"I stumbled across an audio cassette of this gem at a flea market years ago and wore out the tape from repeat use. Then I found the vinyl version and put that through the wringer as well. Finally, I picked up the CD and it's one of my regular staples. I've been a voracious Tull fan since THIS WAS and Ian does us all a huge favor by releasing this material, much of which never made it onto records. The selections are the equal and in many cases, superior to the albums that these songs were originally recorded for. Some tunes rock with the hallmark Tully fury of flute-guitar interplay, others are gentle ballads featuring Ian's great vocals and wonderful musical backing. 'Nursie' is a breathtaking diamond, with the simplicity of a child's song, relating Anderson's feelings of sympathy for his ill, hospitalized father. If you know of his strained relationship with his father, as he's recounted in interviews, this tune will bring tears to your eyes. Even if you own every Tull album, buy this for the tracks that don't appear on those -- it'll be dollars extremely well spent. Trust me."
A must-have for Tull collectors
Ian R. West | RACINE, WI United States | 11/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is a must whether you are new to Tull or are an avid fan like myself. If you are new then the album takes you through the whole spectrum of Tull from the early heavy blues days to the modern, slick production material. But the real gems are the previously unreleased tracks - Part of the Machine , Kelpie , Overhang -Tull at their very best. Buy it just for these alone, you won't be disappointed.
And for those of you who are interested in the origins of songs there is a bonus . Lick Your Fingers Clean is a track recorded for Aqualung that didn't make the album. Tull fans will recognize the lyrics and basic song structure as Two Fingers that is on the Warchild album!
All in all , this album is worth every penny."
Classic
Charlie White | Holland, MI USA | 07/31/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album wonderfully showcases the eclectic sound of Jethro Tull, ranging from the early, throaty blues of the first track lifted from a radio recording, through the gut-twisting rock classics of Aqualung and Locomotive Breath, and ending at rarer songs of wondrous lyrics which showcase Anderson's sexy voice. Any long-time fan will appreciate this for the different takes it has on many songs, while any budding fan will surely appreciate the wide range of musical styles presented throughout 23 years of this band."
Good Representation of Tull's Journey
Graboidz | Westminster, Maryland | 05/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are like me and missed out on the 20 year box set, then this CD is the best you can do. It features some Tull classics, and also showcases some new and rare songs done by the band through the years. My favorite cuts on the album are the 5 songs under the heading of "Flawed Gems (Dusted Down)" Kelpie and Jack-A-Lynn are great and I don't see why they never made onto a Tull album before now? If you have most of Tull's albums you already own about 75% of the songs presented here, but what I like about the "Best Of" selection of songs on this disk, is that it's not the usual Tull songs on other "Best Of"'s. Sure "Aqualung" and "Locomotive Breath" are here, but they are fantastic live versions we haven't heard before. Plus you get forgotten classics like "Witch's Promise" and "Wond'ring Aloud", as well as one of my favorite Tull tunes "Nursie". But I would only recommend this album to Tull fans, anyone interested in picking up a "Best Of" who is not familiar with the band should grab a copy of "Original Master" first. It's a little more mainstream and features all of the Jethro Tull songs you've heard on your local classic rock stations."