Jethro Tull Rare Promo Vid for Solstice bells 1976

[MrAugustus88]

most of this progg masterpiece is based around a mini moog synthesizer along with Anderson's traditional flute,

[zredband]

I really wish the rock stations would play this during the "holiday season".

[redbetamax]

I remember seeing this on DLT's "Golden Oldies Picture Show" and thinking the animators had captured the spirit of the song extremely well. The only other song from the I remember is "Seven Drunken Nights" by the Dubliners. It was quite a funny one, but I suppose these videos were the exception rather than the rule.

This song comes from the Tull album "Songs from the Wood", which is well worth acquiring if you like this. A folk-tinged gem of a record.

[MrSmallblackdog]

Great song - but I can't imagine that the video is that rare any more ;-/

[phoenixturley]

Love, love Ian! Songs from the Wood, one of the best albums of all time. Truly!

[thunderc45]

As noted in earlier comments this was never associated with the original 'Bells' pre Christmas 76 released. Produced as part of an absolutely awful BBC programme where some "bright spark" coungered up the idea of creating videos for records from a previous era (Solstice actually just falls in the video age thinking about it). Whist this animation may seem credible for 'Bells' generally the videos ceated against the old hits were cringingly bad and the BBC soon dropped the programme

[mercmarc]

I feel bad for the poor bastard turning the crank on the fire!

[edwards21416]

pagan time you cant touch this

[flaviajamie]

My favourite seasonal song of all time. Loving the video. Thanx. Solstice blessings x

[gukonni]

Added. Bodda Boom Bodda Bing.

[CrustyBiker]

Watch this vid every Winter Solstice on here, lol! Going to my 1st Stonehenge Winter Solstice in the morning, 7:30am - 9:00am people ok, this is a much more serious and civilised one than the Summer Solstice, so don't go if your just after the heady drink and drug fueled free for all partay, wrong time of year ...!! :-)

[destructivedandy]

@CrustyBiker Brilliant. I watch it every winter solstice too! Hope you had a nice time at Stonehenge. Blessed be and Happy Yule!

[CrustyBiker]

@destructivedandy Yeah love this song!! snow covered Stonehenge was brilliant, loved it, better than the Summer one in many ways, went on my own but was still awsome experience, thanks! Blessed be and Happy Yule !!

[tslick75]

i feel better

[Lazersetcetera]

The best seasonal song. Hooray!

[JJJLRRR]

Thanks for posting :-) I feel all pagan like!

[Duudeabides]

Ring them bells..!

[weavehole]

This song was relwased the same month as me.

Anyone know what the exact release date was?

[mercmarc]

@weavehole Where were you released from?

[weavehole]

@mercmarc

A womb with no view

[kittyprydekissme]

A most joyous Yule to all!

[SuperGopher99]

Best christmas song of all time

[SuperGopher99]

Best christmas song of all time

[buskersteve]

Love this song and this cartoon vid sets it right up.

[buskersteve]

Love this

[SuitYouTailors]

onwebcameron is correct! I forget the name of the designer who pitched this particular animation to 'The Golden Oldie Picture Show' A programme which set music that was pre-video to new videos...but I was one of two BBC rostrum cameramen who filmed it frame by frame in Television centre in the late 1980's!.

[onwebcameron]

@SuitYouTailors

I think it may have been john Bennet who led the animation, he and Julian Gibbs were young animators from Birmingham, who worked also in London.

[wordreet]

WoW! Fantastic to see this! And thanks for sharing it. Although I must have seen it before, being 24 at the time, I don't remember it. but it is without doubt the best seasonal song, for me.

Sharing this, and fave too!

[gizlivadi8013]

And since the time approaches for us to celebrate, I just want to say everyone a Happy Christmas/Yule to all! That is for whatever you celebrate, I celebrate Christmas since I'm a christian and recognize Jesus as my savior, but I also do respect my heritage and pagan roots (hence I'm actually listening to this).

[edwards21416]

@gizlivadi8013 well said ,respect the heritage and pagan roots the tull song says it well ring out those bells

[flutytull]

Seen Tull twice in 2010 and enjoyed both This is a top seasonal offering .Not surprising because Ian says Christmas is his favourite time of year.They will never be flavour of the month but I think history will be kind to them.Such a vast quality back catalogue.IA the greatest Scottish artist ever?

[Jabb3r01]

1st of December 2010. Must listen to this awsome song. Nothin is more festive soundin imo

[flutytull]

@Jabb3r01 

[ge0rd1e]

My favourite seasonal song. God bless you, Ian

[mercmarc]

What up with the demented elf?

[mylittleparrot]

@mercmarc That's the Lord of Misrule, who was elected by the folk to rule over them during the Solstice/Yule and later 12 Days of Christmas in place of their lord. His "job" was to decree what people should do to celebrate (and generally to get as drunk as possible.)

[LordTomnoddy]

It IS Pagan, lifeson46

[lifeson46]

love this song....even though I'm a Pagan

[LordTomnoddy]

It IS Pagan

[lifeson46]

@LordTomnoddy do am I

[onwebcameron]

@mingeral

I worked with the animators at the time, who did this, and I remember it was quite low budget for then, they really had a free hand content-wise, as the powerful BBC really don't need permission to do much to peoples work under the contracts in those days. But Breughel as you pointed out was certainly one of the main references as I remember. Great minds think alike.

[taradead]

good, but not my favorite STFW song....although, what a wonderful bridge in this song

[koaschnir]

always makes me happy.............great

[monalisadreams]

What a wonderful find!

[ukrandr]

Echoing many others, this is really my all-time favorite SEASONAL song. A true masterpiece.

may the god(s) of your choice bless you.

[Seasonofgoodwill09]

Fantastic Number Christmas would not be christmas with out it.. Seasons Greetings to you and your family and god bless you all,

[urbanmyth67]

Bright blessings! Have a wonderful Yule! This is my favorite song of the season, and what a rare treat this video is! Blessed be to all! T x

[Hootyblooty]

I think this is a video produced in the mid 80s for a TV show hosted by DLT. They made videos for songs that were made before the video era - I think this one is from a Christmas special. But whatever the provenance, this is one of my all-time favourite Christmas (or whatever festival it's celebrating) songs.

[FrVazken]

Seven Maids move in seven time! Happy Solstice everyone.

[Starshadow]

Joyous Yule to all and may the Sun Return!

Blessed Be!

Starshadow

[GazzaBazzaPussyCat]

Come on you Druids!

How lovely to have proper snow (here in Woodseats at least) to celebrate the Winter solstice.

[scar4711]

HAppy Solstice Everyone!

[lamoyoucooke]

Love this song! My partner's atheist, so it's great to play music that doesn't alienate - but this is Christmassy enough to be enjoyed by Christians as well I think:-)

[SpookieLoveCookie]

Christmas is coming

The goose is getting fat

Please put a penny

In the old man's hat

[RooseveltFranklinFan]

To Stormwatch (or anyone who knows):

Can anyone translate the writing in the book at the beginning and ending of the video? I think it might be Latin, but I'm not sure. The word "cantesducum" appears. "Canto" in Latin means "to sing". Could "cantesducum" mean "let's sing"?

This song absolutely rocks BTW. It's one of my favorite tunes to listen to, especially this time of the year.

[TheSpoonFedFukWit]

Some of that imagery defiantly comes to mind when listing to "Songs From The Wood". Wonderful.

[duke000222]

Great song & vid

[sawmonkey]

I send this tune to all of friends come Yuletide... It's fucking awesome...

[Mrcampanero1]

Maravilloso Grande llevaba cien años de no escucharlo gracias Ian

[Aramintava]

The best song for the yule season. And its beautiful all year long.

[oldedrum]

'Songs From The Wood'---My 2nd fav Tull album.

'Heavy Horses'---# 1 in my book.

[timeship9]

My favorite song from Songs From the Wood! Has anybody seen them play this live? I can't seem to find a live perfomance.

[gizlivadi8013]

pure magic

[keithewright]

This was from a BBC show in the 1980s. People put videos to old singles that had no promos at the time. I think it was called the Golden Oldies Picture Show or something like that, and it was presented by Dave Lee Travis.

[SamanthaGillogly]

Has the feel of a Ralph Bakshi cartoon. Any idea who the animator was?

[onwebcameron]

@SamanthaGillogly

Yep, it was a guy who'd just left the BBC graphics dept to go freelance, John Bennet, and additional animation was by Paul Stone, both UK animators at the time. A very small budget, although this Christmas special, (of a BBC series of new videos put to old songs, hosted by DJ Dave Lee Travis), had a bit more than the others in the series. The hand drawn, traced on cel look, and the costumes is reminiscent of Bakshi's 'Lord Of The Rings' or 'The Hobbit' though.

[tokenminds]

@onwebcameron I think you'll also find that Tony Fisher had more than just a hand in the making of it. (It is his hand holding the quill).

[pompom1966]

Strange, but very good.

[SwornReaper]

Christmas' Eve now, Merry Christmas from SLC Utah USA...'d looked for this song for ages.

[Jabb3r01]

This is me fav xmas song.

[anutarasamyat]

I've always disliked crisscrossmass and the weird mixing of pagan practices crass commercial greed and the phony caring that once shown for a few days to the grovelling 'losers' in this psychopathic competitive economic system, everyone can go back to stabbing each other in the back, lying stealing and clawing their way a little higher during the year so maybe they can go even fucking crazier with the credit cards in the upcoming buying orgy. Then to mix the christian religion in on top. Oh dear

[metalshed]

I only wanted a bloody card!

[anutarasamyat]

sorry

[theeldergoth]

Wow! Thanks for posting this! I've always loved this song.

[Pkrules979]

Winter Solstice is when the Sun is at it's furthest angle from the Earth.

For those people that didnt know :-)

RING OUT THOSE BELLS!

[irishtullfan]

play this song full volume xmas morning magic

[Pkrules979]

Definitely!

[add2718]

Surely one of the best songs from SFTW! I think the handclaps during the verses really add to the funky rhythm. The bridge is freakin' awesome, too!

[PleiadesSeven]

so full of joy. Ring out these bells!

[lapolillazurda]

Genial! Nunca lo habia visto

[HotSummerof1976]

Really cool...

[grapefruitm00n]

Great song...was this ever a single? I remember my sister having Songs from the Wood on cassette and I used to swipe it from her all the time. Great album

[dporter697]

Did you not watch the clip released 1976 reached No 26

[grapefruitm00n]

oh yes..caught it. didn't watch it all the way first time

(Actually it says 28)

[Keith2855]

Great song from a great EP & album.

[badumpy]

My favorite album..of my favorite band...keep on rockin it...Tull

[honkiplex]

The show was called "The Golden Oldie Picture Show" from 1987-ish. We used to watch it as a family every week, and me and my dad nearly choked on our tea when this came on.

[Xxfancythat79xX]

Why did you do that?

[AmericanDiaz]

Fuck Travis who cares!

[OU8121ST]

Songs from the wood

[Chromachronic]

Thanks for posting this. I've loved this song since I was a kid and never saw this video before. The animation is beautiful.

[BGA67]

The video does fit the song absolutely, I don't personally reckon DLT had much to do with it though hardly an arty sort eh :)loved the snooker on the radio stuff though at the time... quack quack oops !

[biskitjj]

I don't care What the LOOk Like. THoses are Some of the BEST Musicians the world has seen.

Mostly I'm into New Music esp elecronic dance, but there is nothing Wrong with a band that is A ONE Of the KInd Ace Of Hearts.

AND if Your like dancing you can also do it to this songs.

[BGA67]

Hi Mingeral, just to reiterate the tv prog in question was called, I'm 80% certain of this, The rock and roll picture show, or something similar. Can't find any reference to it on wikipedia etc so may have got the name wrong, i remeber a George Harrison song being on the same edition of the show. This isn't an official video in any shape or form regardless of it being featured on Top of the Pops, can't prove it (do I have to?) just thought folks might want to know the history of it :)

[witsmith]

That video was kind of disappointing. After hearing the song and watching clips of it being performed, the imagery it conjured up was a little less repetative and cheerful and hopeful, but there's lots of leeway for interpretation in this video. Those dancers seemed like sheep, and the hunter seemed obligated to sustain them. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the dark side of the range of emotions Tull songs convey to me, but that video could've been more satisfying.

[Aqualung71]

This is a cool video,fits the song.

[olytanis]

Okay, after reading comments...a great Solstice song, I didn't find it monotonous (that's spelled "monotonous"-I believe you could look it up!). And you don't have to be pagan to celebrate Solstice, but it helps. Think about it: the reason for the season is...Solstice! Blessed be.

[Nami56]

Thanks for clearing that up BGA67. I do have to admit that I think it is somewhat ironic that in the scene of the townsfolk holding hands and dancing, the men appear to be wearing codpieces!

[BGA67]

I sent this video to Laufi about 8 years ago, sorry to disappoint everyone but its not an official video, as mentioned in this post earlier it was shown on bbc tv around 20years ago in an xmas edition of the rock and roll picture show, a tv show that put new videos to old songs. Dave lee Travis introduced it. I remember being knocked out that tull were on the telly an originally recording it on a betamax tape!

[GrilloTheFlightless]

Sorry to dissapoint you, but this isn't a 'rare' Tull video, merely a string of clips from some German cartoon. I don't know what it is called, but I have seen bits of it elswhere in its correct context. But the dead giveaway is that the photo at the end is not the lineup which recorded this song in the first place and was taken some six years earlier (note the different bass player and drummer)

[onwebcameron]

@GrilloTheFlightless

Not true, it's a bespoke animation for the Dave Lee Travis TV show on the BBC.

I know because as an animator I sat next to the two guys that did it, from concept to finish so to speak. Although I don't know about the photo only the animation which was done long after the music for a TV Christmas special.

[NaraNuri]

@onwebcameron Do you have a link to the whole original video?



[onwebcameron]

@NaraNuri

Hi I don't but as I recall this was the whole video, the rest of the 'show' was other random songs with live or animated videos introduced by Dave Lee Travis. Animation was often deemed too expensive but I believe this had extra budget because it was a Christmas special edition.

[onwebcameron]

@NaraNuri

...Others in the series were poor, 'Rubber Ball, (you come bouncing back to me), being memorable for having nothing but a red cartoon ball simply bouncing for the duration! The show was made by BBC Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham. But much of the animation in this was out-sourced to animators in London.

[Nami56]

Ok, perhaps not Notre Dame exactly, but a very interesting video nonetheless. I love the Grim Reaper hitting the bell and dancing towards the end!

[Nami56]

Thanks for your explaination rob940. It makes perfect sense to me now. I love the song but I could'nt figure out why Notre Dame Quasimodo were in the cartoon!

[70AWB70]

dammit wtf was ian anderson thinkin when they did this, jajajaj. actually its great but a little bit strange.

its so nord

[ThisIsBilbo]

Holy S**t! Where did this come from??

[Lindarth]

Many thanks for posting this. This is my fovourite Christmas song of all time. I can't believe I have stumbled upon this video. I had never seen it before. The wonders of You Tube.

[gasness1]

AHAHAA! I can't believe this. It's great.

[kirkwanglers32]

goods vid

[warrenzevonfan1010]

Maybe not but I still like the vid.

[waywardjohn]

jethro tulls music(ian anderson) is so full of emotion and imagery ,the whole songs from the wood album is pure genius , i had good fortune to see him at madison sq garden for the heavy horses or stormwatch tour , and U.K. opened for them ....my god i feel old : ( merry christmas to all : )

[roxyqueen2]

along with kate bush december will be magic the best seasonal songs ever!

[chichimus]

merry meet all.

Happy Solstice!

Chich the Witch :)

[guv07]

Joy

[albionsseed]

One of my favorites from the early years! Last few CD's have been by far Mr. Anderson's best work. Check them out if you haven't all ready.

[destructivedandy]

Happy yule fellow wiccans

[ZymogenicDestinova]

Yeah, merry solstice!

[Kortoso]

Not sure where it is pagan, except for the reference to druids. None of the pagan gods are mentioned for instance.

[pintpot]

Well, there's mistletoe, the holy oak, the solstice, the "sister" sun...

[zoundzy]

Brueghel anyone? :)

love this!

xx

[Texasjim2007]

Yes, The artwork on this is very Brueghelish. It goes beautifully with the song. I really wish more of the Jethro Tull stuff in Youtube

had stuff like this instead of just a lot of boring samo-samo old concert clips. I love Tull but you really can't experience concerts by youtube video clips. You have to be there

[ZymogenicDestinova]

I would say probably not. Most of Aqualung is full of references to God, Wind-up being the most obvious. I think they were pro-God, but anti-organized religion.

[Texasjim2007]

Paganism isn't Atheism. Although I'm a Roman Catholic now, I lived on a commune full of New Age Pagans back in the 1970s wben this came out. Pagans are pretty much like Hindus.

They're non-Christian but not anti-Christian

religious bigots like Atheists. All rational

people are "pro-God" includings Classical Pagans like Socrates. "Passion Play" is the Gospel According to Jethro Tull basically.

[ZymogenicDestinova]

Well said, and a fair summation of Paganism. I wasn't trying to infer that Paganism is akin to Atheism in any way more that I personally think that the God that Tull refer to is the monotheistic God of Christianity, rather than the Gods (or Goddesses) of other faiths. But hey, it's all down to personal interpretation really.

[Texasjim2007]

If you want to understand what Ian Anderson believes in his heart, read Shakespeare. Ian Anderson is the William Shakespeare of Rock and Roll. Shakespeare would probably be a big Jethro Tull fan if he was alive today.

[bostonjethrotull]

jethro tulls christmas album is pretty good. especially their instrumentals.

"we five kings", "greensleeved," "god rest ye merry gentlemen," and "winter snowscape" are a few good examples off that cd

[amoore2000]

agreed- I'm listening to it right now...

[warrenzevonfan1010]

nice vid

[rob940]

This isnt a promo video. it was recorded for a show called Dave Lee Travis' Video Jukebox. He is an english DJ- on the show he took old songs which didnt have a video with them originally and produced one to go with the song. It was fairly low budget and gave him opportunity to talk about the band and a little about the song. I remember watching this video on the show about 18 years ago.

[StormwatchUK]

Thanks for the Info rob940

[StuartChameleons]

Beautiful. Pity the real face of Xmas is yobs and slappers on the beer and spending the day with people you can't stand!

[shakeyspheres]

Thanks for the spelling lesson teacher, one point to you for 'believe' one point to me for 'monotomus.'

One all - truce.

[croesrob]

Nope, I though I'd but in and say its still 2-0 in spelling. The word is monotonous, but the song isn't.

Heh heh! Cheers for the good read though!

[shakeyspheres]

And why Sir, does criticism need to be constructive. Arn't we free to say whatever we want? I'm sure Ian isn't going to lose any sleep over it.

Okay then: Song = hand clapping monotomus the voice linear, tuneless and dull. Video = Repetitive and amateurish.

I can't beleive that out of his many songs this had to be a hit!

[shakeyspheres]

I am a fan of JT. What attracted me to this video was the advert of 'rare promo vid.' I never seen the video before. To be a fan of something dosn't mean you can't be critical. I would be very surprised if you liked everything JT ever did. Did you know that Ian dosn't like the original version of 'Living in the past.' Perhaps you should write to him and complain. Lesson for the day: Try to make your own mind-up about what you like and don't like, You're not a sheep are you?

[blastull]

una de las canciones de jethro tull que no pueden faltar en navidad,

[shakeyspheres]

boring video for a one of Tull's most boring songs, yawn!

[lerpwlambyth]

Great video for one of Tull's greatest songs, nice!

I think that's what you meant. :=)

[shakeyspheres]

Yeah a truely great video. No repetition at all! I think it suits the song very nicely.

[knuwspicker]

Excellent!

[ExiledLadyLove]

Most entertaining.  There is genius afoot

[Hyde48]

Really cool song

[alexhogan]

Wow! Festive Yuletide video! Must show this to my Pagan friends! And save it to watch next Winter Solstice!

[DBAViking]

THis is amazing! I was only 2 in 76 but i htink i rmemeber seeing htis at one point.

I love this song and the whole Songs From The Wood album, tell me does anyone know if ithis video was done by Ralph Bakshi? the rotoscoping and genreal style is very reminiscaent of Bakshi's work

[alexhogan]

OMG! Ralph Bashki??? I havent thought of him in years! Must go now and look him up! Thanks for reminding me!

[dorianpod77]

bellissimissimissimissimaaaaaa­aaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mussusbutley]

I know this, hence the inverted commas. I know that these 'Johnny come lately'Christians hijacked that particular time of year for their own purposes, however I still call that time of year Christmas despite not being religious...same as I would say 'Thursday' without in the least believing in Thor.

[mussusbutley]

A beautiful secular 'Chistmas' song

[KingHellstrings]

Only Ian would write a Christmas tune in 7/8...

[fuddled]

This was a fun LP. High school memories come hazily seeping back. "Hey Sumpter, pass us that bottle. The Christmas spirit is not what you drink." Or, some such anebriated witt.

[kbrowneyes]

Always loved this---how beautifully eccentric this guy is---and how very different his music----superb stuff!------x--K----x

[14adela]

Wonderful song! I'm very happy when I listen it! Thank you for posting it!

[Nightfall9179]

Odd, but then again... I cannot say that does not describe Tull. Despite the oddities, I love them no matter what!

[DAVWOD]

Yes it's Spring , but could listen to this anytime many thanks. Does Anyone know what Jethro is upto these days? - I guess he's still with us -I hope so

[jabbso]

Yeah thats awesome thanks for posting :-)

[sawmonkey]

I am sending it on to everyone that I know. Happy Solstice to all!!!

[sawmonkey]

My favourite tune for the Festive Season!

[girvanite]

Thanks Stormwatch, I have been a Jethro Tull fan for over 30 years and this is the first time I've seen this version.

[pocogirl]

A great song, and a very interesting video promo! Thanks so much for sharing StormwatchUK. It is also interesting to note that although this was released in 1976, the picture at the end of the video is of the original band from 1967-1970?