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| recorded = 3 September 1969 – 25 February 1970
| recorded = 3 September 1969 – 25 February 1970
| studio = [[Morgan Studios]], London
| studio = [[Morgan Studios]], London
| genre = [[Hard rock]], [[folk rock]], {{nowrap|[[progressive rock]]}}
| genre = *[[Hard rock]]
*[[folk rock]]
| length = 42:00
| length = 42:00
| label = [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]/[[Island Records|Island]] (Europe)<br>[[Reprise Records|Reprise]] (America, Japan and Oceania)
| label = [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]/[[Island Records|Island]] (Europe)<br>[[Reprise Records|Reprise]] (America, Japan and Oceania)
| producer = [[Ian Anderson]], [[Terry Ellis (record producer)|Terry Ellis]]
| producer = [[Ian Anderson]], [[Terry Ellis (record producer)|Terry Ellis]] (exec.)
| prev_title = [[Stand Up (Jethro Tull album)|Stand Up]]
| prev_title = [[Stand Up (Jethro Tull album)|Stand Up]]
| prev_year = 1969
| prev_year = 1969
| next_title = [[Aqualung (Jethro Tull album)|Aqualung]]
| next_title = [[Aqualung (album)|Aqualung]]
| next_year = 1971
| next_year = 1971
| misc = {{Singles
| misc = {{Singles
| name = <br/> Benefit
| name = Benefit
| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = Inside
| single1 = Inside
| single1date = 24 April 1970<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Jethro+Tull&titel=Inside&cat=s|title=Jethro Tull singles}}</ref>
| single1date = 24 April 1970<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Jethro+Tull&titel=Inside&cat=s|title=Jethro Tull singles|website=Dutchcharts.nl}}</ref>
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''Benefit''''' is the third studio album by the British [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], released in April 1970. It was the first Tull album to include pianist and organist [[John Evan]] – though he was not yet considered a permanent member of the group – and the last to include bass guitarist [[Glenn Cornick]], who was fired from the band upon completion of touring for the album. It was recorded at [[Morgan Studios]], the same studio where the band recorded its previous album ''[[Stand Up (Jethro Tull album)|Stand Up]]''; however, they experimented with more advanced recording techniques.<ref name="jethrotull1">{{cite web |url=http://jethrotull.com/?portfolio=benefit |title=Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (May 1, 1970) |publisher=Jethro Tull Official Website: JethroTull.com |access-date=27 March 2016}}</ref>
'''''Benefit''''' is the third studio album by the British [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], released in April 1970. It was the first Tull album to include pianist and organist [[John Evan]] – though he was not yet considered a permanent member of the group – and the last to include bass guitarist [[Glenn Cornick]], who was fired from the band upon completion of touring for the album. It was recorded at [[Morgan Studios]], the same studio where the band recorded its previous album ''[[Stand Up (Jethro Tull album)|Stand Up]]''; however, they experimented with more advanced recording techniques.<ref name="jethrotull1">{{cite web |url=http://jethrotull.com/?portfolio=benefit |title=Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (May 1, 1970) |website=JethroTull.com |access-date=27 March 2016}}</ref>


Frontman [[Ian Anderson]] said that he considers ''Benefit'' to be a much darker album than ''Stand Up'', owing to the pressures of an extensive U.S. tour and frustration with the music business.<ref>{{cite web |last=Morton |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Morton |title=BBC Radio Scotland: Old Wild Men |url=http://www.tullpress.com/scot27aug01.htm |url-status=dead |publisher=Tull Press.com |date=27 August 2001 |access-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102043131/http://www.tullpress.com/scot27aug01.htm |archive-date=2 January 2007}}</ref>
Frontman [[Ian Anderson]] said that he considers ''Benefit'' to be a much darker album than ''Stand Up'', owing to the pressures of an extensive U.S. tour and frustration with the music business.<ref>{{cite web |last=Morton |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Morton |title=BBC Radio Scotland: Old Wild Men |url=http://www.tullpress.com/scot27aug01.htm |url-status=dead |publisher=Tull Press.com |date=27 August 2001 |access-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102043131/http://www.tullpress.com/scot27aug01.htm |archive-date=2 January 2007}}</ref>
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==Musical style==
==Musical style==
Ian Anderson said that ''Benefit'' was a "guitar [[riff]]" album, recorded in a year in which artists like [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Jimi Hendrix]] and [[Led Zeppelin]] were becoming more riff-oriented. Anderson also noted that ''Benefit'' is "a rather dark and stark album and, although it has a few songs on it that are rather okay, I don't think it has the breadth, variety or detail that ''Stand Up'' has. But it was an evolution in terms of the band playing as 'a band.'" Overall, Anderson considered the album "a natural part of the group's evolution".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Scapelliti |first=Christopher |title=Tull Tales |url=http://www.tullpress.com/gwsept99.htm |url-status=dead |journal=[[Guitar World]] |date=September 1999 |access-date=28 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193125/http://www.tullpress.com/gwsept99.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>
Ian Anderson said that ''Benefit'' was a "guitar [[riff]]" album, recorded at a time when the riff-oriented music of artists like [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Jimi Hendrix]] and [[Led Zeppelin]] was much in evidence. Anderson also noted that ''Benefit'' is "a rather dark and stark album and, although it has a few songs on it that are rather okay, I don't think it has the breadth, variety or detail that ''Stand Up'' has. But it was an evolution in terms of the band playing as 'a band.'" Overall, Anderson considered the album "a natural part of the group's evolution".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Scapelliti |first=Christopher |title=Tull Tales |url=http://www.tullpress.com/gwsept99.htm |url-status=dead |journal=[[Guitar World]] |date=September 1999 |access-date=28 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193125/http://www.tullpress.com/gwsept99.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>


According to Martin Barre "To Cry You a Song" was a response to [[Blind Faith]]'s "Had to Cry Today", "although you couldn't compare the two; nothing was stolen&nbsp;... The riff crossed over the bar in a couple of places and Ian and I each played guitars on the backing tracks. It was more or less live in the studio with a couple of overdubs and a solo. Ian played my [[Gibson SG]] and I played a [[Les Paul (guitar)|Les Paul]] on it."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rabey |first=Brian |title=Tull Tales |url=http://www.tullpress.com/gljun97.htm |url-status=dead |journal=Guitar Legends |issue=22 |date=May 1997 |access-date=28 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311065125/http://www.tullpress.com/gljun97.htm |archive-date=11 March 2012}}</ref>
According to Martin Barre "To Cry You a Song" was a response to [[Blind Faith]]'s "Had to Cry Today", "although you couldn't compare the two; nothing was stolen&nbsp;... The riff crossed over the bar in a couple of places and Ian and I each played guitars on the backing tracks. It was more or less live in the studio with a couple of overdubs and a solo. Ian played my [[Gibson SG]] and I played a [[Les Paul (guitar)|Les Paul]] on it."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rabey |first=Brian |title=Tull Tales |url=http://www.tullpress.com/gljun97.htm |url-status=dead |journal=Guitar Legends |issue=22 |date=May 1997 |access-date=28 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311065125/http://www.tullpress.com/gljun97.htm |archive-date=11 March 2012}}</ref>


==Releases==
==Releases==
The UK and the US release are different. The US version (with flute) of "Teacher" was placed on side two of the album, and the track "Alive and Well and Living In" was excluded. In the UK, "Teacher" was the [[B-side]] of the non-album single "[[The Witch's Promise]]", and was fluteless.<ref name="jethrotull1" />
The UK and the US release are different. The US version (with flute) of "[[Teacher (Jethro Tull song)|Teacher]]" was placed on side two of the album, and the track "Alive and Well and Living In" was excluded. In the UK, "Teacher" was the [[B-side]] of the non-album single "[[The Witch's Promise]]", and was without a flute.<ref name="jethrotull1" />


In 2013, the Collector's Edition of ''Benefit'' was released. It contains bonus tracks mixed by [[Steven Wilson]], a disc with mono and stereo mixes of rare and previously unreleased versions of tracks and singles and an audio-only DVD that includes a surround sound mix of the original album. The Collector's Edition also includes a booklet featuring an 8,000-word essay written by [[Martin Webb]], as well as interviews with band members and a selection of photos, some previously unseen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steven Wilson remixes Jethro Tull's 'Benefit' |url=http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/sw-remixes-jethro-tulls-benefit/ |publisher=Steven Wilson Official Website |date=4 September 2013 |access-date=1 May 2015}}</ref>
In 2013, the Collector's Edition of ''Benefit'' was released. It contains bonus tracks mixed by [[Steven Wilson]], a disc with mono and stereo mixes of rare and previously unreleased versions of tracks and singles and an audio-only DVD that includes a surround sound mix of the original album. The Collector's Edition also includes a booklet featuring an 8,000-word essay written by [[Martin Webb]], as well as interviews with band members and a selection of photos, some previously unseen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steven Wilson remixes Jethro Tull's 'Benefit' |url=http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/sw-remixes-jethro-tulls-benefit/ |publisher=Steven Wilson Official Website |date=4 September 2013 |access-date=1 May 2015}}</ref>


For the 50th Anniversary an Enhanced Edition was released in 2021, consisting of 4 CDs and 2 DVDs.
For the 50th anniversary of the album, an enhanced edition was released in 2021, consisting of four CDs and two DVDs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jethro Tull Benefit 50th anniversary|url=https://store.rhino.com/benefit-the-50th-anniversary-enhanced-edition.html}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic" >{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/benefit-mw0000190472 |title=Jethro Tull - Benefit review |last=Eder |first=Bruce |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=24 March 2016 }}</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic" >{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/benefit-mw0000190472 |title=Jethro Tull - Benefit review |last=Eder |first=Bruce |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=24 March 2016 }}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
|rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
|rev2Score = B–<ref name="CG">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: J|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=J&bk=70|access-date=27 February 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
|rev2Score = B−<ref name="CG">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: J|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=J&bk=70|access-date=27 February 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Record Collector]]''
| rev4 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|year=2007|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|edition=4th|isbn=978-0195313734|title-link=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref>
|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="collector">{{cite magazine |url=http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/benefit |title=Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970/2013 Collector's Edition, mixed by Steven Wilson, 2CD+DVD/LP). |last=Rathbone |first=Oregano |magazine=[[Record Collector]] |date=December 2013 |access-date=28 March 2016 }}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[Record Collector]]''
| rev4 = The Daily Vault
| rev4Score = B+<ref name=vault>{{cite web |url= http://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=3058 |title=The Daily Vault Music Reviews : Benefit |first=Benjamin |last=Ray |work=dailyvault.com |year=2019 |access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>
|rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="collector">{{cite magazine |url=http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/benefit |title=Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970/2013 Collector's Edition, mixed by Steven Wilson, 2CD+DVD/LP). |last=Rathbone |first=Oregano |magazine=[[Record Collector]] |date=December 2013 |access-date=28 March 2016 }}</ref>
| rev3 = The Daily Vault
| rev3Score = B+<ref name=vault>{{cite web |url= http://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=3058 |title=The Daily Vault Music Reviews : Benefit |first=Benjamin |last=Ray |work=dailyvault.com |year=2019 |access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>
}}
}}
Critics were generally unimpressed with ''Benefit'' upon its release. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called the album "lame and dumb".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/benefit-19700806 |title= Jethro Tull - Benefit |last=Shadoian |first=Jack |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=6 August 1970 |access-date=28 March 2016 }}</ref> ''[[Disc (magazine)|Disc and Music Echo]]'' was also unimpressed but recognized the band's quality: "This album doesn't advance by such a drastic leap as ''Stand Up'' did from ''This Was''. It's more like the Jethro Tull we've seen and heard for the past year. It seems to be a remarkably long album, and shows what an exciting group this is. Exciting because they can have quite long guitar breaks and still retain a very tight and together sound".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Jethro Leaps - But Not Quite So High: Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970) album review |journal=[[Disc (magazine)|Disc and Music Echo]] |date=18 April 1970 |url=http://www.tullpress.com/d18apr70.htm |access-date=28 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044032/http://www.tullpress.com/d18apr70.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[The Village Voice]]'' critic [[Robert Christgau]] appreciated the riffs around which all the songs were constructed, but wasn't impressed by the lyrics that he judged hard to recall.<ref name="CG"/>
Critics were generally unimpressed with ''Benefit'' upon its release. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called the album "lame and dumb".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/benefit-19700806 |title= Jethro Tull - Benefit |last=Shadoian |first=Jack |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=6 August 1970 |access-date=28 March 2016 }}</ref> ''[[Disc (magazine)|Disc and Music Echo]]'' was also unimpressed but recognized the band's quality: "This album doesn't advance by such a drastic leap as ''Stand Up'' did from ''This Was''. It's more like the Jethro Tull we've seen and heard for the past year. It seems to be a remarkably long album, and shows what an exciting group this is. Exciting because they can have quite long guitar breaks and still retain a very tight and together sound".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Jethro Leaps - But Not Quite So High: Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970) album review |journal=[[Disc (magazine)|Disc and Music Echo]] |date=18 April 1970 |url=http://www.tullpress.com/d18apr70.htm |access-date=28 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044032/http://www.tullpress.com/d18apr70.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[The Village Voice]]'' critic [[Robert Christgau]] appreciated the riffs around which all the songs were constructed, but wasn't impressed by the lyrics that he judged hard to recall.<ref name="CG"/>


===Legacy===
===Legacy===
[[AllMusic]] and ''[[Record Collector]]'''s much-later reviews were more positive in accepting the album's style. Bruce Eder stated that: "Most of the songs on ''Benefit'' display pleasant, delectably folk-like melodies attached to downbeat, slightly gloomy, but dazzlingly complex lyrics, with Barre's guitar adding enough wattage to keep the hard rock listeners very interested. 'To Cry You a Song', 'Son', and 'For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me' all defined Tull's future sound: Barre's amp cranked up to ten (especially on 'Son'), coming in above Anderson's acoustic strumming, a few unexpected changes in tempo, and Anderson spouting lyrics filled with dense, seemingly profound imagery and statements."<ref name="AllMusic" /> ''Record Collector'' reviewer, analysing the Collector's Edition of 2013, praised the Steven Wilson remix and wrote: "''Benefit'' forms the perfect bridge between the rolling, tumbling Tull of old and the tightly braided riffs and prickly lyrics presented by ''[[Aqualung (Jethro Tull album)|Aqualung]]''."<ref name="collector" />
[[AllMusic]] and ''[[Record Collector]]'''s much-later reviews were more positive in accepting the album's style. Bruce Eder stated that: "Most of the songs on ''Benefit'' display pleasant, delectably folk-like melodies attached to downbeat, slightly gloomy, but dazzlingly complex lyrics, with Barre's guitar adding enough wattage to keep the hard rock listeners very interested. 'To Cry You a Song', 'Son', and 'For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me' all defined Tull's future sound: Barre's amp cranked up to ten (especially on 'Son'), coming in above Anderson's acoustic strumming, a few unexpected changes in tempo, and Anderson spouting lyrics filled with dense, seemingly profound imagery and statements."<ref name="AllMusic" /> ''Record Collector'' reviewer, analysing the Collector's Edition of 2013, praised the Steven Wilson remix and wrote: "''Benefit'' forms the perfect bridge between the rolling, tumbling Tull of old and the tightly braided riffs and prickly lyrics presented by ''[[Aqualung (Jethro Tull album)|Aqualung]]''."<ref name="collector" /> Paul Stump, in his ''History of Progressive Rock'', said that ''Benefit'' "maintained the invention (and sales) of its predecessor, once again teasing unexpected emotional reflexes from time-honoured voicings and rhythms to signpost something that, if not a wholly new kind of pop song, at least offered the listener new bearings in his or her search."<ref>{{cite book |last=Stump |first=Paul |title=The Music's All that Matters: A History of Progressive Rock |date=1997 |publisher=Quartet Books Limited |isbn=0-7043-8036-6 |page=51}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
===1970 UK release===
===1970 UK release===
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Side one
| headline = Side one
| all_music = Ian Anderson
| all_music = Ian Anderson
Line 81: Line 84:
| length5 = 3:59
| length5 = 3:59
}}
}}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Side two
| headline = Side two
| title6 = To Cry You a Song
| title6 = To Cry You a Song
Line 94: Line 97:
| length10 = 4:35
| length10 = 4:35
}}
}}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = 2001 CD bonus tracks
| headline = 2001 CD bonus tracks
| collapsed = yes
| title11 = Singing All Day
| title11 = Singing All Day
| length11 = 3:07
| length11 = 3:07
Line 103: Line 105:
| title13 = Just Trying to Be
| title13 = Just Trying to Be
| length13 = 1:37
| length13 = 1:37
| title14 = Teacher
| title14 = [[Teacher (Jethro Tull song)|Teacher]]
| note14 = Labelled Original U.K Mix, but actually US version
| note14 = Labelled Original UK Mix, but actually US version{{fact|date=April 2024}}
| length14 = 3:49
| length14 = 3:49
}}
}}


===1970 US release===
===1970 US release===
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Side one
| headline = Side one
| title1 = With You There to Help Me
| title1 = With You There to Help Me
Line 122: Line 124:
| length5 = 3:47
| length5 = 3:47
}}
}}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Side two
| headline = Side two
| title6 = To Cry You a Song
| title6 = To Cry You a Song
Line 137: Line 139:


===2013 A Collector's Edition (3 Discs)===
===2013 A Collector's Edition (3 Discs)===
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = CD 1: Steven Wilson stereo remix of the album and associated recordings
| headline = CD 1: Steven Wilson stereo remix of the album and associated recordings
| collapsed = yes
| title1 = With You There to Help Me
| title1 = With You There to Help Me
| length1 = 6:20
| length1 = 6:20
Line 173: Line 174:
| length15 = 4:03
| length15 = 4:03
}}
}}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = CD 2: Associated Recordings 1969-1970
| headline = CD 2: Associated Recordings 1969-1970
| collapsed = yes
| title1 = Singing All Day
| title1 = Singing All Day
| note1 = mono
| note1 = mono
Line 225: Line 225:
| length16 = 1:05
| length16 = 1:05
}}
}}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = DVD: Steven Wilson 5.1 surround remix of the album and associated recordings
| headline = DVD: Steven Wilson 5.1 surround remix of the album and associated recordings
| collapsed = yes
| title1 = With You There to Help Me
| title1 = With You There to Help Me
| length1 = 6:20
| length1 = 6:20
Line 279: Line 278:


==Charts==
==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
''Benefit'' was the first million record seller from Jethro Tull.<ref name="jethrotull1"/>
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}

===Album===
{| class="wikitable" width="330px"
!align="center"|Year
!align="center"|Chart
!align="center"|Position
|-
|-
! Chart (1970–1971)
|align="center" rowspan="8"|1970
! Peak<br/>position
|align="center"|[[VG-lista|Norwegian Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jethro+Tull&titel=Benefit&cat=a|title=Norwegian Albums Chart: Jethro Tull – Benefit |access-date=28 March 2016 |work=Norwegiancharts.com |publisher=[[Media Control Charts]] }}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|2
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
|-
| align="center"| 12
|align="center"|[[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="UK" >{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/13506/jethro-tull/ |title=Jethro Tull Official Charts (UK) |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=19 March 2016 }}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|3
{{Album chart|Canada|22|chartid=3832|artist=Jethro Tull|album= Benefit |rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[Kent Music Report|Australian Albums Chart]]<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=155}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Danish Albums ([[Hitlisten]]) <ref>{{cite web |url=http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=6290|title=Danish Albums Chart: Jethro Tull - Benefity |website=danskehitlister.dk |access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
|align="center"|[[GfK Entertainment Charts|German Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-33940|title=German Albums Chart: Jethro Tull - Benefit |work=Charts.de |publisher=[[Media Control Charts]] |access-date=28 March 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|align="center"|5
|-
|align="center"|[[Hitlisten|Danish Albums Chart]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=6290|title=Danish Albums Chart: Jethro Tull - Benefit|website=Danskehitlister.dk|access-date=19 May 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|align="center"|6
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Netherlands|6|artist=Jethro Tull|album= Benefit |rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|align="center"|[[Dutch Album Top 100|Dutch MegaCharts]]<ref name="Media Control Charts">{{cite web |url= http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Jethro+Tull&titel=Benefit&cat=a|title=Dutch MegaCharts: Jethro Tull - Benefit |access-date=28 March 2016 |website=Dutchcharts.nl |publisher=[[Media Control Charts]] |language= nl }}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|6
! scope="row"| Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts]])<ref name=FINI>{{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5| language= fi}}</ref>
|-
| align="center"| 7
|align="center"|[[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] (US)<ref name="US">{{cite web |url=https://billboard.com/music/jethro-tull/chart-history/TLP |title=Jethro Tull Chart History: ''Billboard'' 200 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=14 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|11
{{Album chart|Germany4|5|id=33940|artist=Jethro Tull|album= Benefit |rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|-
! scope="row"|Italian Albums (''[[Musica e Dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[[Musica e Dischi]]|language=it|access-date=June 20, 2024}} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Jethro Tull".</ref>
| align="center"| 18
|-
{{Album chart|Norway|2|artist=Jethro Tull|album= Benefit |rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{Album chart|UK2|3|date=19700510|refname=UK albums|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|11|artist=Jethro Tull|refname=Billboard 200|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
|-
! Chart (2013)
|align="center"| [[RPM100|''RPM''100]] Albums (Canada)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=2521&| title = Top Albums/CDs - Volume 13, No. 17, June 13, 1970 (Canada)| access-date = 28 March 2016| date = 13 June 1970| publisher = [[Library and Archives Canada]]}}</ref>
! Peak<br/>position
|align="center"|22
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Italy|97|artist=Jethro Tull|album= Benefit |rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|align="center" rowspan="2"|2013
|align="center"|[[Top Pop Catalog Albums]] (US)<ref name="US" />
|align="center"|48
|-
|align="center"|[[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|Italian Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://italiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jethro+Tull&titel=Benefit&cat=a |title=Italian Charts: Jethro Tull - Benefit |access-date=28 March 2016 |work=Italiancharts.com |publisher=[[Media Control Charts]] }}</ref>
|align="center"|97
|}
|}
{{col-break}}


{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Chart (2021)
!Year
! Peak<br/>position
!Single
|-
!Chart
{{album chart|Hungary|32|artist=Jethro Tull|album=Benefit|year=2021|week=47|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
!Position
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Scotland|14|date=20211112|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|align="center" rowspan="3"|1970
|align="center" rowspan="3"|"Witch's Promise"
|align="center"| [[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="UK" />
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
|-
{{Album chart|UK2|44|date=20211112|refname=UKA1|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|align="center"|[[MegaCharts|Dutch MegaCharts]]<ref name="Media Control Charts"/>
|-
|align="center"|23
{{Album chart|UKRock|2|date=20211112|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}
|-
|align="center"|[[GfK Entertainment Charts|German Singles Chart]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche | title=Suchen – insert Jethro Tull |work=Charts.de |publisher=[[Media Control Charts]] |access-date=20 March 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|align="center"|28
|}
|}
{{col-end}}


== Certifications ==
== Certifications ==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
{{Certification Table Entry |region=United States |artist=Jethro Tull|title=Benefit |award=Gold|type=album |relyear=1970}}
! scope="col"| Country
{{Certification Table Bottom |nosales=true}}
! scope="col"| Organization
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Sales
|-
!scope="row"|United States
|[[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]
|1970
|Gold (500,000)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=jethro+tull#search_section |title=RIAA Gold & Platinum Database: search for Jethro Tull |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date=24 March 2016 }}</ref>
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 363: Line 341:
* [http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/benefit-bonus-tracks-mr0001236157 Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970/2001 Version with Bonus Tracks) album review by Bruce Eder, credits & releases] at [[AllMusic.com]]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/benefit-bonus-tracks-mr0001236157 Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970/2001 Version with Bonus Tracks) album review by Bruce Eder, credits & releases] at [[AllMusic.com]]
* [https://www.discogs.com/Jethro-Tull-Benefit/release/1429440 Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970) album releases & credits] at [[Discogs|Discogs.com]]
* [https://www.discogs.com/Jethro-Tull-Benefit/release/1429440 Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970) album releases & credits] at [[Discogs|Discogs.com]]
* [http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=2017 Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970) album credits & user reviews] at ProgArchives.com
* [https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/6874/Jethro-Tull-Benefit/ Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970) album review by BludgeonySteve] at SputnikMusic.com
* [https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/6874/Jethro-Tull-Benefit/ Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970) album review by BludgeonySteve] at [[Sputnikmusic|SputnikMusic.com]]
* [https://play.spotify.com/album/1meW8yyx76RPZebO32VwrB Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970/2001 Remastered Version) album to be listened] as stream at [[Spotify|Play.Spotify.com]]
* [https://play.spotify.com/album/1meW8yyx76RPZebO32VwrB Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970/2001 Remastered Version) album to be listened] as stream at [[Spotify|Play.Spotify.com]]
* [https://play.spotify.com/album/4tlwBXtwyrHrVhc9pgP3B3 Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970/2013 Steven Wilson Remix & Remaster) album to be listened] as stream at [[Spotify|Play.Spotify.com]]
* [https://play.spotify.com/album/4tlwBXtwyrHrVhc9pgP3B3 Jethro Tull - ''Benefit'' (1970/2013 Steven Wilson Remix & Remaster) album to be listened] as stream at [[Spotify|Play.Spotify.com]]

Latest revision as of 07:54, 9 September 2024

Benefit
Studio album by
Jethro Tull
Released20 April 1970
Recorded3 September 1969 – 25 February 1970
StudioMorgan Studios, London
Genre
Length42:00
LabelChrysalis/Island (Europe)
Reprise (America, Japan and Oceania)
ProducerIan Anderson, Terry Ellis (exec.)
Jethro Tull chronology
Stand Up
(1969) 		Benefit
(1970) 		Aqualung
(1971)
Singles from Benefit
  1. "Inside"
    Released: 24 April 1970[1]

Benefit is the third studio album by the British rock band Jethro Tull, released in April 1970. It was the first Tull album to include pianist and organist John Evan – though he was not yet considered a permanent member of the group – and the last to include bass guitarist Glenn Cornick, who was fired from the band upon completion of touring for the album. It was recorded at Morgan Studios, the same studio where the band recorded its previous album Stand Up; however, they experimented with more advanced recording techniques.[2]

Frontman Ian Anderson said that he considers Benefit to be a much darker album than Stand Up, owing to the pressures of an extensive U.S. tour and frustration with the music business.[3]

Production

[edit]

Guitarist Martin Barre said that Benefit was a lot easier to make than previous albums, as the success of Stand Up allowed the musicians more artistic latitude.[4]

Bassist Glenn Cornick stated that the band's intention was to capture a more "live" feeling as "I felt the last one sounded like a group of session musicians performing various songs. It was pretty cold."[5]

Benefit incorporated studio techniques such as reverse recording (flute and piano tracks on "With You There to Help Me"), and manipulating the tape speed (guitar on "Play in Time"). In a 1970 interview Anderson noted that the addition of keyboardist John Evan had changed the band's style: "John has added a new dimension musically and I can write more freely now. In fact anything is possible with him at the keyboard".[6]

Musical style

[edit]

Ian Anderson said that Benefit was a "guitar riff" album, recorded at a time when the riff-oriented music of artists like Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin was much in evidence. Anderson also noted that Benefit is "a rather dark and stark album and, although it has a few songs on it that are rather okay, I don't think it has the breadth, variety or detail that Stand Up has. But it was an evolution in terms of the band playing as 'a band.'" Overall, Anderson considered the album "a natural part of the group's evolution".[7]

According to Martin Barre "To Cry You a Song" was a response to Blind Faith's "Had to Cry Today", "although you couldn't compare the two; nothing was stolen ... The riff crossed over the bar in a couple of places and Ian and I each played guitars on the backing tracks. It was more or less live in the studio with a couple of overdubs and a solo. Ian played my Gibson SG and I played a Les Paul on it."[8]

Releases

[edit]

The UK and the US release are different. The US version (with flute) of "Teacher" was placed on side two of the album, and the track "Alive and Well and Living In" was excluded. In the UK, "Teacher" was the B-side of the non-album single "The Witch's Promise", and was without a flute.[2]

In 2013, the Collector's Edition of Benefit was released. It contains bonus tracks mixed by Steven Wilson, a disc with mono and stereo mixes of rare and previously unreleased versions of tracks and singles and an audio-only DVD that includes a surround sound mix of the original album. The Collector's Edition also includes a booklet featuring an 8,000-word essay written by Martin Webb, as well as interviews with band members and a selection of photos, some previously unseen.[9]

For the 50th anniversary of the album, an enhanced edition was released in 2021, consisting of four CDs and two DVDs.[10]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Christgau's Record GuideB−[12]
The Daily VaultB+[15]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[13]
Record Collector[14]

Critics were generally unimpressed with Benefit upon its release. Rolling Stone called the album "lame and dumb".[16] Disc and Music Echo was also unimpressed but recognized the band's quality: "This album doesn't advance by such a drastic leap as Stand Up did from This Was. It's more like the Jethro Tull we've seen and heard for the past year. It seems to be a remarkably long album, and shows what an exciting group this is. Exciting because they can have quite long guitar breaks and still retain a very tight and together sound".[17] The Village Voice critic Robert Christgau appreciated the riffs around which all the songs were constructed, but wasn't impressed by the lyrics that he judged hard to recall.[12]

Legacy

[edit]

AllMusic and Record Collector's much-later reviews were more positive in accepting the album's style. Bruce Eder stated that: "Most of the songs on Benefit display pleasant, delectably folk-like melodies attached to downbeat, slightly gloomy, but dazzlingly complex lyrics, with Barre's guitar adding enough wattage to keep the hard rock listeners very interested. 'To Cry You a Song', 'Son', and 'For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me' all defined Tull's future sound: Barre's amp cranked up to ten (especially on 'Son'), coming in above Anderson's acoustic strumming, a few unexpected changes in tempo, and Anderson spouting lyrics filled with dense, seemingly profound imagery and statements."[11] Record Collector reviewer, analysing the Collector's Edition of 2013, praised the Steven Wilson remix and wrote: "Benefit forms the perfect bridge between the rolling, tumbling Tull of old and the tightly braided riffs and prickly lyrics presented by Aqualung."[14] Paul Stump, in his History of Progressive Rock, said that Benefit "maintained the invention (and sales) of its predecessor, once again teasing unexpected emotional reflexes from time-honoured voicings and rhythms to signpost something that, if not a wholly new kind of pop song, at least offered the listener new bearings in his or her search."[18]

Track listing

[edit]

1970 UK release

[edit]

All music is composed by Ian Anderson

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."With You There to Help Me"6:20
2."Nothing to Say"5:10
3."Alive and Well and Living In"2:47
4."Son"2:52
5."For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me"3:59
Side two
No.TitleLength
6."To Cry You a Song"6:09
7."A Time for Everything?"2:43
8."Inside"3:40
9."Play in Time"3:45
10."Sossity; You're a Woman"4:35
2001 CD bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
11."Singing All Day"3:07
12."Witch's Promise"3:52
13."Just Trying to Be"1:37
14."Teacher" (Labelled Original UK Mix, but actually US version[citation needed])3:49

1970 US release

[edit]
Side one
No.TitleLength
1."With You There to Help Me"6:15
2."Nothing to Say"5:10
3."Inside"3:46
4."Son"2:48
5."For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me"3:47
Side two
No.TitleLength
6."To Cry You a Song"6:09
7."A Time for Everything?"2:42
8."Teacher"3:57
9."Play in Time"3:44
10."Sossity; You're a Woman"4:31

2013 A Collector's Edition (3 Discs)

[edit]
CD 1: Steven Wilson stereo remix of the album and associated recordings
No.TitleLength
1."With You There to Help Me"6:20
2."Nothing to Say"5:13
3."Alive and Well and Living In"2:48
4."Son"2:53
5."For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me"3:49
6."To Cry You a Song"6:16
7."A Time for Everything?"2:45
8."Inside"3:38
9."Play in Time"3:49
10."Sossity; You're a Woman"4:37
11."Singing All Day"3:07
12."Sweet Dream"4:03
13."17"6:20
14."Teacher (UK Single Version)"4:58
15."Teacher (US Album Version)"4:03
CD 2: Associated Recordings 1969-1970
No.TitleLength
1."Singing All Day" (mono)3:08
2."Sweet Dream" (mono)4:04
3."17" (mono)6:11
4."Sweet Dream" (stereo)4:04
5."17" (stereo)5:32
6."Witch's Promise" (mono)4:01
7."Teacher" (U.K single version - mono)4:51
8."Teacher" (U.S album version - mono)4:00
9."Witch's Promise" (stereo)3:51
10."Teacher" (U.K single version - stereo)4:51
11."Teacher" (U.S album version - stereo)4:00
12."Inside" (single edit - mono)2:43
13."Alive and Well and Living In" (mono)2:48
14."A Time for Everything" (mono)2:46
15."Reprise AM Radio Spot 1" (mono)1:05
16."Reprise FM Radio Spot 2" (mono)1:05
DVD: Steven Wilson 5.1 surround remix of the album and associated recordings
No.TitleLength
1."With You There to Help Me"6:20
2."Nothing to Say"5:13
3."Alive and Well and Living In"2:48
4."Son"2:53
5."For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me"3:49
6."To Cry You a Song"6:16
7."A Time for Everything?"2:45
8."Inside"3:38
9."Play in Time"3:49
10."Sossity; You're a Woman"4:37
11."Singing All Day"3:07
12."Sweet Dream"4:03
13."17"6:20
14."Teacher (UK Single Version)"4:58
15."Teacher (US Album Version)"4:03

Personnel

[edit]
Jethro Tull
Additional musicians
Production
  • Robin Black – engineer
  • Terry Ellis – cover design, executive producer
  • Ruan O'Lochlainn – cover design, photography

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1970–1971) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[19] 12
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[20] 22
Danish Albums (Hitlisten) [21] 6
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[22] 6
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)[23] 7
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[24] 5
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)[25] 18
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[26] 2
UK Albums (OCC)[27] 3
US Billboard 200[28] 11
Chart (2013) Peak
position
Italian Albums (FIMI)[29] 97
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[30] 32
Scottish Albums (OCC)[31] 14
UK Albums (OCC)[32] 44
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[33] 2

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[34] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Jethro Tull singles". Dutchcharts.nl.
  2. ^ a b "Jethro Tull - Benefit (May 1, 1970)". JethroTull.com. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  3. ^ Morton, Tom (27 August 2001). "BBC Radio Scotland: Old Wild Men". Tull Press.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  4. ^ Wright, Jeb. "Forty Years Of Aqualung: An Interview With Jethro Tull's Martin Barre". Classic Rock Revisited.com. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  5. ^ Logan, Nick (21 February 1970). "Jethro Go For Live Feel On Their Next Album". New Musical Express. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  6. ^ "A Tull Story". Down Beat. 25 June 1970. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  7. ^ Scapelliti, Christopher (September 1999). "Tull Tales". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  8. ^ Rabey, Brian (May 1997). "Tull Tales". Guitar Legends. No. 22. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Steven Wilson remixes Jethro Tull's 'Benefit'". Steven Wilson Official Website. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  10. ^ "Jethro Tull Benefit 50th anniversary".
  11. ^ a b Eder, Bruce. "Jethro Tull - Benefit review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  12. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: J". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 27 February 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  13. ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
  14. ^ a b Rathbone, Oregano (December 2013). "Jethro Tull - Benefit (1970/2013 Collector's Edition, mixed by Steven Wilson, 2CD+DVD/LP)". Record Collector. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  15. ^ Ray, Benjamin (2019). "The Daily Vault Music Reviews : Benefit". dailyvault.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  16. ^ Shadoian, Jack (6 August 1970). "Jethro Tull - Benefit". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  17. ^ "Jethro Leaps - But Not Quite So High: Jethro Tull - Benefit (1970) album review". Disc and Music Echo. 18 April 1970. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  18. ^ Stump, Paul (1997). The Music's All that Matters: A History of Progressive Rock. Quartet Books Limited. p. 51. ISBN 0-7043-8036-6.
  19. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  20. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3832". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  21. ^ "Danish Albums Chart: Jethro Tull - Benefity". danskehitlister.dk. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Jethro Tull – Benefit" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  23. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  24. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Jethro Tull – Benefit" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  25. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 20 June 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Jethro Tull".
  26. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Jethro Tull – Benefit". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  27. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  28. ^ "Jethro Tull Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  29. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Jethro Tull – Benefit". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  30. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2021. 47. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  31. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  32. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  33. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  34. ^ "American album certifications – Jethro Tull – Benefit". Recording Industry Association of America.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Benefit_(album)&oldid=1244800903"