HEAVY HORSES

Jethro Tull continued the rustic theme they began with Songs From The Wood with Heavy Horses -unofficially the second in their "Folk Trilogy". In some ways Heavy Horses is even more sophisticated than the previous record with dense and complex arrangements on tracks like the opener "And The Mouse Police Never Sleeps" and "Journeyman" which reminds me slightly of "Interview" era Gentle Giant although in execution rather than content. Elsewhere as on "Acres Wild" ," Moths" and "Weathercock" the songs have the same uplifting quality found on Songs From The Wood."Acres Wild" is almost a companion peace to "Hunting Girl".There are a few nods to their more straight ahead rocking past especially "No Lullaby" which would not have been totally out of place On "Minstrel In The Gallery"with its complex rhythms and surging guitar riffs.The real highlight on this album has to be the epic and melancholy title track itself. Rarely has Ian Anderson written such a heartfelt song and the group well and truly rise to the occasion especially Martin Barre with his achingly beautiful guitar lines .Anyone who comes away from this song without at least a bit of a lump in their throat is a heartless git. Overall as much as I enjoy this album it lacks the joie de vivre of its predecessor and I rate it slightly lower-just

A solid 4 stars