One of the great pieces of news to arise at the end of last week were the release date and specs for the Steven Wilson remix of Songs From The Wood, the 1977 Jethro Tull classic. Back in October, it was revealed that this was indeed ready for pressing and distribution. (I think I might have made a few of you happy that day.) Now, in May, we finally can hear its magic.
On May 19, an all inclusive 3CD/2DVD 40th Anniversary package will be made available. Parenthetically referred to as The Country Set, this package will contain new Stereo and 5.1 Surround SW mixes. To bolster the package, there will be previously unavailable bonus tracks from the period of the album. There will also be a complete concert from 1977, mixed by Jakko Jakszyk of King Crimson (himself fast becoming a favored remix engineer like Steven Wilson). To make the set even more desirable, a 96-page book filled with everything will be included! The Book will offer:
– An extensive note by Martin Webb about the writing, recording and touring of Jethro Tull‘s tenth studio album Songs From The Wood.
– A track by track annotation of the album and associated recordings by Ian Anderson.
– Lyrics for the album and bonus tracks.
– An interview with studio engineer Trevor White.
– Steve Jeal explores the legends, myths and historical facts behind some of the album’s songs
– A recording and touring chronology from April 1976 to December 1977
– Jakko Jakszyk describes the technical challenge of synchronising video and audio recordings of a 1977 live concert
CD1: (original album with accompanying bonus tracks)
01. Songs From The Wood
02. Jack-In-The-Green
03. Cup Of Wonder
04. Hunting Girl
05. Ring Out, Solstice Bells
06. Velvet Green
07. The Whistler
08. Pibroch (Cap In Hand)
09. Fire At Midnight
Bonus Tracks:
10. Old Aces Die Hard [previously unreleased]
11. Working John, Working Joe [previously unreleased]
12. Magic Bells (Ring Out, Solstice Bells)
13. Songs From The Wood (Unedited Master)
14. Fire At Midnight (Unedited Master) [previously unreleased]
15. One Brown Mouse (Early Version)
16. Strip Cartoon
17. The Whistler (US Stereo Single Mix)
CD2/CD3 (Live at The Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, 21st November 1977 – Stereo):
CD2:
01. Wond’ring Aloud
02. Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day
03. Jack-In-The-Green
04. Thick As A Brick
05. Songs From The Wood
06. Instrumental
07. Drum Solo Improvisation
08. To Cry You A Song
09. A New Day Yesterday
10. Flute Solo Improvisation interpolating – God Rest Ye Gentlemen/Bouree
11. Living In The Past / A New Day Yesterday (reprise)
CD3:
1. Velvet Green
2. Hunting Girl
3. Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young To Die
4. Minstrel In The Gallery
5. Cross-Eyed Mary
6. Aqualung
7. Instrumental Improvisation
8. Wind-Up
9. Back Door Angels / Guitar Improvisation / Wind Up (reprise)
10. Locomotive Breath
11. Land Of Hope And Glory / Improvisation / Back Door Angels (reprise)
DVD1:
96/24 PCM Stereo (Steven Wilson Remix):
01. Songs From The Wood
02. Jack-In-The-Green
03. Cup Of Wonder
04. Hunting Girl
05. Ring Out, Solstice Bells
06. Velvet Green
07. The Whistler
08. Pibroch (Cap In Hand)
09. Fire At Midnight
10. Old Aces Die Hard
11. Working John, Working Joe
12. Magic Bells (Ring Out, Solstice Bells)
13. Songs From The Wood (Unedited Master)
14. Fire At Midnight (Unedited Master)
15. One Brown Mouse (Early Version)
16. Strip Cartoon
DD/DTS 5.1 Surround (Steven Wilson Remix):
01. Songs From The Wood
02. Jack-In-The-Green
03. Cup Of Wonder
04. Hunting Girl
05. Ring Out, Solstice Bells
06. Velvet Green
07. The Whistler
08. Pibroch (Cap In Hand)
09. Fire At Midnight
10. Old Aces Die Hard
11. Working John, Working Joe
12. Magic Bells (Ring Out, Solstice Bells)
13. One Brown Mouse (Early Version)
14. Strip Cartoon
96/24 PCM Flat Transfer Original Stereo Master:
01. Songs From The Wood
02. Jack-In-The-Green
03. Cup Of Wonder
04. Hunting Girl
05. Ring Out, Solstice Bells
06. Velvet Green
07. The Whistler
08. Pibroch (Cap In Hand)
09. Fire At Midnight
Flat Transfer of Original Quad Master-DTS/DD 4.0 Surround:
01. Songs From The Wood
02. Jack-In-The-Green
03. Velvet Green
04. The Whistler
DVD2 (Live at The Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, 21st November 1977):
1. Wond’ring Aloud
2. Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day
3. Jack-In-The-Green
4. Thick As A Brick
5. Songs From The Wood
6. Instrumental / Drum Solo Improvisation
7. To Cry You A Song
8. A New Day Yesterday
9. Flute Solo Improvisation interpolating – God Rest Ye Gentlemen / Bouree / A New Day Yesterday
10. Living In The Past / A New Day Yesterday (reprise)
11. Second half of concert – Introduction
12. Velvet Green
13. Hunting Girl
14. Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young To Die
15.Minstrel In The Gallery
16. Cross-Eyed Mary
17. Aqualung
18. Instrumental Improvisation
19. Wind-Up
20. Back Door Angels / Guitar Improvisation / Wind Up (reprise)
21. Locomotive Breath
22. Land Of Hope And Glory / Improvisation / Back Door Angels (reprise)
Beethoven’s Ninth (with original audio)
The Whistler (promo footage) (mono)