"Heavy Horses" is the 11th studio album by the British progressive rock band Jethro Tull. This album was released in 1978 and is considered the second in a trio of folk-rock albums by the band. It's a follow-up to "Songs from the Wood," which was released in the previous year.
Being one of Jethro Tull's deeper dives into folk music, "Heavy Horses" is a celebration of the natural and the rural lifestyle. The concept album is dedicated to the role and importance of the working animal, specifically the 'heavy' horses in English agriculture.
The album showcases the fusion of electric rock music with traditional folk tunes, an approach that was becoming progressively valued during the era. With a total of nine tracks, the album was met with positive critical responses, lauding both its musical and lyrical depth.
The band lineup for this album included Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, John Glascock, Barriemore Barlow, John Evan, and David Palmer. While the album didn’t yield any hit singles, standout tracks include the title track "Heavy Horses" and "Acres Wild.”
"Heavy Horses" is significant in the band's discography and well-regarded by fans and critics alike, representing a mixture of the band's signature sound with elements of British folk and blending acoustic and electric elements to create a distinctive fusion defined as 'folk-rock'.
