SONGS FROM THE WOOD

Jethro Tull was setting a step towards folk. The became influenced by Steeleye Span because they played often in the foreprogram. Still, Jethro Tull played quiet technical (folk)rock like they used to. This record is one of the best examples of a blend of technical skilled hardrock and folkrock creating progressive folk.

The opening track and titletrack is also one of the best tracks of this record. The vocal duet without instrumentation is one of the folky elements Jethro Tull had never done before. The complex instrumental parts and elegance throughout this song makes this one of Jethro Tull's best tracks ever. The Jack-in-the- green is a more classic folk approach (with no medieval influences, but with acoustic instrumentation) with only acoustic guitar, flutes and vocals; all played by Ian Anderson. Some percussion is added later on as well as some bassnotes, which are for exception also played by Ian Anderson. Because of the tension in the vocals and guitar this is also one of the more convincing tracks of the record. The other tracks of the first side are of average/mediocre quality: I get a bit irritated by the optimistic atmosphere of "Cup of Wonder" and the other tracks lack in cohesion: like there are just some ideas put together which don't mix so good. The vocal ending of "Ring Out, Solstice Bells" sound awfull.

Side two starts with a medieval influenced elegant track called "Velvet green". This sounds a bit like the German Ougenweide till the bridge starts. A great opening track of the second side! "The whistler" is an enthousiastic folksong with some great vocal parts and nice flute symphonies. I'm not so fond of the spacy "Pibroch". This track's duration is far too long with those several repeatings this specific spacy guitartune. Well, a nice effect, but I already got it the first time. It's a shame that just this track is the longest of the record and takes almost the halve of the second side. The ending track is nice, but cannot repair the damage done by the previous track.

Although this record have some great moments my overall rating is three stars, because of the many average/mediocre tracks.