release date: Feb. 11, 1977
format: vinyl / digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Ian Anderson
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Songs From the Wood" - 2. "Jack-in-the-Green" (4 / 5) - 3. "Cup of Wonder" (4 / 5) - 4. "Hunting Girl" - 5. "Ring Out, Solstice Bells" - 6. "Velvet Green" (4 / 5) - 7. "The Whistler"
10th studio album by Jethro Tull released after the '76 studio album Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!, a less successful Tull album, which saw a change of bassist as Jeffrey Hammond was replaced by John Glascock. Prior to this, additional keyboardist David Palmer was officially included in the band, which by then counted six members.
The album signals a change of style with more focus on British pagan folklore in a blend of progressive rock, folk and hard rock. The result is a simpler musical universe and the tracks are accordingly of shorter playing time.
This was one of two vinyl albums by Jethro Tull that I was given by my older brother when he moved out of our family house back in the early 80s. I really liked the album before that, and often had it on my turntable while playing with my Lego...
[ allmusic.com, Sputnik Music 4 / 5 stars ]
