Jethro Tull’s Stormwatch Turns 40

A new 4 CD/2 DVD collection of Jethro Tull’s Stormwatch is coming October 18, Rhino’s latest expanded box set in a series celebrating the group’s albums’ 40th anniversaries. Stormwatch was the third in a series of Tull’s folk-rock releases, following Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses, the project also the last to feature the band’s late-’70s lineup of Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, John Glascock, John Evan, David Palmer and Barriemore Barlow. Like its predecessors, a disc of Steven Wilson’s remix of the album will be included, as well as a live concert, this one from March 16, 1980, at the Congreßgebouw in the Netherlands.

Recorded between August of 1978 to July of 1979, Stormwatch explored the concept of ecology throughout some of its maritime topics, making the release once again relevant in light of today’s growing climate change concerns. Tracks that didn’t fit thematically, such as “Man Of God,” “Crossword,” “Kelpie,” and “The Lyricon Blues,” appear on the box’s second disc, joining early versions of Stormwatch‘s “Dark Ages” and “Dun Ringill.”

Among the new additions, this “Force Ten Edition” includes two DVDs presenting its classic tracks and 13 associated recordings mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital. Additionally, it will feature 15 associated recordings mixed to 96/24 LPCM stereo and five original mixes at 96/24 LPCM stereo.

FYI Stormwatch was the last album John Glascock appeared on, his tenure with the group beginning with Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll, Too Young To Die. The bassist, also famous for playing with Carmen, Head Machine, and Chicken Shack, died from a complication with a heart valve defect.

written by Mike Ragogna

STORMWATCH: 40^th ANNIVERSARY FORCE 10 EDITION

Disc One: Steven Wilson Remix of Original Album

1. “North Sea Oil”

2. “Orion”

3. “Home”

4. “Dark Ages”

5. “Warm Sporran”

6. “Something’s On The Move”

7. “Old Ghosts”

8. “Dun Ringill”

9. “Flying Dutchman”

10. “Elegy”

Disc Two: Associated Recordings

1. “Crossword”

2. “Dark Ages” (early version) [Previously Unreleased]

3. “Kelpie”

4. “Dun Ringill” (early version) [Previously Unreleased On CD]

5. “A Stitch In Time”

6. “A Single Man” [Previously Unreleased]

7. “Broadford Bazaar”

8. “King Henry’s Madrigal”

9. “Orion” (full version) [Previously Unreleased]

10. “Urban Apocalypse” [Previously Unreleased]

11. “The Lyricon Blues”

12. “Man Of God” [Previously Unreleased]

13. “Rock Instrumental (unfinished master) [Previously Unreleased]

14. “Prelude To A Storm” [Previously Unreleased]

15. “Sweet Dream” (live)

Disc Three: Live in the Netherlands (March 16. 1980)

1. “Intro”

2. “Dark Ages”

3. “Home”

4. “Orion”

5. “Dun Ringill”

6. “Elegy”

7. “Old Ghosts”

8. “Something’s On The Move”

9. “Aqualung”

10. “Peggy’s Pub”

11. “Jack-In-The-Green”

12. “King Henry’s Madrigal”/Drum Solo

13. “Heavy Horses”

Disc Four: Live in the Netherlands (March 16. 1980)

1.  Flute Solo (incl. “Bourée/Soirée/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/Kelpie”)

2.  Keyboard Duet (Bach’s Prelude in Cm from the “Well-Tempered Clavier 1”)

3. “Songs From The Wood”

4. “Hunting Girl”

5. “Jams O’Donnel’s Jigs”

6. “Thick As A Brick”

7. “Too Old To Rock ’n’ Roll: Too Young To Die!”

8. “Cross-Eyed Mary”

9. “Guitar Solo”

10. “Minstrel In The Gallery”

11. “Locomotive Breath”

12. “Dambusters March”

DVD One: Audio Only

•  Stormwatch mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital
•  Flat transfer of the original 1979 mix at 96/24 LPCM stereo

DVD Two: Audio Only

• Contains 13 associated recordings mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital
• 15 associated recordings mixed to 96/24 LPCM stereo
• Five original mixes at 96/24 LPCM stereo