HEAVY HORSES

For the vast portion of the 1970s, Jethro Tull did not release a bad album. On the contrary, each one was a jewel, a prog rock triumph and among the most perfect examples of what progressive rock could be. Many acts emphasized classical music, folk, hard rock and blues, but few mastered the ideal blend-- Tull did, and for 1978's Heavy Horses they even had the good grace to make it digestible. For these reasons and many others, Ian Anderson and his wisemen were everyone's band, young and old alike, progster or popper, there is indeed something for all of us in their albums. This record has them at the peak of that fairytale period, and it is among the best in their catalog.

An homage to our feline friends for 'Mouse Police' with beautiful organ tones from John Evan (or is it David Palmer's portative organ?) and Baroque lines from Ian's fife. The ribald 'Acres Wild' is the British countryside with a bit of a jig, 'No Lullaby' starts as tender reassurance from parent to child but becomes a thrilling toss from the nest into the dark night, and 'Moths' is a deeper contemplation of the natural world and man's spiritual connection to it. Sweet Celtic atmosphere and trademark Tull harmonics keep coming on 'Journeyman', the fantastic rocker 'Rover' sparks alive with Ian's acoustic strings, stuttering flutes and Martin Barre's pristine self-harmonies, and the dear 'One Brown Mouse'. The brilliant title track is an extraordinarily moving tribute to animals and 'Weathercock' is wistful rumination.

An absolutely marvelous album without a weak moment to be heard... indispensable.