As much as I like Songs From the Wood, I tend not to find it maintaining the standard set by the albums listed here. If I were to extend the list I’d place Benefit next (on a clear day, with no following wind, I’d even rate it above Minstrel…), then Songs From the Wood. Of course, this is mere personal preference, as these 70′s albums were all pretty essential in their own way.

You should really give Heavy Horses another go. Particularly the title track, which, for my money, is one of the progressive rock all-time greats.

Whilst just flitting through the reviews I was rather curious to see what you thought were/are Jethro Tull’s finest moments. I don’t really know the Heavy Horses album, but I’ll take a listen after your remarks. However, I am surprised that Heavy Horses made it in over ‘Songs from the Wood’. I feel that this album really was an excellent set of songs and the usual arrangements. For me it’s the next best album after ‘Minstrel in the Gallery’, which I found was probably their best collection of songs, and a very nice mixture of acoustic and electric songs/arrangements.

All in all another great point for Jethro Tull was their ability to add humor to the whole thing, a quality often missing.