So....... when is part 2?? Thank you so much for watching y'all! It means the world to me, it really does. If you want to help support the channel, please consider liking this video and subscribing to the channel. If you would like to make a request or just send a one time donation, here's how! @L33Reacts - PayPal WWW.PATREON.COM/L33REACTS Thank you so much. A donation of any amount will get your named added to the supporter video that plays at the end of every video.
Haven't watched yet, but I wanted to ask a general question: s there a way to do patreon with a lump sum rather than monthly, I really hate recurring payments?
Yes, you can use PayPal. @L33Reacts Just tell me whatever requests you want in the comments and I will do them for you. I dislike patreon too. @curtadams7406
Sorry for the delay in responding. Haven't used PayPal in awhile, when I select send money, what do I type in in the "Name, username, email, mobile" box? Is it "L33Reacts" or is it "@L33Reacts" ? @@L33Reacts
Dude, you get JT. So many don’t. Ian writes almost medieval melodies that remind me of bluegrass & folk jigs of two hundred years ago. Yet totally unique. I first discovered them on the Stand Up album in 1970- the song Teacher got me. Enjoy the discovery journey.
Saw this tour 6 times and all i can say it was the APEX of multimedia concert performance then… and to this day. A Play in four acts- interspersed with pretaped musical interludes on an unlit stage signifying scene changes- and a short intermission movie. Twice in my hometown, thrice at Madison Square Garden and twice at Nassau Colosseum. It changed my life.
It's a journey through the afterlife by Billy Pilgrim including his funeral, reviewing the tapes of his life, touring hell, and even returning to earth, and other adventures. The original album had the layout of the "play" in a little booklet with lyrics. I am going from memory with that, I can't find it on the Internet. The first time I saw Tull live (with my future wife) was in 1973 playing the entire A Passion Play, and I was blown away.
Absolutely bro... this stuff seems like music that will remain with our species unti we end. It demands your attention and doesn't let go until its done with you. And wow, Barrymore was on fire here. Hope your well bro. I appreciate you so much 🙌
@@L33Reactsabsolutely! My favourite album ever!. Been a fan of the band since 1970. Thank you for reacting to this wonderful album… enjoyed your discovery of it so much! Look forward to side 2 as someone who remembers having to turn the record over 😊❤️😘
@MLewisDesign side 2 is out if that's what you meant. I can't tell if you watched both 😂😂 my apologies if you have. Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did!
This was a hard album for everyone to get into when first came out after TAAB. It was so different for its time. I turned into a Tull fan when Aqualung came out and first saw them play on the Warchild tour. Then saw them eight more times through to Roots to Branches. My favorite band i must say.
Hi. This is my favourite Jethro Tull Album. And I´m not saying that I don´t love the others, but this one really stands out both musically and conceptually. It´s a frigging work of art, that´s what it is. Thank you for your great reactions!
Thank you for watching my friend! I appreciate you so much. This was fantastic. My favorite JT work so far... it's absolutely great I can't wait for part 2
@L33Reacts - Barrie Barlow was known as a "Drummer's, Drummer", just listen to him during the live performances (which is a true testament to a drummer's skill and abilities). His footwork/double bass drum on A Passion Play is just incredible as well as his entire playing. No one was doing that kind of double bass drumming (well, except for him, lol) in 1972/1973. Barrie said in an interview that he was inspired by the sound of the bullet train they were riding in Japan while on tour there. He said the sound of that bullet train fit perfectly with the odd time signatures (which is 11/8 during those double kick parts). Pretty amazing and creative!! As a drummer myself, I always listen carefully to his drum parts and I'm always going to school!! He was by no means an "underrated drummer", he was very well known and respected in the drumming community... just ask Terry Bozzio, Daney Carey, Marco Minnemann, Doan Perry, etc..
Ah yes. The incomparable, unmistakable, unpredictable, uniquely gifted master musicians whose offerings never grow old. They just get better with each listen. 🎉
Saw Tull's Passion Play twice in the summer of 1973. Loved the "hare who lost his spectacles" pause half way and the ballarina and the opening act Steel Eye Span who opened with Gaudete acapella❤
Saw the tour as well as the prior one for TAAB,when Gentle Giant opened. wonderful intro to two more fab acts! Such incredible music that remains jawdropping all these decades later. It's amazing to have been a part of it all! T
An album to go back to again and again - for 50 years. Just watched this and I'm looking forward so much to your reaction to side 2. I shall watch it now. It's late but no-one to please but myself. Side 2 just gets better and better. Have fun dude.
A Passion Play is a medieval play about the last days and crucification of Christ. "Son of man rise again, we won't cross you out. For we do love you like a son, of that there's no doubt." You cut it off early, just before the first half of The Hare Who Lost His Specticals. Thanks for doing my favorite JT album!
Wow! This totally fell off my radar screen for a few decades. Suddenly, I’m hearing it and singing most of the lyrics like they were buried back there in the memory banks. When I saw them in ’75 they started to do The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles, but cut it off (a mis-direct) to do Aqualung. The end of Part I with the heavy bass is just amazing. Do you have the lyrics nearby when you’re listening. It might be a good addition to your experience to better catch what they’re talking about….
Great reaction to an album that doesn't really lend itself to first time reactions. There is no way you can take in all that on a first listen. Took me years to appreciate and realize this is my favourite Tull album and I'm still working in the lyrics, though I have a good idea of the broad story arc. Stick with this one, it just keeps getting better the more you know it.
I really appreciate that bro. I'm trying my best to fully let the music in while still keeping up my usual antics. It's a tough balance but JT are so good that it does the work for me basically! They fill my head with plenty of observations and thoughts. You can tell which music I REALLY like by how much I have to say. Thank you for watching my friend! JT forever
melodies decaying in sweet dissonance, and who comes here to wish me well, a sweetly scented angel fell, she laid her head upon my disbelief and bathed me with her ever smile.
I was still proclaiming Thick as a Brick to be the best concept album ever when this album came out...I then got to see Tull live--and they did both! What a concert. Anderson is a genius and one of the Godfathers of Prog.
Dude! you took the big step at last! I consider this their greatest album by far, but that's just me. Side 2 has a big surprise waiting for you. I will say no more until you get to enjoy it. Let the music play!
@@L33Reacts And keep in mind that this is one of those masterpieces that just gets better and better the more you listen to it and memorize passages, like YES's GATES OF DELIRIUM. I envy you right now... so much to look forward to.
“The Hare” was used as an intermission, with a film version of that part (which is available on YT) played whilst the band went for a beer, smoke, toilet break before resuming the album.
The third line "And so I'm dead" the young man said over the hill not a wish away. Shows the song is about a dead actor. Not sure if it is a dream or real. Live at Montrose is a great live album with great visuals and an older but smoother Ian.
After Thick As A Brick, they went to France to record at the Chateau Disaster (sic) to record an album. Ian was so disappointed with the material he shelved the whole project. To keep up with their recording contract he quickly dashed off A Passion Play. Amazing.
I can't believe they came up with this on the fly basically!! It's amazing! Other then baker st muse this side is my favorite thing I've heard from Tull
He did not reject all the material from the Chateau D'Herouville sessions(Chateau D'Isaster is a pun they made with the word disaster). He used some ideas from these sessions to create parts of A Passion Play. Also a song from these sessions, Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day, was featured on the next album Warchild.
apparently, this album was composed and recorded in only 17 days. it's the story of a man who just died. the first act is him as a ghost watching his funeral. then he's off to a trip to the afterlife.
I love so much of Tull, including TAAB, but over the decades the albums that I return to the most are this one and Songs From The Wood, for completely different reasons. Look for some of the live footage on YT from back in the day, Lee, just give you an idea of what a trip seeing them on this tour was - just amazing. Can't wait for part 2, bud!
Hey Bob great to see you my friend!! This was so damn good. And apparently part2 is even better?? How?? Lol. I will check out some live stuff from this album for sure. This is my favorite JT so far. It's great.
My very first concert ever as a 16 yo punk kid, was the Passion Play one, Detroit. What a first concert! I know that TAAB and Aqualung get the most love, but to me, this is the most underrated one of the Tull collection. Oh, it was $5.50 a ticket!
@@L33Reacts Well, since I was at Cobo Arena that night, my big sis bought tickets for the Humble Pie/Montrose concert, which was in Dec. of that year. A bit more expensive at $7.00 a pop! One of the best shows I've ever been to.
TAAB remains my best JT album. Side 2 of TAAB is a well of fresh water while APP lacks of the freshness and brilliance its predecessor has instead. Yet APP is an incredible work I have been listening to from time to time in the last 40 yrs.
All you Tull fans should check out the band Blood Ceremony, a modern band that is heavily inspired by Tull, with a little Sabbath mixed in in places, like heavier Tull. They have a new album out just this year (which is their least heavy, most 60's-like). The female vocalist Alia O'Brien plays flute, organ, and even sax on some songs, very late 60's/early 70's sounding. Check out songs "Coven Tree", "The Devil's Widow", "The Magician", "Eugenie". I have to imagine this band will be appreciated by some of you folks, their whole discography is pretty great.
I remember when this came out; the music press in the UK hated it and the band threatened to quit the music scene. It was the manager who faked the story. The band got loads of publicity and sold shed loads of albums. Topographic got a similar reaction. We're still listening to the music and the music journos are forgotten. I borrowed a copy from the local library (really!) on permanent loan and wore it out. I was 14 and skint.
Exactly Donald. Those journos are long forgotten. But if we make it that far, I have a feeling they'll be listening to this once we make it to the stars 🌟
A lot of people hate the sax parts (even Ian seems to mostly dislike it), but personally I love it on this album (and on Warchild). It is also well worth listening to the Chateau D'Isaster sessions, which were done before A Passion Play and mostly canned at the time but now fully restored on the recent box set.
It seems like an entirely different beast to me but i see similarities in parts. And yes the captain is always watching over me and making sure I don't talk too much during the song 🤣🤣🤣😩
Great reaction, man! Big moment in the JT journey right here. One of my favorite albums of all time. Glad you like it! Yeah it's basically impossible to catch all intricate details on first listen, for me (music theory idiot) it took probably about 10 times before I felt I could actually fully enjoy it 😅 And yo! Unless you've already recorded part 2 I STRONGLY recommend *The Steven Wilson remix.* There's an entire part that's cut from the other editions. Plus Wilson's work is flawless, ask pretty much any Tull fan, he's very respectful to the original mix, pretty much only enhancing each of the instruments so that it sounds clearer. Looking forward to part 2!
I think you’re ready for something more recent… Roots to Branches complete album. You’ll be surprised at how good it sounds and Doane Perry is a master drummer too.
my favorite Tull album, no apologies. :-) this time in the 70s was so intense... there was even a bit of an arms race going on. Tull had clearly just heard Van Der Graaf "Pawn Hearts" and some Gentle Giant and you can hear it. and I think PP is stronger throughout than Thick As A Brick... the 2nd half of PP is stronger than the 2nd half of Thick, which wears a little thin. thanks for doing this, glad you're enjoying! you'll have fun with part 2. oh, and you should look up what a "passion play" is.
Glad you didn't wait to long for this album as TAAB was still fresh in your memory. Total different feel from 1 album to another, but this is definitely at his pinnacle as a songwriter. It is effin awesome, and my favourite of all their albums as I've mentionned to you before
Man, I totally get why this is your favorite. I honestly think it might be mine as well too (so far) and I can't wait for part 2. This is an entirely different beast then TAAB (imo)
The title is in reference to THE Passion Play which is an annual play depicting The Passionate Death of Christ. However this is about the death of our hero Ronnie Pilgrim who is dead at the beginning of the album, goes to The Viewing Room to see his life and then chooses to go to Heaven. He gets bored there and decides to go to Hell, then decides “fuck this- I wanna live again” so returns to Life. There you have it.
Fantastic! A Passion Play is my favorite too. Though for over a decade Jethro Tull never disappointed. I vote for "Minstrel in the Gallery" for your next Tull adventure. Especially if you love their heavier rock side. Enjoy.
In the beginning where he says the silver cord lies on the ground, it’s referring to something that some people say when they have an out of body experience. They say they see a silver cord connecting themselves to their body. There’s an understanding that if the cord is broken they can no longer return to the body; in other words, they’re dead.
When I've had my out of body experiences I've never actually seen that. I usually take one look around the room and then I'm off... my unconscious is like a whole different person. It kinda freaks me out sometimes. I stopped doing all that a while ago because I.... ran into something... and it followed me back. I don't want to really get into it. But yeah, this is awesome. I love JT so much
You said it's experimental. I don't think itsl experiments in any way shape or form. He knows EXACTLY what he's doing. Tull is ALWAYS worthy of study. I don't like everything they do, but I'm ALWAYS amazed at it.
Funny. You said this feels very "personal". I don't think you were relating to YOU but to the ARTIST. In that, in know what you mean and agree. It's my favorite. One thing, I can't find anyone who has delved into "WarChild'. Believe me, It's worth the wander.
I hereby give you permission to skip Hare. I think as well done as it is, it's not related to the Play. I know it very well, but I don't need the intermission.. First timers should study the complexity of it though.
It's my own theory that this is Ian's magnum opus, and he only "disses" it in some interviews because he's so weary of explaining/defending it. Me? It's the best. Yes, it makes it better when you KNOW you have to listen to it more than a couple times to "get it". This is cerebral, finely crafted stuff, and just wait for what Martin has in store on side 2... Great reaction, you are an "it getter" and I hope you do listen to it repeatedly & grow to love it as I have.
The album title and concept has links to Christian passion plays. Had to look up for reference to see for sure, but I’d seen a live, outdoor performance of The Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany when I was 5 (now 70) and always interpreted this album from that perspective. And well, many of us are familiar with Ian Anderson’s investigations of world religions (as well as the band’s enthusiasm for Monty Python), so another reason to think that way.
You probably are hearing two flutes (I don’t remember 😢). Martin Barre and Barrimore Barlow also fill in with extra flute periodically over the years, so perhaps here too. This is going to require digging into the vinyl collection to find out now. Or Google into another rabbit hole side-tunnel.
On album I think Martin's only recording on flute is Reasons for Waiting. Here you hear overdubs of Ian's flute. Nothing new as, for example, on Witch's Promise you can hear the same thing. Anyway Barriemore only pretended to play the flute on songs from the wood for a few seconds live. It was a prerecorded sequence.
You're right about Barriemore's drumming and did you notice that none of it is in 4:4 time? in fact the time signature for the flute solo portion is in 11:8 go figure...
You've reached the promised land with this one Lee. Welcome !! It will be a lifetime's journey of lows but incredible highs. You'll thank me in a later life.... just every so often give it a spin and you'll get more from it each listen... even the antics of 'The Hare' reaps prelonged rewards. My love for this album knows no bounds. 😍
Peter I totally get it now.. and I haven't even heard side 2 yet. This is hands down my favorite piece of theirs (so far) and I totally see why yall have been hounding me about this record. It's fantastic. It's dynamic, dark, and unexpected. And Ian is in top form with that sax.
@@L33Reacts Fantastic ! and its got to be Barriemores' magnum opus. Love your reaction. I still can't decide which Side is best. They are a complete entity to me , both sides. Just on another point...The Chateau disaster tapes ( nicknamed ) , are featured brilliantly on a Steven Wilson remaster box-set I got on release day. A fabulous package... that is essentially the acorn that grew into APP , and is a slightly different beast , and OMG is just as good if not better. Shock horror. Roll on your Side 2 reaction dude !! 😍
Hey Lee! I love this album so much. Every time I hear any part of the album, I end up listening to the whole thing. I'm glad you liked it, and I agree: I also like it better than TAAB. To be honest, TAAB isn't even in the top 3 of my Jethro Tull albums, which isn't an insult to TAAB but a testament to just how good this band is. I hope you enjoy Side 2. :)
A Passion Play begins with the main guy (named Ronnie Pilgrim) dying, so the whole album is about afterlife. Of course that is a ridiculous simplification, but that might open the concept up for you.
Musically this Band can be considered as definition of infinity. What a sublime album. Their best work, for sure. Thick As a Brick is not as good as this, very good though.
They almost out-Gentle-Gianted Gentle Giant on this one! It was definitely an obsession of mine for a period of time. And speaking of GG you should hit up Three Friends, which is their only true concept album (another album that should be experienced in full).
Dude! I am a HUGE GG fan and Three Friends by GG comes EVEN with PP. Two very different bands but Prog NTL just two best flavors of ice cream and both in my top 10 of all-time bands.
I haven't seen anyone here mention it, unless I missed a comment, but the "sax" in this album is not actually a saxophone. Well, it half is I guess. It's an instrument Ian cobbled together that I believe he calls the "claghorn" which is just the mouthpiece of an alto saxophone taped to a bamboo flute. He also plays it quite a bit on "Warchild," an album that is also sort of like a play.
Before you do side 2 there was a video they showed (at MSG) while they took a brake. The story of the hare who lost his spectales The video is on YT. I think the side 2 audio includes the story so if you want to present the show as nearly as possible to the concert play the hare video before side two and cue side to for after the story on the audio. Does that make sense?
Great to see the younger gen embrace Tull! For my personal musical taste, however, I can think of ten Tull albums I enjoy more. APP definitely has some great moments but I only listen to those edited parts and don't even get me started on The Hare. Just my opinion.
I love them! I'm so glad I got hooked on to them... it's just so good. All of it. And I understand. This stuff is completely subjective. I feel like this is my favorite JT offering so far... but I have a long way to go! It'll probably change a few more times before I'm done 🤣🤣🤣
It's great that you have such an open mind, keep up the good work! This is a band that has many different sounds, so you never know what you're going to hear. Incredibly creative.
@@L33Reacts so totally because of YOUR enthusiastic reaction, I've been listening to APP more in the past 6 months than I had in the previous 50 years, and my appreciation has increased considerably! There are still parts that just don't click with me, and the Hare interlude is as bad as ever, but I have to say my rating is way up. Thanks!
The Passion is not sexual it is a throwback to a type of play that glorifies God but in this case it is a telling of a young man who is happily enjoying all live has to offer when all of the sudden its all over for him --- His carefree and joyful dance suddenly ends and a Angel comforts him and he along with others leaving this physical plane travel to a place to review and download their experiences before leaving him wondering is this all? -- Is this my contribution ? -- If so he finds it unfulfilling and not ready to accept his reward of joining Heaven -- Onto side 2
th-cam.com/video/XJGDxINv1Wc/w-d-xo.html this is 1 hour 42 minutes of reconstructed 'A Passion Play' using all outtakes and deleted tracks from the sessions, as originally intended...... a long listen but wow
Thanks for that. I've just clicked the link and listened to it in full! Such a shame that it is not generally available. The "lost" parts are as good as the ones that made it to the album.
Despite what Rolling Stone Magazine says, Barriemore Barlow is arguably the best rock drummer (sorry Dave Grohl). Listen to Stormwatch where he takes his drumming to another level.
Hold on for Part II... edit: It's not quite "Brick" or "Play" but Triumvirate's "Illusions On A Double Dimple" is well worth the listen. (a "Dimple" has to do with a brand of Scotch and the 'hero' is having a double shot)
This is classic Tull. The shift from intro to hard riffs and back again, the introduction of head fakes where you hear one music but suddenly it becomes another is stellar in this album and worthy of great study by talented musicians. I just never liked it
That is their loss. I wish stuff like this would catch on nowadays... but people my age are a brick wall. I've tried. I promise lol. Maybe once they actually have to deal with hardship they will come back to music such as this for inspiration and comfort.
It's a sit down and listen to it album .... not like SFTW that you put on in the background and sing along while you're driving or doing chores. It's intricacies require concentration, that's why it's at the back of my JT collection.
So....... when is part 2??
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Part 2 - side 2 of the album, complete album performed 1973 with an interlude.
Haven't watched yet, but I wanted to ask a general question: s there a way to do patreon with a lump sum rather than monthly, I really hate recurring payments?
Yes, you can use PayPal. @L33Reacts
Just tell me whatever requests you want in the comments and I will do them for you. I dislike patreon too. @curtadams7406
Sorry for the delay in responding. Haven't used PayPal in awhile, when I select send money, what do I type in in the "Name, username, email, mobile" box? Is it "L33Reacts" or is it "@L33Reacts" ? @@L33Reacts
Dude, you get JT. So many don’t. Ian writes almost medieval melodies that remind me of bluegrass & folk jigs of two hundred years ago. Yet totally unique. I first discovered them on the Stand Up album in 1970- the song Teacher got me. Enjoy the discovery journey.
Saw this tour 6 times and all i can say it was the APEX of multimedia concert performance then… and to this day. A Play in four acts- interspersed with pretaped musical interludes on an unlit stage signifying scene changes- and a short intermission movie. Twice in my hometown, thrice at Madison Square Garden and twice at Nassau Colosseum. It changed my life.
It's a journey through the afterlife by Billy Pilgrim including his funeral, reviewing the tapes of his life, touring hell, and even returning to earth, and other adventures. The original album had the layout of the "play" in a little booklet with lyrics. I am going from memory with that, I can't find it on the Internet. The first time I saw Tull live (with my future wife) was in 1973 playing the entire A Passion Play, and I was blown away.
Quintessential English Prog. Lovely, never grows old.
Absolutely bro... this stuff seems like music that will remain with our species unti we end. It demands your attention and doesn't let go until its done with you. And wow, Barrymore was on fire here.
Hope your well bro. I appreciate you so much 🙌
@@L33Reacts All good Lee, glad I have the album so I can flip it over and finish it now!
@@jimreeves1 lucky. I have to wait. 😆
@@L33Reactsabsolutely! My favourite album ever!. Been a fan of the band since 1970. Thank you for reacting to this wonderful album… enjoyed your discovery of it so much! Look forward to side 2 as someone who remembers having to turn the record over 😊❤️😘
@MLewisDesign side 2 is out if that's what you meant. I can't tell if you watched both 😂😂 my apologies if you have. Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did!
This was a hard album for everyone to get into when first came out after TAAB. It was so different for its time. I turned into a Tull fan when Aqualung came out and first saw them play on the Warchild tour. Then saw them eight more times through to Roots to Branches. My favorite band i must say.
My favorite from Jethro Tull.
I totally see why bro. Side 1 was a certainly a different beat then all the other JT material.
Hi. This is my favourite Jethro Tull Album. And I´m not saying that I don´t love the others, but this one really stands out both musically and conceptually. It´s a frigging work of art, that´s what it is. Thank you for your great reactions!
Thank you for watching my friend! I appreciate you so much. This was fantastic. My favorite JT work so far... it's absolutely great I can't wait for part 2
@L33Reacts - Barrie Barlow was known as a "Drummer's, Drummer", just listen to him during the live performances (which is a true testament to a drummer's skill and abilities). His footwork/double bass drum on A Passion Play is just incredible as well as his entire playing. No one was doing that kind of double bass drumming (well, except for him, lol) in 1972/1973. Barrie said in an interview that he was inspired by the sound of the bullet train they were riding in Japan while on tour there. He said the sound of that bullet train fit perfectly with the odd time signatures (which is 11/8 during those double kick parts). Pretty amazing and creative!!
As a drummer myself, I always listen carefully to his drum parts and I'm always going to school!! He was by no means an "underrated drummer", he was very well known and respected in the drumming community... just ask Terry Bozzio, Daney Carey, Marco Minnemann, Doan Perry, etc..
the more you listen the more you like it
I can tell it's one of those albums you'll be listening to for years and still finding new stuff to love about it
Ah yes. The incomparable, unmistakable, unpredictable, uniquely gifted master musicians whose offerings never grow old. They just get better with each listen. 🎉
Just the masters of music... no biggie. 😩 🤣🤣👌
Was fortunate to see them perform this in its entirety. Great concert.
Saw Tull's Passion Play twice in the summer of 1973. Loved the "hare who lost his spectacles" pause half way and the ballarina and the opening act Steel Eye Span who opened with Gaudete acapella❤
Am I jealous ? oh, only as much as his humanly possible.
Whaaaaaat.... that is amazing. I too am jealous. I bet it was awesome. I would have loved to have seen them live at all!
Saw the tour as well as the prior one for TAAB,when Gentle Giant opened. wonderful intro to two more fab acts! Such incredible music that remains jawdropping all these decades later. It's amazing to have been a part of it all! T
Steeleye Span, Ha! Had completely forgotten about them. Loved Gaudete (despite the Latin sung with a Durham coal miner’s accent!) 😂
'Show me a good man and I'll show you the door, the last hymn is sung and The Devil cries 'more'!' The best line ever.
An album to go back to again and again - for 50 years. Just watched this and I'm looking forward so much to your reaction to side 2. I shall watch it now. It's late but no-one to please but myself. Side 2 just gets better and better. Have fun dude.
A Passion Play is a medieval play about the last days and crucification of Christ. "Son of man rise again, we won't cross you out. For we do love you like a son, of that there's no doubt."
You cut it off early, just before the first half of The Hare Who Lost His Specticals.
Thanks for doing my favorite JT album!
Wow! This totally fell off my radar screen for a few decades. Suddenly, I’m hearing it and singing most of the lyrics like they were buried back there in the memory banks. When I saw them in ’75 they started to do The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles, but cut it off (a mis-direct) to do Aqualung. The end of Part I with the heavy bass is just amazing.
Do you have the lyrics nearby when you’re listening. It might be a good addition to your experience to better catch what they’re talking about….
Great reaction to an album that doesn't really lend itself to first time reactions. There is no way you can take in all that on a first listen. Took me years to appreciate and realize this is my favourite Tull album and I'm still working in the lyrics, though I have a good idea of the broad story arc. Stick with this one, it just keeps getting better the more you know it.
I really appreciate that bro. I'm trying my best to fully let the music in while still keeping up my usual antics. It's a tough balance but JT are so good that it does the work for me basically! They fill my head with plenty of observations and thoughts. You can tell which music I REALLY like by how much I have to say. Thank you for watching my friend! JT forever
melodies decaying in sweet dissonance, and who comes here to wish me well, a sweetly scented angel fell, she laid her head upon my disbelief and bathed me with her ever smile.
Man of passion rise again and we won't cross you out.
I was still proclaiming Thick as a Brick to be the best concept album ever when this album came out...I then got to see Tull live--and they did both! What a concert. Anderson is a genius and one of the Godfathers of Prog.
Both in one concert?! 😬😤
It was actually the Passion Play tour. But they did a major part of TAAB too. @@carlandersson7870
Dude! you took the big step at last! I consider this their greatest album by far, but that's just me.
Side 2 has a big surprise waiting for you. I will say no more until you get to enjoy it.
Let the music play!
I can't wait to hear it bro! This is definitely my favorite work of theirs so far. Absolutely amazing.
@@L33Reacts And keep in mind that this is one of those masterpieces that just gets better and better the more you listen to it and memorize passages, like YES's GATES OF DELIRIUM. I envy you right now... so much to look forward to.
This was first Tull concert...'73
Lots of soprano sax from Ian. Different than a clarinet or oboe. Ian learned how to play sooo many things, and did it well.
It is customary when performing A Passion Play (in reality) to have a somewhat lighthearted interlude between each act of the play..hence “The Hare…”
Ahhhh that explains a lot. Thank you! It's truly a play. Hopefully there is no intermission lol
“The Hare” was used as an intermission, with a film version of that part (which is available on YT) played whilst the band went for a beer, smoke, toilet break before resuming the album.
The third line "And so I'm dead" the young man said over the hill not a wish away. Shows the song is about a dead actor. Not sure if it is a dream or real.
Live at Montrose is a great live album with great visuals and an older but smoother Ian.
Desk work while listening 🎧,
The juggernaut tempo greatly appreciated this wonderful creative piece from them.
Those old Tull albums are great 🟤
They surely are... an absolute blast all the way through!
After Thick As A Brick, they went to France to record at the Chateau Disaster (sic) to record an album. Ian was so disappointed with the material he shelved the whole project. To keep up with their recording contract he quickly dashed off A Passion Play. Amazing.
I can't believe they came up with this on the fly basically!! It's amazing! Other then baker st muse this side is my favorite thing I've heard from Tull
He did not reject all the material from the Chateau D'Herouville sessions(Chateau D'Isaster is a pun they made with the word disaster). He used some ideas from these sessions to create parts of A Passion Play. Also a song from these sessions, Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day, was featured on the next album Warchild.
Jethro Tull: Albums Ranked: Worst to Best:
#1 - A Passion Play
"the quintessential best Jethro Tull album ever" - Classic Album Review
Love this album
I see why bro! It's fantastic so far
apparently, this album was composed and recorded in only 17 days.
it's the story of a man who just died.
the first act is him as a ghost watching his funeral.
then he's off to a trip to the afterlife.
I love so much of Tull, including TAAB, but over the decades the albums that I return to the most are this one and Songs From The Wood, for completely different reasons. Look for some of the live footage on YT from back in the day, Lee, just give you an idea of what a trip seeing them on this tour was - just amazing. Can't wait for part 2, bud!
Hey Bob great to see you my friend!! This was so damn good. And apparently part2 is even better?? How?? Lol. I will check out some live stuff from this album for sure. This is my favorite JT so far. It's great.
I have a similar experience with JT. Those two albums are the ones I go back to the most.
My very first concert ever as a 16 yo punk kid, was the Passion Play one, Detroit. What a first concert! I know that TAAB and Aqualung get the most love, but to me, this is the most underrated one of the Tull collection. Oh, it was $5.50 a ticket!
Man, ben, that is frickin awesome. What a first experience with them. I bet you didn't know what to do with yourself after it was done LOL
@@L33Reacts Well, since I was at Cobo Arena that night, my big sis bought tickets for the Humble Pie/Montrose concert, which was in Dec. of that year. A bit more expensive at $7.00 a pop! One of the best shows I've ever been to.
I was worried, haha. Glad you liked it.
Oh this was right up my alley bro! So damn good. This is my favorite material of theirs.
Was able to get a peek at your reaction, couldn't help but giggle at happy expressions,👍
You are becoming more of a Tully all the time.👍
I love it! I definitely am. These guys are just magical.
@@L33Reacts they are not just rockers they are true musicians
TAAB remains my best JT album. Side 2 of TAAB is a well of fresh water while APP lacks of the freshness and brilliance its predecessor has instead. Yet APP is an incredible work I have been listening to from time to time in the last 40 yrs.
Guess what,Lee-- TAAB and this one never grow old...and I've been listening to them sine they were released! Enjoy, T
Terry I can tell! There is so much to unpack here! I did my best lol Its gonna take multiple listens to fully digest it. Just like TAAB lol
Highly worth it,Lee. If you can grasp it this much on one listen,yer gonna grow to adore it. As said...it never gets old,bro. Enjoy, T@@L33Reacts
I can already tell that I'm gonna be listening to this for a LONG time terry.... I could tell by 5 minutes in. It's almost TOO good lol
All you Tull fans should check out the band Blood Ceremony, a modern band that is heavily inspired by Tull, with a little Sabbath mixed in in places, like heavier Tull. They have a new album out just this year (which is their least heavy, most 60's-like). The female vocalist Alia O'Brien plays flute, organ, and even sax on some songs, very late 60's/early 70's sounding. Check out songs "Coven Tree", "The Devil's Widow", "The Magician", "Eugenie". I have to imagine this band will be appreciated by some of you folks, their whole discography is pretty great.
A little Gentle Giant feel there
I heard it too in one of the sections. Very GGish
I remember when this came out; the music press in the UK hated it and the band threatened to quit the music scene. It was the manager who faked the story. The band got loads of publicity and sold shed loads of albums. Topographic got a similar reaction. We're still listening to the music and the music journos are forgotten. I borrowed a copy from the local library (really!) on permanent loan and wore it out. I was 14 and skint.
Exactly Donald. Those journos are long forgotten. But if we make it that far, I have a feeling they'll be listening to this once we make it to the stars 🌟
Man so they even had viral marketing back in the day. Nothing new under the sun...
A lot of people hate the sax parts (even Ian seems to mostly dislike it), but personally I love it on this album (and on Warchild). It is also well worth listening to the Chateau D'Isaster sessions, which were done before A Passion Play and mostly canned at the time but now fully restored on the recent box set.
I always thought passion play was kinda leftovers from thick as a brick, Nice to see the captain back on the shelf 🤗🤗🤗🤗
It seems like an entirely different beast to me but i see similarities in parts. And yes the captain is always watching over me and making sure I don't talk too much during the song 🤣🤣🤣😩
Great reaction, man! Big moment in the JT journey right here. One of my favorite albums of all time. Glad you like it!
Yeah it's basically impossible to catch all intricate details on first listen, for me (music theory idiot) it took probably about 10 times before I felt I could actually fully enjoy it 😅
And yo! Unless you've already recorded part 2 I STRONGLY recommend *The Steven Wilson remix.* There's an entire part that's cut from the other editions. Plus Wilson's work is flawless, ask pretty much any Tull fan, he's very respectful to the original mix, pretty much only enhancing each of the instruments so that it sounds clearer. Looking forward to part 2!
This is gonna be brilliant. Great choice 👍🏻
It was definitely brilliant... can't wait for part 2 now lol
I saw them preform this when the album came out, 1st tour, great concert.
I think you’re ready for something more recent… Roots to Branches complete album. You’ll be surprised at how good it sounds and Doane Perry is a master drummer too.
my favorite Tull album, no apologies. :-) this time in the 70s was so intense... there was even a bit of an arms race going on. Tull had clearly just heard Van Der Graaf "Pawn Hearts" and some Gentle Giant and you can hear it. and I think PP is stronger throughout than Thick As A Brick... the 2nd half of PP is stronger than the 2nd half of Thick, which wears a little thin. thanks for doing this, glad you're enjoying! you'll have fun with part 2. oh, and you should look up what a "passion play" is.
Ian’ s acoustic guitar playing is just as good as his flute 🪈 playing.
Can't wait for Part 2!
Me too! I'll probably do it in a couple days LOL not a week
@@L33Reacts I'm all for that.
Glad you didn't wait to long for this album as TAAB was still fresh in your memory. Total different feel from 1 album to another, but this is definitely at his pinnacle as a songwriter. It is effin awesome, and my favourite of all their albums as I've mentionned to you before
Man, I totally get why this is your favorite. I honestly think it might be mine as well too (so far) and I can't wait for part 2. This is an entirely different beast then TAAB (imo)
Gentle Giant opened for Tull on a tour and the bands became friendly. Wish I had seen it. Never saw Giant.
I actually heard some GG in a section or two in this song. Of course they killed the style but it was cool to hear it!
My favorite Tull album!...seen them live in 1978...Looking forward to your reaction to side 2!
Wait for part 2!!! To me, There's a little extra something compare to Thick As A Brick in that piece...a litllte more experiment. Keep on Rockin Dude!
Thanks bro!! I can't wait to hear it! I'll be doing it soon.
The title is in reference to THE Passion Play which is an annual play depicting The Passionate Death of Christ. However this is about the death of our hero Ronnie Pilgrim who is dead at the beginning of the album, goes to The Viewing Room to see his life and then chooses to go to Heaven. He gets bored there and decides to go to Hell, then decides “fuck this- I wanna live again” so returns to Life. There you have it.
So, sooo good! Can't wait till Side 2.
Fantastic! A Passion Play is my favorite too. Though for over a decade Jethro Tull never disappointed. I vote for "Minstrel in the Gallery" for your next Tull adventure. Especially if you love their heavier rock side. Enjoy.
"Minstrel in the Gallery" - Jethro Tull (Full Album Reaction!): th-cam.com/play/PLCaCScTIhclLf18H5qpzLvbLCsCf8K5_e.html
Enjoy my friend:)
I loved Jeffery's bass playing.
In the beginning where he says the silver cord lies on the ground, it’s referring to something that some people say when they have an out of body experience. They say they see a silver cord connecting themselves to their body. There’s an understanding that if the cord is broken they can no longer return to the body; in other words, they’re dead.
When I've had my out of body experiences I've never actually seen that. I usually take one look around the room and then I'm off... my unconscious is like a whole different person. It kinda freaks me out sometimes. I stopped doing all that a while ago because I.... ran into something... and it followed me back. I don't want to really get into it. But yeah, this is awesome. I love JT so much
That’s the reality of the soul leaving the body and is free to be in the spiritual realm.
@@L33Reacts Yeah, not everyone sees that. I didn’t.
You said it's experimental.
I don't think itsl experiments in any way shape or form. He knows EXACTLY what he's doing.
Tull is ALWAYS worthy of study. I don't like everything they do, but I'm ALWAYS amazed at it.
Funny. You said this feels very "personal". I don't think you were relating to YOU but to the ARTIST. In that, in know what you mean and agree. It's my favorite. One thing, I can't find anyone who has delved into "WarChild'. Believe me, It's worth the wander.
31:44 try their rock island, catfish rising, under wraps, songs from the wood and roots to branches albums.
This is fun. I haven't listened to APP in a while.
Its my favorite JT stuff so far. So moody and unpredictable. This is so up my alley lol
I hereby give you permission to skip Hare. I think as well done as it is, it's not related to the Play. I know it very well, but I don't need the intermission.. First timers should study the complexity of it though.
It's my own theory that this is Ian's magnum opus, and he only "disses" it in some interviews because he's so weary of explaining/defending it. Me? It's the best. Yes, it makes it better when you KNOW you have to listen to it more than a couple times to "get it". This is cerebral, finely crafted stuff, and just wait for what Martin has in store on side 2... Great reaction, you are an "it getter" and I hope you do listen to it repeatedly & grow to love it as I have.
The album title and concept has links to Christian passion plays. Had to look up for reference to see for sure, but I’d seen a live, outdoor performance of The Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany when I was 5 (now 70) and always interpreted this album from that perspective. And well, many of us are familiar with Ian Anderson’s investigations of world religions (as well as the band’s enthusiasm for Monty Python), so another reason to think that way.
You probably are hearing two flutes (I don’t remember 😢). Martin Barre and Barrimore Barlow also fill in with extra flute periodically over the years, so perhaps here too. This is going to require digging into the vinyl collection to find out now. Or Google into another rabbit hole side-tunnel.
On album I think Martin's only recording on flute is Reasons for Waiting. Here you hear overdubs of Ian's flute. Nothing new as, for example, on Witch's Promise you can hear the same thing.
Anyway Barriemore only pretended to play the flute on songs from the wood for a few seconds live. It was a prerecorded sequence.
Part 2 is something special, youll see
I can't wait! I'll probably do it in a couple days 😅
There probably isn't one building contractor who have played a better Piano like John Evan does. 😂 Kind Regards Heinz. 🌳🥀🌱🌷✨
You're right about Barriemore's drumming and did you notice that none of it is in 4:4 time? in fact the time signature for the flute solo portion is in 11:8 go figure...
You've reached the promised land with this one Lee. Welcome !! It will be a lifetime's journey of lows but incredible highs. You'll thank me in a later life.... just every so often give it a spin and you'll get more from it each listen... even the antics of 'The Hare' reaps prelonged rewards. My love for this album knows no bounds. 😍
Peter I totally get it now.. and I haven't even heard side 2 yet. This is hands down my favorite piece of theirs (so far) and I totally see why yall have been hounding me about this record. It's fantastic. It's dynamic, dark, and unexpected. And Ian is in top form with that sax.
@@L33Reacts Fantastic ! and its got to be Barriemores' magnum opus. Love your reaction. I still can't decide which Side is best. They are a complete entity to me , both sides. Just on another point...The Chateau disaster tapes ( nicknamed ) , are featured brilliantly on a Steven Wilson remaster box-set I got on release day. A fabulous package... that is essentially the acorn that grew into APP , and is a slightly different beast , and OMG is just as good if not better. Shock horror. Roll on your Side 2 reaction dude !! 😍
@peterjones4869 I'm gonna fast track that video for sure.... might pop up randomly In the middle of the night in a day or two LOL
Got to listen a few times before you get it
I can tell it's one of those that stick with you for a long time and demands relistens to fully grasp the material
Great album for deep prog fans. Hard for the standard listener of music to grasp. In my top three Tull albums. Benefit , minstrel and this.
Hey Lee! I love this album so much. Every time I hear any part of the album, I end up listening to the whole thing. I'm glad you liked it, and I agree: I also like it better than TAAB. To be honest, TAAB isn't even in the top 3 of my Jethro Tull albums, which isn't an insult to TAAB but a testament to just how good this band is. I hope you enjoy Side 2. :)
A Passion Play begins with the main guy (named Ronnie Pilgrim) dying, so the whole album is about afterlife. Of course that is a ridiculous simplification, but that might open the concept up for you.
Ahhhhh ok that's cool thank you for clearing that up!
Musically this Band can be considered as definition of infinity. What a sublime album. Their best work, for sure. Thick As a Brick is not as good as this, very good though.
I always thought this album was almost a musical adaptation of the book Dante's inferno.
That's Interesting I didn't even think about an angle like that. I'll try and keep it mind when I listen to part 2.
They almost out-Gentle-Gianted Gentle Giant on this one! It was definitely an obsession of mine for a period of time. And speaking of GG you should hit up Three Friends, which is their only true concept album (another album that should be experienced in full).
Dude! I am a HUGE GG fan and Three Friends by GG comes EVEN with PP. Two very different bands but Prog NTL just two best flavors of ice cream and both in my top 10 of all-time bands.
If you were bothered by the cover, turn it upside down and have a look at the scene!
I haven't seen anyone here mention it, unless I missed a comment, but the "sax" in this album is not actually a saxophone. Well, it half is I guess. It's an instrument Ian cobbled together that I believe he calls the "claghorn" which is just the mouthpiece of an alto saxophone taped to a bamboo flute. He also plays it quite a bit on "Warchild," an album that is also sort of like a play.
I believe they are Saprino & saprano
Saxophones
Before you do side 2 there was a video they showed (at MSG) while they took a brake.
The story of the hare who lost his spectales
The video is on YT.
I think the side 2 audio includes the story so if you want to present the show as nearly as possible to the concert play the hare video before side two and cue side to for after the story on the audio.
Does that make sense?
Great to see the younger gen embrace Tull! For my personal musical taste, however, I can think of ten Tull albums I enjoy more. APP definitely has some great moments but I only listen to those edited parts and don't even get me started on The Hare. Just my opinion.
I love them! I'm so glad I got hooked on to them... it's just so good. All of it. And I understand. This stuff is completely subjective. I feel like this is my favorite JT offering so far... but I have a long way to go! It'll probably change a few more times before I'm done 🤣🤣🤣
It's great that you have such an open mind, keep up the good work! This is a band that has many different sounds, so you never know what you're going to hear. Incredibly creative.
@@L33Reacts so totally because of YOUR enthusiastic reaction, I've been listening to APP more in the past 6 months than I had in the previous 50 years, and my appreciation has increased considerably! There are still parts that just don't click with me, and the Hare interlude is as bad as ever, but I have to say my rating is way up. Thanks!
This album got such a dreadful review in Melody Maker, that I just had to go out and buy it! As it turned out, I loved it to bits!
I agree - I always liked this album more than TAAB! It's totally mad. 🙃
Side 2 is even more bizarre
The Passion is not sexual it is a throwback to a type of play that glorifies God but in this case it is a telling of a young man who is happily enjoying all live has to offer when all of the sudden its all over for him --- His carefree and joyful dance suddenly ends and a Angel comforts him and he along with others leaving this physical plane travel to a place to review and download their experiences before leaving him wondering is this all? -- Is this my contribution ? -- If so he finds it unfulfilling and not ready to accept his reward of joining Heaven -- Onto side 2
soprano sax and perhaps sopranino
th-cam.com/video/XJGDxINv1Wc/w-d-xo.html this is 1 hour 42 minutes of reconstructed 'A Passion Play' using all outtakes and deleted tracks from the sessions, as originally intended...... a long listen but wow
Holy shit that's a lot lol I'll save the link for after I do part 2
Thanks for that. I've just clicked the link and listened to it in full! Such a shame that it is not generally available. The "lost" parts are as good as the ones that made it to the album.
@@lemming9984 i quite agree
Despite what Rolling Stone Magazine says, Barriemore Barlow is arguably the best rock drummer (sorry Dave Grohl). Listen to Stormwatch where he takes his drumming to another level.
I'm gonna be checking out stormwatch soon. Patreon wants me to go back to the first album.
@@L33Reacts you'll love it. Especially Dark Ages. I took drum lessons from Barriemore's replacement Mark Craney. He was a beast too!
Where is "The Hare Who lost His Spectacles"?
Ian plays the sax
He kills it!
@@L33Reacts this album and Warchild are the only two albums to feature Ian playing Soprano Saxophone
Now you know why Metallica was so confused when they lost an award to Tull.
Hold on for Part II...
edit: It's not quite "Brick" or "Play" but Triumvirate's "Illusions On A Double Dimple" is well worth the listen. (a "Dimple" has to do with a brand of Scotch and the 'hero' is having a double shot)
I've actually done one song by them..but never really dived in! I'll add it to the list, thank you
A Passion Play is Tull and Ian Anderson’s Magnum Opus and way better than TAAB,
I totally agree my friend. This is better then TAAB but I definitely enjoyed them both :)
This is classic Tull. The shift from intro to hard riffs and back again, the introduction of head fakes where you hear one music but suddenly it becomes another is stellar in this album and worthy of great study by talented musicians.
I just never liked it
You cut the end off.
A passion play literally is the depiction of Christ being tortured and crucified. I'm not sure what it all means here though. Gotta do more digging.
Oh wow I didn't even think of that. I remember the passion of the christ! What a movie 😐
Great album and nobody will listen to it
That is their loss. I wish stuff like this would catch on nowadays... but people my age are a brick wall. I've tried. I promise lol. Maybe once they actually have to deal with hardship they will come back to music such as this for inspiration and comfort.
It's a sit down and listen to it album .... not like SFTW that you put on in the background and sing along while you're driving or doing chores. It's intricacies require concentration, that's why it's at the back of my JT collection.
Can't wait for you to listen to Songs from the Wood my favorite JT song.
th-cam.com/video/CpYt0y73KHU/w-d-xo.html I've done a live version of it!
Inconsistent album. Loosing time