Songs from the Wood 2003

I had to write a review for the 40th anniversary Tull box set, Songs From the Wood I just received. First off, I have stopped buying CD's. Of course I have every CD Tull released and you can deduct that Tull's, Ian's and Martin's CD's and all others I own have been digitized. I've had my eyes on the Steven Wilson remasters for awhile. The other day I was listening to some Tull and watching some Tull shows on YouTube and I thought, man this is Tull. You gotta get those boxes. Yes, this is Tull and what packages these are. No musical artist could have such a magnificent treatment as what these packages are except for King Crim as in King Crimson and I have a few of those incredible boxes. It's actually no coincidence to bring up the incredible Crim boxes because what I am about to say is why the Tull boxes are in a league of their own. You see Pete Townshend couldn't even write such fabulously well written notes, and fortunately Ian and co. didn't make the text hard to read. Great pics and great text. Whereas boxes like Crim have incredible music, but the story is hard to read because of layout and like I say not even Townshend could write such a good and flowing story. So am I reviewing the music. You bet I am reviewing the master of master's music. What I am admiring about Ian after reading and watching him talk is: Ian is quick to point out that he is not the best flautist and choose flute because he knew he would never be the best guitarist. Well we know Ian is a perfectionist and although as he says, is not the greatest musician, and I heard him even mention Sting for singing, we all know that Ian's sum of all parts is unbelievable. That best describes the most amazing box sets ever made that the sum of all of their parts are amazing. I am reading the text in "Songs From the Wood" now and it's the first time I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the text in a box set- it's as much of the package as the CD's and DVD's. And all Tull members have such great things to say. I only saw Tull live once and I immediately realized Martin Barre is one of the greatest guitarists ever- I have all of his solos. He's hardly mentioned as one of the greatest which is sad and stupid. and b.t.w It is pretty sickening that Tull and the aforementioned King Crimson aren't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Yes and Rush just got in so we will assume Tull will, but it's sick Tull isn't. So most of us know how those things have been and go. In conclusion, this review is to let all of you and the rest of you know that Tull's boxes are the epitome of music box sets and only one artist and band could produce these- it's Ian and Tull make no mistake. Is Tull the greatest band ever? Well, I'll tell it to ya like this- the world is very fortunate to have had a Tull who has used all the musical forms from blues to electronica the Ian and Tull way. How many bands have been influenced by everyone from Rahsaan Roland Kirk to Fairport/Steeleye, buit not just influenced- actually have incorporated those techniques in their recordings. The sum of all Tull's parts is in a company of its own and these box sets reinforce that. A big gracious thanks to Ian and Tull co. from SW Ohio, USA. Thanks for reading.

My husband calls this album "Renaissance Rock" and he has a point. If you are a fan of Jethro Tull's "olde English" folk rock style this is the CD for you! It is definitely one of my favorites.

Nothing . This is the bands, one of there finest, that they have made. 5 Stars. Julie ❤️

Excellent box set!

Thank you again, Steven Wilson! While the abysmal sound of Tull's CD releases through the years became almost a running joke, S.W.'s "rescue" of Tull's catalog has made me incredibly happy. I don't mind buying "Songs from the Wood" yet again when the results are this beautiful and sparkling. The extra tracks are fun, too - nice chuckling at the record company's ham-handedness in getting the band to re-cut "Solstice Bells" in 4/4 time as "Magic Bells" - thankfully left unreleased, as the public evidently didn't need it dumbed down quite as much as the record company felt. I'm so used to "Working John, Working Joe" as it appeared on "A", hearing this line-up take a crack at the tune was revelatory - as was "Old Aces Die Hard" - an early take on "Dark Ages" from "Stormwatch", though all that really survived were those two words.The inclusion of the concert from 1977 is also a huge benefit (pun intended) - I was eleven years old at the time, not yet old enough to even be clued into Tull, never mind be able to see them live. Jakko Jakszyk's miraculous work syncing up the audio and video from 40 years ago lets those of us who were late to the party appreciate this line-up of Tull in all its glory! Of course, it also reveals Ian Anderson's stage patter differed little during the ensuing years, but I'm not complaining. So much fun seeing John Evans loopy stage presence, appreciating Barrie Barlow's drumming, the whole package that was Tull live at the height of the band's powers!It's a sweet collection for any Tull fan who treasures "Songs From The Wood" and Tull at that time.

Like it

As to the album, I love the new bookshelf format, and "Songs From The Wood" is great, maybe the best. I have all of them so far and hope that the rest of the Tull catalog will be remastered and re-released in this bookshelf format. As far as the sound, I've never cared that much for Steve Wilson's work in remastering, particularly the "Passion Play" release which seems flat to me - so thankfully they always include the original arrangement which is great. The best "Passion Play" version I've heard is the OMR, Original Master Recording" gold CD version and it is wonderful as well."Songs From The Wood" is just about perfect. I don't know if it because the source tapes are in the best shape or were digital or what, but the music seems to be three dimensional, and even better than I recall the original vinyl being. The extra material is fantastic as is all the documentation and written material. This is such a great album. I remember when this album came out and this arrangement really captures the aliveness of the music very clearly.I want to also mention that this item is somehow listed for double and triple price in different places on Amazon. I don't know how Amazon allows this or how people do it, but it is basically a fraud - buy this version for $40 + or -. Don't pay $100 or more for this ... keep looking. So far this is the best re-mastered version of any Tull album I have come across.

No importa que seas fan de Jethro o seas neófito en el rock, este álbum es imperdible. Además la remasterización lo vuelve más dinámico y a la vez moderno, aunque ya tenga medio siglo. El sonido es prístino.

Die Pressung ist exzellent. Musik und Remaster beurteile ich hier nicht! 👍

es la version 40 aniversario que es la remasterizada de willson es disco vinilo es una maravilla un pedazo de disco de 180 gramos otro refente no vamos a entrar a analizar sus canciones que todos conocemos si no que es un discazo con fotos y libreto y un sonido buenisimo merece la pena por su precio

A stellar retreatment of one of the classic Jethro Tull albums. The additional concert material and its sonic quality (under the circumstances described in the liner notes) is amazing. The base album and the extra studio tracks have all been given the Steven Wilson treatment and the 5.1 sound is spacious, with "Solstice Bells" chiming in ways and places I have never before heard. There is an almost scholarly aspect to some of the liner notes, providing traditional folklore insights into the genesis of each song. And I thought it couldn't get any better after the "Minstrel In The Gallery" 40th Anniversary reissue. These 40th Anniversary editions are cementing the legacy of one of the greatest bands of all time

Un des meilleurs albums de J Tull , remixé par Steve Wilson , nous apporte un peu de chansons des bois comme on n'en fait plus. sans etre nostalgique pour rien , c'est un vrai album de folk-rock-prog , tres british , avec des sons riches de percussions , mandoline , et autres guitares tenus par Anderson et sa bande dans une formation qui reste la référence pour moi . La version 5.1 révèle l'ampleur du remixage et met en valeur toutes ces petites touches musicales qu'on n'entendait pas forcément sur les précédentes versions.De bonnes surprises dans cette édition avec la version acoustique de Working john , Working Joe qu'on retrouve en version officielle sur l'électronique album A ; mais surtout ce Old Aces dies hard ,(dédiée à Lemmy ) longue pièce de 8 minutes qu' Anderson nous sort du chapeau avec tous les ingrédients de la chanson à tiroirs, un vrai bonus.le concert de 1977 est un vrai bonheur de pouvoir réécouter en live ces morceaux qu'on retrouve parfois sur le live Bursting out mais ici ce sont les morceaux de SFTW qui ressortent le plus et n 'en sont que plus efficaces.Le version DVD du concert est plutôt réussie pour l'époque , malgré quelques défauts dus à l'enregistrement de1977 , on voit comment évolue le groupe sur scène et le show man Ian Anderson.Enfin le livret révèle son lot d'anectodes et de commentaires sur la réalisation du disque et des tournéesUn beau coffret dans lalignée des rééditions 40th anniversary à un prix abordable,c'est un bon rapport qualité prixa recommander