Jethro Tull’s tenth album was inspired by Ian Anderson’s departure to a more rural environment in a transition which bore clear influence on the writing and recording process, with the band notably doffing a cap to British folklore and countryside. Songs From The Wood is often referred to as one of the most commercially appealing Jethro Tull albums, containing elements of rock, prog and folk-rock.
Although media reaction at the time divided opinion, the album has certainly developed a nostalgic rapport with fans through the years and it is perceived today as one of the band’s most popular albums. Drummer Barrie Barlow comments that it sounds “Fresh, unique, great textures, interesting and dynamic!”, while guitarist Martin Barre remembers that “It was a very tight band, one of the strongest line-ups Tull ever had… I think that Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses [the follow up album] as a pair of albums are near the top of the tree”.
The first album of the set contains the Steven Wilson remix of the original studio album, accompanied by associated recordings. This includes the tracks “Old Aces Die Hard” and “Working John, Working Joe” which are being released here for the first time on any format. “Old Aces Die Hard”, a title Ian Anderson recently gave the track in a subtle nod to Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister, is, according to Ian “an extraordinary find, because it’s a long piece, and quite evolved, and one that sounds like it is pretty much complete – it doesn’t sound as if it was waiting for me or anyone else in the band to go back and redo vocals or guitars or whatever.”
01. Songs From The Wood (4:56)
02. Jack-In-The-Green (2:32)
03. Cup Of Wonder (4:34)
04. Hunting Girl (5:10)
05. Ring Out, Solstice Bells (3:48)
06. Velvet Green (6:05)
07. The Whistler (3:32)
08. Pibroch (Cap In Hand) (8:36)
09. Fire At Midnight (2:28)
10. Old Aces Die Hard (8:41)
11. Working John, Working Joe (5:12)
12. Magic Bells (Ring Out, Solstice Bells) (3:25)
13. Songs From The Wood (4:54)
14. Fire At Midnight (2:36)
15. One Brown Mouse (3:35)
16. Strip Cartoon (3:20)
17. The Whistler (US Single Mix) (3:32)
