HEAVY HORSES

"Bring me a wheel of oaken wood. A rein of polished leather" This was on the front cover of the CD I bought and fortunatelly I did it before remastered serie hit the stores pushing this 'original' pressing out. I still think Stormwatch and A sound pretty lame it their original versions but Heavy Horses surprisingly sound excellent. It wasn't typical 'Chrysalis' serie with black back cover though. So on it we have picture of the band, all members in exclusive suits and David Palmer waering football shoes to that. Funny thing indeed. It's beautiful album showing Ian Anderson in different shape. Maybe not as rude as on Aqualung but his voice is deeper and marked by time (and probably beer;)). First song on this release isn't so great actually. It's hypnotic and interesting but not great. But it keeps us in woods the way or the other. Acres Wild is much better. "I'd make love to you, in all good places..."...such vital folk tune with some violins in the background. No Lullaby is one of two longer pieces on the album. The pace of this song is done the bluesy way but the fast drumming and bass pounding later in section is close to what hard rock was at the time. Excellent song. Moths is mellow tune with memorable verses. Ian plays on words and he does it with fragile passion. Journeyman due to the bass line is a bit hypnotic but in chorus turns to typical Jethro track. Still very good. Probably here analogue says A side is over. So the second part of this album starts with Rover, my favorite song on Heavy Horses. It's folk rock tune with amazing acoustic guitar parts. "I chase your every footstep and I follow every whim...". In the end of this song we can also hear delicate electric guitar lead which proves that Ian Anderson was not only excellent songwriter but also arranger. One Brown Mouse isn't so good but not really bad. I mean it's a little rock tune with more electric guitar here and there. Epic 9 minutes long title track starts with harmonized guitar part. Later in that amazing song we can hear violin passages like in some country and western music. I think it was major change if compare it to previous album. British folk meets American folk. Despite that Heavy Horses is strong rock track with hard rockish guitar solo. Very strong moment of the album. And finally Weathercock ending the release. Rather light and without chills. Heavy Horses having its weaker moments it's still excellent release. I'm really enjoying it having good memories about it and recommed it to every 70's rock fan.