ALBUM OF THE WEEK / Jethro Tull - Songs From The Wood (1977)

Songs from the Wood (1977) is the tenth studio album by Jethro Tull and is considered to be the first of a trio of folk rock albums (Songs from the Wood, Heavy Horses and Stormwatch) despite the fact that folk music elements are present in the work of Jethro Tull both before and after this trilogy. Songs from the Wood was the first Tull album to receive unambiguously positive reviews since the time of Thick as a Brick. Filled with folk and fantasy imagery, and ornamental folk arrangement, the album is a departure from the hard rock of earlier Tull material, though it still retained some of the band's older sound. 


The cover of the album features Ian Anderson sporting a leather jerkin. The album cover, despite its photographic appearance, is actually a painting by artist Jay L. Lee.
This is the first Jethro Tull album to feature keyboardist David Palmer as an official band member. The song "Jack-in-the-Green" features Ian Anderson on all the instruments.
The 2003 remastered edition includes a pair of bonus tracks, featuring a live rendition of "Velvet Green".

Track listing:

All songs are written and composed by Ian Anderson.

Side one:

1. "Songs from the Wood"  4:52
2. "Jack-in-the-Green"  2:27
3. "Cup of Wonder"   4:30
4. "Hunting Girl"  5:11
5. "Ring Out, Solstice Bells"  3:43

Side two:

6. "Velvet Green"  6:03
7. "The Whistler"   3:30
8. "Pibroch (Cap in Hand)"  8:27
9. "Fire at Midnight" 2:26

2003 remaster bonus tracks:

10. "Beltane"   5:19
11. "Velvet Green" (Live) 5:56


Personnel:

Ian Anderson - vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin, cymbals; all instruments on track 2.
Barriemore Barlow - drums, percussion
Martin Barre - electric guitar, lute
John Evan - piano, organ, synthesisers
John Glascock - bass guitar, vocals
David Palmer - portative pipe organ, synthesisers



Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_from_the_Wood