A PASSION PLAY

''Thick as a brick'' became an instant seller for Jethro Tull, even reaching the number 1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.It was a great chance for the band to attract the US audience and later in the year the compilation album ''Living in the past'' was released, containing remixed singles, B-sides and outtakes from the band's old repertoire.Jethro Tull moved to France to avoid the increased taxes in the islands and started working on their next album at the Chateau d'Herouville Studios near Paris.They were so dissapointed by the upcoming result, that they decided to relocate in UK and start the whole thing over, visiting the Morgan Studios in London in December 1972.The album was recorded in two different periods and in July 1973 Chrysalis released it under the title ''A passion play''.This work dealt with afterlife through a character named Ronnie Pilgrim and starts with the man attending his own funeral as a ghost-like shade.

Jethro Tull used the same receipt as on the very succesful ''Thick as a brick'', two sidelong pieces, completing one long suite, clocking at over 45 minutes.The first act is definitely one of the most stunning epics in the history of Progressive Rock.While the folky touches are still among the lines of the band, this piece shows Jethro Tull at their very best and most progressive form, reminiscent of the British Symphonic Rock bands of the 70's.Not loosing their strong identity even by an inch, they proposed a complex Progressive Rock with symphonic structures and countless tempo changes, propelled by Anderson's poetic and emphatic voice and his fantastic performance on sax and flute with a tireless John Evan alternating between jazzy piano moves and elaborate organ washes.Their sound was now reminiscent of YES and GENTLE GIANT, containing Classical interludes, symphonic instrumental parts and superb interplays between flute, guitar and keyboards.What more can I say, this is a flawless gem by any means.The second act deals with Ronnie Pilgrim's adventures, after visiting Heaven and Hell, and borrowed elements from Theater Music, Comedy and musicals.With narrations and story-telling lines among the usual instrumental density, this is a bit different from the opening piece, recalling more of a show than a piece recorded for a regular album, more particularly at the opening minutes.The rest is solid Progressive Rock with lots of flute, organ and sharp guitar, sounding a bit jazzier than the introductive act, but offering plenty of intricate moments, filled with interactions, solos and atmospheric themes.Moreover it appears to be more of a vocal-driven structure, but the musical background is always strong and professional, now Evan adds some great synths in the process and the result remains consistent and pompous.

A highlight in Jethro Tull's discography.People were not used to this side of Jethro Tull, but the result is an almost masterful album with superb arrangements, complex ideas and still some incredibly polished melodies and moods.Highly recommended.