Jethro Tull - Songs From The Wood

40th Anniversary Edition Steven Wilson mix

Three CDs, two DVDs

5.1 DTS, AC3 Dolby Digital Stereo Surround + 96/24 LPCM stereo versions of the original and Steven Wilson remixed album

Songs From The Wood is the 10th studio album by British progressive rockers Jethro Tull, and one of the most critically acclaimed in their entire catalog. The album was inspired by Ian Anderson's departure to a more rural environment that influenced the writing and recording process, doffing a cap to British folklore and countryside.

Highlights from this 40th Anniversary Edition include:

CDs 2 and 3 in the box form 22 track live tracks, recorded on the Songs From The Wood Tour across two dates, Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 6th December 1977 and Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, USA on 21st November 1977. These tracks have been reconstructed as a complete set and then remixed to stereo by Jakko Jakszyk and are completely unheard.

DVD 1 contains 5.1 DTS, AC3 Dolby Digital Stereo Surround and 96/24 LPCM stereo versions of the original and Steven Wilson remixed album along with selected associated tracks, as well as various quad mixes and flat transfers.

The final disc in the package is the video footage taken live at the Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland on November 21, 1977 mixed to 16/48 stereo LPCM and 5.1 DTS, AC3 Dolby Digital surround by Jakko Jakszyk. This footage has never been publicly seen before. The concert venue was the home for Washington Wizards basketball team, then known as Washington Bullets — so the video footage comes directly from the film that was played to the big screens in the venue during the show and has since been seen nowhere else.

Completing the set is a beautiful 96-page book which contains extensive writing on the history of the album and how it came to be. Martin Webb reflects on the writing, recording and touring of the album while Ian Anderson gives a track-by-track annotation of the album and associated recordings. Alongside lyrics, there's an interview with assistant engineer Trevor White, relevant photos and imagery and a full recording and touring chronology.

When Songs From The Wood was released Rolling Stone commented that it "may well be the group's best record ever." The album is often referred to as one of the most commercially appealing Jethro Tull albums, containing elements of rock, prog and folk-rock. Although media reaction at the time divided opinion, the album has certainly developed a nostalgic rapport with fans through the years and it is perceived today as one of the band's most popular albums. Drummer Barrie Barlow comments that it sounds "Fresh, unique, great textures, interesting and dynamic!", while guitarist Martin Barre remembers that "It was a very tight band, one of the strongest line-ups Tull ever had... I think that Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses [the follow up album] as a pair of albums are near the top of the tree".