A colleague saw it recently down here in Fort Pierce in the great, true blue county of St. Lucie, FL (Thank you very much!) and said it was just excellent!
I recounted one of the very finest shows I ever saw - spring of '70 or '71 at the old Fillmore East in NYC.
I went to high school a few subway stops away and had the great fortune to attend quite a few now-classic shows there. $5.50 brought you a orchestra seat for 2 or 3 bands that would now qualify as all-time greats.
The Tull show was much anticipated. We pretty much wore the grooves off of the first album with Cat's Squirrel, and the still-great and aforementioned here LP's, Stand-Up & Benefit. That's what we expected to hear.
A sole spotlight illuminated the bare stage, curtained, and occupied only by a stool. Ian Anderson came out with an acoustic guitar, sans flute. He blithely explained to to crazed crowd that "me and the boys had a bit of a row backstage, and I'm afraid to report that they decided to ship back to the UK and left me here to carry on. So here I am".
He began by strumming the chords to what I came to know as My God. "People what have you done..." We were transfixed, bummed, but willing to listen since it sounded so good. All the years at the Fillmore, I don't recall anyone ever interrupting a performer or booing.
Listen to John Mayall's great Turning Point album recorded there and you'll hear polite applause to the most amazing music.
Anyway, back to Tull. When the part came when the band kicks in, the curtain flew open, lights went on, and the band was in full bore behind Anderson! He kicked the stool over, threw his guitar and grabbed his flute. The show was on.
All-time classic! We brought Aqualung later that week!
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