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I always feel like, if I could edit out all the things that make me uncomfortable about Jethro Tull, starting with the flute and Ian Anderson's inflated delivery, that I'd have a band I could fully like, Fairport Conventiin's nasty kid brother.

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Come on Jim! In my book Ian gets mega credit for taking a small, unamplified wind instrument and transforming it into a conduit for inventive and often unique rock and roll.

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I'm sorry, I'm flute averse. Canned Heat's "Going Up the Country" is a rare song where I welcome hearing that funny sound.

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Nice catch-up on these lives, Tom! Pardon my brag, but you're right about the dearth of early-'70s Tull concert recordings. However, I've got both "TAAB" and "A Passion Play" in the film and "tapes" of my memories, having seen both tours on their Houston stops!

I was a high school junior for the "Brick" one, and a senior during the "APP" tour. They're the specific performances that inform my assertion that Anderson is certainly the most underrated of rock front men, and I have no problem declaring him the most creative, entertaining, and most talented front man in rock.....ever.

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Thanks Brad -- and you are lucky to have seen those tours! and it seems incredible that there isn't more live audio, esp w/ APP. My main way to get to concerts in hs was my stepbrother Rick, and went to Thick as a Brick with his girlfriend and would not stop talking about it to me after.

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I still wonder how I ever graduated hi school ('73)! If I wasn't at a local Houston club (like Texas Opry House) that may have had a major-label act (like T. Heads or Tom Robinson) or a large music venue with an established act, I was at the Astrodome watching my beloved Astros (with homework in hand....never took homework to a concert!!😱)! Once I learned to drive, nights at home were, indeed, rare!

BTW, one thing I think many/most people never saw (who weren't at the show) was the film shown right at the top of the "APP" tour....the album cover came to life! Starting with the cover photo, it merged seamlessly into the ballerina (I think it was Ian's gal-friend at the time.....a Cynthia?), who then went into a dance with appropriate ballerina-type music in the background! As soon as the film ended, the band segued into the start of the show/album! Tull isn't even in the HOF....I nominate Ian all by his lonesome!

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