Obituary
Dee Palmer (born David Palmer), former member of Jethro Tull – and orchestral / string arranger for the band for many years prior to formally joining – has died at age 88. A key member of the band during the “folk rock” years, appearing on Songs From the Wood through to Stormwatch.
In fact, having just checked, Dee Palmer produced horn arrangements for a track on This Was – so their association really does go back to the very beginning.
A real key player to achieving Ian’s vision for the new folky Tull. Left a decent legacy for the refined music fan. Properly trained and skilled musician who could also perform and rock with the best of them (if in a tail coat).
The string arrangements on the albums from Aqualung to Minstrel managed to contribute a huge amount to the sound without ever drawing too much attention away from the band.
I suppose it’s a bit more exposed on the acoustic tracks. For example, this is superb string writing, IMO…
Were the complex arrangements of Living in the Past also Palmer’s? If so, bravo, as it still amazes to this day.
A fabulous orchestral arranger for Bert Jansch in 1967: