Songs From The Wood

By the time Ian Anderson got around to writing this, Jethro Tull's tenth studio album, he had moved outside London for a life in the country and, presumably, gotten over the fact that he was indeed too young to die. Although the subject matter of the album (and image on the cover) may have turned folksy, there's little folk music inside Songs From The Wood. The title track opens with Anderson's multi-tracked vocals, before breaking into a typical Tull-style rocker. But while the production may suit the instrumental fire, his voice sounds unnatural and over -produced. Long time orchestral arranger David Palmer is the new player on board, now giving the band four hands on the keyboards. "Hunting Girl" and "Pibroch (Cap In Hand)" both feature good arrangement, making the most of both keyboardists and offering some great guitar work from Martin Barre. "Ring Out, Solstice Bells" was first released the previous November for the holiday season and managed (surprise, surprise) to chart in the UK Top 40. The second side's "Velvet Green" is primarily an acoustic number, while "The Whistler" has a folksy hook and a great instrumental break. A single edit managed some action in the US, albeit in the lower reaches of the chart. However, the album charted well, reaching No. 13 in the UK and No. 8 in the US. Later in the year Jethro Tull would complete their first tour of the UK in over three years.