Monday, September 1, 2008

Rock Revival's Classic Albums (1977): Songs From the Wood by Jethro Tull

British Folk week here on Rock Revival, mostly dedicated to bands who flirted with psychedelia, like Dando Shaft, Donovan, Vashti Bunyan, Incredible String Band.

Songs from the Wood (1977), however, is best seen as progressive folk-rock, not psychedelic, but it still fits well into the tradition of these other bands we have been discussing.

It's clear evidence, also, that the better known bands are certainly not always the ones the break new ground.

This album was one of three consecutive records in the same vein (Heavy Horses and Stormwatch were the other two) and heralded a critical comeback, of sorts, since the accolades for Thick as a Brick, going to #8 on the Bilboard charts (they have never charted higher since).

While British folk-rock had long been established by the likes of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and Pentangle, Jethro Tull version certainly seems stronger on the song-writing front, at least for lovers of rock (do you disagree ?)

Have a listen !

Hunting Girl - Jethro Tull

1 comment:

Bar L. said...

I like Jethro Tull but never could listen to it for long periods of time. But Ian Anderson changed the way people thought of the flute, that's for sure.