JETHRO TULL

Stormwatch: 40th Anniversary Force 10 Edition RHINO Chapter-closer which deserves a less wintry reputation.

The run of Jethro Tull studio albums between 1977 and 1979 is generally referred to as their “folk rock” trilogy. Stormwatch, the third, sometimes gets overlooked, as if the makeweight of the three. Sure, Songs From The Wood was the best, Ian Anderson bristling with fresh ideas, songs and arrangements, while Heavy Horses was, well, heavier, its themes less concerned with countryside folklore and acknowledging contemporary realism. Stormwatch steps even further away from the maypole, examining big money, the oil industry and – years ahead of its time – the environment.

In truth, it’s no more or less “folk” than any number of Tull albums – a flute and a dash of mandolin will confuse the most rigid of genre-accountants – but its status as the full stop on this era is confirmed by the line-up. It was their swansong, the last album to feature the classic 70s personnel. John Evan, Dee Palmer and Barriemore Barlow all left after the ensuing tour, while bassist John Glascock died two months after Stormwatch’s release. His illness during recording meant he only played on three tracks, Anderson taking up bass on the rest.

There is, then, this long-standing perception that the album’s to be patronised as an afterthought, a make-do obligation as a phase fizzled out. That’s rather unfair, as although Stormwatch has flat spells, its overall flow is highly entertaining and never feels like Anderson’s manfully propping up a crumbling house. From the easy way North Sea Oil blends rock rhythms and folk frolics to the dramatic intro of Orion, the tracks are taut and tuneful (especially lovely ballad Home), avoiding Tull’s occasional tendency to trip over their too-tricky feet. Dark Ages, one of the band’s most underrated multi-layer rock epics, sees Martin Barre’s guitar (on fiery form throughout) echoing Brian May. The other long ’un, Flying Dutchman, has a graceful swing and sway.

So perhaps it’s time to stop thinking of Stormwatch as the Collins to the previous pair’s Armstrong and Aldrin. This sumptuous four-CD/two-DVD anniversary repackage certainly thinks so, continuing the Tull reissue project with both taste and largesse. Steven Wilson (of course) remixes, and multiple outtakes and early drafts (eight previously unreleased) form a treasurable second disc. A newly-emerged Netherlands concert from March 1980 covers the next two, and the band seem in ebullient spirits, possibly demob-happy. Tech-heads will enjoy the various mixes on the audio-only DVDs, while the book has Anderson in his element, annotating anecdotally. Stormwatch may not be perfect, but it’s time to wipe off your binoculars and look at it afresh.

DARK AGES SEES BARRE’S FIERY GUITAR

ECHO BRIAN MAY.