Customer Reviews

Songs From The Wood

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"Songs from the Wood", originally issued in 1977, is overlooked in the Jethro Tull catalogue. Perhaps this (very welcome) reissue (11 tracks; 53 min.) will reignite attention to this gorgeous collection.

I hadn't listened to this album in probably more than 15 years when I recently saw that it was reissued in a remastered version, and with liner notes from Ian Anderson to boot! I knew I had to buy it. "Songs from the Wood" boasts no hit singles (apart from the minor Christmas hit "Ring Out Solstice Bells", which happens to be a very fine Christmas tune). It can be vaguely be described as a concept album, with songs celebrating life in the English country side. Musically, this album reminds me of the electric rock-folk of Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention, but of course with Jethro Tull's unique twist and Ian Anderson's instantly recognizable flute preminent. Stand-out songs include the title track, "Jack-in-the-Green" (Anderson in the liner notes: "It was all played by me one rainy Sunday afternoon, I wrote the piece in the morning, had lunch, and beetled off to record it while the idea was still in my head. I think we even mixed it in the same evening. Wow!"), "Ring Out Solstice Bells" and "Pibroch (Cap in Hand)", the only "hard" rocking song on the album, with Martin Barre's guitar upfront, but with an equally mesmorizing flute solo by Anderson. This reissue comes with 2 bonus tracks: "Beltane" is from the same sessions, but not nearly as delightful as the original album songs. "Velvet Green" is a live version of the album track.

If your idea of Jethro Tull is focused on/limited to "Aqualung", "Locomotion Breath" and the like, then "Songs from the Wood" is not for you. If, however, you are looking for a great album featuring Jethro Tull music, then by all means buy this! You will not be disappointed.

If you are a Tull fan, or just a music fan in general, it doesn't get much better than Songs from the Wood. Jethro Tull are in the prime here and present what is basically an acoustic album that is just beautifully written and performed. If you enjoy stripped down, acoustic music there is no other album needed. I won't even bother reviewing each song because each one is fantastic in it's own way. Even if all you have is just a passing interest in Tull, or only know the band because of Aqualung, pick this disk up. After one listen you will understand why there are still legions of Tull fans after 4 decades!! This is one of the best Tull albums, and interesting I always thought Songs from the Woods had a wintery or holiday feel, and it was nice to see a couple songs recently included on Tull's A Christmas Album. Finally, this has nothing to do with Songs from the Woods, but after listening to that album I decided to pull out a newer Tull album and give it a listen. I just finished listening to Roots to Branches, and was going to review it as well, but I cannot find it listed here??? Amazon has like 30 different versions of "A" and "Aqualung" individually listed, but no Roots to Branches? Does anyone know why this Tull record is MIA?

I saw Jethro Tull in concert when this ablum was released. I still consider this to have been my All-Time best rock concert ever! Best performance, sound, showmanship. Ian Anderson was awesome. They played 4 or 5 songs off this masterpiece. I ran out and bought the album the next day. I love Aqualung and Benefit, but this will always be my favorite Tull Album. I have the original CD, but now I need to get this remastered version. I work with a lot of gen-x-er's who just don't "get' Tull. Too bad, their loss. PS: This is a "must" have for any Tull fan.

Thankfully one of their better known albums is now even better after remastering & with bonus tracks.

While when most of my friends gives their opinion as "Aqualung" or "Thick as a brick" being Jethro Tull's best work. I will give my nod to this wonderful album called "Songs from the
wood". Like the name hints, this album is very much folk influenced. All the songs are good (and from the wood). The title track, Hunting girl, The whistler, Pibroch (Cup in hand), Fire at midnight are too good. Actually I should write name of all the songs. This album should have influenced a lot of artistes. I don't know whether it really had, but one thing I can write this is one of the best albums of all time. Anderson's flute never sounded so good. Tull never sounded so gentle and at the same time so creative. If you want to buy a Tull album (if not why are staring at this page) buy it. Then go for Aqualung, Crest of a knave and other amazing stuff.

Probably my favorite Tull album, SFTW is dazzling in its musical and lyrical brilliance. Outstanding in every way. Joyful. Mysterious. Poignant. Powerful. Mesmerizing. This CD is all that and more. Buy it and let it soak into your soul.

I find myself drawn to the memories of buying this album when I was 13. It was a mature record for me but, I was completely floored by it's incredible musicianship and the songwriting of Ian Anderson. It remains today as one of the most riveting musical experiences of my headphone years. Velvet Green, Hunting Girl, Cup Of Wonder, the title track are all incredible.
The entire CD is a tour de force for this band at the pinnacle of their powers. It was an era of "Punk" and "New Wave". If you listen deeply, you will hear a "new" Jethro Tull sound in the music here. It is a "new wave" of Tull in production and it's overall development. "Timeless" in theme and sound. Which is not something to be said about many of the bands from the revolution of the "Punk" and "New Wave" era. Songs From The Wood: Unquestionably one the finest Jethro Tull albums in their catalog. I will enjoy this music forever.

I've always loved Jethro Tull's music, since I was a little kid. 2 days ago I bought 2 MP3 CDs with the entire Tull's discography. I enjoy listening to Songs... and I decided to gather more information about this album in the Net. I really love it.

I consider "Songs from the Wood" my favorite Jethro Tull album and the best album to come out of 1977, commonly referred to as the "year of punk." Maybe it's partly because of that punk insurrection that JT's offering is so wonderful. Many great bands of the old order had gone away by the late seventies, as we all know. Others adjusted to "punk rock" ("rock" if you take away all the b.s.) and got back in touch with their roots, with variable results.
But JT shunned the mainstream and ignored the teenagers. They were in their prime and nothing would get in their way. Thank God for that! They took their fans where they wanted to take them, and they wanted to take them to Heaven. I will not try to describe what any of the songs sound like, but I will say that they celebrate life, glorify the earth. It is some of the most uplifting and wonderful music you will ever hear, containing some of the most glorious melodies ever heard. (Of course, I am partial to this album since I've heard it countless times since infancy.)
If you are a fan of Tull's older stuff, which is also great, forget about it if you listen to "Songs." It is an entirely different experience than what you've heard before. Open your mind and enjoy!

Jethro Tull has done so many classic albums over the years, one runs out of adjectives to describe them. This is a great album, partially inspired by Ian Anderson's decision in the mid 70's to move to the English countryside. My favorite songs here are the title track, Ring Out Solstice Bells, Pibroch, and Velvet Green. The bonus tracks are nice too (though nothing we haven't heard already on the classic 20 Years Of Jethro Tull boxset).

This is my all time favorite Tull album, combining the best of their folk music influences with their penchant for solid rock'n'roll. Being a fan of medievel music and Jethro Tull makes this a very strong offering in popular music. The combination of instruments and Ian Anderson's songwriting is so compelling. The mythological and legendary themes running through this recording are a treat for any serious student of Celtic inspired music. Take it, enjoy it and dance around the Maypole with it. This is a great album.