'A was recorded in Fulham, London during the Summer of 1980 and was intended to become an Ian Anderson solo album. The tapes were therefore marked ‘A’ for Anderson, which is how the album got its name, but the label asked the band to release it as Jethro Tull. It first hit the street on 29th August 1980 in the UK and on 1st September the same year in the US.

The album featured guest star, Eddie Jobson, on keyboards and electric violin. Jobson was renowned for his use of synthesizers and his work with the likes of Roxy Music, Frank Zappa and Yes. In 2017 he won the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award at the Progressive Music Awards and in 2019 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Roxy Music. Not surprisingly, ‘A’ was noted for its more synthesizer-based sound, something that divided fan’s opinions at the time!

Stay tuned for more news on this album in future…

'A' is the 13th studio album by Jethro Tull. Listen Now.