Customer Reviews

Songs From the Wood

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is usually the answer to: If there was only one Tull album you could have....? And it is true that rarely in the modern era can you find such a unique and evocative work. Only a handful of times since has Tull matched or exceeded the effort you can hear on this CD. The bucolic life is not a concept you will find often (or ever, outside Tull) in a rock album. But here it is presented to perfection. From the horses hooves racing and whip-cracking in Hunting Girl to the marvelous Scottish country dance in Pibroch, this jewel of an album evokes the pleasures of the British countryside in all seasons. Martin Barre even gets the chance to mimick bagpipes with his electric guitar (Pibroch again), though that's not entirely successful. Weak points are almost non-existant, and really only the smallest of minor quibbles is possible in a work this powerful. The album was so successful in its concept and execution that critical acclaim at the time was practically universal. Tull followed with two more superb albums playing on different aspects of the same theme (Heavy Horses and the lesser known, but perhaps even more marvelous, Stormwatch). You can buy this CD with full confidence that there is no possibility of disappointment.

This album has a distinctive cast to it, a very English countryside flavor that's depicted vividly in the lyrics. Now, that may not sound appealing when described, but it sounds very magical when listened to.

JT covers a lot of ground here: From a tongue-in-cheek sexual farce like "Hunting Girl" and the lonely morning-after feeling of "Velvet Green," to the warm and woodsy homecoming in "Fire At Midnight;" with stops along the way wreathed in magic and enchantment, and the lure of the road ("Jack-In-The-Green," "Cup of Wonder," and "The Whistler"). The theme holds together beautifully through the album (with the single exception of "Pibroch," which doesn't exactly fit with the other cuts.)

As others have mentioned, Ian Andersen's voice and flute performances sound inspired. I think "enchanting" describes both the performances and the theme equally well.

I bought this album in vinyl, then retired it with the CD, and I find myself listening to it at least a few times a year, even 22 years later. That's a pretty strong recommendation for anything.

Let's get it straight.Tull has done more to nature than most other rock groups.This album virtually takes you on a trip down English countryside.This album along with "Heavy horses" truly symbolises,the Folksier side of Jethro Tull.Listen to a potpourri of Instruments from Ian Anderson. sorry! Music Magician!

If someone asked what ONE album best sums up all that is great and wonderful about Tull, I'd point them to the amazing "Songs from the Wood." This album is like a musical version of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" -- full of fantasy, mischief, and magic. Its lush medieval imagery, unforgettable melodies, and vivid portrayal of the English countryside make for one of the most intoxicating albums I've ever heard. Pure enchantment, as another reviewer put it. Definitive Tull, "SFTW" is as merry, as joyful and as magical as some of Mozart's best-loved works. Even the sound quality of the recording is excellent, bringing out the beautiful tones and nuances of the acoustic guitar, mandolin, flute and other instruments, including Ian's incomparable voice. Dazzling!!!

Every song paints a vivid picture both musically and literally. Take this disc with if you are going to be stranded on a desert island.

Songs from the Wood is really one of the best CD's that Jethro Tull have done. Lead singer Ian Anderson's voice is perhaps at the best it has been in his career, the quality of the songs is unsurpassed, and there is just no other group that shines like Jethro Tull! "I am Jack in the Green!"

MY TITLE FOR THIS REVIEW SOUNDS FUNNY I'M SURE. HOWEVER, TO THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD THIS ALBUM ON GOLD DISC (OR NOT) KNOW IT'S TRUE. THE GOLD DISC ADDS ONLY TO THE SOUND QUALITY , THE ORIGINAL QUALITY OF THE ALBUM SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. TULL IS CERTAINLY A MUSICAL TASTE AQUIRED (MUCH LIKE A GOOD BOURBON) AND LIKE THAT BOURBON THIS ALBUM DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH O'S IN SMOOOOOTH. WHEN THIS ALBUM WAS RELEASED IT CONTAINED A LOT OF THE SAME TULL THEME BUT THE MUSIC WAS A BIT OF A DEPARTURE FROM PREVIOUS ALBUMS. (AGAIN , AN AQUIRED TASTE). IT HAS ALWAYS TASTED JUST FINE TO ME. IF YOU PURCHASE THIS DISC AND LIKE IT , YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RETURN TO AMAZON AND ORDER " HEAVY HORSES". THIS ALBUM IS OF THE SAME VEIN AND JUST AS GOOD AN EFFORT. IF YOU BELIEVE YOURSELF TO BE A PERSON WHO LIKES THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE , ORDER BOTH THESE DISCS NOW .... YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY.....AND WHILE YOUR LISTENING YOU CAN DRINK THAT FINE BOURBON FROM THE CUP OF WONDER!

MY TITLE FOR THIS REVIEW SOUNDS FUNNY I'M SURE. HOWEVER, TO THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD THIS ALBUM ON GOLD DISC (OR NOT) KNOW IT'S TRUE. THE GOLD DISC ADDS ONLY TO THE SOUND QUALITY , THE ORIGINAL QUALITY OF THE ALBUM SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. TULL IS CERTAINLY A MUSICAL TASTE AQUIRED (MUCH LIKE A GOOD BOURBON) AND LIKE THAT BOURBON THIS ALBUM DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH O'S IN SMOOOOOTH. WHEN THIS ALBUM WAS RELEASED IT CONTAINED A LOT OF THE SAME TULL THEME BUT THE MUSIC WAS A BIT OF A DEPARTURE FROM PREVIOUS ALBUMS. (AGAIN , AN AQUIRED TASTE). IT HAS ALWAYS TASTED JUST FINE TO ME. IF YOU PURCHASE THIS DISC AND LIKE IT , YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RETURN TO AMAZON AND ORDER " HEAVY HORSES". THIS ALBUM IS OF THE SAME VEIN AND JUST AS GOOD AN EFFORT. IF YOU BELIEVE YOURSELF TO BE A PERSON WHO LIKES THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE , ORDER BOTH THESE DISCS NOW .... YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY.....AND WHILE YOUR LISTENING YOU CAN DRINK THAT FINE BOURBON FROM THE CUP OF WONDER!

This album hearkens back to a long ago, very English, fantasy world. Beautifully produced and performed, mostly acoustic (with notable exception of the psychedelic Pibroch (Cap in Hand)). I find a lot of JT kind of annoying, but not this one. Heavy Horses is also in this vein, and very good as well.

Songs From the Wood is a superb album, fusing all the elements that made/make Tull special. The decidedly woodsy tone was, and still is, a treat. I often wonder why Ian never scored one of the many U.K. themed films.

My kids, even though poisoned by Spice Girls and Back Street Boys, ask me to play Hunting Girl (they don't understand the lyrics!) and Whistler all the time.

Nearly every song is a winner.