Gotta disagree on that one Spank about Passion Play, though if you don't like, then you don't like it. that's cool.
I'm also a very big Tull fan. Have seen them about 14 times starting with the Benefit tour in 1970. In fact I have tickets to see them and Procol harum this summer. There is a chance I can get backstage - the one person I would love to meet is Ian Anderson! In all truth , he is probably the best all-around rock performer I have ever seen. His voice is not what it was, but the rest of the package is still strong as ever ! His writing ability and the way he turns a phrase are second to none.
I missed the Passion Play tour because that's when I went in the service and was sent overseas. My least favorite Tull album would have to be Under Wraps, though I did see that tour.
I had front row center seats to see him once at the Felt Forum/Paramount/Theatre @ Madison Sq. Garden [It's had a lot of name changes]. The seats actually said 3rd row but when we got there due to the stage jutting out the way it did, there was no one in front of us. And I mean Ian was leaning on the monitors right in my face !!! What a night that was !
And just 2 years ago I saw him at Carnegie Hall with classical violinist Lucia Miccarelli and they performed Kashmir by Led Zeppelin ! Can you believe it ? It was fantastic , too !
I was just laughing to myself about the version of " Teacher" that I played with my very first band back in 1970 called " Epitaph", which I have said before was named after the King Crimson tune of same. We were terrible, but everyone is at one time ! hahahahahahahaha
I think I've seen almost all the Tull drummers too: Clive Bunker, Barriemore Barlow, Gerry Conway, Mark Craney, and Doane Perry.
I never saw Paul Burgess who toured with them a bit in the early 80's.
Great memories !
Peace, TED