Songs from the Wood

Songs from the Wood
Studio album by Jethro Tull
Released	11 February 1977
Recorded	Autumn 1976 at Morgan Studios London and Maison Rouge Mobile
Genre	Folk rock Progressive rock
Length	41:22
Label	Island (UK) Chrysalis Records (US)
Producer	Ian Anderson
Jethro Tull chronology
Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die! (1976) Songs from the Wood (1977) Repeat – The Best of Jethro Tull – Vol II (1977)

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Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

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 album reached #8 on the Billboard album chart, making it the last top ten album for the band to date. The song "The Whistler" was the only song to chart as a single in the United States, peaking at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1977. The album peaked at No. 13 on the UK Albums Chart.

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 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

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

Bonus tracks

The 2003 remastered CD added bonus tracks and extensive liner notes:

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

External links

• Songs From the Wood (1977) at Allmusic
• Songs From the Wood (2003) at Allmusic (bonus tracks)
• Ground and Sky review
• Cup of Wonder