Tull’s sax appEal

Whenever I read an interview with Ian Anderson, he always seems at pains to apologise for A Passion Play. The fact is, he should have further explored the possibilities of the saxophone instead of retreating unremittingly to the comfort of his flute for the ensuing 45 years.

A Passion Play is one of the best things Tull have ever done – I’m still totally knocked out by it. I mean, just listen to the bloody thing – it’s killer! It’s also worlds better than the two subsequent releases, Minstrel In The Gallery and Too Old To Rock And Roll…, which are the nadir of Tull’s output. Thankfully, along came Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses, which constitute the zenith.

Another of their best albums is War Child, again largely thanks to Anderson’s brilliant use of sounds other than flute, such as bagpipes, resulting in one of their best and most rousing efforts.

So come on Ian, some sax or bagpipes might be just the thing at this point.

Why let Mel Collins have all the glory?