Stormwatch (album)
Encyclopedia
Stormwatch is the twelfth studio album
by the rock group Jethro Tull
. It is considered the last in the trilogy of folk-rock albums by Jethro Tull (although folk music
influenced virtually every Tull album). Among other subject-matter, the album touches heavily on the problems relating to the environment
, oil and money.
In 2004, a remaster
ed 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
, suffering at this point from the effects of a cardiac infection that eventually led to his death, is only featured on three tracks ("Flying Dutchman", "Orion", and "Elegy"). Ian Anderson
played bass elsewhere on the album while Dave Pegg
played on the subsequent tour.
The instrumental piece "Elegy" was written by David Palmer
.
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. 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.
boxed set and extensive liner notes:
Also featuring:
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by the rock group Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
. It is considered the last in the trilogy of folk-rock albums by Jethro Tull (although folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
influenced virtually every Tull album). Among other subject-matter, the album touches heavily on the problems relating to the environment
Environmental ethics
Environmental ethics is the part of environmental philosophy which considers extending the traditional boundaries of ethics from solely including humans to including the non-human world...
, oil and money.
In 2004, a remaster
Remaster
Remaster is a word marketed mostly in the digital audio age, although the remastering process has existed since recording began...
ed version of Stormwatch was released with four bonus tracks
Hidden track
In the field of recorded music, a hidden track is a piece of music that has been placed on a CD, audio cassette, vinyl record or other recorded medium in such a way as to avoid detection by the casual listener...
.
This is the last Tull album to feature the classic line-up of 1970s.
Bassist John Glascock
John Glascock
John Glascock was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979...
, suffering at this point from the effects of a cardiac infection that eventually led to his death, is only featured on three tracks ("Flying Dutchman", "Orion", and "Elegy"). Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson (musician)
Ian Scott Anderson, MBE is a Scottish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work as the leader and flautist of British rock band Jethro Tull.-Early life:...
played bass elsewhere on the album while Dave Pegg
Dave Pegg
Dave Pegg is an English multi-instrumentalist and record producer, arguably most visible as a bass guitarist. He is the longest-serving member of the pre-eminent electric folk band Fairport Convention and has been bassist with a number of important folk and rock groups including The Ian Campbell...
played on the subsequent tour.
The instrumental piece "Elegy" was written by David Palmer
Dee Palmer
Dee Palmer is an English composer arranger and keyboardist best known for having been a member of the rock group Jethro Tull.Palmer studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music with Richard Rodney Bennet,winning the Eric Coates Prize and The Boosey and Hawkes Prize...
.
Content
Dun RingillDun Ringill
Dun Ringill is an Iron Age hill fort on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Further fortified in the Middle Ages, tradition holds that it was for several centuries the seat of Clan MacKinnon...
is the historic site of an Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
fort on the Isle of Skye, which served as the original seat of the Clan MacKinnon
Clan MacKinnon
Clan Mackinnon or Clan Fingon is a Highland Scottish clan associated with the islands of Mull and Skye, in the Inner Hebrides.Popular tradition gives the clan a Dalriadic Gaelic origin. The 19th century historian W. F. Skene named the clan as one of the seven clans of Siol Alpin - who according to...
. Anderson once owned and lived in nearby Kilmarie House, until he sold the estate in 1994. A sporran
Sporran
The Sporran is a traditional part of male Scottish Highland dress. It is a pouch that performs the same function as pockets on the pocketless Scottish kilt....
is a type of pouch traditionally worn with a kilt
Kilt
The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...
.
Other tracks allude to the constellation of Orion
Orion (constellation)
Orion, often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous, and most recognizable constellations in the night sky...
and the legend of the Flying Dutchman.
It is sometimes rumored that "Elegy" was a homage to John Glascock
John Glascock
John Glascock was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979...
— who was very ill at the time due to a congenital heart defect
Congenital heart defect
A congenital heart defect is a defect in the structure of the heart and great vessels which is present at birth. Many types of heart defects exist, most of which either obstruct blood flow in the heart or vessels near it, or cause blood to flow through the heart in an abnormal pattern. Other...
, and would die shortly after the album's release. Actually, it is an elegy
Elegy
In literature, an elegy is a mournful, melancholic or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.-History:The Greek term elegeia originally referred to any verse written in elegiac couplets and covering a wide range of subject matter, including epitaphs for tombs...
to David Palmer
Dee Palmer
Dee Palmer is an English composer arranger and keyboardist best known for having been a member of the rock group Jethro Tull.Palmer studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music with Richard Rodney Bennet,winning the Eric Coates Prize and The Boosey and Hawkes Prize...
's father and is one of the few tracks on which Glascock plays.
Side one
- "North Sea Oil" – 3:12
- "Orion" – 3:58
- "Home" – 2:46
- "Dark Ages" – 9:13
- "Warm Sporran" – 3:33
Side two
- "Something's on the Move" – 4:27
- "Old Ghosts" – 4:23
- "Dun Ringill" – 2:41
- "Flying Dutchman" – 7:46
- "Elegy" (Instrumental, David Palmer) – 3:38
Bonus tracks
The remastered CD added bonus tracks that were on the 20 Years of Jethro Tull20 Years of Jethro Tull
-Disc two:Flawed Gems and Other Sides Of Tull-Disc three:The Essential Tull-LP Track listing:The track numbers shown below are for the five LP set...
boxed set and extensive liner notes:
- "A Stitch in Time" – 3:40
- "Crossword" – 3:38
- "Kelpie" – 3:37
- "King Henry's MadrigalPastime with Good Company"Pastime with Good Company", also known as "The King's Ballad" , is an English folk song written by King Henry VIII in the first years of the 16th century, shortly after being crowned. It is regarded as the most famous of his compositions, and it became a popular song in England and other European...
" (King Henry VIII)– 3:01
Personnel
- Ian AndersonIan Anderson (musician)Ian Scott Anderson, MBE is a Scottish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work as the leader and flautist of British rock band Jethro Tull.-Early life:...
– Vocals, Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar (except tracks 2, 9, 10). - Martin BarreMartin BarreMartin Lancelot Barre is an English rock musician.Barre has been the guitarist for rock band Jethro Tull since 1969. He has appeared on every Jethro Tull album except their debut This Was...
– Electric Guitar, Mandolin, and Classical Guitar - Barriemore BarlowBarriemore BarlowBarrie "Barriemore" Barlow is an English musician, best known as the drummer and percussionist for the rock band Jethro Tull, from May 1971 to June 1980....
– Drums, Percussion - John EvanJohn EvanJohn Evan , played keyboards for Jethro Tull from April 1970 to June 1980. He was educated at King's College London....
– Piano, Organ - David PalmerDee PalmerDee Palmer is an English composer arranger and keyboardist best known for having been a member of the rock group Jethro Tull.Palmer studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music with Richard Rodney Bennet,winning the Eric Coates Prize and The Boosey and Hawkes Prize...
– Synthesizers, Portable Organ and Orchestral Arrangements - John GlascockJohn GlascockJohn Glascock was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979...
– Bass Guitar on tracks 2, 9, 10.
Also featuring:
- Francis WilsonFrancis WilsonFrancis Wilson may refer to:*Francis H. Wilson , U.S. Representative from New York*Francis Wilson , American actor*Francis Wilson , Australian lichenologist...
– Spoken Voice on track 8. - Dave PeggDave PeggDave Pegg is an English multi-instrumentalist and record producer, arguably most visible as a bass guitarist. He is the longest-serving member of the pre-eminent electric folk band Fairport Convention and has been bassist with a number of important folk and rock groups including The Ian Campbell...
– Bass Guitar on bonus tracks 13 and 14.