Jethro Tull: Songs From The Wood — 40th Anniversary Edition

Jethro Tull
Songs From the Wood — 40th Anniversary Edition
(Parlophone/Rhino)
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The term “prog-folk” might seem like an oxymoron but it adequately describes the sound Jethro Tull gravitated to in the mid- to late-’70s.

Although acoustic music had been an integral element of the band’s style since as far back as 1969’s Stand Up, it became more of a focal point on 1975’s Minstrel in the Gallery, likely due to Tull frontman/founder/singer-songwriter Ian Anderson’s production of traditional UK folksters Steeleye Span’s 1974 album Now We Are Six. Anderson’s own relocation to a more rural area in the UK might also have been involved in this back-to-the-roots approach.

Regardless, Songs from the Wood heralded an artistic rebirth of sorts for Jethro Tull, especially after the somewhat tepid reception given to the group’s previous release, 1974’s Too Old To Rock ‘n Roll, whose acoustic musings were already leaning towards what the group consolidated around in next year’s Songs ... 

Lyrically the rustic themes are typically obtuse, Anderson’s often growling voice is an acquired taste and with dense music that included hard rock, classical and time/tempos twisting and turning, often within the same song, this wasn’t going to be Aqualung Part 2 in terms of commercial potential. But there is plenty to like here for those willing to take the plunge into Tull’s musical experimentation.

From the opening a cappella voices of the title track to the complex arrangements that show this particular Tull lineup to be especially nimble by juggling these caffeinated acoustic/electric excursions, this is an often entrancing, always fascinating sonic experience. Song titles such as “Jack-In-The-Green,” “Hunting Girl,” “Velvet Green” and “Pibroch (Cap in Hand)” (pibroch is a piece of music for bagpipes), speak to the bucolic and rootsy influences running through the material.

Additionally, Anderson as producer layers intricate, creative overdubs that enhance rather than distract from the music. Each selection is a multifaceted puzzle of demanding drum lines and unusual percussion (drummer Barriemore Barlow is credited with glockenspiel, marimba, naker [a small kettle drum dating back to the 13^th century] and tabor [a primitive flute]), the occasional squall of Martin Barre’s electric guitar, and of course Anderson’s ever-present fluttering flute piled atop traditionally influenced UK folk melodies turned inside out with progressive weirdness and intensity.

It’s a lot to chew on; perhaps too much for the 1977 market where Tull’s tenth release in ten years wasn’t going to make them any new fans in a culture more welcoming of the edgy and artsy punk explosion meant to diminish the classic rock arena acts of the era. Over the years though, Songs from the Wood and its similarly themed follow-up Heavy Horses have proved remarkably durable. That makes diving into this sumptuous remixed/remastered and expanded 3 CD/2 DVD anniversary version which includes previously unreleased cuts, single mixes, excerpts from 1977 concerts (one video/one audio) and a 5.1 surround sound reimagining of songs that always felt like they should be heard in that format, a particularly rich, immersive and often dizzyingly inventive hour.

It’s only going to appeal to a cult audience, but considering the 40 years that have passed since its inception, Songs from the Wood has not only held up unusually well, it stands as one of the freshest and most inspired works in the bulging Jethro Tull catalog.