"This Was" is the debut studio album by the British progressive rock band Jethro Tull, released in 1968. It is the only Jethro Tull album with guitarist Mick Abrahams who was a major influence on the sound and music style of the band's first songs. Original lead guitarist Mick Abrahams contributed to the songwriting and the singing. His influence can be heard on various tracks; for example "Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You" (an Ian Anderson original) could just as easily be credited to Big Bill Broonzy or Robert Johnson, "Cat's Squirrel" is Abrahams' big showcase, where he ventures into Eric Clapton territory, and "It's Breaking Me Up" which features some pretty hot guitar work from Abrahams. Roland Kirk's "Serenade to a Cuckoo" (the first song Anderson learned to play on flute), their jazziest track ever, is one of the best parts of the album. The track "A Song for Jeffrey" was released as a single. It is considered to be a superb example of commercial psychedelic blues. This would be the last album of its kind by the group, as Abrahams' departure and the lure of more fertile inspiration tugged the band toward English folk music. In late 2001, This Was was reissued with three bonus tracks. The jazzy improvisation "One for John Gee" (a reference to the manager of the Marquee Club), the folky "Love Story" (which marked the end of Mick Abrahams' tenure with the group), and the novelty piece "Christmas Song". User-contributed text is available under the Creative Comm