Jethro Tull - A Passion Play - An Extended Performance


Year of Release: 2014
Label: Rhino Records
Catalog Number: 2564630567
Format: CD-DVD
Total Time: 00:00:00

The Jethro Tull remasters continue with A Passion Play from 1973. Steven Wilson returns to sit behind the sound board and make his magic happen yet again. This special book edition is subtitled An Extended Performance. Ian Anderson has all the faith and trust in the world for Wilson and with good reason; he has proven to be asset in restoring some of the early Jethro Tull back catalog already.

This beautifully packaged 2CD/2DVD case-bound book includes 80 pages with vintage photos. The expanded edition includes the original album, and earlier Château d'Hérouville Sessions, both mixed to amazing 5.1 surround sound and new stereo mixes by Mr. Wilson.

As stated on the band's website: Like its predecessor, Thick As A Brick, A Passion Play is a concept album with a single song (which was split into two parts on the original vinyl LP release). The theme of the concept is the spiritual journey of one man in the afterlife.

That pretty much sums up the album's meaning on a conceptual level; however, the music is another matter entirely.

There was not a good reaction from the press at the time of this album's release, but as usual they were dead wrong and this went on to be an unheralded prog rock classic and it still stands up quite well today. This is very complex music set to an interesting story (of course). And what would one expect from Ian and the boys anyway? To hear it all again now remastered in 5.1 surround sound is indeed a blessing as it brings out a lot of the original intent more clearly and concisely than the original recording.

The presentation itself is as grand as the recording and as such deserves all of this special treatment. Some great information becomes available throughout the 80 pages of text included with this book version. You get an inside look at the recording process and some of the challenges involved where they did the initial recording session. I won't go into detail to ruin the experience for anyone that has not purchased this yet, but rest assured it is all very entertaining.

A few tracks in and the realization that Passion Play is a brilliant slice of prog rock hits home with more impact than ever. "Critique Oblique" is a classic prog rock workout reminiscent of its predecessor TAAB. "The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles" I am sure was fun to record but it still sounds very strange to me (and the short film provided is even more so, but alas it was theater). It is part of the story so it couldn't be a track that never made it to the album then reemerge as bonus track. "The Foot Of Our Stairs" is a proper return to form, now with the addition of 2 extra verses found on the end of the multi-track reel. Things continue on from there with so many transitions it would make any worthy musician or intent listener's head spin. And to that I say well done lads!

"Magus Perde" is powerful and engaging as it gets. It has some fantastic keyboard passages, and the guitar sound is different than usual while standing out very well. Also found on the first DVD and your choice of remastered tracks is the intro and outro film used during the tour. I can imagine many audience members freaking out at the time watching what the ballerina does. Her starting position was laying on her back looking at you with her head upside down and moving her limbs every so slightly for several minutes until finally getting into the position to dance. Then eventually she finds a mirror and jumps into it only to come crashing back through the other side to end the show. I cannot imagine the wow effect it had on the many completely stoned audiences back then.

The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions fills the second discs (CD & DVD) and it is a new Steven Wilson stereo mix that stands out. The DVD with its different surround sound versions includes scrolling pictures of the band as the music plays. A few tracks that never made it on Passion Play but on to War Child are featured in their native form. "Skating Away" and "Solitaire" provide a window into what War Child would become. All of this music was definitely worth revisiting and I think fans will appreciate hearing it.

The new discovery factor and then the realizations of new sounds 40 years on comes rushing at you proving it is still a big part of what these sets have to offer. After listening to this great music of the past it is reaffirmed that Jethro Tull was a unique band and Ian Anderson’s vocals and all around talent was the core driving force. I plan to continue to enjoy all of this older music coming back to life and the new music on offer from the incredible Mr. Anderson and company.

Key Tracks: Critique Oblique (all versions), Magus Perde, Skating Away

© Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck - Prog Rock Music Talk Founder


Tracklisting:
CD 1 – A Passion Play (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix: Lifebeats/Prelude / The Silver Cord / Re-Assuring Tune / Memory Bank / Best Friends / Critique Oblique / Forest Dance #1 / The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles / Forest Dance #2 / The Foot Of Our Stairs (+ 2 extra verses found on end of multi-track reel) / Overseer Overture / Flight From Lucifer / 10.08 to Paddington / Magus Perde / Epilogue

CD 2 – The Chateau d’Herouville Sessions (A new Steven Wilson stereo mix: The Big Top / Scenario / Audition / Skating Away / Sailor / No Rehearsal / Left Right / Solitaire / Critique Oblique (Part I) / Critique Oblique (Part II) / Animelee (1st Dance) [Instrumental] / Animelee (2nd Dance) [Instrumental] / Law Of The Bungle (Part I) / Tiger / Law Of The Bungle (Part II)

DVD 1 (Audio & Video): Contains A Passion Play mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo. A flat transfer from the original master at PCM 96/24 stereo and video clips of The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles an intro and outro film footage used in the Passion Play tour of 1973.

DVD 2 (Audio only): Contains The Chateau d'Herouville Sessions mixed to 5.1 DTS and AC3 Dolby Digital surround sound and PCM 96/24 PCM stereo.

In the 80 page book: An extensive article by Martin Webb on the preparation and recording of the album and the 'Chateau disaster' sessions that preceded it. / Steven Wilson's thoughts on mixing the recordings. / Memories of the cover shoot and Hare filming by dancer Jane Eve (Colthorpe) / The Rev'd Godfrey Pilchard's recollections. / 1973 tour history. / Recollections of touring and PA systems by sound man Chris Amson.

Musicians:
Ian Anderson - flute, guitars, soprano sax, vocals
Barriemore Barlow - drums, glockenspiel, marimba, timables, timpani
Martin Barre - guitars
John Evans - keyboards, organ, piano, synthesizer
Jeffery Hammond-Hammond - bass, vocals
David Palmer - keyboards, saxophone, synthesizer

Discography:
This Was (1968)
Stand Up (1969)
Benefit (1970)
Aqualung (1971)
Thick As A Brick (1972)
Living In The Past (1972)
A Passion Play (1973)
War Child (1974)
Minstrel In The Gallery (1975)
M.U. The Best Of (1976)
Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll: Too Young To Die (1976)
Songs From The Wood (1977)
Repeat - The Best Of Jethro Tull Vol 2 (1977)
Heavy Horses (1978)
Bursting Out - Live (1978)
Stormwatch (1979/2004)
'A' (1980)
The Broadsword And The Beast (1982/2005)
Under Wraps (1984)
Original Masters (1985)
Crest Of A Knave (1987/2005)
20 Years Of Jethro Tull (1988)
Rock Island (1988)
Catfish Rising (1991)
A Little Light Music (1992)
The Anniversary Collection (1993)
25th Anniversary Box Set (1993)
Nightcap (1995)
Roots To Branches (1995)
J-Tull Dot Com (1999)
The Very Best Of (2001)
Living With The Past (2002)
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)
Classic Masters (2003)
Stand Up/This Was (2003)
Essential (2003)
Nothing Is Easy: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004)
Aqualung Live (2005)
Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson (2005)
Extended Versions (2006)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2007)
The Best Of Acoustic Jethro Tull (2007)
Living With The Past/Nothing Is Easy (2008)
This Was (expanded) (2008)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2004/2008)
The Anniversary Collection/A New Day Yesterday (2008)
Live At Montreux 2003 (2008)
Live At Madison Square Garden (2009)
Christmas Album (2009)
Live In Switzerland 2003 (LP) (2014)
A Passion Play - An Extended Performance (2014)
War Child - 40th Anniversary Theatre Edition (2014)
Minstrel In The Gallery - 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition (2015)

Living With The Past (DVD) (2002)
A New Day Yesterday: 1969-1994 - The 25th Anniversary Collection (VID/DVD) (1994/2003/4)
Nothing Is Easy - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (DVD) (2005) Live At Montreux 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Jack In The Green - Live In Germany (DVD) (2008)
Live In Bethlehem, PA, 2003 (DVD) (2008)
Their Full Authorized Story (DVD) (2009)
Live At AVO Session 2008 (DVD) (2009)
Live At Madison Square Garden (DVD) (rec 1978, rel 2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: September 16th 2014
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.jethrotull.com
Hits: 3577
Language: english

  

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