Despite its age, this collection remains the best introduction to the wonderfully bizarre sounds of Jethro Tull – a unique combination of folk music, progressive rock, heavy metal, and of course, Ian Anderson's ubiquitous flute. Drawing exclusively from the band's '70s heyday, opener "Living in the Past" sets the retrospective tone, leading the way into the signature guitar riff of "Aqualung," the band's multifaceted pièce de résistance. Though lyrically indecipherable, "Locomotive Breath" is equally timeless, and the moment when John Evan's fanciful piano intro gives way to Martin Barre's guitar feedback remains thrilling. With his acoustic guitar in hand, Ian Anderson becomes a medieval bard, drawing the listener into worlds of legend both threatening ("Sweet Dream," "Witches Promise") and joyously carefree ("Thick as a Brick," "Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day"). The unbelievable kaleidoscope of sound which makes up "Songs from the Wood" is simply too original and intricate for words to describe.

One of the first acts signed to the fledgling Harvest label in 1969, Bakerloo were very much a product of their time, a hard-hitting progressive blues band whose predilections ranged from a straightforward assimilation of Willie Dixon to some positively dazzling flashes of instrumental prowess. Guitarist Dave Clempson's "Big Bear Folly," the opening cut on the band's first and only album, is a dazzling Ten Years After-style showcase, while a jazzy variation on a theme of Bach, the aptly titled "Driving Bachwards," proves that the band wasn't averse to messing with the classics, either.

Following a very brief stint with prototype heavy metal heroes, Blue Cheer (only half of an album) Randy Holden released this solo album featuring only himself on guitar and a drummer. It's a masterpiece of thundering behemoth rhythms and a soaring wailing guitar. Holden's guitar sound is drenched in lysergic acid. His mastery of feedback rivals anything by the master Jimi Hendriz. One could even say his innovative and experimental style is in a class by itself. Unfortunately, Randy Holden never received much acclaim during his music career for reasons of bad management and associations with less talented musicians, but this single rare album, long unavailable even on vinyl is proof that many musical geniuses are so far ahead of their time that few listeners are able to appreciate their greatness. His retooling of "Fruit & Iceburgs" from his collaboration with Blue Cheer on their third LP (NEW AND IMPROVED)is a brutal musical journey into the paranoiac synesthesia of hallucinogenics far surpassing the original version. "Blue my Mind" also represents Holden's gripping ability to hypnotize the listener and absorb one into the musical landscape he creates. All in all a great album!