The 40th Anniversary of Jethro Tull is upon us this year–2008. The group, which is made up of frontman/flutist/guitarist Ian Anderson, guitarist Martin Barre, drummer Doane Perry, keyboardist John O’Hara, and bassist David Goodier is in the midst of a variety of tourdates that include Europe, the UK, the Middle East and North America.

Anderson says the group will choose its set list, “to a large extent from the first few albums but with a some representative songs from the ’80s and the ’90s, too. Songs and tunes which defined the early Jethro Tull from blues band to eclectic, pre-prog inventiveness.”

But he says that this year he plans “to visit a few less places than last year. I already have some time set aside for studio work and lazing about in the garden.”

The 90 shows between April and December, with which will include eleven in the United States, will be updated on the band’s web site, www.jethrotull.com.

While there are no new recordings available in 2008, there are a few historical releases scheduled over the next months, including a live DVD collection of perfomances in Germany, a newly produced DVD documentary and history of Jethro Tull, which Anderson says will feature the contributions of most past band members, friends and associates as well as live performances from a multitude of sources over the years. Contributions include reference information from many fans and liner notes from the group’s original basssist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond. The artwork features a painting by Jeffrey depicting Blackpool, the town where Anderson, Hammond, drummer Barriemore Barlow and keyboard-player John Evan, formed a band in 1964.

On June 10, Capitol/EMI Records is re-releasing the group’s first album, THIS WAS as a 2-CD and digital release of a remastered and expanded Collectors’ Edition of the Tull’s 1968 debut album, This Was. This release presents, for the first time on CD, the album’s original mono mix as well as a new stereo mix of the album. Also featured are nine related 1968 recordings for John Peel’s BBC Radio program, Top Gear, plus four rare 1968 UK singles: Sunshine Day, Song For John Gee, Love Story and A Christmas Song. The commemorative package includes 35 tracks in all, as well as package notes and anecdotes from Jethro Tull’s members.

On May 20, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Jethro Tull’s Jack In The Green: Live In Germany, an enticing DVD compendium of in-concert rarities [running time: 96 minutes] spanning the years 1970 to 1993.