Album of the Day

When it was originally released, MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY became Jethro Tull's fifth consecutive U.S. Top 10 album, peaking at #7, and reaching #29 in the band's native U.K. The last to feature the longtime lineup of Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, John Evans, Barrie Barlow and Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, the set boasts elaborate production reminiscent of the 1972 classic THICK AS A BRICK, and its songs rock as hard as anything in Tull's vast and storied catalog. Anderson handles production chores as well as flute and vocals, and the 1975 collection features varied acoustic and electric arrangements including a near-side-long epic in “Baker St. Muse.” For the 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition, MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY has been expanded with a B-side, studio outtakes and BBC sessions as well as a full live disc of the band performing at the Olympia in Paris a few months prior to the album's release.