Songs From the Wood

Digitally remastred reissue of 1977 album includes two bonus tracks 'Beltane' (taken from the album 20 Years of Jethro Tull - track done at end of sessions) & 'Velvet Green' (live) (taken from 20 years of Jethro Tull - BBC In Concert Recording 1977). 11 tracks & liner notes written by Ian Anderson. Chrysalis. 2003.

The earth-worshipping revelry of 1977's frisky Songs from the Wood was far removed from the heavyweight progressive rock of Jethro Tull's early years. Taking a leaf from the book of Steeleye Span, Songs from the Wood is bright and festive as it mines a rich, green seam of ancient British folklore for inspiration. By marrying the characters ("Jack in the Green") and traditions of the old religion's ritual calendar ("Ring Out Solstice Bells" was an unlikely Christmas hit) to their eccentricity and half-imagined interpretations of British traditional music, Tull came up with one of their albums. This collection unintentionally beseeches the concrete-jungle-dwelling set to retreat to the countryside. With tin-whistles, peppy acoustic guitar, medieval twists and turns, much May Day gaiety and debauchery, and even the odd touch of prog, Songs from the Wood still sounds bewitching in the 21st century. --Kevin Maidment