

== Personnel ==
* [[Ian Anderson]] – vocals, flute
* [[Martin Barre]] – guitar
* [[Dave Pegg]] – bass guitar, [[mandolin]]
* [[Mark Craney]] – drums

;Guest personnel
* [[Eddie Jobson]] – keyboards, [[synthesizer]], electric violin on "The Pine Marten's Jig" 

;Technical staff
* Robin Black – sound engineer
* John Shaw – photography
* Peter Wagg – art direction

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ 1980 chart performance for ''A''
!Chart (1980)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=155}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|47
|-
{{album chart|Austria|10|artist=Jethro Tull|album=A|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{Album chart|Canada|48|chartid=4703a|artist=Jethro Tull|album=A|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|60|artist=Jethro Tull|album=A|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany|26|id=8521|artist=Jethro Tull|album=A|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|9|artist=Jethro Tull|album=A|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|25|date=19800907|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|30|artist=Jethro Tull|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ 2021 chart performance for ''A''
!Chart (2021)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|91|artist=Jethro Tull|album=A|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|65|artist=Jethro Tull|album=A|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany|11|id=8521|artist=Jethro Tull|album=A|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024|refname=Germany2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|14|year=2021|week=16|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|5|date=20210423|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|18|artist=Jethro Tull|album=A|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|UKRock|3|date=20210423|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10382|label=''A'' (1980)}}
* {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r686338|label=''A'' (2004)}} (Bonus DVD)

{{Jethro Tull}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:A (Jethro Tull Album)}}
[[Category:Jethro Tull (band) albums]]
[[Category:1980 albums]]
[[Category:Chrysalis Records albums]]
[[Category:Island Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Ian Anderson]]