Track Listing

1. With You There To Help Me
2. Nothing To Say
3. Alive And Well And Living In
4. Son
5. For Michael Collins, Jeffrey And Me
6. To Cry You A Song
7. A Time For Everything?
8. Inside
9. Play In Time
10. Sossity; You're A Woman
11. Singing All Day (Bonus Track)
12. Witch's Promise (Bonus Track)
13. Just Trying To Be (Bonus Track)
14. Teacher (Original UK Mix)(Bonus Track)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6345 in Music
• Released on: 2001-10-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

CD Description
Tull's third album finds them pulling definitively away from their blues-rock beginnings and heading towards the folk-influenced prog-rock that would become their trademark. It captures a brief, crucial moment in the band's life. They hadn't yet adopted the complex, mediaeval-oriented approach of their most famous works, but they had progressed enough to record some of Ian Anderson's most unpretentious, personal andaffecting songs. Instead of courtly prog-rock or Cream-ish electric blues, BENEFIT is full of visceral, electrified folk-rock. The light, acoustic-flavoured "With You There to Help Me" and "Inside" are full of thoughtful passion. The harder-edged "To Cry You a Song" and "Teacher" are examples of Tull's ever-present way with a hooky riff. For those distrustful of fancy time signatures and complex song suites, a strong case could be made for BENEFIT as Tull's most satisfying effort.

Customer Reviews

Superb songs, musicianship and production.
This was the album that turned me on to Jethro Tull back in 1970. It was a time when progressive rock was really getting in to its stride and Tull were supreme exponents. Benefit was an album of superb songs, musicianship and production. Ian Anderson's ethereal flute in the opening bars of 'With You There To Help Me,' grabbed my attention. By the end of the track, with his maniacal, echoing laughter, I was hooked.

There's not a bad track on the album, but high points for me are; 'To Cry You A Song.' - Fades in with Martin Barre's double-tracked lead guitar hook, followed by Ian's processed double tracked vocal. Martin's lead breaks between verses, not only double tracked, but then two complementary melodies in the left and right channels, finally coming together in harmony just before the next verse and then triple tracked toward the end. There's a lot going on here, if you take the time to listen to it carefully. 'Play In Time.' - featuring reverse guitar, reverse piano, it seems there's reverse everything at times, swirling around the stereo soundscape in organised anarchy.

These weren't rock 'n' rollers bashing out a few three chord tunes, these were consummate musicians taking their time to craft an album of intricate rhythms and melodies using the best recording techniques of the time. Every member of the band contributed to a complex jigsaw that fitted together perfectly, not forgetting John Evans' (or Evan as he was credited on the original sleeve) essential contribution on keyboards.

Over thirty years later I can still listen to this album and enjoy every second of it. It just doesn't seem dated to me at all. If I could award more than five stars I wouldn't hesitate to do so.

The forgotten Tull album ???
When I first discovered Tull's Benefit in 1974 I thought it must be some obscure live bootleg but over the years it has given me more satisfaction than most of Tull's other albums. The songs are uniformly well written, arranged and played - the production is much tighter than Stand Up and with John Evan making his first major contribution this was arguably Tull's strongest ever line-up. Anderson's flute takes a bit of a back seat for most of the ride - more subtle and melodic, with only a few sporadic wild breathless outbursts and it is very much a multi-layered guitar album. Anderson's acoustic guitar work is superb - listen to Sossity and Michael Collins and his singing was maturing into that distinctively melodious voice which is such a feature of Jethro's best work. Cornick and Bunker were a fantastic rhythm section, tidy, inventive but solid. Barre's solos are controlled and excellent but there are lots of little flourishes and tasty accompaniment which is just as important. Stand out songs, apart from those mentioned are With You There to Help Me, Alive & Well & Living In (replaced by Teacher on the US release) and Inside, although they are all good. Benefit is a class album, ranking along with Stand Up and Thick As A Brick as my Tull favourites. Essential really.

Jethro Tull quite possibly at their best...
After hearing a few Jethro Tull tracks (and obviously loving them from the start!) I decided to purchase an album and chose Benefit purely on the simplicity of the cover. I'm so glad this was my first proper introduction to Tull - I LOVE THIS ALBUM! Every song is simply amazing and beautifully well written. I especially like 'Play In Time' , 'With You There To Help Me' and the suitably placed last track 'Teacher'. 'To Cry You A Song' always makes me think of the wonder that is mushrooms! Having purchased Songs from the Wood, Stormwatch, and Minstrel in the Gallery since (all bloody great albums!), Benefit still remains my firm favourite and is a must have for all Jethro Tull fans.