Stormwatch (album)

Infobox Album | Name = Stormwatch
Type = Album
Artist = Jethro Tull


Released = September 14, 1979
Recorded = 1978 - 1979
Genre = Folk rock
Progressive rock
Length = 45:42 (original release) / 59:38 (2004 remastered edition with bonus tracks)
Label = Island Records (UK)
Chrysalis Records (US)
Producer = Ian Anderson
Robin Black
Reviews =
* Allmusic rating|2|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?P=amg&sql=10:z6ae4j870waq link]
*George Starostin rating|8|10 (overall rating: 11/15) [http://starling.rinet.ru/music/tull.htm#Stormwatch link]
Last album = "Bursting Out"
(1978)
This album = "Stormwatch"
(1979)
Next album = "A"
(1980)

"Stormwatch" (1979) is an album by the rock group Jethro Tull and is considered the last in the trilogy of folk-rock albums by Jethro Tull (although folk music influenced virtually every Tull album).

The album deals with the deterioration of the environment, warning of an apocalyptic future if mankind does not cease its drive for economic growth and pay attention to nature.

In 2004, a remastered version of "Stormwatch" was released with four bonus tracks.

This is the last Tull album to feature the classic line-up of 1970s.Bassist John Glascock is only featured on three tracks ("Flying Dutchman", "Orion", and "Elegy"). Ian Anderson played bass elsewhere on the album.

The instrumental piece "Elegy" was written by David Palmer.

Track listing

#"North Sea Oil" – 3:12
#"Orion" – 3:58
#"Home" – 2:46
#"Dark Ages" – 9:13
#"Warm Sporran" – 3:33
#"Something's on the Move" – 4:27
#"Old Ghosts" – 4:23
#"Dun Ringill" – 2:41
#"Flying Dutchman" – 7:46
#"Elegy" – 3:38

Bonus tracks

The remastered CD added bonus tracks (which had been on the "20 Years of Jethro Tull" box-set) and extensive liner notes:

11. "A Stitch in Time" – 3:40
12. "Crossword" – 3:38
13. "Kelpie" – 3:47
14. "King Henry's Madrigal" – 3:01

All songs composed by Ian Anderson, except "Elegy" by David Palmer, and "King Henry's Madrigal", a traditional composition.

Personnel

*Ian Anderson – Vocals, Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar (except tracks 2, 9, 10).
*Martin Barre – Electric Guitar, Mandolin, and Classical Guitar
*Barriemore Barlow – Drums, Percussion
*John Evan – Piano, Organ
*David Palmer – Synthesizers, Portable Organ and Orchestral Arrangements
*John Glascock – Bass Guitar on tracks 2, 9, 10.Also featuring:
*Francis Wilson – Spoken Voice

Content

Dun Ringill is the historic site of an Iron Age fort on the Isle of Skye, which served as the original seat of the Clan MacKinnon. Anderson once owned and lived in nearby Kilmarie House, until he sold the estate in 1994. [http://www.skyewalk.co.uk/4_10.shtml] A sporran is a type of pouch traditionally worn with a kilt.

Other tracks allude to the constellation of Orion and the legend of the Flying Dutchman.

It is sometimes rumored that "Elegy" was a homage to John Glascock — who was very ill at the time due to a congenital heart defect, and would die shortly after the album's release. Actually, it is an elegy to David Palmer's father and is one of the few tracks on which Glascock plays.

External links

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* (bonus tracks)