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Post by elmsliegirl on Mar 30, 2022 13:29:16 GMT
Like many, the subject very much on my mind at the moment. Hearing lots of seemingly expert but differing opinions, with no definitive conclusions. I/A talked to me one to one about the subject (with some lasting impact I have to say) in the mid 70’s. His plans for survival etc. It would be interesting to know, if he has ever (to anyones knowledge) made that topic public?
(Ex Girlfriend).
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Post by maddogfagin on Mar 31, 2022 5:58:12 GMT
Like many, the subject very much on my mind at the moment. Hearing lots of seemingly expert but differing opinions, with no definitive conclusions. I/A talked to me one to one about the subject (with some lasting impact I have to say) in the mid 70’s. His plans for survival etc. It would be interesting to know, if he has ever (to anyones knowledge) made that topic public? (Ex Girlfriend). The song that comes easily to mind is Protect and Survive from the 'A' album. They said protect and you'll survive --- (But our postman didn't call) 8lbs. of over-pressure wave seemed to glue him to the wall They said protect and you'll survive E.M.P. took out the radio --- (And our milk-man didn't call) Flash blinded by the pretty lights, Didn't see his bottles fall Or feel the warm black rain arrive Big friendly cloud builds in the West (And our dust-men haven't called) They left the dual carriageway at a hundred miles an hour --- A tail wind chasing them away And in deep shelters lurk below, sub-regional control Who sympathise but cannot help To mend your body or your soul Self-appointed guadians of the race with egg upon their face When steady sirens sing all-clear they pop up, Find nobody here And so I watch two new suns spin --- (Our paper man doesn't call) Burnt shadow printed on the road --- now there's nothing there at all They said protect and you'll survive
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Post by elmsliegirl on Apr 15, 2022 13:31:50 GMT
Thank-you Graham for taking the time to reply. I didn’t follow up sooner because I didn’t really expect a response.
How chilling those lyrics are and I don’t mean laid back. Stomach churning. Especially considering my past conversation with Ian.
Until this time I knew relatively little about the A album and nothing about this song.
I interpret that he’s unhappy about the loss of the postman, the milkman, the dustman and the paper man. Also the fact that the powers that be would rise out of their bunkers to nothing at all. For some reason I can’t quite fathom, I find the lyrics both moving and even less fathomable, reassuring. I think that I will now abandon the survival plans I have been thinking about for decades. Just won’t be happy if I’m still here and the postman never comes to call.
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Post by maddogfagin on Apr 15, 2022 16:20:44 GMT
Thank-you Graham for taking the time to reply. I didn’t follow up sooner because I didn’t really expect a response. How chilling those lyrics are and I don’t mean laid back. Stomach churning. Especially considering my past conversation with Ian. Until this time I knew relatively little about the A album and nothing about this song. I interpret that he’s unhappy about the loss of the postman, the milkman, the dustman and the paper man. Also the fact that the powers that be would rise out of their bunkers to nothing at all. For some reason I can’t quite fathom, I find the lyrics both moving and even less fathomable, reassuring. I think that I will now abandon the survival plans I have been thinking about for decades. Just won’t be happy if I’m still here and the postman never comes to call. Going off somewhat at a tangent is IA's love of spy novels and a keen observer of world affairs, not afraid of speaking out about things he believes in whether it's Putin's war against Ukraine or performing in Israel. IA's song Later That Same Evening perfectly sums up his love of the spy genre. Later, that same evening, she ran. I think she ran alone. Later, she had early warning from A hidden phone. Checked with the embassy --- She might have been A million miles away. Should I circulate her likeness At all airports without delay? It was later --- Later that same evening.
Earlier, we had had a drink or four In some Kensington hotel. Hard --- it was hard to keep my mind On what she had to sell. And with all business done We took a cab --- Should it be her place or mine? Good security prevailed
And I was home just after nine. It was later --- Later that same evening.
Now I want you back. Yes, they want you back. We want you back. My country wants you back.
Later, in the wee small hours There was heavy traffic on the radio. Scare at a channel port --- Small craft warnings to keep to shore. Lobstermen thought they saw A submarine Half submerged suspiciously. Though I arrived too late, I'm sure she blew a kiss to me As the sub sailed out to sea.
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Post by adospencer on Apr 15, 2022 16:44:02 GMT
My old Mum once said (at a time of similar "cold war" type tensions years ago). "People who worry about nuclear war either don't have enough in everyday life to worry about, or they are the sort to worry about everything". I think she meant it was unlikely And (with respect), many of us grew tired of IA s non music related opinions and browbeating lectures some time ago, (even more so nowadays as the epitome of the grumpy old man). Stay safe everyone.
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Post by steelmonkey on Apr 15, 2022 22:18:49 GMT
I personally think the cold war ended because important Soviets wanted more Tull. There are numerous pictures of Ian with Gorbachov and one with a young Putin ( boo, hiss) backstage at a Tull gig. Don't believe me? Look closely at the so called 'birthmark' on Gorby's skull. Clearly a LITP logo. The Soviet empire self immolated so Tull could tour more frequently and easily behind the old iron curtain. Zappa and Lou Reed get a lot of play in the story of the Czech resistance and march toward western values but Ian did the heavy lifting.
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Post by jackinthegreen on Apr 16, 2022 1:27:51 GMT
I personally think the cold war ended because important Soviets wanted more Tull. There are numerous pictures of Ian with Gorbachov and one with a young Putin ( boo, hiss) backstage at a Tull gig. Don't believe me? Look closely at the so called 'birthmark' on Gorby's skull. Clearly a LITP logo. The Soviet empire self immolated so Tull could tour more frequently and easily behind the old iron curtain. Zappa and Lou Reed get a lot of play in the story of the Czech resistance and march toward western values but Ian did the heavy lifting. Bang on mate....the band should play a Moscow gig asap and encore with "Protect and Survive"
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Post by maddogfagin on Apr 16, 2022 5:44:44 GMT
I personally think the cold war ended because important Soviets wanted more Tull. There are numerous pictures of Ian with Gorbachov and one with a young Putin ( boo, hiss) backstage at a Tull gig. Don't believe me? Look closely at the so called 'birthmark' on Gorby's skull. Clearly a LITP logo. The Soviet empire self immolated so Tull could tour more frequently and easily behind the old iron curtain. Zappa and Lou Reed get a lot of play in the story of the Czech resistance and march toward western values but Ian did the heavy lifting.
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Post by elmsliegirl on Apr 17, 2022 15:58:49 GMT
All very interesting. Thank you for the spy lyrics.
It’s a bit far-fetched of me to start identifying and imagining hidden messages. (I am definitely not in the spy category). So these next comments are sort of completely irrelevant. Don’t know when the song was written but the last time I met up with I/A (early nineties) for lunch, his restaurant of choice was (according to Ian) situated in a so named (Kensington Hotel). We met in the foyer of the hotel. However for some reason Ian quickly whisked me off in a black taxi to a cafe about ten minutes drive away.
Much further back in years, mid to late sixties, I remember him reading spy novels or was it science fiction? Probably the latter. Journeyman your mum was right, I am the sort to worry about everything. We have a house close to one of the deep tube stations in London and I feverishly worked out the journey from our house to the tube, in the horrible event of……… Trouble is, though I may get down the hundreds of steps to possible safety, I don’t think I would get back up again.
As for the black and white photo taken in 1992. Who are the other chaps?
You mention Gorbachev and Putin? Now being a worrier, I am really worried about the people Ian might have hung out with. After all I think of him mostly as an 18 year old. Who would have thought back in the day?
Just prior to the lunch I spoke of, I had spent six weeks working in Budapest and a fair amount of time with the unforgettable Nazi war hunter Simon Wiesenthal and his wife Cyla. What would they say if they were still with us I keep asking myself. Talked a lot to I/A about Simon at that lunch.
I’d forgive him (just about) if he didn’t remember.
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Post by elmsliegirl on Apr 17, 2022 16:59:59 GMT
My reference re the Journey from house to tube was meant for AdoSpenser. Who is also a Journeyman like me. The usual dyslexia.
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Post by elmsliegirl on Apr 17, 2022 17:00:28 GMT
I mean Spencer.
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