review by thomas

After Ian produced a Steeleye Span album and after having Span’s Maddy Prior as guest on the previous album Anderson and Tull, perhaps didn’t had to look far for inspiration concerning their next album. So they mixed their progressive rock with folk-rock and came up with “Songs From the Wood”.

This album contains a stronger use of synthesizer since David Palmer – now a full-fledged member – played mostly that and the portative organ. The synthesizer sound is not dated though, it’s done with class and insight to a degree were it became a natural ingredient in the overall sound. The album is a fine one, with the folk-rock and progressive rock mix working well in most songs. The title track, “Hunting Girl”, “Jack-In-the-Green” are all fine and beautiful examples. “Cup of Wonder” is not that exciting and neither are “Ring Out Solstice Bells” which is one of those few really bad Tull songs. “Fire at Midnight” is a quiet and kind of cosy in atmosphere; but not remarkable. It doesn’t say anything at all.

I must compliment Tull for their strive for new sounds and fresh ideas, as in “The Whistler”. Not a very remarkable song in itself but with a new and exciting flute, whistle or whatever it is. And the heavy use of, although not something new, timpani, xylophone, vibraphone and the likes. The long “Phibroch (Cap In Hand)” is not that good in it’s vocalized main parts but it has some amazing classical sounding instrumental parts that make the song quite pleasant. In fact this song is maybe the only one without folk-rock influences. The other “long” song, “Velvet Green” is a real pleasure.

After “Minstrel In the Gallery” something happened to Ian Anderson’s voice, it got strained and hoarse in the higher parts. So his voice is not as good as it once was. This is not a major flaw, you get used to it after a while.