A PASSION PLAY

Tull was all the rage at the high school I started attending in 1972. Stand Up. "Living in the Past." Benefit. And, then, of course, Thick as a Brick. I never felt the pull. But I did allow myself to try their next new release. That was A Passion Play.

I played it to death for a week, start to finish, Side One and Side Two. I don't remember any song titles--to me it was all one song. But I do remember that after a while I found one "song" that kept drawing me back--and I was able to find those wide grooves that allowed me to cue in for direct access. That was, as it turns out, "Magus Perde." I also like "Best Friends" and "The Foot of Our Stairs" as well as the two Forest Dances.

After a month or two I think A Passion Play went from my 'regular play' pile next to my turntable onto my shelf from where it has rarely been pulled again. Being no fan of lyrics (except those of Jon Anderson), a big chunk of the Tull magic was lost on me.

Then, again, four years later, as a freshman in college I became surrounded by Tull worshippers--especially as Ian and Company were coming to our college town for a show! Still I resisted.

To this day I remain pretty much unimpressed with the compositions or instrumental prowess of any of the J Tull members. Ian Anderson's flute playing left a lasting impression and is very much appreciated but compared to the work and stylistic approach of Thijs Van Leer, I always find/found myself choosing the Dutchman. A good ensemble group, the individuals never stood out to me like Akkerman, McLaughlin, DiMeola, or Albrighton (guitar), Van der Linden, Bonham, White, Walden, or Collins (drums), Clarke, Ruiter, Gomez, Squire or Lynott (bass). And I was never much of an organ fan at this time. However, as I revisit the Tull catalogue 40 years later I find that I am very impressed with their collective sound and discipline. This one's worth four stars.