Budapest Jethro Tull

Budapest Album: Crest of a Knave (1987)
by Jethro Tull

The album was recorded after a three-year hiatus caused by a throat infection of vocalist Ian Anderson, resulting in his changed singing style. Following the unsuccessful electronic rock album Under Wraps, Crest of a Knave had the band returning to a more hard rock sound. The album was their most successful since the 1970s and the band enjoyed a resurgence on radio broadcasts, appearances in MTV specials and the airing of music videos. It was also a critical success, winning the 1989 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental in what was widely viewed as an upset over the favorite, Metallica's ...And Justice for All and critics' choice Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction. The album was supported by "The Not Quite the World, More the Here and There Tour".

The Grammy award was controversial as many did not consider the album or Jethro Tull to be hard rock, much less heavy metal. Under advisement from their manager, no one from the band turned up to the award ceremony, as they were told that they had no chance of winning. In response to the controversy, the band's record label Chrysalis took out an advert in a British music periodical with the line, "The flute is a heavy, metal instrument!" The Grammy award was split into two categories and renamed after the event.

In 2007, the win was named one of the 10 biggest upsets in Grammy history by Entertainment Weekly.

Rolling Stone listed the Grammy Award as the 18th Most Awesomely Retro Moments in Grammy History.

In 1992, Metallica won the Grammy for Best Heavy Metal album, for their 1991 self-titled album. During the band's acceptance speech, drummer Lars Ulrich said "We would personally like to thank Jethro Tull for not releasing an album this year!" However, Jethro Tull did release the album Catfish Rising in 1991.

Side Two Track 1 or CD Track 6 Budapest