For a while there, it looked like Jethro Tull was one of the few classic rock hold-outs when it came to digital versions for today’s iPod world. But now, the band’s entire EMI Music catalog of 29 albums will be available as of March 19th.

The digital releases will be followed by a new digital and CD collection, “The Best of Acoustic Jethro Tull”, set for May 8th. Compiled by Tull leader Ian Anderson, the compilation spans 39 years of band recordings and will also include two new live tracks.

In the liner notes, Anderson writes in his usual self-effacing fashion, “The dynamics and juxtaposition of electric with acoustic has been the inspiration for decades of humble fumbles. The hushed playing of an old Martin guitar or whispered flute in many a hotel and motel room (lest I annoy my fellow guest and weary traveler) seemed then and now so simple and natural.”

Among the tracks are Tull classics from various eras, including “Life Is A Long Song” from “Living in the Past”, “Aqualung’s” “Cheap Day Return”, “Mother Goose”, and “Wond’ring Aloud”, the beginning of “Thick As A Brick” (AKA “Edit 1″), “Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day” from “War Child”, and numerous other various eclectic acoustic-based material, such as “Jack-A-Lynn” and Anderson solo tracks like “Rupi’s Dance” (written for his cat, if you didn’t know, though he’s okay about dogs, too).

The new tracks are a new 2007 version of “One Brown Mouse”, originally from “Heavy Horses”, and the new song, “Pastime With Good Company”, recorded live in Denmark, 2006.

More info can be found at JethroTull.com. The band plays special acoustic dates in Europe and South America this spring and summer.

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