SONGS FROM THE WOOD

Although Jethro Tull usually get bracketted as Folk Prog a lot of their material falls outside this category. However there's no mistaking where to place Songs from the Wood, being a strong Folk inflected album. It's also one of their best and features some of the bands most melodic moments. It's also one of their strongest line-up's with the excellent (and sadly now deceased) John Glascock on Bass, having replaced Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond on their previous release, Too Old for Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die. David Palmer takes more of an upfront roll, now complementing John Evans on Keyboards having previously been involved in orchestral arrangements with the band. The often underrated Barriemore Barlow shows why he's one of the best 70's Prog Drummers with complex patterns yet sympathetic feeling for the music throughout. Of course not forgetting Tull Mainstays Ian Anderson and Martin Barre, who have rarely sounded better, Barre still managing to shine on electric Guitar despite the strong acoustic flavour to the album.

It's rare for a band to release an album without any filler tracks but Tull have managed it here every track being top quality stuff. On an album of such quality then it's difficult to pick highlights but the title track Songs from the Wood, Jack-in-the- Green, Hunting Girl and The Whistler deserve particular attention. What also helps is an excellent production allowing each instrument to shine through on the complex structures of the songs. Anyone enjoying this album may also want to check out their following and companion album Heavy Horses.