Release Date: March 15, 2024
Label: Chrysalis
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In July 2014, I covered Jethro Tull's A Passion Play- An Extended Performance (2
CDs/2 DVDs), remastered by Steven Wilson's musical genius. Now, for the first
time, that release, which included The
Château D'herouville Sessions 1972, is on a 2-LP Gatefold set.
Although these are separate tracks, they segue one into the next, keeping the
flow of the music, however different, going without pausing.
I also found the back story of these sessions interesting and
quite humorous. As I read the extensive liner notes on the gatefold sleeves,
Martin Barre's account had me laughing with tears in my eyes. Indeed, at the
time, it was not so funny; it was a complete disaster on all accounts.
Fortunately for music fans, we can hear it on vinyl's beautiful and warm
clarity.
The tracks are solid, and it was a shame that the entire project
had to be scrapped then; however, as the saying goes, better late than never.
Well, at least for this JT fan. Most fans of their music would agree that the
70s was the band's most fertile period. Tull recorded this music after the
immense success of the Thick
As Brick album and a long worldwide tour to promote it. I
believe most listeners will find tremendous enjoyment from start to finish,
except listening to the reading of "The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His
Spectacles" twice!
The lineup at the time was as follows:
Ian Anderson: vocals, flute, saxophones, acoustic guitar.
Martin Barre: electric guitar.
John Evan: piano, organ, synthesizers, speech.
Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond: bass guitar, speech, Narration on 'The
Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles'.
Barriemore Barlow: drums, glockenspiel, marimba.
David Palmer (now Dee Palmer) arranged and conducted the
orchestra.
Note: Sides 1, 2, and 3 were remixed by Steven
Wilson in 2013 (except * 2021).
Side 4, mixed by Ian Anderson.
Track one begins with a short synth ditty, then on to the
"Big Top" as a rousing guitar starts as Ian begins his vocals, then
an acoustic guitar, which segues into tracks "Scenario" and
"Audition," and the music continues to build after some nice acoustic
picking. The band's power congeals into the prog rock they were famous for. It
reminded me of the Thick
As A Brick album.
So on to track four, we go "Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of
The New Day." I fondly remember it being on the flip side of the
"Bungle In The Jungle" 45. When I started my podcast a few years
back, I had an interview with Ian. The interview never saw the light of day
because of a technical issue. After mentioning that it was one of my favorite
tracks, he told me it was an environmental awareness statement (which may be
old news to some long-time fans). This version is all acoustic and missing the
electric guitar; however, it is still excellent.
"Sailor" begins with a soft acoustic guitar and Ian singing
at his mellow rhythmic best. The bass playing is notably superb. The keys are
layered nicely, and a superior convergence of the band's strengths goes to an
instrumental segment and right into "No Rehearsal." Side one closes
out firmly, showing a crew working in sync and at its pinnacle. Then, a
fast-paced period begins with a marvelous guitar and ends with the way the side
started with a brief synth passage.
Side two starts oddly with babies fussing on "Left
Right" as an ominous guitar begins. The keys drive forcefully, with a
solid bottom keeping the course steady and accurate. Enter that familiar flute
as it merges with the keys. A sharp guitar arrives and cuts through with
dominance. The bass and cowbell quietly end the track as it moves into
"Only Solitaire" and then to "Critique Oblique (Part I and
II)." The formula of mellow acoustics to a more potent electric mix then
takes over the direction. Flourishes of Tull at their best instrumentally is a
highlight of this set, with some tasteful rocking to showcase their abilities
and diversity. There are too many changes to count, but all of it is
exceptional prog rock. Never knowing what contrast is coming next is the mark
of this magnificent lineup.
Side three opens with "Animelee" (1st and 2nd Dance).
Another round of instrumental bliss is upon your senses, showcasing again how
vital this version of Tull was (perhaps the best version of the band?). They
put all their cards on the table as a creative musical unit and continue to
succeed. Towards the end, it stops with a brief acoustic piano entry, then back
to the prog rock classic instrumental sound, to my delight. "The Story Of
The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles*" is next as you wait for "Law Of
The Bungle (Part I)", "Tiger Toon," and "Law Of The Bungle
(Part II)." The precursor to their hit "Bungle In The Jungle"
shows its origin, and you notice some familiar melodies. Their lyrics are a riot,
too!
Up next are the different mixes of "Scenario" (1988
mix), "Audition" (1988 mix), "No Rehearsal" (1988 mix), and
"Only Solitaire" (1974 mix). It's different from the previous mixes,
but all very good. Excellent acoustic guitar starts as it builds to a more
aggressive sound, and Ian is in fine form. The flute, as usual, compliments the
other instruments with no sacrifice at any position to make way for that. That
is the reason this music is so strong consistently. Martin cuts loose on a big
riff and then gives way to Ian's short reading. Then it reverts to rocking,
blending into "Only Solitaire" and then "The Story Of The Hare
Who Lost His Spectacles (1973 mix)". The album closes its fourth and final
side with the final version of "Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New
Day (1974 mix)" from the Warchild album.
The Château D'herouville Sessions 1972 were a
lot to absorb, but I did so eagerly with great joy. Ironically, with all the
disappointments from these sessions at the time, we got a double shot of all
the music, first in 2014 and now on vinyl ten years later. Don't miss it if you
love vinyl, prog rock, and Jethro Tull.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-PMR Founder
February 10, 2024
Tracks:
SIDE 1 (Reel date: 10th September 1972):
1) The Big Top
2) Scenario
3) Audition
4) Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day
5) Sailor
6) No Rehearsal
Notes: A clue to what the original album title might have been: ‘the one about the after life’ is faintly written at the top of the tape reel box. ‘Audition’ and ‘No Rehearsal’ were played live in concert during late 1972 and early 1973. ‘Skating Away’ received further overdubs in 1974 and was included on the ‘Warchild’ album released that year. In 1988, ‘Scenario’, ‘Audition’ and ‘No Rehearsal’ were edited together and presented with new flute overdubs on the ’20 Years Of Jethro Tull’ 5LP box set.
SIDE 2 (Reel date: 15th September 1972):
1) Left Right
2) Only Solitaire
3) Critique Oblique (Part I)
4) Critique Oblique (Part II)
Notes: ‘Left Right’ was played live in concert during late 1972 and early 1973 and ‘Only Solitaire’ was briefly played live as an instrumental at the start of some shows in July 1972. ‘Critique Oblique (Part I)’ was re-worked and re-recorded in early 1973 for ‘A Passion Play’ while elements of ‘(Part II)’ became the passage ‘Best Friends’, also on ‘A Passion Play’. ‘Only Solitaire’ was released without further overdubs a year later in 1974 on the ‘Warchild’ album. This album reel was eventually released in its entirety on the ‘Nightcap’ double CD in 1993 with new flute overdubs.
SIDE 3 (Reel date: 25th September 1972):
1) Animelee (1st Dance)
2) Animelee (2nd Dance)
3) The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles*
4) Law Of The Bungle (Part I)
5) Tiger Toon
6) Law Of The Bungle (Part II)
Notes: This tape box was clearly labeled ‘Side 3’. A missing song entitled ‘Animal Song (Hare’s Spectacles)’ that appeared between ‘Animelee (2nd Dance)’ and ‘Law Of The Bungle (Part I)’ was indeed ‘The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles’. It was cut from the third Château reel and spliced into the 16-track tape for ‘A Passion Play’ side 2 in January 1973 with extensive orchestral overdubs sadly wiping Ian’s original acoustic guitar track. Presented here for the first time is the track as close as possible to how it was recorded in the Chateau. The tune for ‘The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles’ was played in concert on the summer 1972 US tour during an on-stage comedy routine.
The ‘Tiger Toon’ motif was re-recorded in December 1972 to form the opening section ‘Prelude’ of ‘A Passion Play’. An excerpt of ‘Animelee (1st Dance)’ was played live during Ian’s flute solo during late 1972 and early 1973.
This album reel was eventually released in its entirety (minus ‘The Hare…’) on the ‘Nightcap’ double CD in 1993 with new flute overdubs.
SIDE 4 (Original Released Mixes):
1) Scenario [1988 mix]
2) Audition [1988 mix]
3) No Rehearsal [1988 mix]
4) Only Solitaire [1974 mix]
5) The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles [1973 mix]
6) Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day [1974 mix]
Notes: Presented here is a selection of the songs from the three recorded sides of the aborted LP as they appeared on later records. ‘Scenario,’ ‘Audition’, and ‘No Rehearsal’ was mixed and edited in 1988 for the ’20 Years Of Jethro Tull’ 5LP box set for which Ian recorded new flute overdubs. ‘The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles’ is presented in the arrangement completed in early 1973 with orchestral overdubs to end side one and begin side two of the ‘A Passion Play’ LP.
The original 1974 ‘Warchild’ LP mixes for ‘Skating Away’ and ‘Only Solitaire’ complete the selection.
