How A Passion Play changed Jethro Tull forever .

[@Martin.Wilson]

"Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see." ~ Arthur Schopenhauer. This album was genius.

[@ricklochead1032]

A Passion Play was the most exciting and well played concert ever!!

[@lanzdona]

One of the greatest albums ever recorded. The concert was mind blowing and one of my favorite shows.

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

A Passion Play was probably the best thing Tull ever did. SO far advanced from anything else. Great song(s), great production, brilliant playing...critics be damned.

[@kentclark6420]

I used to like TAAB better, but now am firmly a Passion Player!

[@drj602]

Amen.

[@kentclark6420]

Well, actually, I alternate between the two.

[@blackinblue11]

It really is something else, isn't it;)

[@tarquinfintim5910]

I'm quite bemused to see how A Passion Play was roundly condemned by many fans as going in the wrong direction when it was released (rather like Yes's Tales from Topographic Oceans) only to be very well received decades later. Whereas this is the only Tull album I ever had and thought it was great, but I had nothing to compare it to except my other fave albums at the time like Close to the Edge.

[@beabullfrankthetank5023]

I attended the July 19, 1973 Passion Play show in San Diego. At the age of 15, I was a huge tall fan. That concert was A life-changing experience. I literally have listen to the album constantly since it came out. I don't know how many times I've listened to it but it's in the thousands along with thick as a brick. The Passion Play show was simply amazing, I was in the 19th row Center and I remember every second of the show including the opening act, steeleye span. I've seen Tull probably 50 times, even once at a venue I operated and got to meet the entire band including Ian and Martin. They also signed my six-year-old son's miniature Les Paul, as my son's name iss Ian. I've seen Ian Anderson solo a half a dozen, and I've seen the Martin Barre band twice on back-to-back nights doing an all acoustic show. Before the war child show, I went to the sports arena in San Diego in the afternoon just to get more excited about the show and I saw an Open Door. I went into the arena when nobody was there and went down to the seating area and saw people Milling about the soundboard and then one by one the band members started coming out onto the stage. They were about to do their sound check. I went down and sat in the front row and watched the sound check. It was like I was getting a private concert from Jethro Tull a sincere thrill to a teenager. To me, every tour was fabulous and thoroughly entertaining. As a matter of fact today in my home remodel business I had hired a new assistant who is just 18. I told him as I put on the Bluetooth in an album off of KZbin that I hoped he liked classic rock. He said that his favorite is classic rock and I said well good then we're going to get along just fine. I put on a Passion Play. He was familiar with tall and he was familiar with Passion Play. So there's hope for the Youth because this kid loves a Passion Play. I'm glad I didn't have to fire him on his first day.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Thank you for your amazing comment buddy . Have you seen our review of the Warchild tour ? and the Martin Barre one ? More Tull to come .

[@beabullfrankthetank5023]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 I will check it out when I get home tonight thank you

[@Falkowski82]

You and I seem to be the biggest tull fans my old man saw them in chicago on that tour loved it the best show of the time I seen them three times, I meet ian anderson cool guy .

[@Falkowski82]

How was the martin barre band? I love his guitar work he needs more credit as a guitar god.

[@geoffreydowen5793]

I saw them same age in London, empire pool. now 65 godbless you mate

[@tunnelamende6214]

Even before watching this video I need to state: This is my favourite Tull album.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Thank you more Tull to come .

[@Tangento]

Same: 100% - followed by *Songs from The Wood*

[@blackinblue11]

Well..when I have first heard Critique Oblique, the almost instrumental one from extended album, I tought while my mind was blown .. here it is, the song that has many many many music that I've heard all my life around..so talented, ahead of it's time, silent influencers of many many bands. And my god what a sound

[@uncleambient]

It's a real shame that Ian Anderson has a negative view of a Passion Play because it got a pounding from the critics at the time and because of the whole 'Jethro Tull split' fiasco, which was all Terry Ellis's fault. A Passion Play is Anderson's Magnum Opus, he and the band were at their absolute creative peak. He really needs to get over himself and acknowledge APP for the masteriece that it is.

[@MLewisDesign]

Agree, it’s Ian’s greatest masterpiece!!! My favourite album ever.

[@kentclark6420]

Why in the heck would they even give a damn what the critics thought? It's the fans that count!

[@russellszabadosaka5-pindin849]

don juan easier said than done. Show me a person beloved by many and hated by few, and I guarantee those few will eat away at that person’s soul and confidence for at least a brief period. It’s human nature. Everyone wants to be loved. Those who don’t are often sociopaths.

[@kennethbutler1343]

Oh, he and the band hated playing that album...we fans all love it, but apparently it wasn't a lot of fun for them. I only learned to play a little Tull: Back Door Angels and most of the Aqualung album. Even today I am amazed Passion Play could even BE played live! Wish I could have seen it.

[@a.k.1740]

@@kennethbutler1343 I don't think A Passion Play was hated by everyone in the band! It is a somewhat distorted view in hindsight. Back in the days before the album was badly received by the music press, Ian Anderson was very satisfied with it and even Martin Barre spoke highly of it for many years! even Jeffrey Hammond in a more recent interview said it was his favorite time in the band (considering he had been involved in some part of the artistic making of Thick As A Brick and this one).

[@Tull1996]

This and "Thick as a Brick" have long been my two favorite Tull albums.....both are masterpieces.

[@capcompass9298]

I rate "Benefit" highly too. Simple and fun to listen to.

[@geoffreydowen5793]

I agree and I love Warchild also

[@johnalucard7860]

A great album a hard listen at first, but it grows on you.. It will never leave you once you get through it

[@Russellbruce5056]

My first Tull concert during 1973 which was their Passion Play tour at the Los Angeles (Inglewood) Forum, the concert was just amazing! I hadn't heard A Passion Play, but I immediately went out and bought the album, recorded it to cassette, and played it over and over again until my cassette deck ate up the tape. Still one of Tull's best.

[@preahko]

I think this album was (and still is) BRILLIANT. I like it way more than Thick as a Brick...I think it's more musical, more varied, and more musically adventurous. It all still holds up, too (well, except maybe The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles, but that was always something to pretty much just ignore). I'll never forget when it was first released; my local "underground" FM station played the entire thing at midnight, and 13 year old me hungrily anticipated every note. The concept, the music...it all just blew me away, and still does.

[@haydenwalton2766]

the hare who lost his specticles used to annoy me but know I love it. I've always thought of it as a homage to Prokofiev's peter and the wolf. and maybe just as good - which is no mean feat.

[@EDBinOKC]

Since I first heard A Passion Play I was caught off guard and blown away by the musical talent and the theme of it. I’ve listened to it hundreds and hundreds of times and it never gets tiring. It makes me glad that Barrymore Barlow realized it’s greatness. I love to listen to reaction videos on KZbin by younger generations and watch as they become enthralled in its greatness. It never gets old. It is an ageless album.

[@vincent3658]

Finest musical experience of my life, what a tragedy we do not have a quality filming of this true musical masterpiece.

[@stevejones8660]

Incredible show. Warm up group was Robin Trower with Bridge of Sighs. Tull came out and played the whole 45 minutes of APP straight thru with movies behind the screen. It had not been released yet in NA, and it was all new and fresh. No one knew WTF was going on, The band took a short break and came back and played 2 hours of their more familiar songs. Just fucking awesome..

[@drj602]

Best show I was ever at. AISABOT 😎

[@geoffreydowen5793]

truly for a 15year old boy and his brother was truly magical.

[@TheLastOilMan]

Yes me an brother we’re there, Earls court , love mike

[@goofe.washington953]

Simply put, “A Passion Play” is a masterpiece, breathtaking in its complexity - and certainly musicianship. An absolute masterpiece.......

[@stephc4427]

Saw them perform this in Boston Garden Fall 1973. Magical, amazing. I agree with everything you ssid here. The critics were jealous. Ignore them we all said, they know nothing.

[@tonymingo179]

I was there at wembley, as you say fantastic performance, it is the only time I can remember hearing a whole album live before it had been released, the band were brilliant, and on every tour they were the best live band I saw that year, I have not seen them since Martin Barre left, without him they are not TULL

[@alantattersall3190]

I'm 72 now and still a massive Tull fan, Stand Up being my Stand Out album. I remember rushing to the record shop to buy A Passion Play on the day of it's release and playing it immediately. "What the ...? " and putting it back on the shelf. After listening to this review I'm now going to play it again for the second time.

[@alantattersall3190]

@Terncote ha! Just purchased a pair of 1978 Wharfedale E70's to replace my E50's so really looking forward to hearing it in all it's glory. I need my partnwr to go out for the day. Damn the pandemic!

[@neckercube1257]

Like yourself, probably, I still listen to a lot of music from that period, being 15 in 1971, and going to my first gig to see Van der Graaf and Genesis for a mere 8 Bob (40p!). Stand Up was one of the first albums I bought, partly because I loved the cover. It's still one of my favourite listens. And of course, next comes Benefit, Aqualung and TAAB, each presenting an increasing demand on one's listening skills, but always with a melodic and structural complexity that guarantees rewards on each new listen. But as discussed here A Passion Play has always proved to be the 'problem play'. Just as you mention, you 'shelved it' at the time as it didn't live up to expectations. Even though I bought the album at the time, and did see them perform it live, I was also, like many others, a bit bemused and befuddled. I remember the audience at Glasgow's Apollo being a bit gobsmacked and not quite sure how to react to APP. They came to life when the set returned to more well-established material. The reasons for this response are as complex as the music itself. I've known people who regard the album as a point of no return, the point were Tull pushed the envelope just a bit too far. Even Anderson seems to agree with this perception. But to get to the point ... A Passion Play deserves time and patience in order to get used to its particular musical language/soundscape. It can be quite deceptive at first, but it is a grower. If you're expecting the immediacy of TAAB then that doesn't help. The lyrics themselves are quite obtuse but not impossible. Persevere and it will reveal its very peculiar beauty through constant listening.

[@alantattersall3190]

@@neckercube1257 ok so I listened again and still didn't grab me but I won't abandon it just yet. Also struggling with some later Soft Machine!

[@johnamberg6786]

I wish I was old enough to have seen this tour. In college I spoke to guys who saw this concert and they swear it was the most amazing concert they have ever seen.

[@bherenow]

I'm 70, and saw Jimi, Cream, Sonny and Cher, Lovin' Spoonful....all in the late 60s and early 70s...and then I saw the 'Passion Play' tour.....I can still remember where I was sitting in the Hampton Coliseum for that show....nothing ever like it, before or since......Eagles, Who, Men At Work, CSNY....all great, but my top five lifetime concerts would all be Tull, with 'Passion Play' at number 1, by a large margin. It is their masterpiece....

[@stevejones8660]

My first concert. First time eating acid too. A life changing experience for sure.

[@tommy..980]

I’m 62 and have saw a lot of great bands but seeing JT and Ian Anderson is hands down the best musical band I have ever seen!!!! Ian a total Genius!!!!

[@mikerucker5167]

Still my all-time favorite album. Nice piece you did here. Thanks for putting this together.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Mike thank you . Just wanted to put down my memories of that time .

[@altayles5468]

1973 Passion Play concert was the best concert I've ever seen. After the entire album, Their second number was Thick as a Brick, pretty much all of side one. Then the played much of Aqualung, ending with Locomotive Breath and Wind Up. The stage show was unequalled. I am so disappointed that there was no video of this incredible concert. Only snippets of 8MM crap. I have always dreamed of a TV station in LA locating the video of an entire show in their back vault. BTW I agree with your analysis of Passion Play. I couldn't stop listening to it, and then War Child came out and I was shattered. Even the title was just more 60's war stuff. Of course being a Tull fan I've grown to love several of the songs from War Child. However it is very clear that the band spent the next few albums trying to recover from War Child.

[@lemmykay]

WTF? War Child is a good album! NO reason to recover from it!

[@challengeelectronics]

Same here. I wanted another Passion Play, not War Child. Still a huge fan, of course. APP has no peers as far as I am concerned.

[@MyVeryHappyDay]

I love War Child! But, I agree. I have been waiting for a full blown, extended-piece concept album like TaaB and APP since 1974. Side two of Minstrel came the closest.

[@challengeelectronics]

@@MyVeryHappyDay if you haven't heard the Secret Language of Birds (Ian Anderson), be sure to check it out. Man-o-man. I'm not as familiar with it, but I found it stunning, rich and gorgeous.

[@MyVeryHappyDay]

@@challengeelectronics - Oh yes! SLOB is a wonderful album and easily Ian's best work since the 70s. I also enjoyed the follow up, Rupi's Dance. In a similar vein as SLOB. I did forget -- the Chateau D'isaster tapes that were released over the years were outstanding and a gift from the heavens after 15 years or so of waiting.

[@MLewisDesign]

I was at one of those concerts in New Zealand in August 1974-breathtaking hardly describes it! ❤️❤️❤️

[@brianmeyers3890]

I listened to a live bootleg of A Passion Playfrom the Los Angeles show a few months ago. Astounded. Madness. Saw this show at Kiel Auditorium in St Louis, Missouri in May, 1973. A Passion Play was written on the tickets we received in the mail. We ordered tickets in the mail way in advance. Never done that before or since. And the tickets arrive with A Passion Play written on them. What does that mean? A new album on the religious themes in Aqualung. What? Tull were at peak power, artistic and commercial. TAAB had gone to #1 and Ellis wisely cashed in immediately with Living in the Past, a double album of many singles from Britain never released in the USA. It was a hit. But none of us knew WTF A Passion Play meant or was or would be as we went to the concert. Anticipation. A little white dot on a screen. Nobody paid attention. Milling about. A faint heartbeat. Sounded like a faint heartbeat. Nobody paid much attention. White dot got bigger, pulsating on screen to a heartbeat getting louder.. WTF is this? Ballerina. Bleeding from the mouth. Wait. She moved. She danced. Mirror. broken. Red smoke on stage and there is Jethro Tull playing strange music. Do you still see me even here... Insane.Chaos, order, dissonance, consonance, heaven and hell. A hurricane, one assault on the senses after another. Roll up. Roll down. With regard to the critics, they thought the lyrics, “is it you who are here for our good cheer, or Are we here...for the gory satisfaction of telling you how absolutely awful you really are??””...was directed at them. Did a little book on Jethro Tull called, To Be The Play a long time ago. A Passion Play was the best of Tull. Immortal, that’s a given. I’m an old dog howling with madness now a days hooked on live Tull, have always been really. KZbin is the greatest invention in history. Tull via 1976(Tull-a-Vision); 1977(Songs From the Wood); 1978(Heavy Horses-Madison Square Garden)--those three concerts live, on video, are insanely well recorded. When my wife and teenager are gone and I’m home alone, I crank the speakers to the brink with some Tull. My friend Willy Wonka always said, “A little nonsense now and then is treasured by the wisest men.” A little of what you fancy does you good or...

[@RoyalDavid]

Indeed, "how does it feel To Be The Play? How does it feel to play the play? How does it feel To Be The Play???" To all readers in addition to Brian: Oh yes, the Seminal first Book ever written/published about the Band Jethro Tull [and I opine with special emphasis on Mr. Anderson] in 1978 [and BTW written by a Middle-American, and not by an Australian bloke in 1972 as NOT thoughtfully remembered by said Mr. Anderson]. A few Original (new) First and only editions of said Book still exist in the archive and have not been actively marketed for some time awaiting "the day after", which we all should know has not yet arrived and was expected by most long ago... Who ever thought 50+ years and beyond to this day of never-ending unique perpetuation. If of serious/serial interest you may reply to this reply with your e-address, and I will be certain to write back to you in greater detail and in private confidence (call it Underwraps). Cheerio & Till Further On

[@stealthfilm007]

Well done, a thoughtful and caring review of a masterpiece. For those of us who were too young to see them live then, this offers a glimpse, a time capsule back and it must’ve been spectacular. Thanks for taking the time to put this out.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Thank you mate , much appreciated. I hope you like the other Tull videos on the channel .

[@gerdschoppenhorst1154]

It is what you bump into, what you offend, what is long-term consciousness. It is the unusual, the seemingly incomprehensible, the complex that fascinates. It is the creative that amazes us! And all of this applies to art and music in general. And especially for Jethro Tull's album "A Passion Play". Yes, it is the masterpiece of JETHRO TULL, of Ian Anderson and his band, in the surrealistic even more than "Thick as a Brick". Musically more complex, just as poetic, therefore almost incomprehensible in poetry - and for that it is really great art! But, and everyone who appreciates and loves the album so knows: for the common crowd, the mainstream, it is not tangible, it will never be tangible. And for that I thank Ian Anderson

[@javierllerena5756]

Completely agree with you , this album to me is the best one in the progressive rock history. It is only for smart ears , not everybody can understand this kind of composition , What I don’t understand why Ian Anderson doesn’t accept this as his best composition and said , it was a failure . So I prefer his failures due they are marvelous.

[@millardtillette249]

On May 25, 1973 my sister and I saw A Passion Play at the Indiana Convention Exposition Center and were blown away by Tull. The entire center was rocking the entire show.

[@DD-jj3vq]

This was very informative and I share your love for this album. I would only add that Anderson's voice was outstanding, better than on any other recordings. Thanks for posting this.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Yes for sure regarding Ian’s voice . There are some more Tull videos on the channel and more to come ✊

[@joelestes2257]

Very Insightful. APP is a brilliant work of art.

[@eldergods]

Still my favorite album. Not only of Tull's, just my favorite. First Tull show for me was Shea Stadium, just before my 16th bday. Keep 'em comin'. Great video/review!

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Thanks mate

[@bobk2958]

I first saw Tull live in 1972 and back then and now, love the music. I remember riding my bicycle several miles to buy 2 copies of APP when it came out. One for me and one for my girlfriend (now my wife and also still a Tull lover). At first I thought it was a bit much, taking the story album concept like Thick As A Brick too far and the lyrics made little sense, but after a few listens I was smitten and still am today. I’ve listened to this album hundreds if not thousands of times and it is one of my favorites. I recently hunted down and purchased the 2014 remix cd and Dvd set with the chateau d’herouville tapes. The the remixed passsion play in 5.1 Dolby on the audio dvd is really something but the 2014 audio cd remix by Steven Wilson is interesting. It adds a few extra verses and with the chateau sessions, is like finding some new old Tull. If you like APP I strongly recommend you seek out the 2014 remix and the Chateau sessions.

[@MattJaissleFilms]

My parents saw that tour, and yes, they still talk about it sometimes. ❤

[@TheLastOilMan]

Me and bro we’re there for show 1. Amazing.

[@bujodrag]

How A Passion Play changed me forever. As a kid i was not a slightest bit interested in music. My moter played piano and she tried to teach me but to no avail. And then, in 1988, when I was 11 years old I put A Passion Play lp on my dads old turntable and I was gobsmacked and delighted and shocked. I didn't know what was happening to me. That was my first ever LP, my first ever music that i liked. It was soon followed by Stand Up and then, surprisingly, by J.S. Bachs Brandenburg Concertos. Few years later I became a drummer, good one I think, and wery active, played with many bands here in Belgrade until 6 years ago when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (now I can hardly walk let alone play drums). But I am still musician in my mind. I have never had a TV set, only two thousand LPs or more, 6 hard discs full wih music and realy good HiFi audio set. So I am still in music, by my ears and head if not by my hands and feet. And all that started like thunder from the blue with A Passion Play album when I was 11 years old.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Sorry to hear about your illness buddy . What an amazing story . What did you think of the drumming on Passion play and Barrie Barlow ?

[@bujodrag]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 He is great, not just tippical time keeper. Like, h is druming on Heavy Horses song No lullaby is crucial part of the song and album, But, Clive Bunker is great too. Every drummer will skrach his head in amsement whe he hears live verson of Dharna for one from Livig in the past album. Sorry for typos, it is not easy for me to type bacause my hands are constantly shaking. Thak you for your nice coments :)

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

My friend it’s fine , thank you for your comment . Please keep in touch . Are you on Facebook brother ?

[@bujodrag]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 Yes, as Bujodrag Zemljaninković. I was banned couze I changed my name to Zemljnin Earthling (Same word first in Serbian and second in English because we are all eartlings) an they thought that i was trying to sell something and someone with Serbian name Milica was wanting pictures of my ID card and bank acount and I firstly refused but she insisted and later i told her that I wil send her what she wants if she sends mi pictures of her tits.

[@ThisOldStoner]

The War Child concert was the best concert I have ever seen. Was always a huge fan and still am.

[@craigwheeler3837]

1st concert I ever saw - Richmond Va, Brewer & Shipley opened.... I still listen to this

[@matto9734]

Thank you so much for your inside view to this project!!! I bought this album when i was - i guess- 14 and I loved it. I am a German from Berlin then and JT - the early formation- are still giants to me. It was a more theatrical approach to "Rock" and linked to "Wizard Of Oz" kind of absurd settings ;-)

[@cygnus53]

This was my first Tull concert in 1973 at Boston Garden. I could never understand why this tour was never professionally video taped.

[@HansRickheit]

It's interesting to hear the views of someone who was alive at the time of the record's release. I was a teenager in th elate 80's when I had spending money enough to buy old rock albums. The term "Prog Rock" was unheard of to me, but my tastes in record-collecting went in that direction. I think it's because I could never go to any live shows, so the records had to fill the gap. Bands that fell under the "prog rock" category tended to produce more lush, complex recordings that rewarded the listener after multiple listening. TH kind of music Liked was definitely NOT being played on any of the radio stations I could tune into, so I had to discover this wonderful music on my own without any clues to guide me. Jthro Tull's THICK AS A BRICK was one of my absolute favorite albums iwhen I was 15 or so. I played that album until the grooves were worn out. When a friend with similar music tastes called to tell me that he found a copy of A PASSION PLAY; he told me it was even more dense and complex than THICK AS A BRICK. Both records are part of my DNA now. I had no idea that the Tull's music was ever panned by the music press. My teenage self would thought that impossible. Thanks for this video - it was a real pleasure to hear your own thoughts on this stellar album.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Thank you for your words , much appreciated. I’m going to be covering Thick as a brick very soon .

[@425363129]

I was lucky enough to see Jethro Tull perform Passion Play in St. Louis Mo in '73 and to this day it's one of the best shows I ever saw. Saw the Stones the Who ZZ TOP Pink Floyd Genesis QUEEN, Many many otheŕs ànd Tull is tops!

[@c.a.t.732]

When I was in college in the 70s there was a "head shop" (as we called stores catering to the pot-inclined crowd) in the nearby town that sold boot-leg records like the ones mentioned above. Being a big Tull fan, I snagged a few of them featuring the band, including one that not only had A Passion Play live in concert, but also a live performance of No Rehearsal from the "Chateau D'Isaster" recordings, which of course I'd never heard before. I still have those records, pressed on transparent colored vinyl with plain jackets with titles like "Flute Cake" and "Supercharged" hand-stamped on the covers. It was some years later when I went to my first Tull concert (the first of many), but I could tell from those records just how brilliant they were live.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

I had those bootlegs . Same titles in the U.K. but pressed on really thick vinyl. Great days

[@meganadebar1048]

Interesting to learn that the audience received it well from the beginning.

[@GasparVirto]

I listen to A Passion Play as medicine when feel too much of contaminated by today's music form ads + social network. You just showed how critics can work as a big shepherd. Thanks for the video.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Plenty more on the channel . My policy is I won’t review an album if I don’t like it . Thank you for the comment much appreciated 🙏

[@shimwooley]

A Passion Play .... classic ! I saw this tour with opening band Steeleye Span.

[@fredkrissman6527]

I saw the Passion Play tour in helLA... Best concert I ever saw!

[@MyVeryHappyDay]

Great summary. I was in college and saw the APP show two times. Best concert I’ve ever seen. Then a few weeks later, I was having lunch in the dining commons and the radio program playing over the PA announced that Jethro Tull had retired. At the time they were HUGE.

[@rszymanskiRSB]

Ranking Tull albums is like ranking Beatles albums. You never have a consistent #1 as two or three of them always rotate in and out. That said, PASSION PLAY is probably my most consistently ranked #1 Tull album and perhaps #1 album by anyone of all time next to Yes' CLOSE TO THE EDGE.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Close to the edge what a record that is

[@a.k.1740]

Give me A PASSION PLAY over CLOSE TO THE EDGE any day !!! (I have never been drawn to CLOSE TO THE EDGE. a good record i agree but nothing more for me).

[@GOTTAMIKE]

Summer of 1973. Baltimore, Md Civic Center. My first rock concert. We had 10th row center tickets. I can still remember every bit about it, from the incredible ballet opening, stage explosions, The Hare Who Lost his Spectacles, a scuba guy on stage, to the ending with the phone ringing; it’s for you! I recall the 6 songs too. Funny story: remember the movie screen was curved. The Civic Center was very steep. Walking to our car some people who’d obviously been in the upper section and stoned commented about the movie and how cool it was that Ian didn’t show their heads. We didn’t have the heart to tell them they just didn’t see the whole screen. BTW, 74 War Child in Atlanta was incredible too.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Great days . Was Robin Trower supporting ?

[@GOTTAMIKE]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 Our show had the most unusual opening act. Livingston Taylor. I kid you not. Remembered that too. His big song was Over the Rainbow.

[@nelsonsoucasaux2751]

Thanks very much for the excellente video. When "Passion Play" was released I was 23 years old, and TRULY LOVED IT. It was the masterpiece that followed "Thick as a Brick", but by far it was a much more elaborated, daring and courageous work, just inspired by one of the most serious subjects to most humans: death... and what may come after... At that time as a medical student taken by serious existential anguish, the heavy feel of drama contained on "Passion Play" spoke to me deeply, together with the power of the music plus the innovations, as Ian Anderson also playing sax. The following months I was studying classical guitar and I heard of 'problems' regarding the correct understanding and acceptance of the album, mostly by some critics, but I couldn't really understand what was happening. Many years followed and I continued loving "Passion Play" as one of Tull's greatest achievements. And, as I began deeply involved with afterlife research, I could understand better the narrative on the album. And all of this went on growing within myself throughout all these decades. What I can say is that, now, the more I listen to "Passion Play", the more I love it and feel touched by it. No doubt, one of the biggest Tull's achievements and sadly undervalued by Ian Anderson himself. It's very hard to understand what really happened regarding this masterpiece. Maybe it was because the subject was just... death and the afterlife, in a time when people were not prepared to deal deeply with the recent advancements of parapsychology. The album was too ahead of its time... P.S.: Along the last years, I became used to say that Ian Anderson had possibly developed a kind of "superstition" regarding the album, probably due to the subject... 'death'... and the trouble with the criticisms when it was released. Once again, many thanks for the review.

[@kramkalisthenics]

May 4, 1973 Roberts Municipal Stadium, Evansville, IN the N. American debut of APP. Extended Brick opener lasting 90 minutes. Then Ian said, "Now for our second number..." And they played the complete APP despite the Hare film malfunctioning. Entite Tull portion of the show was 3.5 hours. Brewer & Shipley opened. My first of many Tull gigs.

[@mondexbop]

Ian told Terry Ellis after the TAAB Tour that he wanted to stop performing in America because he was sick of drunk ,stoned and loud audiences who he couldn't abide.Ellis told him to let it go for now,I am convinced that the Chateau D"isaster Tapes were a pointed ,emotional response by Ian to the fans.War Child was a watered down editing of those themes (along with APP)'the actor,the stage,the audience,the critics,etc... and their roles and hypocrisy.Ian is a true artist.He doesn't like to soften his sword.

[@mauriceboyle6923]

Yeah , A Passion Play is arguably the greatest "concept" album ever made. I will say that Stand Up is my favourite album...but then when I listen to APP ? Saw Jethro Tull for the first time in the Glasgow Apollo in 1974 ( WarChild tour ) The best "live" band, ever. The WarChild album is superb. Loved Ian's saxophone playing and John Evan's accordion playing.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Yes as I said I’ve grown to love Warchild over the years and I’ll be doing a review sometime soon . Have you heard all the orchestral stuff they did for the film ? I

[@mauriceboyle6923]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 Hmmm...can't say that I have , although I have heard the orchestral version of the track "WarChild" somewhere ( The album; " A Classic Case ? ) Would love to hear it , especially if D. Palmer had anything to do with it. His/Her arrangements made a huge contribution to many great songs. A fine addition to the band also. Ian's loss , Martin's gain.

[@capcompass9298]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 Very heavy classical.

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

"A PASSION PLAY" IS MUSIC THAT SEEMS TO COME FROM ANOTHER REALM OR PLANET. VERY PSYCHEDELIC. IAN ANDERSON IS AMAZING. MULTI-TALENTED WITH A VOICE RIGHT OUT OF THE RENAISSANCE ERA.

[@Brian-mu3io]

I was at one of the Wembley concerts, and although the material was new, I really enjoyed Passion Play and bought it as soon as I could get my hands on it. I was also at the Rainbow concert for the War Child tour (you should have waved). As well as the fantastic music, Ian's great humour is at the forefront. Along with my mate we were quoting JT lyrics for years. Along with The Minstrel in the Gallery I still play those two albums more than their other albums. I'm with you and Barrimore regarding APP.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

I think most of the Tull humour was down to Jeffrey . I’m going to do a piece on Warchild to Songs from the wood .

[@alexotaola]

Brian2929 APP and Minstrel have my favorite drumming by Barrimore of all!

[@haroldburrows4770]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 , i think Jeffrey had a rather unique twisted sense of humor, gotta love the guy. Although not nearly the player Glascock was he sure left his mark

[@b4rneypup1]

Lovely review. Well done. My fave album and I didn't know most of that. Cheers

[@billj776]

Back in the day it was indeed overshadowed by all that Tull had done previously. Maybe after Thick as a Brick the rock press was already tired of prog epics, but not me. At age 14 when APP came out I was already fascinated with Tull's evolution from blues to prog, but darn, I couldn't get to a Tull show until Minstrel had come out. After that I got to see them 4 times and they always put on the best show of any band i've ever seen. Now judging from all the comments i am truly wishing i had been able to see A Passion Play!

[@rupertbobrowicz963]

Yeah, I witnessed a front row seat at Wembley, a wow experience!

[@rreichar1]

I saw that tour at the Houston Coliseum. One of my favorite concert memories.

[@edfederoff2679]

Excellent honest and accurate review. We are cut from the same musical cloth, my brother... there was no band BUT JT, as far as I was concerned. From my first hearing of Stand Up, I was hooked, and my first concert was literally a life-changing event. I taught myself to play flute from those albums. I heard PP the day it was released in the US - the local Jacksonville, FL rock station played it in its entirety late that night, and I lay in bed in a non-air conditioned room, sweating into my headphones, hearing what I felt was the Prog-rock synthesis of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach. Circumstances beyond my control caused me to miss the entire PP tour - I never saw it played like that. It was the only JT album tour I ever missed, and combined with the fact there is no decent video, it's a bitter pill for me. I had the same issues as you with War Child, but also eventually came around. Up until that time, there wasn't a single album that I didn't love every cut, and TOTR&R,TYTD, seemed worse than WC to my ears. As the years passed, there were recording hits and misses, but to see JT live - no matter the material - will always be the finest musical memories of my life. Thank you, Ian Anderson, and all the members of Jethro Tull!

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Wonderful comment my friend 🙏 thank you

[@edfederoff2679]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 Thank you, Sir! I'm listening to it right now - just past, "The Ice Cream Lady wet her drawers - to see you in The Passion Play!" The subsequent fugue section preceding the flute solo is fused in my memory from a show I saw on the following tour - where they dropped the rotating curtains on a batten over the band, lit by different color lights, and the boys hit full chat - I have goosebumps thinking about it. )))

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Did you catch my Martin barre passion play video brother ?

[@edfederoff2679]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 Not yet - listened to PP 2X, TAAB, and watched your JT album ranking vid (complete agreement!), then passed out - lol. It's pouring rain here today - will start working thru your library. You're deeply steeped in Tull lore, bro - much respect and props to you - and thank you for your work - which I know was also a pleasure!

[@geoffreydowen5793]

would love to see the gig at the pool again . now 65so 15 years old thank you for the post. miss " John Evan on piano"

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Pleasure mate . Will be doing another Passion play video soon . Have you seen my tribute to John Evan video ?

[@geoffreydowen5793]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 no, I haven't, I just found you today my friend. so I'll Pop back to your channel and have a look was thinking o Ian's introduction to Dharma for one off "living " and having listened to your piece remembered how wild John was at that gig, he had a toilet fixed to the side of his Hammond! thanks your time and the memories my nickname at school was "Tully" cos I was mad about them too keep safe.x respect from Suffolk, xx

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

kzbin.info/aero/PLXGalYmVJmQGTp_iclroUA_XchI3dSpEz

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Hope you enjoy there videos Geoffrey mate , much love and respect mate .

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Ps I have to say I’m loving the new Tull album Rokflote . A return to old glories imo .

[@raminagrobis6112]

I agree with you. APP is an absolute masterpiece. The epitome of prog rock before or after included. I fail to understand the critics who don't get enthralled by its sheer brilliance. I saw the APP tour and it was a dream evening. My only disappointment is not having a decent live recording of the live APP played during that tour. I do have one, but it's so poorly recorded... I was disappointed by the following album, 'War Child's, not in itself, but as it is so less inspired than APP, the contrast is merciless. Fortunately, "A Minstrel in the Gallery" marked a return to almost the same level of inspiration as APP. That being said, the ' Chateau d'Hérouxville' tapes we have today give some idea of what it could have become if the sessions had worked out as planned. It's in the same spirit as APP and more... I also share the same surprise as yours at finding out that critics thought 'Ear Child's was a "return to form". Not! It wasn't bad. But it was too brilliant for narrow-minded journalists with zero ear for great music.

[@Randsurfer]

Not surprised B. Barlowe likes the album. He was a beast on that.

[@michelleblanc6215]

My all time favourite Tull album, when I put it on I usually listen to it 3 three or four time in a row.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Yes it’s that good mate 👏

[@tdaggett]

I saw that tour(Passion Play) @ Boston Garden. It was great!

[@brucefournier2391]

Met Ian after show, either Songs From the Wood or Heavy Horses tour. I asked him if they'd ever be 'revisiting' A Passion Play. Not smiling, he answered, " That's Martin's, you'll have to ask him".

[@jaylarson3182]

1973 Seattle colosseum an almost unbelievable show. That flute went in to baton mode to about 150 to 200 feet into the air. Ian bounced across the stage hooked it with two fingers and perfect timing. Then I knew you could find a different dimension...

[@ericmoon2473]

Very well done. I really appreciated the perspective that the announcement from Terry Ellis that Jethro Tull was quitting was not a hoax as later claimed by the band. I think your take makes much more sense.

[@chartwel1990]

Saw this tour three times: Nassau, Madison Square and Springfield Ma. Could not believe they performed it flawlessly every night. I really went for the intro film, especially the ballerina jumping in/out of the standing mirror. Just wow.

[@drj602]

APP Nassau Coliseum I saw the last night at NC. Just...changed my life. A TULL fanatic ever since.

[@enriquemachorromendoza4310]

Unique progressive style, to me the best Tull album. Because their peak of fame this complex and heavy progressive music was seen live by many people.

[@andragg]

"A Passion Play" is my favorite Tull album next to "Aqualung". Screw the critics, I never read the reviews. For some reason I can't understand, "Thick as a Brick" was viewed as superior by other fans I have talked to. The thing I liked a lot was John Evan's first use of synthesizers. A high point of the album was the wonderful instrumental music before and after the dictated part of "The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles", and I love the accompanying video which is very well done. Overall it's a grand album and I listen to it every few years.

[@AlexandersLostTomb]

I've listened to it 3 times in the past month. Have loved it since it first came out.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

It’s an amazing record . Have you seen my video on Tulls proposed double album of which I believe a version of APP would have been the fourth side ?

[@AlexandersLostTomb]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 Will check into that, thanks.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGfOmmB8aNqFqqc

[@AlexandersLostTomb]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 No I haven't but if I can find it I will check it out. Thanks.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rambooyohM5ra7M

[@javierllerena5756]

Yes Passion Play changed Jethro Tull forever , to be the best progressive rock band ever existed. It was due to this album and Thick as a Brick. These two albums the more intelligent albums ever made .

[@origamimambo545]

I saw both Thick as a Brick and Passion Play live and they still stand out as some of the most incredible music/theater events I've ever seen. The performance of Thick as a Brick was maybe more surreal and intense but Passion Play has grown on me and musically it think its more polished and coherent. The Hare Who Lost his Spectacles is beautiful. My assessment of these albums is much like yours and I suspect we would have enjoyed talking Tull back in the day.

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Plenty more Tull to come on the channel my friend .

[@papadopp3870]

A pairrrrrrr. You were mirroring exactly my experience with “A Passion Play” record and concert. I remember the band just nailing it and every member being in the right place every second. I never understood Ian’s attitude about it! If you remember who the phone call at the end of the was for, that said it, man. It was for us- not the snippy pseudo-intellectual “rock press”. It was they who “ruined” Tull- sort of- anyway. The album and shows were spectacular successes here and on the USA tour. I saw it in deep July during the American leg and I have never met anyone who attended the shows or spent time with the album that ever said any of the critical crap that appeared in Melody Maker or anywhere else. APP is the best Tull album. And the records that followed were (at the time and for me) pale and disjointed. “Too Old…” saved it for me. Never again would such care and compositional arrangement go into a Tull (or maybe anyone else’s) album. The heaviest think piece and the most complicated music; the best of the Concept Albums; A Passion Play- Jethro Tull.

[@theitineranthistorian2024]

i caught beautiful day opening for jethro tull doing aqualung. fantastic night! i heard “brick” went 4 way with the speakers. passion is a beautiful experience on balboa island for the affordable season. bowie was just starting to compete on our turntable.

[@edub1961]

The best Tull album. Today I still hear it and my senses are altered. I've been a Tull fan since 1972, and A Passion Play is a masterpeace. Only my opinion

[@brentmelander7740]

We were at the Salt Palace for Passion Play complete! Followed by Brick complete and then more and more... we saw War Child again in Salt Lake... and believe me it was outstanding. A few years and we saw them twice in Boise Heavy Horses mixed with all the greats... then the Morrison Center !!!!!

[@Sutterjack]

Ian Anderson was always a risk taker and never settled for MOR music - he always marched to his own drum and flute and was insanely prolific and hardworking. The critics be damned - Passion Play is great and has stood the test of time-

[@billhawkins1236]

I for one, am a sing-along Jethro Tull fan and pride myself in being able to reproduce Ian's vocals pretty well, and passion play is by far, my personal favorite.

[@michaeltorgersen4987]

Saw them on this tour, great show!

[@mitchcompton2530]

My FAVORITE Tull album.

[@hatandbeardmedia5925]

Fantastic round up of news and views in this video, well done. A Passion Play is what I consider to be the band's finest composition. From start to end it is an experience, like the boat ride in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, with such incredible momentum and pathos. It is the only album by any artist or band that I have listened to where the coda makes me saddened because it reminds me that the journey is ending. Then once you dig in and analyse the story behind it you realise what a deep, philosophical and complex set of ideas is driving it. The critical response is thus typical, because critics don't like to be challenged in any meaningful way or to engage their minds while consuming the media they are employed to assess. Such is life.

[@nsbd90now]

APP was the first time I saw Tull and it is still one of my completely all-time favorite albums I listen to regularly. Had a bootleg of it... with "The Bomb in the Dressing Room".

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Was that live at the LA forum 1973 ?

[@nsbd90now]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 That's it! I was trying to remember where it was from and couldn't quite remember. Whew! Did I ever play that one out!

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

So did I brother

[@nsbd90now]

@@classicrockalbumreviews19 Holy moly the dramatic excitement when John Evans goes into the organ arpeggio and explosive intro bursts after all the synth swirls can still give me chills!

[@eximusic]

Great video. It was always my favorite Tull album. I remember in high school kids coming back from the Forum shows and developing their concert photos in the school darkroom. The prints looked amazing. That's all we had back then. We were all disappointed by War Child and Bungle in the Jungle when that came out.

[@Dirkschneider]

I only listen to the second side. I put on this album directly after 'The Hare that lost his spectacles'. Love the last 20 min.

[@rupertbobrowicz963]

Also saw 'War Child' at London's Rainbow Theatre, another wow experience with Jeffrey's black & white outfit& bass!

[@pmoran7971]

pure talent!

[@Falkowski82]

My old man saw that show of that tour said it was his fave concert at the time

[@karenmandeville7116]

i had this album. Loved it!

[@davidlogan9777]

It was a amazing musical piece and daring to showcase live. I saw them in '70 -71 at Red Rock's and twice on 2 nite in Denver for Passion Play .man they were tight

[@stevet7487]

I attended one of those 4 sold out Passion Play shows at the Forum. They sold the arena out 5 times on the War Child Tour.

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

I totally share your POV and lived the same experience at that time (was 24 yes old then and totally into concept albums, having started in 67 with the Beatles and Moodies). I carried on with the Who, the Kinks, Pretty Things, King Crimson, The Mothers/Zappa, Yes and Tull of course with those three gems: TAAB, A Passion Play and Minstrel in the Gallery. And I really didn't care about rock critics who generally never really appreciated what I call LPs endeavours and remained obstinately fixed on the SP/ radio hit frame of mind. Looks like it was the same anywhere - think of Magma, Gong or Gérard Manset in France or PFM in Italy or Can and Amon Düül in Germany - and anytime.. same story with Genesis or VDGG/Peter Hammill or ELP or Roger Waters or Hawkwind or Iron Maiden... It has slowly changed. Just took some 40 years to acknowledge this concept/prog pervading trend through all genre of music (rock, jazz, fusion, metal, electronics, indie...)

[@classicrockalbumreviews19]

Have you heard the new Tull album Rokflote . It’s really very good .

[@margarettallett762]

I'm sooo jealous I missed all those concerts 😪

[@encle]

Great video thanks. Learning.

[@justgivemethetruth]

PP was my first concert ... July 23rd 1973. It was a lot to ask for an audience to follow what was all new music, all jammed together, with little time for anyone to hear it and put it is some perspective. It was one of my favorite albums at the time, but I do get what the critics were saying. We were up in the nosebleed seats so the acoustics were not great. Ian's voice sounded like Helen Reddy with the nasally English accent. I would never have booed, and neither would anyone else. There were a lot of really cool passages, but while that works really good when you have listened to it a lot and the changes have time to sink in, just not so well when you are hearing it for the first or second time as most of us were. 72,000 fans can't be wrong? 70,000 of them were yelling so much they could not hear the music, and the other 2,000 were throwing up or passed out. ;-) Still, that was my favorite concert and a lot of fun.

[@ricknorris1466]

I feel exactly the same way. I got to meet Ian and if I weren’t so gob smacked and tongue tied I would have told him how much I love that Album.

[@bobturnley2787]

Tull peaked on Passion Play. The reviews caused Ian to become musically and lyrically conservative. There are great songs that came after especially on Songs From the Wood, but the musical and lyrical ambition just evaporated after Passion Play.

[@samuelbroudy9420]

That's Why they say what they say about critics.

[@Falkowski82]

Saw tull twice meet ian anderdon great guy great band

[@chadbennett7873]

Critics are simply people who disparage that which they cannot do. Listening to them is abdicating your own free will and taste.

[@jasonleblanc6072]

Great video. I LOVE this album. This and Thick as a Brick are my top Jethro Tull albums. This is one of those albums, you either get it or you don't. To anybody who has a hard time getting through this album, try listening to Captain Beefheart's "Trout Mask Replica" or Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music" and then put on APP! It would be a welcome relief. 😂 And as for the critics, I think Bob Dylan said it best: "Don't criticize what you can't understand"! 🤐👂🎵🎸🎹🥁🎷🎙