Jethro Tull, what a wonderful
name for a band. The very mention of their
name conjures up images of Ian Anderson,
that long haired flautist, dressed in
his shabby rain coat, hopping around on
one leg, but still looking every inch
the Rock star, leading his ever changing
line up of cohorts to ever greater deeds
of daring do.
Jethro Tull started out in Birmingham,
England, in November 1967, hitting instant
success with their first album “This Was”
in October 1968 and third single “Living
In The Past” in May 1969. By this time
they had already left behind their basic
blues roots and had shifted to be molded
into the image carrying vehicle that Ian
Anderson required. This produced some
of the best blending of blues, jazz, a
smidgeon of Rhythm & Blues, definite
progressive rock elements, for good measure
throw in a healthy dose of medieval folk
music with your basic hard rock, some
fine musicianship, plus the use of whatever
instrument suited the song, and there
your are, music that will make you a millionaire
many times over. They go back a long way
now, but to this very day continue to
produce music that is as relevant, interesting
and entertaining as ever.
This album, “Songs From The Wood”, was
the second of five albums put together
by this particular line up of Jethro Tull,
which held together for almost five years
(an eternity in Tull time). That is if
you don’t include the addition of David
Palmer on keyboards (who had been aboard
as arranger since the first album anyway)
and the tragic death of John Glassock
to be replaced by Dave Pegg (formerly
of Fairport Convention) on bass. Dave
Pegg is still a member of Jethro Tull
today, splitting his time between working
with the Tull and the Fairports.
“Songs From The Wood” came out after the
harder rockin album “Too Old To Rock ‘n’
Roll To Young To Die”. Ian Anderson’s
reaction to the arrival of Punk Rock.
Never one to shy away from fashion and
always sticking to his roots (with the
charts full of albums by the likes of
the Damned, Adam and the Ants, etc.),
Jethro Tull released their most folk orientated
album to date. Of course, the fickle press
leapt on this and slammed the band for
being way beyond their sell by date. Particularly
Ian Anderson was held up to be an object
of ridicule for his appearance and songwriting
skills.
Not that the record buying public took
much notice as the album shot up both
the American and British charts researching
number eight and thirteen respectively.
By now the band was one of the most successful
bands of all time, living in tax exile,
and their live concerts were a sell out
all over the world.
The music is sensational throughout its
nine cuts. “Hunting Girl”, “Songs From
The Wood” with its excellent middle verse
of
“Let me bring you all things
refined;
Galliards and lute songs served in chilling
ale;
Greetings, well - met fellow, hail!
I am the wind to fill your soil.
I am the cross to take your nail;
A singer of those ageless times –
With kitchen prose, and gutter rhymes”,
and “The Whistler” are maybe three of
the best folk rock songs ever made, certainly
up there with anything else I can think
of.
“Ring out Solstice Bells” evokes the spirit
of Christmas like no other, with rhythmic
handclaps, the wonderfully monickered
Barriemore Barlow let loose on all sorts
of percussion, whilst the flute weaves
its magic spell over a relentless backbeat.
Penultimate song “Pibrack (copin hand)”
is where longtime Tull guitarist Martin
Barre is allowed to step out into the
spotlight with the electric guitar with
some marvelous interplay between himself
and Anderson. In folk rock terms the equivalent
of Blackmore playing against Jon Lord
in the old Deep Purple. A wonder for the
ears.
All in all “Songs From The Wood” is a
masterful album, full of varied surprises,
and if you like this collection, look
out Tull’s follow up album “Heavy Horses”
just as good ….. but different.
I leave you with my favorite Rock ‘n’
Roll Trivia question. Jethro Tull have
had three lead guitarists during their
33-year career, all from Birmingham. The
first was Mick Abrahams, who lasted one
year and one album. Martin Barre recorded
all the other Tull albums. But who was
the guitarist in-between Abrahams and
Barre? He went on to become a huge International
star himself, and appeared with Jethro
Tull on the Rolling Stones Rock ‘n’ Roll
Circus.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
