SONGS FROM THE WOOD

So, much like the previous album, Supertramp's superb Crime of the Century, I am around a 1.5 on this album, I am familiar with several of the songs to one degree or another, but never listened straight through until now. This is the first appearance of Jethro Tull on the countdown, but it won't be the last.

Track 1 - Songs from the Wood

The title track is the song I am most familiar with from this album. We begin with a wonderful a capella intro. The instruments join mid-way through the second verse. They build further in the 3rd verse leading to a bridge section, first with instruments only, then the vocals join. Next up is an instrumental break that is wonderfully proggy (occasional harmony voices stating the title break up the instrumental section). Then we return to a brief a capella part leading into the next verse. The song closes with a re-statement of the bridge. And, yes, Songs from the wood DO indeed make me feel much better. Thanks for caring, Ian!

Track 2 - Jack in the Green

Moderately familiar with this song. This one has more of a Celtic-Folk groove, singing about Jack-in-the green mythological character, who is akin to Jack Frost, Jack O'Lantern, etc. Acoustic guitar and the flute provide the main basis for the accompaniment here with drum accents and a subtle bass part.

Track 3 - Cup of Wonder

I don't think I am familiar with this one. An acoustic riff joined by electric guitar leads us to the first verse. This one has a more straight rhythm than the previous ones, although it does pause for the choruses. Caught a Green Man reference here. About halfway through, the piano takes over the riff. Loving the twiddly bits in the instrumental break. Another verse & chorus follow, and we fade out with the riff. Nice track.

Track 4 - Hunting Girl

Not too familiar with this one either. This one begins with keyboards, then flute in the lead. Everyone gets a little feature in the intro?nice! Then Martin Barre sets up an electric guitar rhythm for the verse to proceed. Lots of rhythmic and textural changes throughout this one. I like the galloping bass line from the late-great Glascock. There is a short flute solo in the middle, and we end with haunting harmony vocals.

Track 5 - Ring Out, Solstice Bells

Well, we are just about to that time of year, aren't we? Time for a nice pagan-y Yule tune! Ian Anderson's flute sets the tone. Nice tubular bells from Barrimore Barlow. I like the minor modulation for the bridge. Was this a holiday single in the UK? I don't think the US would have been the best market for this tune, but I can see it being successful in the UK.

Track 6 - Velvet Green

A bit of a Baroque feel with harpsichord & strings (and flute, of course). The rhythm becomes steadier and then the first verse begins. There is a bridge where only the vocals and acoustic guitar carries the song. (other than a few electric guitar accents). Organ takes over following that in an odd-metered section. Lots of dynamic changes and different sections with varying levels of instrumentation. I like the marimba part near the close of the song.

Track 7 - The Whistler

I love the 6-8 feel of this one. Lots of energy. The flute and the drums feel like a fife & drum corps.

Track 8 - Pibroch

We get electric guitar swells and delays to start this one. Then the band joins for a big intro. The verse is in a bluesy 6-8. This seems to be the "heaviest" song on the album. Nice drumming from Barlow. I like the classical feel of the instrumental break. Then we get a more Celtic flavored acoustic and flute part that evokes a dancing in a circle feel, before returning to the more classical style. I have seen some reviews that say they don't care much for this track, but I quite like it. It's probably the proggiest song on the album. The guitar from the opening returns for the closing.

Track 9 - Fire at Midnight

A short closer at under 2 ½ minutes. We get a little fireside song with a proggy instrumental break. A bit of a night- cap to finish things up.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

A solid Tull album, but not my favorite. I like the folky-feel of most of it, but the songs don't seem to be as consistently strong and memorable as some of the other Tull albums I have heard. I'll give it 4 out of 5 stars.

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