Jethro Tull: That Silly Beast Fable – Why is it there?

A passion play is a masterpiece, and the Fable is a cherry on the cake. A bold and mindblowing move to make their take on medieval passion plays’ structure complete. It also helps to join the both sides of vinyl into one continuous piece.

Passion Play is their masterwork.

Ah what ever

For me, half the record is enjoyable (even soaringly excellent here and there), just under half is not interesting musically at all, and the balance is the horrid Hare. I have listened annually for 50 years and have yet to change my critique. It starts off boring and ends like a car running out of gas, quite the opposite of Thick as a Brick, which also has the benefit of some humor.

Such a fascinating insight into this legendary and brilliant album. Loved every second of this video.

Back in 2022, I was doing this thing with the Jethro Tull catalog that I have done before with other artists and groups, listening to one album a day. Unfortunately, I left off after hearing Thick as a Brick. I should have proceeded right to A Passion Play, but I didn't. It is August 2024 as I comment, and it might be the ripe time for me to get back to the Tull catalog, picking up where I left off and finally listening to A Passion Play..

Passion plays historically would have comic interludes providing often bawdy entertainment as an intermission from the serious, religious content, and that's exactly what "The story of the hare…" perfectly represents on this album. I've always loved it.

Fantastic album… and a fantastic track…. super super cool!!

There was a period of time in rock músic when bands and solo artistas, dared to record masterpieces with humor.

I try and I try and I really want to….
But I just can't ….

One of my favorite Jethro Tull works. An amazing piece of art.

I find A Passion Play Jethro Tull's best album and one of the best albums of any band/act, primarily for the music though the lyrics are certainly good as well. I've always liked "The Hare," a welcome respite in the midst of that complexity, with excellent narration from Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond on par with actual voice actors and charming and at times beautiful music swelling in the background.

Fun fact : One of the two ballerinas in the film was Jane Colthorpe (the blonde), who so seduced Ian Anderson that they had an affair for over a year. Jane even stayed with him throughout their relationship. She was 19 and this was her first serious relationship. The cover photo of the album is of her.

Barry you did a great video discussing a demanding record. I love your observations. I always struggled with this album. I bought it on release day and did not get it way back when. I think I quickly grabbed my copy of Benefit. Next listen I will be able to frame it differently after watching this video. Thank you.

I always thought it was a metaphorical story associated with the concept, done with humor. I love it.

When this came out, there was no internet to explain to me that I should hate it, and therefore I chose on my own to enjoy it very much.

The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles IS the Passion Play. Everything else is a lead in and lead out.

People could talk sh*t all they want about APP, but they would be idiots whose opinion means nothing, since it obviously went over their heads. Even IA didn't realize the magnitude of what he got the band to accomplish. He was embarrassed by his saxophone playing also, but it was unique and relevant to the work. I think Robin Black did a great job on that one. The Steven Wilson update didn't help frankly, worked under IA's direction. It is a shame that the original work is so under appreciated as compared to TAAB, which is much more "accessible" than APP, and great in its own way, but not as sophisticated, although visual art was more well played on TAAB with the St. Cleve Chronicle multipage newspaper, for those of you that have the original LP album release.

Liked just for the 'Chateaux' joke.

I may well be the most enthusiastic Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson fan on the planet since 1971 upon hearing Aqualung….then Thick As A Brick….then backtracking to the previous gems.
I bought A Passion Play when it came out in 1973.
I loved it THEN and love it even more NOW!!
The fact that Ian and band had the determination to start with a clean slate musically, lyrically and conceptually is impressive….especially after the rout at the Chateau D’isaster sessions.
And the fact it was written nearly overnight and recorded in 9 days is simply super human!!!

Chris Welch was vicious in his review…..big deal.
Like 99% of most critics they can only try to detract and demean from that which they are totally oblivious and woefully ignorant!!!
Besides like Thick As A Brick…A Passion Play reached # 1 in the United States.
So take THAT Chris Welch!!!

I have lots of favorite Tull Albums…..Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Songs From The Wood, Heavy Horses, Broadsword And The Beast, Rock Island, Roots To Branches, The Christmas Album…..and A Passion Play is RIGHT THERE with them!!!
Ian and the band take you on a surreal musical, lyrical conceptual adventure.
It is one of the finest arranged and orchestrated piece of music of ANY genre.

My friend from Myrtle Beach…renowned bassist Steve Bailey who I’ve played music with worked on Tull’s 1995 album Roots To Branches and talks about what a fantastic experience it was!

Finally I met Ian Anderson and Martin Barre at a meet and greet after a show on the Catfish Rising Tour in 1991.
I couldn’t believe I met the genius behind some of very best guitar work in history Martin Barre…and my favorite musician, lyricist, songwriter and personality….Ian Anderson.
They both were cordial and friendly and I consider it a true honor.
Play on guys!!!

I have to say that ' The Hare that lost its' spectacles' is a ridiculous and nonsensical blight on an otherwise excellent album.
It doesn't even come over as a bit of light relief and completely fails as a comedy piece rendering me speechless rather than in stitches, but maybe I've missed the point, whatever it was.
Enjoyed the video.

I never understood the hate for this album..it is easily in my top 5
And it really rocks at times..

I give Tull credit for being humorous when their contemporaries were way too serious. Thick As A Brick and A Passion Play are just too long for me. Love the single edit for Thick, maybe Passion should have done the same. 2 one track albums in a row must have tried some fans patience.