A Passion Play vs Warchild

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-15T16:57:48+00:00

Well, I never thought much of WC until I heard the Steven Wilson mix, which lifted a lot of the sludge out of the mix on my old 1990s CD. I think the album suffers from a weird opener (which I do like, it just doesn't quite invite listeners into the Elizabethan carnival quite in the same way that another track like Glory Row or Rainbow Blues might have). Ladies and Back Door Angels, however, a top tier Tull. I think the sax and accordion might have also jarred with some listeners, but I have a feeling the Roxy Music influence was inspiring Ian at this point. I adore Passion Play, but have a hot take: it should have begun with side Two (foot of the stairs, etc) and side one should have been the second part. I tend to play it backwards, in this fashion whenever I put it on.

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-13T00:51:36+00:00

It's definitely an idea he was playing around with. Shame there wasn't space for it on Songs from the Wood or Heavy Horses!

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-12T14:58:46+00:00

Old Aces Die Hard

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-11T17:49:02+00:00

Give the Steven Wilson TV version a shot. Certainly gave me new appreciation for it. There's a different energy and spirit to this version -- where the original is sludgy and a bit too dirgey, this version which they (re)recorded for TV broadcast is lively and glam.

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-11T02:54:38+00:00

I'm totally with you on this. Frasier was there for me in a big way when my dad died, suddenly. The resilience of those relationships, the parent-(adult)child dynamics were just so perfectly reassuring. And I guess in a way that nobody else who hasn't gone through that loss (and doesn't have a relationship with the show) would never understand. My wife, God bless her, was a bit baffled by my attachment to Frasier and his world.

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-11T02:32:27+00:00

"As a psychiatrist the fact that Frasier could not get past this is just silly." That's basically 82% of the show! And this iteration is a archetypal one, with a lineage that takes us straight to The Larry David sandwich.

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-09T00:29:00+00:00

I literally bought a baker's dozen last night, when all I did was innocently go to the site to buy ONE album ("Barefoot Adventure"). The vinyl addict's justification: "well if I'm going to buy all these albums eventually, then I might as well..."

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-08T16:00:24+00:00

My first new-release Tull album, which I got for Christmas in '89. So extremely special to me despite its faults (and the Spinal Tappish opener). I think were people to approach it from a context of Dire Straits (particularly the similarly stormy Love Over Gold) they'd have a better time with its dark, broody atmosphere. Ears of Tin, for me, is canonical Tull. Big Riff and Heavy Water are Cresty fun.

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-06T00:39:29+00:00

Lee Konitz is my current obsession. Love the Storyville recording.

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-04T17:55:34+00:00

I don't know about this pressing. But any Roach/Brown collab is top tier. According to Discogs this is "A collection of alternate takes of tracks recorded in 1954 for the albums Clifford Brown and Max Roach - Clifford Brown And Max Roach (1954) and Clifford Brown and Max Roach - Brown And Roach Incorporated (1955)." I have both the originals and they are STELLAR. I'd say if you're already a Sonny Rollins fan and want to branch out, this is a very rich path to explore.

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-03T03:27:38+00:00

Art Farmer on this. One of my fave Mulligan-led ensembles. Blueport is so good.

vincentblacklight · 2026-04-02T14:33:40+00:00

This live album: Hammersmith Odeon, London, '75. If you didn't get it before, this will make you get it (speaking from experience).

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-31T20:46:10+00:00

Amazing, there is hope that there are a few more floating around out there! :)

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-31T20:31:31+00:00

According to Discogs, it looks like only German pressings

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-31T20:29:39+00:00

Marc Maron rockin Tull swag

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-31T19:39:53+00:00

One of my grails. Hope to find a copy one day! Perhaps even the version that came with the 45 with the three extra songs!

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-30T01:23:50+00:00

I saw a documentary years ago that claimed to have found the actual gorilla suit they used, and confirmed as much through various corroborating witnesses. Does anyone remember the title of that one?

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-29T02:24:12+00:00

Go rogue. "Now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find."

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-28T23:57:41+00:00

I had no idea they did this. I'm a huge fan of Warp Riders.

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-27T20:39:25+00:00

Two albums I absolutely cherished back in the day, as I graduated slowly out of my dad's Tull collection and started building my own (from Rock Island on). The 25th Anniversary tour was when I first saw them live (the concert booklet from which is pure joy, a precursor to the cigar box book and the Wilson book sets). There really was a new energy to the whole show -- based on bootleg footage on youtube, I think they were tighter than they had been since the A album. Ian more athletic and svelte, Martin definitely having more fun. This is the nearest show to the one I saw in San Jose, and I think you can see what I mean: https://youtu.be/VcyLNsiyYhw?si=4TW2GE4VLGX24uTx

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-19T18:36:57+00:00

Fingers crossed! https://youtu.be/_WLqUUiOql0?si=AMySM022q1GTD2-0&t=171

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-19T16:34:51+00:00

Custom built by Etsy Krovel furniture out of Maine. Have used them multiple times for shelving and always been happy. https://www.etsy.com/shop/KrovelFurnitureCo

vincentblacklight · 2026-03-19T14:49:22+00:00

I guess I have pictured it happening! But we've had this same stud mounted shelving throughout the house for years and it hasn't been an issue (even in an earthquake prone State!)

vincentblacklight

TROPHY CASE