Salisbury was my fifteenth Christmas show. You, Reverend Pitcher, always recognize me. I come over from San Francisco for these events, no one I know understands why I do it (repeatedly) as it is a particularly unpleasant time to be in England. I am not a person of faith so much as a spiritual human. Christmas, at its best, teaches lessons of what humans can be, should be, and often are not. Why yes, I did have several Jethro Tull albums and enjoy the older bands. But it is not that. I could see them in many venues at warmer times of the year, sometimes close to where I live. It is the way that these songs, these magnificent places, the seasonal aspirations, and, Reverend Pitcher, the things you say and your presence, keep me returning. Come April I am searching daily to discover what cathedrals will be hosting that year. Your blessing one year noted that this time of year can remind us to care for those in need. That has stayed with me. Yes, the setlist is mostly the same, and yes, the travel to these far flung locations from London is often long, but I will keep returning, in part to celebrate my ability to do so, to celebrate Ian's presence, to hear your blessing, and to be reminded of the higher aspirations that humanity may seek. These mean the world to me. Fred Walder, San Francisco
Whenever I see that battered top hat I'm reminded of the scene in Armageddon when the Owen Wilson character is psychologically assessed for spaceflight. Asked what really annoys him, he says " I'll tell you one thing that really drives me nuts, is people who think Jethro Tull is just a person in the band". When space opera met prog rock.
Salisbury was my fifteenth Christmas show. You, Reverend Pitcher, always recognize me. I come over from San Francisco for these events, no one I know understands why I do it (repeatedly) as it is a particularly unpleasant time to be in England. I am not a person of faith so much as a spiritual human. Christmas, at its best, teaches lessons of what humans can be, should be, and often are not. Why yes, I did have several Jethro Tull albums and enjoy the older bands. But it is not that. I could see them in many venues at warmer times of the year, sometimes close to where I live. It is the way that these songs, these magnificent places, the seasonal aspirations, and, Reverend Pitcher, the things you say and your presence, keep me returning. Come April I am searching daily to discover what cathedrals will be hosting that year. Your blessing one year noted that this time of year can remind us to care for those in need. That has stayed with me. Yes, the setlist is mostly the same, and yes, the travel to these far flung locations from London is often long, but I will keep returning, in part to celebrate my ability to do so, to celebrate Ian's presence, to hear your blessing, and to be reminded of the higher aspirations that humanity may seek. These mean the world to me. Fred Walder, San Francisco
Thankyou for these kind words Fred. See you in December! Every blessing as ever, GP
Whenever I see that battered top hat I'm reminded of the scene in Armageddon when the Owen Wilson character is psychologically assessed for spaceflight. Asked what really annoys him, he says " I'll tell you one thing that really drives me nuts, is people who think Jethro Tull is just a person in the band". When space opera met prog rock.
I haven't seen that! Though I do recall Aqualung was played hugely loudly to end a siege somewhere...
Can we have a picture please of "Top hat, tails, leggings, codpiece, pixie boots and a knobbed cane. Oh yes, and my clerical collar "
Thanks Guy! Isn't there a pic in the column? Merry Christmas G