DAILY SPORRAN No.179. Cover of “Velvet Green” (by Jethro Tull)

Daily Sporran no.179: My cover version of “Velvet Green”, from Jethro Tull’s 1977 album “Songs From The Wood”. Written by Ian Anderson (with additional material by Dee Palmer).
Song starts at 0:26
#SongsFromTheWood #ScotchPine #DistantCowsLowing #LegsInTheAir #YoungGirlsFancy #OldMaidsDream #WildOakSeed #iananderson #martinbarre #johnglascock #DeePalmer #JohnEvan #BarrieBarlow #acoustic #cover #ProgRock #ProgTudor

[@user-zs2ly5qu3f]

This song was beyond ZEN...Jethro Tull was a Marvel...And...Stew that was GREAT...Thanks so much...

[@billsaunders5717]

My goodness I’ve watched some great videos of yours over the years, but this is truly exceptional. It highlights perfectly the genius of Ian Anderson and as you say (and Martin Barre used to say) “these songs keep you on your toes” ! Not only do you have supreme talent in playing this song sublimely, the explanations at the end are just so insightful. I’ve loved this song since I first heard it as a schoolboy in the year it was released, and now, in the year of my retirement I understand a little more. Thank you Stuart, that was magical

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

Love this tune is purely genius 😅

[@uncleambient]

That looks incredibly difficult to play so well done sir. Ian Anderson himself praised you recently which is well deserved.

[@StalkedHuman]

That's good news. I sensed his presence.. I wonder is dee Martin and Mr wood could reunite with Ian for a tullttally tulled out show.

[@midnightroamer9379]

das ist schon faszinierend wie Sie es schaffen, die Komplexität dieses Songs auf eine Solo Gitarre zu übertragen. Das ist ja schon die Quadratur des Kreises. Meinen allergrößten Respekt

[@adamjacksonmedia]

This song has remains one of the most adventurous, exciting Jethro Tull songs I've enjoyed throughout my life. I suspect it's heavily a Dee Palmer piece. After hearing her orchesteral arrangements, and solo record. EDIT: Now I've reached the end of the performance, thank you kindly for confirming that Dee Palmer did indeed contribute heavily to this piece It has a vide similar to Pastime with Good Company (King Henry's Madrigal) Dee Palmer is a true genius. Her solo album is heavily played at my home.

[@arnoldwohler]

Apparently there is a connection: something that you enjoy playing because it is simply well done, you can play it again and again - and you can listen to it again and again without finding it boring ...

[@raylomas8228]

Still one of my favourite Tull songs - thank you very much!

[@Roystreatham]

Excellent version of this song thanks! In 1977 I was 17 and saw them on the SFTW tour at Newcastle City Hall. He was getting a real kicking from the press at the time which had been almost continous since A Passion Play. I had a foot in both camps, I loved The Jam and The Clash as well. I think he hit his zenith in the late 70s.

[@DailySporran]

Thank you. The sheer audacity of taking the creative turn towards proggy folk-rock in late 1976, when punk was taking over, is something I’ve always admired. And I speak like you as a fan of The Damned, The Sex Pistols, X-Ray Spex and a lot of the New Wave that was to come

[@alexbrands5653]

Wow, I've been hoping for this one, and it's as fantastic as I could have hoped! One of the most complex arrangements the band ever did, and you really captured it - great job!

[@SentinelBand]

Wow!!! Incredible guitar playing. You make it look so easy and this super crazy song is far from easy. It's also my favorite Tull tune. Keep up the great work!

[@iancavalari7286]

Wonderful. I could listen to you talk about Jethro Tull for hours. You always have some fascinating tidbit I wasn’t previously aware of.

[@BobC59]

I’m speechless. Absolutely blown away, despite knowing that if anyone could have pulled this off, it would be you, and only you. I would gush more, but will defer to Bill Saunders’ comment which is an almost exact representation of my own history and sentiments.

[@mostmike]

Woohoo! I’ve had this song on the brain, how did you know??

[@shaungreenhalgh832]

Great stuff Stewart, I really like the extended format. Keep them coming

[@goog646]

This is the one I've been waiting for 👏. And you certainly didn't disappoint. Can't believe how well you played that middle break 👍👍, and I love the "lengthy nonsense" at the end.

[@paulc4379]

Wow! Well done Steward. You really captured the soul of the song! This is probably my favourite Tull song.

[@deemdoubleu]

Dedication's what you need as Roy Castle said and you have that in spades. Well done, fantastic.

[@ymmit7459]

Always been in my top 5 tull songs. Favorite off of SFTW. Thanks!

[@halabianas5486]

When Ian Anderson gets in his song Stewart wood gets also. Good thanks for you.

[@mermaid10x]

Appreciation from Canada. We used to listen to this album often while headed to the launching spot for our hang gliders so your rendition brings pleasant memories of younger days and adventure. Cheers

[@meetontheledge]

Thank you Stewart - such a beautiful song and you have created the impossible, playing every major part.

[@traceystern6592]

You’re such a nerd. I love that!!!! 🎉

[@eyeofamon]

"Natural" imagery... yes, that's one way to put it, I suppose 😀

[@DailySporran]

Indeed!!

[@brianbess5649]

Another fantastic cover, Stewart! "Velvet Green" is, like you said, one of the Tulliest Tull songs they ever recorded. I love how you not only capture the song as it's sung and played by Ian but also replicate on acoustic guitar all the musical changes the band goes through in the piece of music as well.

[@martinbailey8025]

Fantastic singing and playing, I think it's one of my favourite Tull songs as well! My musical ear isn't good enough to work our the opening verses and Dee Palmer's middle instrumental sections and love this arrangement

[@TheStarlingboy]

Yet another wonderful version of a Tull classic. And such great insight too. Many thanks.

[@gregorybetteridge8943]

Another band that should be in the rock n roll hall of fame. Nice cover !

[@bateriaeletronica]

The more complex the band is, the less people like it. So not being in the hall of fame is a good sign.

[@afbklyn]

Love Tull, playing guitar again, would buy you a beer any day

[@amoh5]

I love Ian Anderson's exotic chords and nuances of a romantic fairy tale medieval world, very enchanting and beautiful, especially those exotic fairy tale minor chords, a little bit like stairway to heaven, very romantic and fairy tale-like 🥰 👍 👌 Even the Genesis had folk 12 string guitars sounding very romantic and fairy tale-like medieval sounds from Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford, Steve Hackett and even Tony Banks 😊

[@JosephFrancisBurton]

Loved this song when I was in high school - now that I am older and understand the lyrics a little better, I am personally convinced that Ian Anderson must have written this song after reading the novel _Adam Bede_ by George Eliot. Thank you for the outstanding rendition.

[@MatthewKocel]

Bravo Stewart! Greetings from the west coast of "southern" Canada! I thoroughly enjoy your renditions of this sublime music that had a positive impact on my life, which began when I saw them live in Denver, Colorado, 1977... my first memory of this song. As a guitarist and singer, Jethro Tull provides the most challenging pieces of my personal repertoire. I currently play Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day, Thick as a Brick, and the acoustic portion of Aqualung as a medley,. Also Mother Goose, and Salamander. But now you've thrown down the gauntlet. I'm going to learn this song now....Ok, maybe AFTER I learn Cold Wind to Valhalla, Wondering Aloud, and Cheap Day Return...THEN I'll learn Velvet Green. Haha! Thank you for the inspiration, friend I've never met. PS - I'm a hybrid throat singer/overtone singer and multi-instrumentalist. In case that piques your interest, I offer you a sample of my own musical medicine here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2O7i2SXgs9sf6Msi=VlnjiLqkrq8uO2xu

[@mulberrywood4529]

Du bist wirklich ein großartiger Musiker! Ein Meister! Dein Velvet Green hört sich klasse an! Jeder Part klingt super und es ist ein absolut schwieriges Stück. Und Du schaffst es noch dazu zu singen. Wahnsinn! Echt toll, dass Du das kannst! Thank You for Sharing!

[@Wayne-mp7pk]

This is a beautiful video about a beautiful song.exeptional.you were realy in the zone .

[@pattyquin300]

👏👏👏👏 bravo merci 🥰🥰 Irresistible song, so smartly explained and sung, Mix of styles is sweet and … velvety ☺️

[@mikekaine7156]

This is amazing! Incredible the way you can cover the whole song just on the acoustic. My favourite Tull song and you nailed it, Stuart! 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️

[@Kirkhill]

Nice, I'm of course sitting here working on expanding the ever thickening Thick As A Brick...

[@matthewsan78]

Great song and album indeed. Love the post song descriptions! Keep them coming.

[@valeriodeambroggi927]

I absolutely agree with you about every topic you talked about. From the song that puts all the JT fans together, to the magnificent lyrics and amazing time signature changes. Wonderful job for just a man with an acoustic guitar. Thank you.

[@rooboymadethis]

Stewart, that was amazing! Thank you so much. ✌🏼

[@ScottHunterBooks]

A fabulous job, Stewart - such a tricky, unique and evocative song. You nailed it. Wonderful.

[@georgeisaac9european387]

Fabulous ! It’s so sad most people don’t get the melody of Tull. Wonderful cover.

[@ThePokeAlexander]

Superb. An absolute favourite of mine too. Brilliantly played! Thank you.

[@nomdeplume2724]

Great stuff Stewart. Thank you. I was right back in the Seventies at school then for a moment listening with my mates. Fantastic. I feel the rest of the album coming on this evening!🤓 Cheers 🍻

[@floydwebtube]

That was outstanding, Stewart! You have an brilliant knack for blending all of the melodical nuances of the different instruments and parts to create a cohesive one-man rendition of extremely complicated songs. This rendition is superb! It’s easy to see how much you enjoy it. I did as well. I kept having to stop myself from singing along just to see what you were doing. So, you’ll get several views out of me on this one. LOL Thank you for the analytical breakdown at the end. You obviously love Tull, and Ian Anderson as much as I do. Good on you. Cheers mate!

[@dennishinkle5010]

Bravo sir excellent job. Thank you for sharing.👍

[@raypitcher9767]

Sensational rendition, a Tull classic in every bar.

[@ericredlefsen5554]

Great performance, great analysis of the tune. You nailed the time changes! Bravo.

[@ChrisBiggsyBrown]

Seriously awesome Stewart. I love the fact you talk through the song at the end, really fascinating. Keep it up.

[@biserkasertic1208]

Great performance! I'm fascinated how you can play this first part and sing in the same time.The midle part of the song is one of mine favor Ian's vocal melodies (I always call it "minstrel part").Your discusion of the song is very interesting.Please do this talking part for every song you cover.👍

[@rattleshakti]

Excellent job Stewart and a fascinating breakdown at the end, I'm sure your viewers could handle more of these little insights into the construction of these epic songs, I certainly would. Top marks!

[@adampolczyk966]

So so good! Bravo! 👏And thank you!!! ...for your wonderful rendition and for deepening my appreciation of a favourite Tull song. Relatively new to your channel, but loving your amazing work. Listening my way through your videos is such a pleasure 🙏

[@allanwidner9276]

Amazing adaptation to a single instrument. Also loved how you managed to capture the conspiratorial, nudge and wink tone of the original. The narrator is, after all, a notorious lady's man convincing a maiden how wonderful it would be to be his latest conquest - and frankly doing well at it.

[@Jens-tc5yz]

Min favorit....och Rover❤❤❤❤❤

[@lucymay29]

Absolutely brilliant and a joy to watch you play and perform this and it's great of you to share some of the details of how it's played. A fav Tull track of mine. Cheers. ATB

[@stephenbifani7798]

You are a treasure, sir

[@garyschafer-thepickinpilot9010]

Beautiful performance Stewart. 👏👏🎸🎸❤❤

[@gregmiller7123]

Great rendition! Could almost be mistaken for two guitars! I look forward to watching more of your Tull videos! Cheers from Dallas!

[@Clooosen]

Hi, i´am realley impressed by your complete Jethro Tull cover "Work"! Thats what i call near perfect, thank you for this great gift and go on.... Greetings

[@DailySporran]

Thank you very much

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

I would love to play this tomorrow..going to try it.. man you're incredible gifted

[@DaveGardnerMusic]

Wow! Amazing cover and analysis. I would not have thought this song could be successfully covered on solo acoustic. But your rendition captures the song perfectly.

[@ValfreyjaAndTheHarp]

Fabulous cover and love your discussion at the end, thank you!!

[@madsnielsen3952]

Excellent 🎉👌👌👌

[@pauledwards1226]

Magnificent song done very well. As always, beautifully done and great commentary, too. Thank you.

[@patriciotorres2512]

Bravo bravo bravo Bravísimo.

[@details78]

I discovered and fell in love with this album as a 9 year old. Exceptional version. Love coming to this channel.

[@RobGrayWetherby]

@billsaunders5717 you're absolutely right there - its truly exceptional.

[@rushgeddy8375]

Excellent. I met Tull back in 1980 when Jobson was with them. You are now better than the original......

[@rabdanely]

👍👍👍

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

Excellent ..love this going trout woods fishing " songs from the woods " the album is great 👍 nice brother 👍

[@tangobayus]

Good to see someone doing what you're doing with a flat pick :)

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

Stewart your description of a bit of rock with accents of medieval celtic classical chordal tones amazingly interesting too , Ian Anderson's singing ( which you did amazing) (very tight version on the acoustic as expected) l'll be following along with you.. ty for sharing!️

[@mattrogers1946]

Thank you for breaking this song down for us guitar players. Cheers!

[@bkbcpa]

Excellent version!

[@FormulaProg]

Fantastic as always

[@andrewarmstrong6592]

Love your work!!!

[@wildrosecece]

One of my favorite songs! Every thing that you pointed out at the end, I have felt in my bones and yes this song has always kept me on my toes. The tempo changes, imagery, folky, chamber music, lustful promises. Strength and gentleness splayed out in this majestic piece.

[@barracuda62]

Superb job my friend, really good.

[@colincunniff8918]

So well done

[@bigmab]

Dang dude, you've got talent!!!

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

❤

[@prithviswar]

Magnificent arrangement and rendition. Truly outstanding. Thank you.

[@ryanweatherman-holt4805]

so good!!

[@vincenzomarino3876]

Thank you Stewart! Excellent as always 🙂

[@waynemyslinski7995]

Just wonderful Stewart ❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Gilfanon-2]

What a terrific arrangement, and performance! Wonderful!!

[@KatieRosesDad]

Thank you! The discussion and the end very nice!.

[@IamClapham]

Great song, great performance, great commentary.

[@etulfkrow]

Once again....bravo!!

[@brianhudson7058]

100% you've hit the nail squarely on the head - this is a wonderful reproduction I wonder if you'll ever do any on these in the studio?

[@wernermcgann3792]

Amazing! Thank you 😊

[@marclandry893]

Wow! Excellent as always!

[@Larrybabbin1957]

Love this

[@richrol58]

Are you playing another guitar with your toes?? Really outstanding!!

[@triggerfish999]

Asking Q here coz you are more likely to see it. In 'Up The Pool', is it Edward Pier or Edward Bear? I always heard Pier (and wondered who this was) but others hear Bear (and in newer recordings of IA doing this..with his sadly shot voice, he does seem to sing 'Bear'). And apparently..if it is Bear, it's Pooh's real name and a nickname for Ted Heath.

[@RoyalDavid]

Great playing and greater commentary. You should prevail on your fellow Lords of that stuffy House to induct Velvet Green along with Songs from the Wood into British National Treasure status of some sort. Certainly not lesser world US R&R H O F material.

[@adamjacksonmedia]

Stewart did you not have a cover of Budapest, or am I imaging things?

[@DailySporran]

@@adamjacksonmedia It’s coming …

[@adamjacksonmedia]

@DailySporran Ohhhhh Nice! I've just learnt it on in piano. My sincerest condolences when you get to the instrumental 🙏 😊 Holy cow... it's a cross between the instrumental in Dire Straits Private Investigation (uncannily similar)... and a Rush instrumental. Having said that... this us the comment section to Velvet Green isn't it? So of you can get through Velvet Green and Minstrel... you're pretty much good to go.

[@NuntiusLegis]

I couldn't listen to this anymore once I became aware of the vile lyrics - a man seduces a woman by lying he would love her, then leaves her, fully aware she might end up pregnant with ruined reputation. At least there is an istrumental version on the String Quartets album (Velvet Gold).