Superb album!! Great concept with brilliant lyrics. I love the eccentricity. A real high point in 70's progressive rock for me. The music critics at the time didn't get it, but the fans did!!
I so enjoyed watching this and seeing your expressions spectacles. The Hare segment is traditional in Passion plays of ancient Medieval lore when play writers of the time introduced a humorous middle to a serious subject to keep the audiences involved by giving them a break from the seriousness and the theme still works in the design of the story of a young man who has passed away and is trying to SEE clearly the foibles of his life wherein an extra pair of glasses may help in his endeavors. It's a masterpiece from start to finish, every musician at the top of their play.
For me, the best, most memorable bit is between minutes 27 and 37, "We sleep by the everbright hole in the door..." just after the hare who lost his spectacles. The whole album uses plays on words. "Newt knewToo much..." and etc. I often think of the song ending there, but there are other bits after that, not nearly so committed to memory. Weird thing about progressive music is that, while the lyrics are nearly always complex, they also get memorized. I know I'm not the only one. It is assumed there is wisdom, or art, contained therein. Wake of Poseidon. The criticasters were in league against this, and much of progressive music, in their ignorance, but you know what they say: F*ck 'em! Time remembers the music, alas, and not them. :) Stay groovy. Peace and love. db PS: In all these years, I have no memory of the bass. I'll have to listen for it next time.
Yep, the lyrics are beyond compare, not to mention the music, and indeed the concept of this album… and that it was totally re-conceived and recorded within a few short weeks of coming home from the aborted attempt at a new album at the Chateau d’Herouville in France!
i bought this great album back in 1977 and im still singing to all the words still. thankyou for uploading yes you did love it didnt you. ps at 23-53 mins id turn the record over for part two.
A fantastic and brilliant concept album about Life and Death, intermission included! Every bit is spot on. A band at the very peak of its creativity. Ian Anderson’s voice is at its best.
Hi. Brilliant listen and reaction. You make a great point about how certain bands were given the time, the backing back in the early 1970's by record labels to produce such incredibly innovative epics. Back in those days the term "progressive rock" was unheard of. Today everything has been done and its virtually impossible to find any originality but in those days groups such as Jethro Tull, Yes, Genesis, ELP etcetera were breaking completely new ground. The canvas was blank to be filled. The attitude of some record labels, producers and managers was completely different. There was two worlds. The world of pop music, the charts and groups, musicians concentrating on singles and another world of art rock, progressive musical groups that had no interest in releasing singles but making musical masterpieces. Due to commercial demands these groups at times did release singles but the main focus was on their albums. Many music critics in their limited perceptions thought such experimental music was overblown, precocious ignoring the fact that music is an expressive art form and their should never be any restraints. CHEERS Gerald Newton
Yes, I agree. This is a fantastic album - the very best of Jethro Tull. The complexity of the structure means that you never get bored listening to it. Brilliant musicianship from everyone in the band. I love the single, continuous piece of music, concerto-like concept and wish that Tull had produced more albums in this format. This is number one in my best albums chart!
I have been a Tully for 50 years now and this album is in my top 3 favorites. I think the different acts of the play gave a fresh sound to the whole thing. A few other albums were almost up to grade. The different stages of Tull were in their albums or maybe just the evolution of the sound. Listen to Minstrel in the Gallery and hear the difference. The really early stuff was more blues based. Check out the BBC radio version of Stormy Monday Blues for some flute beyond words. Great video.
Wow this feels kind of outta left field, AND a pleasent surprise since this is my favorite album. Quite a dense task here, I'd say this is even more progressive and definitely more artsy than TaaB. Will be interesting to see what you think once I have the time to watch this 😃 Edit: been watching your JT vids from another account in case your wondering...
Wow! Thank you, I just love your reaction and review of this… my favourite album ever! It is sublime! Love how you so got it straight away! You may be interested to know that when they performed this live, The Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles was presented as a film, which served as an intermission of sorts, featuring among others, Jane Colthorpe, the ballerina who appears on the cover of the album. Also, writer/vocalist/acoustic guitarist/flautist/saxophonist Ian Anderson plays the newt, drummer Barriemore Barlow plays the bee (“because he wanted to have a go at flying”… explained Jane the ballerina in an interview a few years ago). The narrator is bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond. If you are even vaguely interested, lol, this is the film: th-cam.com/video/H_toN5VfWBo/w-d-xo.html
I think you should listen to this album a few times, then do Thick as a Brick. It's a great listen as is A Passion Play, both are in my top five Tull albums.
Thanks for really take me back to the 70s for a while. In those days as well as today I am surprised that not everyone sucks into this musical journey! "Whats wrong with you?" You can hear an album for the first time only once, but this comes close. Then a reminder: some half a year ago you promised check "Fläsket brinner". "Bosses låt" and "Gunnars dilemma" are two short favourites. Album versions from 1971 is to prefer (burning pork head)
Thanks for your review of passion play a wonderful album, I thought your review was very fair. I didn't like The hair at first, but I love it now,check the video, once again thanks.
“Well, i’ll go to the foot of our stairs” is an old English term equivalent to “Well, i’ll be damned (to Hell)” it is at this point Ronny Pilgrim tires of being in Heaven and chooses to go to the “Other Place”
A fantastic album! I'm glad you chose this mix over the Wilson mix as he opted to leave out some of the sax parts. As a complete work, I always gravitated towards this album more than TAAB. Both great though!
@@robertjewell9727 I think his mixes are overrated for the most part. The only one I like was Tales From Topographic Oceans by Yes. But that was the exception.
Passion Play and Minstrel of the Gallery are two of my favorite Tull albums. This one was considered one of the hardest albums to play. Many different sounds on this one. Tull, GG and Zappa since '71. As for that record label try Radiant. NMB The Similitude of a Dream.
I had to listen to this several times before it finally clicked, now I love it. I'm not crazy about the hare who lost his spectacles, which works better in the stage show. The rest of the album Is very good. Though I wouldn't recommend this to someone who has not heard any other tull albums. You have to work your way up to it.
I can get into the second half of side two. But the first 3/4 of this seems like experimenting with disjointed sounds. And I'm a big Tull/Ian Anderson fan. I'm just not much for 'jazz', if that's what this is. I love Ian's melodies, but they don't seem to show up until late in the album. Thick As A Brick I like ... this not so much.
Superb album!! Great concept with brilliant lyrics. I love the eccentricity. A real high point in 70's progressive rock for me. The music critics at the time didn't get it, but the fans did!!
I agree with how eccentric it is. For me the production and how seemless it is is a true marvel.
I so enjoyed watching this and seeing your expressions spectacles. The Hare segment is traditional in Passion plays of ancient Medieval lore when play writers of the time introduced a humorous middle to a serious subject to keep the audiences involved by giving them a break from the seriousness and the theme still works in the design of the story of a young man who has passed away and is trying to SEE clearly the foibles of his life wherein an extra pair of glasses may help in his endeavors. It's a masterpiece from start to finish, every musician at the top of their play.
What a journey this record is; an absolute gem.
Ian Anderson created more beauty in this one recording than some of the top bands have in their whole catalog.
For me, the best, most memorable bit is between minutes 27 and 37, "We sleep by the everbright hole in the door..." just after the hare who lost his spectacles. The whole album uses plays on words. "Newt knewToo much..." and etc. I often think of the song ending there, but there are other bits after that, not nearly so committed to memory. Weird thing about progressive music is that, while the lyrics are nearly always complex, they also get memorized. I know I'm not the only one. It is assumed there is wisdom, or art, contained therein. Wake of Poseidon. The criticasters were in league against this, and much of progressive music, in their ignorance, but you know what they say: F*ck 'em! Time remembers the music, alas, and not them. :) Stay groovy. Peace and love. db PS: In all these years, I have no memory of the bass. I'll have to listen for it next time.
3
Yep, the lyrics are beyond compare, not to mention the music, and indeed the concept of this album… and that it was totally re-conceived and recorded within a few short weeks of coming home from the aborted attempt at a new album at the Chateau d’Herouville in France!
i bought this great album back in 1977 and im still singing to all the words still. thankyou for uploading yes you did love it didnt you. ps at 23-53 mins id turn the record over for part two.
A fantastic and brilliant concept album about Life and Death, intermission included! Every bit is spot on. A band at the very peak of its creativity. Ian Anderson’s voice is at its best.
Well I see you made a decision. Cool. Both are good albums. And the prog journey continues!😎
Really enjoying the prog journey so far regardless of era
Hi. Brilliant listen and reaction. You make a great point about how certain bands were given the time, the backing back in the early 1970's by record labels to produce such incredibly innovative epics. Back in those days the term "progressive rock" was unheard of. Today everything has been done and its virtually impossible to find any originality but in those days groups such as Jethro Tull, Yes, Genesis, ELP etcetera were breaking completely new ground. The canvas was blank to be filled. The attitude of some record labels, producers and managers was completely different. There was two worlds. The world of pop music, the charts and groups, musicians concentrating on singles and another world of art rock, progressive musical groups that had no interest in releasing singles but making musical masterpieces. Due to commercial demands these groups at times did release singles but the main focus was on their albums. Many music critics in their limited perceptions thought such experimental music was overblown, precocious ignoring the fact that music is an expressive art form and their should never be any restraints. CHEERS Gerald Newton
Yes, I agree. This is a fantastic album - the very best of Jethro Tull. The complexity of the structure means that you never get bored listening to it. Brilliant musicianship from everyone in the band. I love the single, continuous piece of music, concerto-like concept and wish that Tull had produced more albums in this format. This is number one in my best albums chart!
I have been a Tully for 50 years now and this album is in my top 3 favorites. I think the different acts of the play gave a fresh sound to the whole thing. A few other albums were almost up to grade. The different stages of Tull were in their albums or maybe just the evolution of the sound. Listen to Minstrel in the Gallery and hear the difference. The really early stuff was more blues based. Check out the BBC radio version of Stormy Monday Blues for some flute beyond words. Great video.
awesome album my fav tull album
Wow this feels kind of outta left field, AND a pleasent surprise since this is my favorite album. Quite a dense task here, I'd say this is even more progressive and definitely more artsy than TaaB. Will be interesting to see what you think once I have the time to watch this 😃
Edit: been watching your JT vids from another account in case your wondering...
Wow! Thank you, I just love your reaction and review of this… my favourite album ever! It is sublime! Love how you so got it straight away!
You may be interested to know that when they performed this live, The Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles was presented as a film, which served as an intermission of sorts, featuring among others, Jane Colthorpe, the ballerina who appears on the cover of the album. Also, writer/vocalist/acoustic guitarist/flautist/saxophonist Ian Anderson plays the newt, drummer Barriemore Barlow plays the bee (“because he wanted to have a go at flying”… explained Jane the ballerina in an interview a few years ago). The narrator is bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond.
If you are even vaguely interested, lol, this is the film: th-cam.com/video/H_toN5VfWBo/w-d-xo.html
I will check it out thanks for sharing
I think you should listen to this album a few times, then do Thick as a Brick. It's a great listen as is A Passion Play, both are in my top five Tull albums.
I will definately give it more of a listen
If this truly your first time then do it over and over til you get it. In my guestimation a stellar effort never tire
Brother born 53 had Thick as a Brick, I born in 58 had A Passion Play
Thanks for really take me back to the 70s for a while. In those days as well as today I am surprised that not everyone sucks into this musical journey! "Whats wrong with you?" You can hear an album for the first time only once, but this comes close.
Then a reminder: some half a year ago you promised check "Fläsket brinner". "Bosses låt" and "Gunnars dilemma" are two short favourites.
Album versions from 1971 is to prefer (burning pork head)
Thanks for your review of passion play a wonderful album, I thought your review was very fair. I didn't like The hair at first, but I love it now,check the video, once again thanks.
APP is the peak of prog.
“Well, i’ll go to the foot of our stairs” is an old English term equivalent to “Well, i’ll be damned (to Hell)” it is at this point Ronny Pilgrim tires of being in Heaven and chooses to go to the “Other Place”
And i love tull....
A fantastic album! I'm glad you chose this mix over the Wilson mix as he opted to leave out some of the sax parts. As a complete work, I always gravitated towards this album more than TAAB. Both great though!
I thought if you are gonna react to it to try the original first
I agree. Wilson's mix I find frankly annoying
@@apocketfulofheep You chose wisely in this case!
@@robertjewell9727 I think his mixes are overrated for the most part. The only one I like was Tales From Topographic Oceans by Yes. But that was the exception.
Eargasm after Eargasm.
Fantastic
Passion Play and Minstrel of the Gallery are two of my favorite Tull albums. This one was considered one of the hardest albums to play. Many different sounds on this one. Tull, GG and Zappa since '71. As for that record label try Radiant. NMB
The Similitude of a Dream.
I had to listen to this several times before it finally clicked, now I love it. I'm not crazy about the hare who lost his spectacles, which works better in the stage show. The rest of the album
Is very good. Though I wouldn't recommend this to someone who has not heard any other tull albums. You have to work your way up to it.
"I go escorted by a band of gentlemen, in leather bound. No one but someone to be found" Books.
Bought this when it came out. Takes a bit of listening but worth the time.
Sorry but this is my worst tull album, i tried to get into it many times but to me its just a noise....
I can get into the second half of side two. But the first 3/4 of this seems like experimenting with disjointed sounds. And I'm a big Tull/Ian Anderson fan. I'm just not much for 'jazz', if that's what this is. I love Ian's melodies, but they don't seem to show up until late in the album. Thick As A Brick I like ... this not so much.