SONGS FROM THE WOOD

Any way, lets do it: Why five stars to this album?

When it comes to such a work, we do have to think in conversation starters. I would like to think the avaliation in these ways: music / concept / lyrics / context.

The Music: as David Palmer came into the band as a full member, you can notice his participation everywhere - in fact, together with Martin Barre (whose guitar is perfectly aligned with the music, resembling to me "Minstrel") are credited with aditioning material to the album, something not usual for Jethro Tull, but good to know that Ian was not a sole composer. John Evan piano is always impecable, John Glascock beautiful backing vocals and strong bass lines are certainly there and Barrie Barlow do his thing, as the fusion of John Bonham and Neil Peart he is.Anderson voice is crooky, I bet or the much smoking and drinking, but it serve the album. His sentiment is finally in peace, as he finally have a setady home for the first time in ten years (thats true!), and I guess that refelcts in his way of singing.

Concept: SFTW its not a concept album, but it has a concept. The first song invite you, literally to hear the "Songs From The Wood", the last song is a "Stay in home and relax after hearing everything". Not even one of the lyrics escape this notion, as the good life in the countryside and the sides of rural landscape are present.

Lyrics: always the lone piper, Anderson took the lyrics to every aspect of rural life, with elves and Jack'In-The-Green grasping at the window. Christmas is also reminded. I always enjoyed Anderson poetry. The rhymes appear where they have to, and the text always work if you read them without the music. There are books about this, I am not going further.

Context: Now, thats the interesting part. 1977. Man, the period of Progressive Rock are basicaly over. And in a move very similar with what "Stand Up" did in 1969, here it is Jethro Tull giving the middle finger to what people expect to hear from an aging band. Probably the best album of the year, along with Rush' "A Farewell To Kings".

I guess thats it. Give it a five star and lets this masterpiece go on the major trend of Progarchives.

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