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Post by Tulltapes on Jul 5, 2014 9:08:28 GMT
Congratulations to Charlie, Steve, Erin, and Pat. Thank you for all the hard work you put in on behalf of the fans! - David Thanks David... And for being a part of it all |
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Post by lucas on Jul 5, 2014 12:11:13 GMT
After hearing a few bit of it on Ian's show, I'm stunned. I lack words to describe how amazing was to listen to the first side of Chateau Tapes with that sound, clean and sharp, opposite to the bootleg I heard every now and then.
I never thought we would really get something like that, I thought Nightcap was all there would be, the only glimpse ate what Ian and the boys were doing at Château d'Hérouville.
APP sounds much better also, the extra sax parts are incredible.
After these, there is little more we could still expect from Ian, straight from the old days of Tull (I can think about a few songs I really thought we would get in the TaaB release but didn't)
Really great. Can't wait to get my hands on the package and read through the book while giving it a spin.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2014 17:44:37 GMT
I still haven't the time to sit down and write out all of my thoughts on this release but wanted to say (quickly) that I think this has been the such a great revival for me. The pride in having worked on the photos included is one thing that has been very rewarding.
The overriding joy I'm getting out of it though is as the fan I was at 17 and bringing back the excitement I felt when it was first released and going to see the show. Having the opening film of the ballerina rising for the bands entrance with a bang and flash pots injected me with a tiny remnant of adrenaline! That film is spooky ;-)
Then there is is the absolute crystalline version of APP itself. I know that not everyone has a 5.1 system, so just a word on this, it blows me away, it's the way this kind of music was meant to be heard. The seperation is really good. At some points when Ian sings (his voice is front center) the "into the ever Passion play", the echo of his voice travels right over and behind your head. Hahahhaha I sat there in awe. Steven Wilson did a great great job. He discusses his approach in the booklet and it makes so much sense. He decided that APP was more of a theatrical sound track then rock music and from the impression I was left with was just that.
As far as the differences in the amount of saxes and flutes, it sounds as if he just reshuffled the overdubs a bit. Some of the lines I remember so well are still there they just float up and down in the mix.
the Cd remixe is as clean and beautiful. I've heard a couple people express misgivings about investing in just another remaster. That is an erroneous assumption and the idea that maybe you just download the mp3 is hilarious, even the little bit of money that an mp3 costs is a total waste. The quality your looking for, or the reason for buying this set is to get a level of quality not previously available. If you never really liked APP fine don't get it. But if your interested in Tull at it's muscle flexing musical peak. This is the one. They worked for a period of time at the Chateau, after having an over all negative time there yet a finite amount of time time write and record a new album, they scrapped it all and had two weeks to start again, learn rehearse and record the APP. That is something that Ian credits this band with doing in the notes, have the ability, will and creativity to do some intense all nighters to make this happen is pretty amazing. The critiquing of the whole thing from a fans view is irrelevant the fact they were able to do this makes them the best thing there was back in 1973. They were good.
more later!
bye for now
Darin Cody
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Post by Tulltapes on Jul 5, 2014 20:47:57 GMT
I still haven't the time to sit down and write out all of my thoughts on this release but wanted to say (quickly) that I think this has been the such a great revival for me. The pride in having worked on the photos included is one thing that has been very rewarding. The overriding joy I'm getting out of it though is as the fan I was at 17 and bringing back the excitement I felt when it was first released and going to see the show. Having the opening film of the ballerina rising for the bands entrance with a bang and flash pots injected me with a tiny remnant of adrenaline! That film is spooky ;-) Then there is is the absolute crystalline version of APP itself. I know that not everyone has a 5.1 system, so just a word on this, it blows me away, it's the way this kind of music was meant to be heard. The seperation is really good. At some points when Ian sings (his voice is front center) the "into the ever Passion play", the echo of his voice travels right over and behind your head. Hahahhaha I sat there in awe. Steven Wilson did a great great job. He discusses his approach in the booklet and it makes so much sense. He decided that APP was more of a theatrical sound track then rock music and from the impression I was left with was just that. As far as the differences in the amount of saxes and flutes, it sounds as if he just reshuffled the overdubs a bit. Some of the lines I remember so well are still there they just float up and down in the mix. the Cd remixe is as clean and beautiful. I've heard a couple people express misgivings about investing in just another remaster. That is an erroneous assumption and the idea that maybe you just download the mp3 is hilarious, even the little bit of money that an mp3 costs is a total waste. The quality your looking for, or the reason for buying this set is to get a level of quality not previously available. If you never really liked APP fine don't get it. But if your interested in Tull at it's muscle flexing musical peak. This is the one. They worked for a period of time at the Chateau, after having an over all negative time there yet a finite amount of time time write and record a new album, they scrapped it all and had two weeks to start again, learn rehearse and record the APP. That is something that Ian credits this band with doing in the notes, have the ability, will and creativity to do some intense all nighters to make this happen is pretty amazing. The critiquing of the whole thing from a fans view is irrelevant the fact they were able to do this makes them the best thing there was back in 1973. They were good. more later! bye for now Darin Cody great post! |
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Post by Gerrald Bostock on Jul 7, 2014 12:44:32 GMT
I still haven't the time to sit down and write out all of my thoughts on this release but wanted to say (quickly) that I think this has been the such a great revival for me. The pride in having worked on the photos included is one thing that has been very rewarding. The overriding joy I'm getting out of it though is as the fan I was at 17 and bringing back the excitement I felt when it was first released and going to see the show. Having the opening film of the ballerina rising for the bands entrance with a bang and flash pots injected me with a tiny remnant of adrenaline! That film is spooky ;-) Then there is is the absolute crystalline version of APP itself. I know that not everyone has a 5.1 system, so just a word on this, it blows me away, it's the way this kind of music was meant to be heard. The seperation is really good. At some points when Ian sings (his voice is front center) the "into the ever Passion play", the echo of his voice travels right over and behind your head. Hahahhaha I sat there in awe. Steven Wilson did a great great job. He discusses his approach in the booklet and it makes so much sense. He decided that APP was more of a theatrical sound track then rock music and from the impression I was left with was just that. As far as the differences in the amount of saxes and flutes, it sounds as if he just reshuffled the overdubs a bit. Some of the lines I remember so well are still there they just float up and down in the mix. the Cd remixe is as clean and beautiful. I've heard a couple people express misgivings about investing in just another remaster. That is an erroneous assumption and the idea that maybe you just download the mp3 is hilarious, even the little bit of money that an mp3 costs is a total waste. The quality your looking for, or the reason for buying this set is to get a level of quality not previously available. If you never really liked APP fine don't get it. But if your interested in Tull at it's muscle flexing musical peak. This is the one. They worked for a period of time at the Chateau, after having an over all negative time there yet a finite amount of time time write and record a new album, they scrapped it all and had two weeks to start again, learn rehearse and record the APP. That is something that Ian credits this band with doing in the notes, have the ability, will and creativity to do some intense all nighters to make this happen is pretty amazing. The critiquing of the whole thing from a fans view is irrelevant the fact they were able to do this makes them the best thing there was back in 1973. They were good. more later! bye for now Darin Cody great post! Well stated DC...and I agree totally Erin. oh and thanks to Erin for me neat new avatar . I also have a few more created by DC, So thanks to our talented graphic department for doing these for me. |
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Post by progrockdeepcuts on Jul 9, 2014 4:29:04 GMT
Love the new package and everything, but do the following omissions bother anyone other than me?
- The missing guitar lead on "Best Friends"
- The missing sax on "Critique Oblique"
- The missing synth on "The Hare"
- The missing 'woo!' on "Overseer Overture"
I just can't think of a good reason why the above needed to be removed. Their omissions did NOT hurt the album, but they didn't exactly improve the album, either. Why? Makes me feel a bit cheated. Still, the sound on this set is incredible. I can't help but be bugged by these (tiny) details, but the big picture is pretty great.
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Post by Tulltapes on Jul 9, 2014 10:03:43 GMT
Love the new package and everything, but do the following omissions bother anyone other than me? - The missing guitar lead on "Best Friends" - The missing sax on "Critique Oblique" - The missing synth on "The Hare" - The missing 'woo!' on "Overseer Overture" I just can't think of a good reason why the above needed to be removed. Their omissions did NOT hurt the album, but they didn't exactly improve the album, either. Why? Makes me feel a bit cheated. Still, the sound on this set is incredible. I can't help but be bugged by these (tiny) details, but the big picture is pretty great. Could be a number of reasons why and I'm sure Steven Wilson can answer those questions at some point. Ian does have final say and if it weren't for some convincing by Steven there would be much more missing! I have not picked those things out specifically myself but have heard subtle differences here and there that didn't bother me. I own and have heard so many variations of the original version (of both). So don't feel cheated. We got the extra verses right? and the Chateau Tapes, and the great book. Best 5.1 release yet! |
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Post by tootull on Jul 9, 2014 14:20:32 GMT
Hello, nice to see that we are on the same page. We were always on the same page with loving Tull music. Excuse me as I cut & paste (my way to hell  ) from my posts at Steve Hoffman Forums: forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/jethro-tull-a-passion-play-deluxe-edition-due-june-2014.346420/APP deluxe - a quick review: I believe we can all agree with the great sound of this. The 5.1 is a dream come true. The flat transfer of the original album is the best to date. We really have the best of everything APP with this. WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL APP in all forms. Phenomenal 5.1 The Foot Of Our Stairs with 2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel that have been added back in is quite jarring after all these years. ...trying to decipher what's going on with the bomb in his pocket. The bonus material on CD is all very natural since the echo that is on Nightcap is gone from the stereo version. The album in 5.1 is phenomenal to say the least. Château d'Hérouville Sessions material in 5.1 is a joy to me, too. Impressive is Steven Wilson's new stereo mix. All sound great including the original mix flat transfer of the album. A WINNER! Concert bank: (My memory from Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto : A Passion Play tour - there were boos from the crowd, but the show rocked. The APP concert started with the boo birds, I remember feeling uncomfortable. However, by the end of the concert everyone seemed to be won over.) Now I have my own scans:    |
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Post by progrockdeepcuts on Jul 9, 2014 14:35:11 GMT
Love the new package and everything, but do the following omissions bother anyone other than me? - The missing guitar lead on "Best Friends" - The missing sax on "Critique Oblique" - The missing synth on "The Hare" - The missing 'woo!' on "Overseer Overture" I just can't think of a good reason why the above needed to be removed. Their omissions did NOT hurt the album, but they didn't exactly improve the album, either. Why? Makes me feel a bit cheated. Still, the sound on this set is incredible. I can't help but be bugged by these (tiny) details, but the big picture is pretty great. Could be a number of reasons why and I'm sure Steven Wilson can answer those questions at some point. Ian does have final say and if it weren't for some convincing by Steven there would be much more missing! I have not picked those things out specifically myself but have heard subtle differences here and there that didn't bother me. I own and have heard so many variations of the original version (of both). So don't feel cheated. We got the extra verses right? and the Chateau Tapes, and the great book. Best 5.1 release yet! Interestingly, the little synth blip is also missing from "The Hare" film. I wonder if it was only put there to indicate that it was time to turn the record over? |
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Post by Quizz Kid on Jul 9, 2014 20:31:53 GMT
Hi TooTull
I can't disagree a bit with your comment about being in the same page out of love of Tull music, as well as your comments about the reissue, I'm still playing it as often as I can and enjoying it more each time.
I've always liked alternate versions of tracks and wish Ian would release his own demos, as Townshend did with the 'Scoop' series, but generally I tire of the alternate versios quickly, going back to the more well known version. This has never been the case with APP and Chateau, they are more distant relations to me and I can happily return to either. The remixes just reinforce the desire to hear them more often. It's not a set I'm going to tire of, already I think I have listened to it more than HE.
The only thing I have a different experince of was the APP live gigs at Wembley, I recollect that a few people were fidgity during the intro, but once they realised the film was developing into more than the white dot they seemed to get into it. I don't recall any boo-ing or cat calls, and I rememeber hesitant but resounding applause when it finished. Still the best show I have ever seen [Warchild comes a very close second]
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Post by tootull on Jul 10, 2014 18:20:44 GMT
Hi Pat, Searching back 40+ in the memory banks - it's amazing to remember back then at all   Toronto review: www.tullpress.com/nme16jun73.htm Toronto & Montréal APP concert discussed: forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/jethro-tull-a-passion-play-deluxe-edition-due-june-2014.346420/page-17#post-10731295tootull said: Toronto for me. 30/5/73 Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto, Canada Audience: 19,000. A review says the sound accompanying the 'Hare' film broke down, (*I'll add that this brought out the boo birds) and Tull briefly played along live, then abandoned it. Does this mean 'The Hare' was performed truly live? www.ministry-of-information.co.uk/setlist/73.htmParloFax said: Me is 06/02/73, Montreal Forum, Canada. Nothing broke down and it was the rock concert of my life! And I believe the audience was somewhere around 21 000, but I need to check that later on, on an old press clipping by a local rock journalist who compiled stats about the Forum. Said they beat the Rolling Stones' attendance from 1972! It needs to be said though that the Stones had trouble with the Quebec separatists of the day. A bomb exploded in their equipment truck or something... tootull said: www.ministry-of-information.co.uk/setlist/73.htm 2/6/73 Forum Montréal, Canada Support: Brewer and Shipley, who were heckled by the audience. Martin Barre was boo'd during a guitar solo later in the Tull set itself The show also featured a couple of choruses of 'Rock Around The Clock' (taped?). ParloFax said: I finally found the paper. It's from rock journalist Paul-Henri Goulet (now deceased I think), in Le Journal de Montréal, 01/06/'96. I was a little over the top with my numbers, but not in relation with the Stones' concert of '72: The Rolling Stones, 7/72: 18,966 tickets sold Jethro Tull, 6/73: 19,702 tickets sold There are many other big star entries to his list (...naturally!) - Goulet seemed to have been quite thorough - and none surpasses or equals Tull of '73 except local biggies of the era Beau Dommage, with their farewell or comeback concert of 1984 (19,734 :mad: ). I recall vividly "Rock Around the Clock", which was a hoot! It might be in this number that Martin Barre was wearing a full "drag queen" outfit, complete w/ make-up. A long lost friend of mine had an excellent color 35-mm negative of this, taken from pro-shot distance... :cry: I have no memory of any booing though, not of Barre during any solo, nor even of Brewer & Shipley. But I was young and just so excited, I guess no amount of negativity could reach me there and then! tootull said: Soprano sax has faded from my Gardens' memory. :angel: I saw the Minstrel in the Gallery tour twice - Niagara Falls, NY & Toronto - GOOD TIMES! |
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Post by Tulltapes on Jul 12, 2014 11:42:08 GMT
Hi Pat, Searching back 40+ in the memory banks - it's amazing to remember back then at all Toronto review: www.tullpress.com/nme16jun73.htm Toronto & Montréal APP concert discussed: forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/jethro-tull-a-passion-play-deluxe-edition-due-june-2014.346420/page-17#post-10731295tootull said: Toronto for me. 30/5/73 Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto, Canada Audience: 19,000. A review says the sound accompanying the 'Hare' film broke down, (*I'll add that this brought out the boo birds) and Tull briefly played along live, then abandoned it. Does this mean 'The Hare' was performed truly live? www.ministry-of-information.co.uk/setlist/73.htmParloFax said: Me is 06/02/73, Montreal Forum, Canada. Nothing broke down and it was the rock concert of my life! And I believe the audience was somewhere around 21 000, but I need to check that later on, on an old press clipping by a local rock journalist who compiled stats about the Forum. Said they beat the Rolling Stones' attendance from 1972! It needs to be said though that the Stones had trouble with the Quebec separatists of the day. A bomb exploded in their equipment truck or something... tootull said: www.ministry-of-information.co.uk/setlist/73.htm 2/6/73 Forum Montréal, Canada Support: Brewer and Shipley, who were heckled by the audience. Martin Barre was boo'd during a guitar solo later in the Tull set itself The show also featured a couple of choruses of 'Rock Around The Clock' (taped?). ParloFax said: I finally found the paper. It's from rock journalist Paul-Henri Goulet (now deceased I think), in Le Journal de Montréal, 01/06/'96. I was a little over the top with my numbers, but not in relation with the Stones' concert of '72: The Rolling Stones, 7/72: 18,966 tickets sold Jethro Tull, 6/73: 19,702 tickets sold There are many other big star entries to his list (...naturally!) - Goulet seemed to have been quite thorough - and none surpasses or equals Tull of '73 except local biggies of the era Beau Dommage, with their farewell or comeback concert of 1984 (19,734 :mad: ). I recall vividly "Rock Around the Clock", which was a hoot! It might be in this number that Martin Barre was wearing a full "drag queen" outfit, complete w/ make-up. A long lost friend of mine had an excellent color 35-mm negative of this, taken from pro-shot distance... :cry: I have no memory of any booing though, not of Barre during any solo, nor even of Brewer & Shipley. But I was young and just so excited, I guess no amount of negativity could reach me there and then! tootull said: Soprano sax has faded from my Gardens' memory. :angel: I saw the Minstrel in the Gallery tour twice - Niagara Falls, NY & Toronto - GOOD TIMES! Toronto 1973 Montreal 1973 Niagara Falls 1975  and what the hell.. My first show ever Toronto - Maple Leaf Gardens 1977 |
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skytzo
Cub Scout
We will be geared to the average rather than the exceptional
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Post by skytzo on Jul 12, 2014 11:51:27 GMT
Mine finally arrived in the mail yesterday, which happily coincided with my wife being away visiting her sister in Chicago, so I had the whole house to myself (and the dog) . I've only had a home theater system for a little under two years, so this is my very first 5.1 surround audio purchase. Went downstairs, popped APP into the Blue-ray, cranked it way up, sat myself directly in the middle of the sound field and proceeded to blow my own head off! Amazing doesn't even begin to describe the sound! Talk about being totally immersed in the music! Then I watched the ballerina film and got major goose bumps....has anything ever been so beautiful and creepy at the same time? I'd already heard both stereo mixes, but the 5.1 mixes are on such an entirely different level. Anyone still on the fence about buying this, just do it, you won't be disappointed. Hell, it's worth it just for the booklet alone. |
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Post by Tulltapes on Jul 12, 2014 20:46:10 GMT
Mine finally arrived in the mail yesterday, which happily coincided with my wife being away visiting her sister in Chicago, so I had the whole house to myself (and the dog) . I've only had a home theater system for a little under two years, so this is my very first 5.1 surround audio purchase. Went downstairs, popped APP into the Blue-ray, cranked it way up, sat myself directly in the middle of the sound field and proceeded to blow my own head off! Amazing doesn't even begin to describe the sound! Talk about being totally immersed in the music! Then I watched the ballerina film and got major goose bumps....has anything ever been so beautiful and creepy at the same time? I'd already heard both stereo mixes, but the 5.1 mixes are on such an entirely different level. Anyone still on the fence about buying this, just do it, you won't be disappointed. Hell, it's worth it just for the booklet alone. NICE!! Glad you finally heard the 5.1. There is nothing like it! The stereo mixes while GREAT do not compare! Immersed is the word. You can't turn it off. You are literally "in the Play" Now that you've discovered the power you can go spend more money on the other 5.1's LOL. Aqualung, Benefit, and Thick as a Brick, and there's more to come...... |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 18:54:59 GMT
Mine finally arrived in the mail yesterday, which happily coincided with my wife being away visiting her sister in Chicago, so I had the whole house to myself (and the dog) . I've only had a home theater system for a little under two years, so this is my very first 5.1 surround audio purchase. Went downstairs, popped APP into the Blue-ray, cranked it way up, sat myself directly in the middle of the sound field and proceeded to blow my own head off! Amazing doesn't even begin to describe the sound! Talk about being totally immersed in the music! Then I watched the ballerina film and got major goose bumps....has anything ever been so beautiful and creepy at the same time? I'd already heard both stereo mixes, but the 5.1 mixes are on such an entirely different level. Anyone still on the fence about buying this, just do it, you won't be disappointed. Hell, it's worth it just for the booklet alone. All I can say is that I couldn't agree more, the urge to save some money, by some, and download the mp3, because "it's just another re release." Is stupefying to me. It's obvious they are uninformed as to what's been done here. i would say my first listens to the Aqualung 5.1 (which was amazing!) set me off imagining what Thick As a Brick would sound like (an unfortunate fail in the 5.1 I'm afraid) but A Passion Play was beyond my imagining. A fantastic job by SW. I would say that even if APP is not your favorite album you need to hear it in a way that Ian and The boys only hoped it would come off originally. It sounds like a play. An immersive sparkling clean play. (I guess that's more than "I couldn't agree more") Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Darin |
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Post by tootull on Jul 14, 2014 18:50:19 GMT
Hi Pat, Searching back 40+ in the memory banks - it's amazing to remember back then at all Toronto review: www.tullpress.com/nme16jun73.htm Toronto & Montréal APP concert discussed: forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/jethro-tull-a-passion-play-deluxe-edition-due-june-2014.346420/page-17#post-10731295tootull said: Toronto for me. 30/5/73 Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto, Canada Audience: 19,000. A review says the sound accompanying the 'Hare' film broke down, (*I'll add that this brought out the boo birds) and Tull briefly played along live, then abandoned it. Does this mean 'The Hare' was performed truly live? www.ministry-of-information.co.uk/setlist/73.htmParloFax said: Me is 06/02/73, Montreal Forum, Canada. Nothing broke down and it was the rock concert of my life! And I believe the audience was somewhere around 21 000, but I need to check that later on, on an old press clipping by a local rock journalist who compiled stats about the Forum. Said they beat the Rolling Stones' attendance from 1972! It needs to be said though that the Stones had trouble with the Quebec separatists of the day. A bomb exploded in their equipment truck or something... tootull said: www.ministry-of-information.co.uk/setlist/73.htm 2/6/73 Forum Montréal, Canada Support: Brewer and Shipley, who were heckled by the audience. Martin Barre was boo'd during a guitar solo later in the Tull set itself The show also featured a couple of choruses of 'Rock Around The Clock' (taped?). ParloFax said: I finally found the paper. It's from rock journalist Paul-Henri Goulet (now deceased I think), in Le Journal de Montréal, 01/06/'96. I was a little over the top with my numbers, but not in relation with the Stones' concert of '72: The Rolling Stones, 7/72: 18,966 tickets sold Jethro Tull, 6/73: 19,702 tickets sold There are many other big star entries to his list (...naturally!) - Goulet seemed to have been quite thorough - and none surpasses or equals Tull of '73 except local biggies of the era Beau Dommage, with their farewell or comeback concert of 1984 (19,734 :mad: ). I recall vividly "Rock Around the Clock", which was a hoot! It might be in this number that Martin Barre was wearing a full "drag queen" outfit, complete w/ make-up. A long lost friend of mine had an excellent color 35-mm negative of this, taken from pro-shot distance... :cry: I have no memory of any booing though, not of Barre during any solo, nor even of Brewer & Shipley. But I was young and just so excited, I guess no amount of negativity could reach me there and then! tootull said: Soprano sax has faded from my Gardens' memory. :angel: I saw the Minstrel in the Gallery tour twice - Niagara Falls, NY & Toronto - GOOD TIMES! Toronto 1973 Montreal 1973 Niagara Falls 1975 and what the hell.. My first show ever Toronto - Maple Leaf Gardens 1977 Thanks TT  |
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Post by Quizz Kid on Jul 27, 2014 13:01:43 GMT
Review of the APP - Extended Play package by Micheal Heatley in the [latest] August edition of Record Collector  |
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Post by tootull on Jul 27, 2014 14:26:47 GMT
Review of the APP - Extended Play package by Micheal Heatley in the [latest] August edition of Record Collector Thanks for this. Cheers! |
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Post by tootull on Jul 27, 2014 15:06:56 GMT
Google translate: www.stern.de/kultur/musik/phoenix-aus-der-asche-jethro-tulls-passion-play-2126105.htmlPhoenix from the ashes: Jethro Tull's "Passion Play" July 23, 2014, 18:18 Clock dpa-starline Berlin - The loyalty of the Jethro Tull fans to their English prog rock heroes of the first hour usually knows no boundaries. Only when it comes to the album "A Passion Play" (1973) - the seventh work of the band, while the sixth studio album - loyalty is put to a severe test. This disc is so mysterious and complex as their vertrakte genesis after a fiasco in the studio Château d'Hérouville in southern France. Almost all the critics of that time fell upon the work and in response to the bad reviews said the offended front-man Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull that would withdraw for an indefinite period from the music business. What was going on? Well, despite the scolding reached "A Passion Play" topped the American charts. Anderson and the band did a few months later on and now it's about time to take on this work again under the microscope. "A Passion Play" is namely back into the local record store shelves and indeed in opulent revamp. The so-called Extended Performance Edition is a beautiful 2CD/2DVD-Paket, bound like a book. It contains the original album and the material of the recordings from France that were reshuffled by the renowned sound engineer and prog rock lovers Steven Wilson. Thanks to the excellent sound quality, the difficult double album actually rises like a phoenix from the ashes. The thick booklet provides great photos and plenty of background information on the chaotic sessions in Château d'Hérouville where once Elton John his album "Honky Chateau" recorded and Pink Floyd grossed the film music for "Obscured By Clouds". The establishment got Jethro Tull in no way good: The technology on strike and to make matters worse, the band members were suffering under a bad food poisoning, which was probably a consequence of catering. The Tull material of approximately one hour length from France was finally discarded, and the band has created "A Passion Play" from scratch. The album became a 45-minute prog-rock monument with intricate rhythms and equally complicated texts. At that time gave fellow Yes and King Crimson similar indigestible food, which has long enjoyed cult status. On the Tull album is the way to the old story of good versus evil, God against the devil. Bright and friendly, however, are the songs from the so-called "Chateau Disaster Tapes" - especially "Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day". The pretty catchy song later appeared on the follow-up album "Warchild". |
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Post by tootull on Jul 27, 2014 15:07:12 GMT
Jethro Tull, ‘A Passion Play: An Extended Performance’ – Album Review by Ryan Reed July 26, 2014 12:09 PM With Jethro Tull‘s 1972 opus ‘Thick as a Brick,’ band mastermind Ian Anderson aimed to subvert the bloated prog-rock excess of his peers while also paying tribute to their epic sweep. And he succeeded. With its absurd lyrical concept, inter-connected musical themes and instrumental bombast, ‘Brick’ celebrated the genre’s complexity while also lampooning its straight-faced one-upsmanship. Released during the height of the prog boom, the album brought Tull an even broader fanbase, topping the American charts. But at what cost? Half-parody or not, ‘Brick’ was the band’s crowning achievement — and it left Anderson in a tough spot: figuring out how to top it. Attempting to avoid England’s insanely high tax rates, Anderson and company fled to Switzerland — and later the Chateau d’Herouville studio in France, where they started work on another ambitious song cycle. But after facing an array of difficulties (from food poisoning to technical glitches), a dismayed Tull whisked back to London. With only 17 days remaining until the start of their American tour, Anderson re-worked bits of the old material (dubbed “Chateau D’Isaster”) for what would become ‘A Passion Play’ — another ambitious prog-rock set based around one lengthy suite split into 20-minute halves. (And, to the dismay of many Tull die-hards, a fanciful, Monty Python-esque palette-cleanser called ‘The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles.’) Premiered in full on-stage, ‘A Passion Play’ earned hostile reviews, with critics blasting its compositional density (Anderson’s fluttering soprano sax being a prime target) and abstract lyrical concept (based around a theme of death and afterlife judgment). Tull fans remain firmly split into two distinct camps — it’s either the band’s clear masterpiece or their obvious “D’Isaster.” The truth, as usual, isn’t so simple. While never reaching the seamless heights of ‘Thick as a Brick,’ ‘A Passion Play’ remains an essential follow-up — and thanks to this new ‘Extended Performance’ reissue, that fact becomes even clearer. With a more direct remix (and spacious 5.1 mix), Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson (who previously offered a face-lift to ‘Aqualung’ and is currently trudging through the entire King Crimson back catalog) puts the band’s extraordinary interplay in sharper focus. Barring a few stray sax overdubs, Wilson keeps the arrangements firmly in-tact, but his version lets the songs breathe a bit more — removing some of the reverb from Anderson’s expressive voice, punching up Barrie Barlow’s propulsive drum kit and Martin Barre‘s subtle guitar shadings. The album’s mighty first side rivals the majesty of ‘Thick as a Brick’ note-for-note — from the haunting classical theme of ‘The Silver Cord’ to the bluesy attack of the ‘Best Friends’ to the eerie pummel of ‘Critique Oblique.’ It’s a winding journey from start to finish, brimming with John Evan’s brilliant organ work and Anderson’s agile singing. But, unlike ‘Brick,’ ‘A Passion Play’ recycles some of the same musical motifs on its long-winded second side, causing it to lose focus. The true selling point on this reissue is Wilson’s exquisite mix of the “Chateau D’Isaster” tapes. While most of the material has been previously released on various box sets (with the lovely ‘Skating Away’ reworked for 1974′s ‘War Child’), the hour-long set feels at its most cohesive here. In the insightful liner notes (which also include band interviews and journalist essays), Wilson says his goal was to “be more faithful to what actually happened in the studio in 1972,” freeing the material from the anachronistic reverb (and overdubbed Anderson flute parts) that made previous versions feel inauthentic. The best moments here – the explosive ‘No Rehearsal,’ the quirky ‘Law of the Bungle’ — feel more genuine to their time period. This ‘Extended Performance’ probably won’t sway the album’s fiercest critics. But at least it re-opens the conversation, offering a clearer window into a work of a flawed genius. ultimateclassicrock.com/jethro-tull-passion-play-an-extended-performance-review/ |
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Post by tootull on Jul 27, 2014 15:07:32 GMT
Jethro Tull | A Passion Play: An Extended Performance (Chrysalis) Written by Marc Farr Wednesday, 23 July 2014 22:29 With 30 tracks, this is a long listen, but the musical journey is a good one. 40th Anniversary Edition 2014 is a year of many a musical anniversary; included in that list is Jethro Tull. On July 23, 1973, the band released their most ambitious project to date, A Passion Play. The album went to number one on the U.S. charts, while only reaching number 13 in the U.K., the band's home. A Passion Play was the second concept album for the band. The first, the previously released Thick as a Brick, was more of a spoof of the whole concept album idea. However, with A Passion Play, the band took the idea much more seriously, and made the album the story of a man's challenges with the afterlife. Upon initial release, the critics seriously panned the album. The bad press even resulted in then-manager Terry Ellis announcing to the press that Jethro Tull would cease all live performances, which was untrue. By the time the lies were cleared up, most critics had jumped on the bad-press bandwagon. For An Extended Performance, the entire album has been given a new stereo remix courtesy of Steven Wilson. Sporting four discs in total, the package includes the album, as well as the Chateau D’Herouville sessions presented in their entirity. The DVDs contain the intro and outros used on the 1973 tour for the album, as well as the video clips for “The Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles.” DVD 2 hosts The Chateau Sessions presented in 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital AC3. With 30 tracks, this is a long listen, but the musical journey is a good one. The album starts with “Lifebeats/Prelude,” working into “The Silver Cord,” a song depicting one entering the afterlife. Act 2 consists of a melody of songettes, including “Re-Assuring Tune,” “Memory Bank,” and “Critique Oblique,” songs about finding dissatisfaction with both Heaven and Hell. With the new stereo 5.1 mix, the production is crisp and clean. Combining awesome tempo changes and Ian Anderson’s virtuoso fluting, this is an amazing album. Musically tight and theater-elegant, it truly shows the high level of talent that makes Jethro Tull who they are. An 80-page booklet sets this package off quite nicely, topping off reproductions of the original Linwell Theatre programme, an extensive article by Martin Webb about the making of the album, interviews with the band from 1973, and much, much more. This collection is stunning, a collection-topper for all Jethro Tull fans. Of special note: While later released on War Child, hit single “Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day” is also included here, as it was on the initial release of the album. A | Marc Farr Share it... www.playbackstl.com/music-reviews/13383-jethro-tull--a-passion-play-an-extended-performance-chrysalis |
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Post by tootull on Jul 27, 2014 15:08:11 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 20:25:27 GMT
Record Collector could've saved some ink………I like turkey.
Darin
And thanks for all the reviews TooTull better than 73!
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Post by Quizz Kid on Jul 27, 2014 23:22:44 GMT
Record Collector could've saved some ink………I like turkey. Darin I agree, particularly when it comes so well dressed. What I find odd is that it gets a mediocre review and the reviewer admits he doesn't have the complete package, almost as bad as if one of Ian's anal APP fans (like me) had not bought the album and eulogised over it based on hearing it on a degraded bootlegged version on a cheap car stereo. I don't quite understand the validity of that approach. The more I listen to it though I find I'm trying to listen to it without my "pro" bias of many years, and I wonder that if it had been released as it is now and with the current level of pro-Prog interest could it have reduced the level of disenchantment some fans and reviewers felt back then ? Could it have unified fans in defence of APP and possibly brought them back into the fold (I if they hadn't already moved on)? |
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Post by tootull on Jul 28, 2014 13:30:54 GMT
expressmilwaukee.com/article-23704-jethro-tull-a-passion-play-an-extended-performance-%2528chrysalis%2529.htmlSunday, July 27, 2014 Jethro Tull: A Passion Play: An Extended Performance (Chrysalis) By David Luhrssen Among the score or more of wildly creative rock bands to emerge from Britain in the late ‘60s, Jethro Tull was among the most diverse in direction. Early albums included blues and proto-heavy metal, jazz, British folk and the brain-searing distortions of psychedelia. And then, in the early ‘70s, Tull began to Think Big with sprawling concept albums. The lavish four-disc reissue of A Passion Play (1973) includes an extensive 80-page book with comments from band members. Even composer-front man Ian Anderson is willing to concede that some of his opus on the afterlife fell a bit short. I sort of knew that at age 14, when I purchased the original gatefold LP and poured over its contents as if it was a canonical text: even then, I felt that the parts didn’t entirely hold together. And yet, all is not lost with A Passion Play. Some sections still sound like a good example of progressive rock, some of the lyrics are clever and meaningful—but then, there are segments that sag or refuse to flow. The second disc is comprised of previously unreleased material from the first stab at conceiving A Passion Play and includes some interesting tracks, including an early attempt at one of Tull’s best songs, “Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day.” The Dolby digital remixes on discs three and four are of interest only to ardent audiophiles. A Passion Play’s place in the chronicle of Jethro Tull? Let’s just say that most fans were relieved when Anderson returned to writing succinct songs on Tull’s next album, War Child (1974). Here's your I.D. (Ideal for identifying one and all.)
Invest your life in the memory bank ours the interest and we thank you.
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Post by Quizz Kid on Jul 28, 2014 19:44:24 GMT
expressmilwaukee.com/article-23704-jethro-tull-a-passion-play-an-extended-performance-%2528chrysalis%2529.htmlSunday, July 27, 2014 Jethro Tull: A Passion Play: An Extended Performance (Chrysalis) By David Luhrssen Among the score or more of wildly creative rock bands to emerge from Britain in the late ‘60s, Jethro Tull was among the most diverse in direction. Early albums included blues and proto-heavy metal, jazz, British folk and the brain-searing distortions of psychedelia. And then, in the early ‘70s, Tull began to Think Big with sprawling concept albums. The lavish four-disc reissue of A Passion Play (1973) includes an extensive 80-page book with comments from band members. Even composer-front man Ian Anderson is willing to concede that some of his opus on the afterlife fell a bit short. I sort of knew that at age 14, when I purchased the original gatefold LP and poured over its contents as if it was a canonical text: even then, I felt that the parts didn’t entirely hold together. And yet, all is not lost with A Passion Play. Some sections still sound like a good example of progressive rock, some of the lyrics are clever and meaningful—but then, there are segments that sag or refuse to flow. The second disc is comprised of previously unreleased material from the first stab at conceiving A Passion Play and includes some interesting tracks, including an early attempt at one of Tull’s best songs, “Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day.” The Dolby digital remixes on discs three and four are of interest only to ardent audiophiles. A Passion Play’s place in the chronicle of Jethro Tull? Let’s just say that most fans were relieved when Anderson returned to writing succinct songs on Tull’s next album, War Child (1974). Here's your I.D. (Ideal for identifying one and all.)
Invest your life in the memory bank ours the interest and we thank you. I love it when a reviewer thinks they are speaking on behalf of most Tull fans, I've always had the feeling out of the Tull fans who stayed the course, most find APP to be the pinnacle or at least near the top in their list of their favourites. Still I suppose with professional reviewers things haven't changed much since the original release. |
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Post by Quizz Kid on Jul 31, 2014 12:50:49 GMT
From the August 2014 edition of Classic rock. A meritorious 8/10, what would Lester Bangs and Nick Kent say....  Copyright ClassiC Rock/Teamrock.com |
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Post by Quizz Kid on Aug 1, 2014 10:22:07 GMT
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Post by progrockdeepcuts on Aug 1, 2014 18:04:06 GMT
Very cool! Would like to see some photos of the booklet if possible.
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Post by Quizz Kid on Aug 4, 2014 12:31:54 GMT
Well, now the great unveiling, it's arrived....180gm vinyl in a very nice package with a 24 page booklet.  The traditional gatefold inner graphic has been replaced by one of Carl's great images of the band:  No, green Chrysalis label for this one...  Credits in the programme:  and maybe I'm trying a bit too hard for some with this one....  and this one is just for Ten Cars!  |
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Damn! 
Jul 26, 2017 16:46:26 GMT