Watch Ian Anderson explore The Ballad Of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson (Image credit: Stuart Wood)

Ian Anderson has shared a video showing him unboxing The Ballad Of Jethro Tull.

The publication written by Mark Blake was first unveiled in 2018 and it’ll feature memories, personal photos, memorabilia, classic and previously unseen live photography, behind-the-scenes snaps, original press cuttings and album art from throughout Jethro Tull's rich history.

It was overseen by Anderson and past and present members of Tull.

Anderson says: “Hot off the presses, it’s The Ballad Of Jethro Tull. It’s got all sorts of exciting memorabilia: Photographs… plus of course, lots of great moments: The band as it is today, the band as it was long ago in the past.”

Two editions were originally announced: The Classic version and the limited edition Signature Edition, which is limited to 500 copies and comes with a 7-inch single. The latter has now sold out, with the regular edition still available to pre-order through Rocket 88 Books.

The A-side featuring a narrative poem written and read by Anderson called The Ballad Of Jethro Tull and it’ll be accompanied by “a unique and original mix of classic Tull music.”

The B-side has Anderson reading Walter Scott’s 1808 poem Marmion, with musical backing composed and played by John O’Hara on a cathedral organ.

The Classic version will come with a download code for both of the new recordings.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Ian Anderson and the Jethro Tull Band would head out on tour in 2020 on the Prog Years Tour, while Anderson will also hit the road for a separate tour titled Ian Anderson On Jethro Tull, which will see the him appear at a number of smaller venues across the UK.

(Image credit: Rocket 88)

Ian Anderson and the Jethro Tull Band: The Prog Years Tour 2020
Sep 30: Aylesbury The Waterside
Oct 01: Leicester De Montfort Hall
Oct 03: Blackburn St George’s Hall
Oct 04: Perth Concert Hall 
Oct 05: Glasgow Pavilion Theatre
Oct 06: Stoke-On-Trent Victoria Hall
Oct 08: London Shepherd's Bush Empire
Oct 09: Brighton Dome
Oct 10: Poole Lighthouse
Oct 12: Reading Hexagon
Oct 13: Bath The Forum

Ian Anderson On Jethro Tull 2020 tour
Apr 20: Yeovil Westlands
Apr 21: Bristol St George's
Apr 22: Cheltenham Town Hall
Further dates will be revealed in due course

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.