Songs From the Wood
The earth-worshipping revelry of 1977's friskySongs from the Woodwas far removed from the heavyweight progressive rock of Jethro Tull's early years. Taking a leaf from the book ofSteeleye Span,Songs from the Woodis bright and festive as it mines a rich, green seam of ancient British folklore for inspiration. By marrying the characters ("Jack in the Green") and traditions of the old religion's ritual calendar ("Ring Out Solstice Bells" was an unlikely Christmas hit) to their eccentricity and half-imagined interpretations of British traditional music, Tull came up with one of their albums. This collection unintentionally beseeches the concrete-jungle-dwelling set to retreat to the countryside. With tin-whistles, peppy acoustic guitar, medieval twists and turns, much May Day gaiety and debauchery, and even the odd touch of prog,Songs from the Woodstill sounds bewitching in the 21st century.--Kevin Maidment