# M.U. The Best of Jethro Tull. M.U. ?!?!? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 5, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087 "2010-06-05T19:55:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/1 "2010-06-05T19:55:59Z")
I’ve wondered about this for, oh, ten years or so. WTF does MU stand for? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/2 "2010-06-05T19:58:29Z")
[Musician’s Union](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.U._%E2%80%93_The_Best_of_Jethro_Tull), according to Wikipedia. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/3 "2010-06-05T20:39:58Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > [Musician’s Union](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.U._%E2%80%93_The_Best_of_Jethro_Tull), according to Wikipedia. > [@Wikipedia](#): > > “M.U.” in the album title stood for “Musician’s Union” [2], which probably is a reference to musicians from different line-ups of the band being virtually together on the compilation album. Not just “virtually,” but physically united on the [“last supper” mini-poster](http://www.cupofwonder.com/lastsuppermu76.jpg) that came with the LP. The only past member not present was Mick Abrahams, who does not appear on any of the album’s songs. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/4 "2010-06-05T23:58:17Z")
Funny this thread, we were just talking 10 minutes ago about maybe seeing them this year. I haven’t seen them in (counts on fingers…and toes…and comes up short) almost 30 years. Has anyone seen them in the last, I dunno, five years, who can attest to whether they’re still a good show or not? ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/5 "2010-06-06T01:03:39Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Funny this thread, we were just talking 10 minutes ago about maybe seeing them this year. I haven’t seen them in (counts on fingers…and toes…and comes up short) almost 30 years. Has anyone seen them in the last, I dunno, five years, who can attest to whether they’re still a good show or not? Ian Anderson’s voice has been shot since he blew it out on the 1984 tour, so you can’t expect him to sound like he did in the old days. But his flute playing is as good as ever, with a cleaner tone than the old huff ‘n’ puff days, and a lot of note-bending tricks inspired by world music. They’re basically an oldies act these days–there hasn’t been a new Tull studio album in a decade–and the set list tends to concentrate on their first four albums. Still, they always throw in an obscure surprise or two. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/6 "2010-06-06T13:05:47Z")
Musician’s Union, eh? Ok then. I saw Tull during their WarChild tour in '74 (?). I had gone in knowing only ‘Bungle in the Jungle’ and was blown away by the show. They quickly became my favorite band and I devoured everything Tull I could find for the next few years. Wait…1974 was, what, 36 years ago!?! Holy crap. Has anyone heard their Christmas album that came out a few years back? The track listing looks like it would be quite good. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/7 "2010-06-06T13:25:19Z")
I know what **Mean Mr. Mustard** is talking about. I first saw Jethro Tull at the Palace theater in Albany, NY in November of 1971. Here’s the playlist: 1. My God 2. Thick as a Brick 3. Aqualung 4. To Cry You a Song 5. A New Day Yesterday 6. Cross-Eyed Mary 7. Up To Me 8. Tomorrow Was Today 9. Hymn 43 10. Nothing Is Easy 11. Wind Up 12. Guitar Solo 13. Locomotive Breath 14. Wind Up (reprise) It cost $4.00, and ruined me for all other concerts. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/8 "2010-06-06T14:42:21Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Ian Anderson’s voice has been shot since he blew it out on the 1984 tour, so you can’t expect him to sound like he did in the old days. But his flute playing is as good as ever, with a cleaner tone than the old huff ‘n’ puff days, and a lot of note-bending tricks inspired by world music. They’re basically an oldies act these days–there hasn’t been a new Tull studio album in a decade–and the set list tends to concentrate on their first four albums. Still, they always throw in an obscure surprise or two. It looks like it’s been exactly 30 years since I saw them (that was my 3rd time) - I quit on them live after _A_ came out, and not-live after _Broadsword_. Here’s a set list from this year: > [@](#): > > Dun Ringill > The Water Carrier > Life Is A Long Song > Eurology > Nothing Is Easy > A New Day Yesterday > Songs From The Wood > Fat Man > Bouree > Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young To Die > Birthday Card At Christmas > A Change Of Horses > Bug > Budapest > Aqualung > Encore: Locomotive Breath For some reason this list makes me less interested, rather than more… ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/9 "2010-06-06T15:26:35Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Has anyone heard their Christmas album that came out a few years back? The track listing looks like it would be quite good. I like it a lot. The new songs are really good, and the adaptations of traditional tunes–mostly in prog-friendly odd time signatures, including a wink to “Living in the Past” in the 5/4 version of “We Three Kings”–are a lot of fun. The remakes of old Tull songs on Christmas/winter themes feel a bit like padding, and I’ve never liked “Another Christmas Song” much, but I guess those songs had to be there. > [@Bill\_Door](#): > > I know what **Mean Mr. Mustard** is talking about. I first saw Jethro Tull at the Palace theater in Albany, NY in November of 1971. I saw them earlier that year. _Aqualung_ had been out for a couple of months, and Barrie Barlow had just joined the band. Ian Anderson came out with his acoustic guitar, sat on a stool under a spotlight, and opened the concert with “My God.” After the line “…and don’t call on him to save,” the stage lights blazed up, revealing the full band as they slammed into the riff. If there had been any chairs (the audience sat on a bare concrete floor), that would have knocked me off mine. > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > For some reason this list makes me less interested, rather than more… Really? I think that’s a damned interesting set. Looks like they’ve ditched all the first album stuff they’d been doing, although there’s still an awful lot of _Stand Up_. (Great album, but it seems like they’ve been celebrating its 20th anniversary for the last 20 years. And they have some 20 other albums’ worth of material to choose from.) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/10 "2010-06-06T20:57:43Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Really? I think that’s a damned interesting set. Looks like they’ve ditched all the first album stuff they’d been doing, although there’s still an awful lot of _Stand Up_. (Great album, but it seems like they’ve been celebrating its 20th anniversary for the last 20 years. And they have some 20 other albums’ worth of material to choose from.) Part of the problem is probably that I’ve overlistened to them. At first glance: Dun Ringill - love this song The Water Carrier - like this song Life Is A Long Song - love this song, great companion to Going Up the ‘Pool Eurology - don’t know this Nothing Is Easy - used to like this, but there’s something very 60s blues that rubs me the wrong way now A New Day Yesterday - used to like this, but the same comment more or less Songs From The Wood - like this fine Fat Man - good enough Bouree - this is essentially his signature piece, it’s fine Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young To Die - really sick of this Birthday Card At Christmas - don’t know this A Change Of Horses - not ringing a bell Bug - not ringing a bell Budapest - not ringing a bell Aqualung - truly hate this song Encore: Locomotive Breath - only works with full slammin’ piano, I’ve heard them do it several different ways Perhaps I should make up my own dream set list… ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/11 "2010-06-06T21:11:31Z")
I saw them in 1993 and was completely and entirely impressed. I didn’t notice a thing regarding vocal issues; Ian Anderson sounded just fine. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/12 "2010-06-06T21:16:41Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I saw them in 1993 and was completely and entirely impressed. I didn’t notice a thing regarding vocal issues; Ian Anderson sounded just fine. I saw them on (presumably) the same tour - or it could have been 1994 - and fucking loved them. I agree with your analysis - no vocal issues I could hear. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/13 "2010-06-06T21:49:17Z")
Here’s a set list I threw together that would totally please me (note that I know very little post-Stormwatch Tull): Songs from the Wood Bouree Nothing is Easy My Sunday Feeling Black Satin Dancer Salamander Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day War Child A Song for Jeffrey Teacher Cross-Eyed Mary Someday the Sun Won’t Shine For You Baker St. Muse Up To Me My God Bungle in the Jungle I can live without Aqualung, but I do still love me some Bungle. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/14 "2010-06-06T21:49:32Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Eurology - don’t know this > Birthday Card At Christmas - don’t know this > A Change Of Horses - not ringing a bell > Bug - not ringing a bell > Budapest - not ringing a bell Eurology: instrumental from Ian’s last solo album, _Rupi’s Dance_ Birthday Card At Christmas: good uptempo song from the _Christmas Album_ (also appeared as a bonus track on _Rupi’s Dance_) A Change Of Horses: new, unreleased song–long, slow, Indian-influenced. Bug: Martin Barre instrumental Budapest: long, multi-sectioned song from _Crest of a Knave_; I think this is probably Tull’s single best song of the '80s. Agree with you about “Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Never liked it that much in the first place; it hasn’t improved with age. At least they usually shorten it live. > [@](#): > > I do still love me some Bungle. Played that at a gig yesterday; one guy there seemed to be really digging it. ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/15 "2010-06-07T04:27:10Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Agree with you about “Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Never liked it that much in the first place; it hasn’t improved with age. At least they usually shorten it live. Saw them 10 times between 1992 and 2004, and never once heard Too old to Rock and Roll or Bungle in the Jungle. I’d like to. Just once. At the 2004 show they played the whole Aqualung album (not in order, it wasn’t until later that I realized that this was the case). This was the last day of the tour 2 days before they recorded the Aqualung Live album in DC. We stayed around after the show and I got all the guys to sign my Thick as a Brick LP and my large Minstrel in the Gallery promotional cutout thing. They always rock. Ian’s replaced the keyboard and bass player since then. Speaking of MU, how great is “Rainbow Blues?” MU was the first cassette I ever bought of Tull and that song is part of what grabbed my attention and made me want to learn more about this unusual British band. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/16 "2010-06-07T18:32:45Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I saw them in 1993 and was completely and entirely impressed. I didn’t notice a thing regarding vocal issues; Ian Anderson sounded just fine. I saw them 3 times between '93 and '97. Ian sang on par with his ability on the _Crest of a Knave album_, which was quite a bit reedy and strained when compared to his earlier days, but still gave amazing performances. I’ll also add an early obscure song, _Sweet Dream_, they played in a long extended free-for-all encore and totally rocked it (_insert one-legged smiley_) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/17 "2010-06-07T21:28:12Z")
I have seen them twice in the last 10 years and they sounded great. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/18 "2010-06-07T22:23:09Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > I’ll also add an early obscure song, _Sweet Dream_, they played in a long extended free-for-all encore and totally rocked it (_insert one-legged smiley_) Not quite obscure, as it was also featured on the live double-album “Bursting Out” (or “Busting Out” if you choose to believe the name printed on the spine of the LP), an album I listened to probably way too much. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2010, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-u-the-best-of-jethro-tull-m-u/542087/19 "2010-06-08T09:26:08Z")
I saw Tull live in 2006 or so, and it was an awesome show. I really like the Christmas album - there is a playfulness in the approach to the traditional carols, but it is also respectful. I don’t get enough excuses to play it, though. Si