A Head Rings Out + 7 [Original recording remastered]

Jethro Tull's first album "This Was" was released on the now legendary Island label in October of 1968 with MICK ABRAHAMS on lead guitar. Dissatisfied with the result, Abrahams left and was replaced by the brilliant MARTIN BARRIE. Abrahams then roped in JACK LANCASTER on Sax, Flute & Violin, ANDY PYLE on Bass and RON BERG on Drums and formed the delightfully named and much revered BLODWYN PIG (Abrahams himself handling lead guitar, vocals and all the principal song writing).

In the middle of 1969, they popped into Morden Studios in Willesden in London and with Producer Andy Johns (brother of the famous Glyn Johns) promptly produced this much-loved gem. The "Blods" or The "Pig" as they're affectionately known over here in Blighty, made only two albums before Abrahams finally went solo. This release "Ahead Rings Out" was their debut in 1969 on Island Records (ILPS 9101). It was housed in the now famous sleeve (a Gatefold who's liner notes are reproduced on this great re-issue). Initial runs were on the hugely desirable "Pink" Island Label Design - followed by a second press on the "Pink Rim" Label. Both have been difficult to find across the years. "Ahead" was followed in April 1970 by their second and last proper album, "Getting To This" on Island/Chrysalis Records ILPS 9122.

"Ahead" was pressed up on a slab of a record for the time - I'd say about 200 grams. And while that felt meaty, unfortunately, like the mottled effect label, the vinyl here in the UK reflected the same. It's an album (like Crimson, Traffic, Tull) that is notoriously difficult to find a good pressing of - pits in the surface etc... So to hear it after all these years in this stunning remastered sound quality is a genuine thrill!

If I were to categorize how they sound, it would be early Tull but with a jazzier feel provided by Lancaster's superb sax playing. As a gangly teenager in Dublin, I was suckered into buying the album by the bluesy feel of their initial single "Dear Jill", but that song doesn't actually reflect what most of the album sounds like - rocking Tull with a jazz tint. I was a bit disappointed at first, but on replays their unique sound grew on me - to a point where I wore the record out - and would replace it sporadically through the years with VG copies - just to have a copy to play!

Back to this superb EMI 2006 re-master - Tracks 1 to 9 is the original US track run of the LP with 10 to 16 being bonuses. Track 10 is "Sweet Caroline", the non-album B-side to their first 7" single on Island "Dear Jill" (WIP 6059 in May 1969). Tracks 11 and 12 are "Walk On The Water" and "Summer Day", their 2nd 7" single on Island from October 1969 (WIP 6069) and are both non-album tracks. Tracks 13 and 14 are "Same Old Story" and "Slow Down", their 3rd 7" single on Chrysalis/Island (WIP 6078) from January 1970 and again are non-album tracks. "Slow Down" is a Larry Williams cover version. Track 15 is "Meanie Mornay" from the "Getting To This" sessions and track 16 is the short "Backwash" sandwiched between "Change Song" and "Ain't Ya Comin' Home, Babe?" on Side 2 of the original UK album. I'd have to say that ALL of the bonus tracks are just that - genuine bonuses - and for collectors - a thrill to hear after all these years languishing in obscurity.

The booklet has liner notes by the now 65 year-old Mick Abrahams; they're witty, humble and very informative. The artwork of the original album is faithfully reproduced along with some tasty European picture sleeves of rare 7" singles. But the real treat is the sound - and my God does it leap out at you! It's shockingly good - and LOUD!! A fabulous job!

Abrahams made 3 solo albums immediately after Blodwyn Pig folded - first up was "A Musical Evening With Mick Abrahams" on Chrysalis Records in 1971 (ILPS 9147, often just referred to as "Mick Abrahams"), followed by "At Last" in 1972 (Chrysalis CHR 1005) and finally "Have Fun Learning Guitar With Mick Abrahams" on the privately pressed SRT Records in 1975. "Evening" and "At Last" are available on CD as are subsequent releases through the years. Of note to this re-issue is the excellent 2CD mini box set in 2004 which is called "All Said & Done" where he re-visits several tracks on "Ahead" with superb rocking results, including the great "Dear Jill".

Like Taste's "On The Boards" (1970), Free's "Fire And Water" (1970) and Fleetwood Mac's "Then Play On" (1969) - "Ahead Rings Out" is a classically great ROCK album of the period with tints of blues and jazz thrown in for good measure. I only have to see the cover and I get mushy!

Buy this superb re-issue with confidence - and a top-notch job done EMI!!!

This album's simply great. With its iconic album cover and unique sound, it should be regarded as a stone cold classic (well, it is in certain circles anyway. Wake up Top 100 compilers of the world).

Its the lack of pretension that I like - its just a formidable band, who pretty much base their music on blues, but it being the late sixties, it takes some really interesting turns.

Not being one of these blues guitar purests, I'm not going to judge Mick Abrahams the axe god, but it does sound pretty juicy, and solos never outstay their welcome, and are integrated with the rest of the band, sometimes letting other instrument to take over.

The songs are great too, and it works as an album, and the extras are great too.

I got this as a long time Jethro Tull fan. Having listened to (and loved) their first album 'This Was', I was intrigued by the disagreement between Mick Abrahams and Ian Anderson, which caused Abrahams to leave and form Blodwyn pig, and decided to get this as an indication of where Abrahams wanted to take Tull.

What a wonderful album this is! It's very much like early period Tull, I can't really see where Abrahams and Anderson disagreed musically. It doesn't take itself as seriously as Tull did, but is a great, light-hearted mix of blues and jazz, with a very British feel to it. Very hard to pigeon hole, this can only be described as a bit unusual, but very listenable. It's rarely been out of my CD player since I bought it.

The CD production is good, with some interesting liner notes from Abrahams. The remastering has been well done, and the sound is nicely balanced. The bonus tracks are worthwhile and add to the package.

A very worthwhile buy for anyone interested in British blues/jazz a la Jethro Tull, Alexis Korner and the like.