Track Listing

1. Passion Play
2. Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
3. Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3543 in Music
• Released on: 2003-04-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Enhanced, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

CD Description
Led by Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull had commercial and (varying) critical success with BENEFIT, AQUALUNG and THICK AS A BRICK. However, it was after 1973's A PASSION PLAY, a musically and thematically bold "concept" album, that the band seemed alarmed by the critics' nibbling little pens. Anderson wasreportedly so wearied by critics' vitriol that he announcedhe would never tour again--but did a year later. (Despite the critical hostility, A PASSION PLAY soared to No. 1 in theU.S.).
Musically and lyrically dense, A PASSION PLAY features Anderson's enigmatic lyrics sprinkled with biblical references, and Tull's sprightly mix of minstrel-style Englishfolk with electrified, prog rock overtones. Some may find the CD issue--which doesn't delineate from track to track, implicitly requesting listeners stay the 45-minute course fromstart to finish--a bit challenging. But those who enjoy vintage Tull recordings will be intrigued by this daring and experimental effort.

Customer Reviews

You'll either love it or hate it!
No-one likes this album: they either love it or they hate it. It polarises people.

Upon first listening to A Passion Play I was quite disappointed, especially when compared with Thick As A Brick, Jethro Tull's previous concept album. 'Why did I buy this junk?' I thought. My second listen felt a little better. By the third listen I was addicted.

It's fairly similar in structure to Thick As A Brick, though much darker in feeling. Brilliant chord progression and licks. I love the little intermission where "The Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles" is told, backed with amazingly suitable music and other effects.

I absolutely love this album. It's a very close second to Thick As A Brick for me.

Wonderful and strange
This is the sister album to Thick as a Brick (IMHO). Whenever I listen to it, I am left with a strange, slightly sad feeling - perhaps from the line 'There was a rush...along the Fulham Road...' Dunno why. Anyway, this album is a classic and demonstrates a genre of modern music sadly missing today. Even now, 28 years after I first heard it, 'The Hare who lost his SPECTACLES!' is still brilliant.

tull's masterpiece
Like War Child, the first listen leaves one a bit bewildered as to what the hell is goin on. (As Ian Anderson intended I hope.) But after giving it a chance to sink in, its unorthodox tempo, arrangement and of course lyrics find a home somewhere in the back of one's brain. It's delightful, fun, whimsical, and unforgettable. The musical equivalent to David Cronenberg's 'Videodrome'.
After the reviews, Anderson allegedly was so pissed he stopped touring for over a year. (Silly sot!!!) But he never did anything better; and what followed was very good.