Jethro Tull

[Mikey]

I thought they'd gone all Rick Wakeman at first. Jethro Tull on ice
A few eyebrows were raised recently when the 40th Anniversary "Thick As A Brick" concert dates were announced and that the line-up did not include Martin Barre. In a recent interview with Classic Rock Revisited Martin reveals: "Jethro Tull is on ice for the foreseeable future, as Ian is doing a solo tour."

Jeb: Did you discuss this tour with Ian? Is he okay with you doing this?

Martin: We're very separate in what we are doing at this time. There is really no need to discuss it because I know what I want to do and I'm going to do it; that's the end of it. I'm not going to change it because of what anybody says. I just know what I need to do and I'm very determined, and very focused, to make what I want to do happen.

Jeb: I thought the next Jethro Tull tour would see the band playing Thick as a Brick in its entirety.

Martin: Ian will be doing that; it will not be me.

Jeb: Tull really is taking some time off. I guess that has been a long time coming.

Martin: It has been a long time. It has happened and I've had to adapt. It might be a disappointment to some. You've just got to turn that disappointment around and make it something positive. Since that is not going to happen, then I will make this happen and I will make this more important.

Jeb: Are saying Jethro Tull is over or just taking a break?

Martin: I don't know. The music of Tull is my life. I have not only the right to play it but also the will and passion to play it—a passion play, if you will. It is very natural for me to do what I'm going to do.

There is no question that I know my part in the history of Jethro Tull and that means something to me. It is very, very important to me. It might not be to everybody, as there are those who don't even know who I am when I'm onstage, but to me, it is a huge place in my life. I have 42 and a half years invested in the music of Jethro Tull and I can't simply turn that off. I don't want to quit. I don't care what anybody else thinks of me, right now, this is me, this is my heritage and this is what I want to do and I'm going to do it.

There's a lot more here, watch for the cake flying soon, could even be broken biscuits  :cry:

//http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/interviewmartinbarre2011.htm

[Mouse]

Oh dear, sounds like it was a case of two (heavy) horses trying to pull the same cart in opposite directions...

[fitzy]

Pity!Saw Jethro Tull in the NCH in Dublin this year,and they were brilliant!My first time seeing the band,and i thought Ian and Martin were great!!

[Mikey]

Not heard much Tull until one of the Dead Nobodies I was listening to yesterday.
Where's the best place to start with them?

[fitzy]

I only have Aqualung,which i really liked Mikey!But there are some good 'Best of'compilations knocking about on Play.com,or Amazon which might be a good introduction..

[johninblack]

Not heard much Tull until one of the Dead Nobodies I was listening to yesterday.
Where's the best place to start with them?

I would have to recommend Broadsword and the Beast, it's very good.

[sawtooth]

Regarding Martin Barres live band, his website refers to a certain familiar sounding fella on guitar / vocals duty:
http://www.martinbarre.com/index.cfm/news

[Nev]

I would have to recommend Broadsword and the Beast, it's very good.

Of the 80s Tull I would add 'A' and 'Crest of a Knave'.

Of the classic (70s) Tull, amongst my favourites are 'Minstrel in the Gallery' and 'Songs from the Wood'

[D S]

Spurred on by a belated purchase of Thick As A Brick a couple of weeks ago, I've been revisiting a lot of Tull recently.  I would suggest buying a compilation first, as others have suggested, as their style does change considerably (in a genuinely progressive manner) over the years.  

I think I'm more a fan of the latter era, Crest of A Knave being my favourite, but the more Eastern sounding Roots to Branches and the aforementioned Broadsword are also very good.  Don't all shout but in the same way as I came into prog in the 80s and worked backwards (hence my liking for more synth-based albums which 70s prog fans often hate, such as Signals, Drama, 90125), I have a real soft spot for the 1st Tull album I heard, Under Wraps.  Recently bought Ian Anderson's solo album Walk Into Light from the same era and it is very similar and also good.  Peter-John Vettesse on synths and programming had a strong influence of the sound of that era.

[owen]

Speaking of compilations "Bursting Out" is one of the finest live albums you'll hear: hard rock, acoustics, prog and Ian Anderson being Ian Anderson. Even has the March of the Dambusters as an encore.

[Mikey]

JETHRO TULL'S IAN ANDERSON NEW RADIO SERIES 'The Lyricists – All Mouth And Trousers' Saturday 7th April 7pm

Jethro Tull's  Ian Anderson returns to Planet Rock this Saturday (7 April, 7pm) to present a brand new series entitled THE LYRICISTS – ALL MOUTH & TROUSERS.

In this exclusive six part series Ian looks at the world's best lyricists and their impact on the world of rock, as well as taking a sideways glance at some of the 'great' wordsmiths who didn't quite hit the mark.  From Lemmy's gracious offer of his "meat torpedo" to Dylan's famous answer (it's "blowing in the wind" apparently), Ian explores all manner of classic rock lyrics from the world's greatest songwriters.

This is the second series that Ian has presented for Planet Rock, the first being his award nominated show "Under The Influence" in 2007.

Trevor White, Planet Rock's Programme Director said "It's great to have Ian back at Planet Rock again.  He is a wonderful raconteur and The Lyricists is set to be another essential listen".

Ian Anderson's "The Lyricists - All Mouth And Trousers" starts Saturday 7th April at 7pm.