Ian Anderson Shares The Most Underrated Jethro Tull Record

Ian Anderson, the frontman of the iconic progressive rock band Jethro Tull, recently shared his thoughts on the most underrated and overlooked album in the band’s vast discography. During a recent interview with AllMusic, Anderson revealed that the album he considers to be the most underrated is ‘Under Wraps.’

Anderson explained that ‘Under Wraps’ was a bold experiment in the new technology of sequencers, samplers, and drum machines. He saw it as an opportunity to see what he could do in that type of ‘technical music production,’ and it resulted in some great songs that were really well played by the band. In fact, Anderson even went so far as to say that it contained one of the best performances of Martin Barre’s guitar work.

However, despite the album’s strengths, Anderson acknowledged that it is derivative of the sounds of the era when it was recorded. Other artists and musicians were starting to use that same technology, which means that ‘Under Wraps’ may not sound as unique and innovative as it once did.

The musician also expressed his desire to re-record the album with real drums played by a human being, but acknowledged that it would be expensive to do so. He has mentioned the idea to Warner Music, who own the copyrights to Jethro Tull’s music, on more than one occasion, but they have yet to take the bait.

When asked about the most underrated Jethro Tull album, Anderson replied:

“Possibly the album ‘Under Wraps,’ which was a bold experiment back then in the new technology of sequencers, samplers, and drum machines. Computers in music. It was an opportunity for me to see what I could do in that type of ‘technical music production.’ It’s got great songs on it, and it’s really well played by the band.

One of the best performances of Martin Barre’s was ‘Under Wraps’ – he plays really great guitar that doesn’t depend on the blues heritage. So, from that point of view, it ain’t the blues, and in its way, it’s inventive, original music. But clearly, in today’s hindsight, it is derivative of the sounds of that era when other artists and musicians were started to use that technology.

It would be all the better today if it were re-recorded with real drums with a human being playing the parts. But that would be expensive. And I think that perhaps in a way, the cost of rerecording, remixing, remastering, and all the rest of it might not be something that Warner Music – who own the copyrights – would want to engage in. I have mentioned it to them on more than one occasion, but they haven’t taken the bait yet.”

It’s fascinating to hear Ian Anderson’s perspective on ‘Under Wraps,’ an album that has been overlooked by many fans and critics over the years. His comments shed light on the creative process behind the album and the challenges of using new technology in music production.

As with any art, music is subjective, and different people will have different opinions on which Jethro Tull album is the most underrated or overlooked. However, Ian ‘s thoughts on ‘Under Wraps’ are certainly worth considering for anyone looking to explore the band’s discography beyond their most well-known hits.