a highlight of the band

"Heavy Horses" is rightly regarded as one of the better albums of the British prog-rockers Jethro Tull; for me it's even one of the best.
It was published in 1978 at Chrysalis, Ian Anderson wrote music and lyrics, as usual alone (keyboardist David Palmer and guitarist Martin Barre had contributed a little "extra material", which of course did not change the fact that Ian Anderson was the absolute leader of the group, actually Jethro Tull personalized).
Barriemore Barlow worked on the drums, John Glascock was responsible for the electric bass, John Evan on piano and organ.
Anderson took over as always singing and playing the flute, to the acoustic guitar and the mandolin.
Palmer arranged plus strings and a guest musician could fiddle.
As on the previous album "Songs From The Wood" prog rock and folk-rock were very successful interlinked, Jethro Tull had (and have), also by the concise, grumpy voice of the bandleader, a very high recognition value, then created a quite own sound.
The lyrics are going to match the rural Cover (very British) to mice, cats, horses, but then again about human relationships and Sex.Die lyrics reflect Anderson's very dry British, partly sarcastic humor very nice again.
Although melodic choruses and therefore come very catchy, is a certain complexity can the album because of the interesting, sometimes lush rhythms not absprechen.Im opener eg superimposed different rhythms, which incredibly playful, lively acting and just drags.
On "Heavy Horses" there are no experiments, no brilliant longtracks (Thick As A Brick, "A Passion Play"), no funky "Passion Play", with texts, for which you need an extra manual, no new, "modern sounds "(eg sprawling electronics, as later in" Under Wraps ").
The nice, but somewhat immature phase ("Minstrel ...", "Too Old ..", "Warchild") has been completed since "Songs From The Wood".
Here makes Ian simply what he can, no frills, and the really good.
The whole album is bubbling with enthusiasm, great melodies, some with catchy character, much rock appeal, slanted moments and just makes a great fun.
The sound quality can be heard.
That the first CD edition compared to the good sounding old record fell significantly, is offset by the highly successful Remaster version from 2002.
The high dynamic range were barely circumcised, it has not been overridden, the tonal value over the old CD is impressive, without having the sound on "spectacular" trimmed hätte.Phantastisch.
These two nice bonus tracks on offer yet.
Who does not want to specify all of JT, should take "Heavy Horses" at his choice, at least in the short list.