It's very strange to hear someone so down on Martin.
I think Martin is a totally unique guitarist.
Is he the greatest? No. But who else could have been Ian's axe-man for all these years?
Fact is the two have been great match for a long time. And there's simply no reason to attack Martin. Since Ian lost his voice, the worst part of every Tull show is watching Ian struggle to sing.
So true. And it's not a sin to call a spade a spade.
Most of the time it sounds like Ian struggling to sing the older stuff. It would sound like Ian was in pain. Not to mention the the keys are all dropped down a couple octaves. I don't expect him to sound like he did in his 20's either but some who buy tickets might. At least he made up for it with his flute playing and Martin was there sounding better than ever.
Sometimes I struggle to do things that were easier years before. I am not a musician or singer but I appreciate what Ian does on stage. He can create a performance like no one else. If you say the same about Martin then don't expect Martin to sing. He does the best he can with his talents too.
Just listen to a song like Strange Avenues and tell me Martin is not Tull.
I'm not buying it.
Martin IS the most popular part of Tull.
Martin is Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, and Martin is Crest of a Knave - the album that won the band a Grammy.
Martin is what makes Tull appeal to the masses.
pretty risky to say such things around here TM (never thought I would have to say that) I do agree though, He gave the power to early tull and the elegance to later Tull. The soul and the spirit. His guitar stylings smooth everything out. Not to mention he's one of the nicest guys ever. Treats the fans like people. I thought I was going crazy but at least some agree with me. It fine to not agree with that I am just suprised they dont.. I also think i've said enough on the matter for now. All of this having to defend Martin's place in Tull is making me look like an Ian hater and I certainly am not.
Re: Martin Barre's New Day « Reply #44 on Feb 5, 2012, 4:45am »
Each to their own but "Martin is Tull" seems ridiculous to me. I don't disagree that his playing has been a significant contributing factor but IA is the singer, writer and obvious focal point (as we know, to the extent that many people not paying attention still think IA's name is Jethro Tull). It's not as if Martin has been co-writing the songs with Ian.
Just listen to a song like Strange Avenues and tell me Martin is not Tull.
I'm not buying it.
Martin IS the most popular part of Tull.
Martin is Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, and Martin is Crest of a Knave - the album that won the band a Grammy.
Martin is what makes Tull appeal to the masses.
Well if the Grammy made Tull a household name, then you might be right. Others felt it was just being nice to a band from the 70's to win the Heavy Metal award.
Martin is my favorite guitarist of all time. He is still today. If he was doing his solo albums for 40 years without Ian, do you think it would still be so? If Ian writes most of the music and all the lyrics, I guess he is Jethro. I'm sure Martin and Ian are laughing their asses off when someone defends their honor.
Re: Martin Barre's New Day « Reply #46 on Feb 5, 2012, 7:45am »
Can't disagree. I'm starting to feel a bit the same about Doane. Here (below) is a (very very very) brief clip of Tull's last visit to Glasgow in 2010. What a drummer!
Meantime WHY so much carping from others on here. We've got Ian and Martin on the road. New material. And Tull just 'on ice'. FFS PEOPLE! I'm 10+ years younger that I and M. Some mornings my legs (and some other parts too) just don't wanna work!
Each to their own but "Martin is Tull" seems ridiculous to me. I don't disagree that his playing has been a significant contributing factor but IA is the singer, writer and obvious focal point (as we know, to the extent that many people not paying attention still think IA's name is Jethro Tull). It's not as if Martin has been co-writing the songs with Ian.
I think you are right that it goes too far to say that 'Martin IS Tull', but certainly it is not unreasonable to say that Ian and Martin ARE Tull, and that neither one of them alone is Tull.
The point that Paul made is a good one. Martin may not be the greatest guitarist -- certainly a guy like Richard Thompson is better -- but he is one of the most distinctive in the sound that he produces. Martin's electric guitar is instantly identifiable....when you hear it, you know it's Martin and you know its Tull. The same is not true of all great guitarists....they're great, but they just lack that same kind of distinctive stamp.
I think a fair assessment would be to say that Ian is the brains, the archictect and the engineer of Jethro Tull, but Martin is truly the heart and soul.
"There is only one real sin and that is to persuade oneself that the second best is anything but second best."Doris Lessing
"If you agree with me on nine out of twelve issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on twelve out of twelve issues, see a psychiatrist."Ed Koch
housebrick One of the Youngest of the Family member is offline
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Re: Martin Barre's New Day « Reply #48 on Apr 14, 2012, 6:38am »
Mark Knoppfler stated what Anderson and Barre have is MAGICAL. Listened to TAAB2 recently and sorry theres no magic there anymore. Few decent songs that sound very similar to recent stuff,some real rubbish narration etc. Compared to TAAB1 it is unfortunately CRAP.
Giddings and Noyce were far superior to the new guys. The new lineup has NO PERSONALITY AT ALL.
Anyone who says Barre is mearely OK is an Absolute Fool.
Vai ,Van Halen and many other greats quote Barre as a very strong influence to their playing .
Ive watched Tull for 40 years and Barre has carried the band i.m.o. Anderson vocals have been painful to listen to for 25 years. Theres no way he can sing TAAB1 these days,i wont put myself through that torture ,wont attend any of these new shows.
Saw his solo shows last year and Florian shredded great songs like Budapest It was real crap.
Mark Knoppfler stated what Anderson and Barre have is MAGICAL. Listened to TAAB2 recently and sorry theres no magic there anymore. Few decent songs that sound very similar to recent stuff,some real rubbish narration etc. Compared to TAAB1 it is unfortunately CRAP.
Giddings and Noyce were far superior to the new guys. The new lineup has NO PERSONALITY AT ALL.
Anyone who says Barre is mearely OK is an Absolute Fool.
Vai ,Van Halen and many other greats quote Barre as a very strong influence to their playing .
Ive watched Tull for 40 years and Barre has carried the band i.m.o. Anderson vocals have been painful to listen to for 25 years. Theres no way he can sing TAAB1 these days,i wont put myself through that torture ,wont attend any of these new shows.
Saw his solo shows last year and Florian shredded great songs like Budapest It was real crap.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Mark Knoppfler is a little unfair in his criticism of the current Ian/Tull line up. I think he's just jealous, like some are of Florian. TAAB2 really rocks and Florian's guitar playing is Superb! I don't miss Martin at all. Really.
Same old words, another day while all the time life slips away.
Nay Anderson is jealous of Barre Didnt want him stealing the limelight again Thats why he hired a crapper fo this project
I respect your opinion, but for me, Barre is good at what he does, but what Ian Anderson has always done is special. Anderson is unique and Barre is good, but there are many good guitarists.
housebrick One of the Youngest of the Family member is offline
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Re: Martin Barre's New Day « Reply #52 on Apr 14, 2012, 12:10pm »
Anderson was unique espec in 70's ,not so much now when his voice is well past its sell by date. Barre is unique guitar player, instantly recogniseable tone and feel thats what makes him special. Great guitarists are not necessarily the fasted,but the ones who stand out like Barre does. Orphale is ok but has little personality to his playing,hard tone,no smooth feel like Barre.
Anderson was unique espec in 70's ,not so much now when his voice is well past its sell by date. Barre is unique guitar player, instantly recogniseable tone and feel thats what makes him special. Great guitarists are not necessarily the fasted,but the ones who stand out like Barre does. Orphale is ok but has little personality to his playing,hard tone,no smooth feel like Barre.
Interesting points; I feel there is much more to Ian Anderson than just his voice; his skills on his instruments and extremely unique songwriting abilities make him as relevant to me now as he ever was.
Ian's has hired a band of talented, solid musicians who are for the most part "generic". That includes Florian's great yet generic budget take on Martin's style.
It's Ian Anderson with a budget band period. It is not TULL people!
I have been a little shocked by some who just cast Martin aside and & claim they don't miss him. You are doing just what Ian wanted you to do and giving him all the more the reason for him to leave Barre out for good. There was a chemistry that was very special and the reason I loved Tull so much.
We can respect anyone's point of view which is why we have fun on this Board. I myself have been compared to a fan waiting for Ian to pass gas (FART) on stage as reason for liking Tull. That was rather funny.
If Martin had felt his influence was not effective in the set lists over the years, so what? If Ian likes the guys he plays with now, so what? All of these guys have played with Tull including, dare I say, Florian Opahle. Even Tony Iommi was considered a member for a week or so.
One thing about the new version of Ian/Tull. It works. The new album is a hit which is unlike any album since the "Crest of a Knave". When Martin does his New Day he will receive equal praise and respect from myself, if not the whole universe.
We can't blame Ian for being intelligent with his budget. I hope Martin will make a profit as well. Maybe that is where you find out what you can be, a Great Guitarist or a Great Entertainer. This is Martin's chance to accomplish more on both sides of that question.
I told Florian in 2010 that Ian seemed more energetic with his performance than I had seen in years. This I believe is because Florian doesn't have baggage like Martin after 43 years. Ian doesn't want someone to tell him he is wrong all the time, he just wants to Rock!
P.S. If Martin comes to Asheville, I will be camping out again for tickets. Hey Martin :
I know you have all heard enough of my venting about Martin Barre's departure. Sorry about that..but I feel that i have done enough for the Tull community throughout the years to be able to use this board to express my disappointment That being said.. I do need to rant one more time.
After reading the article in classic rock presents PROG My original thoughts have been confirmed. Leaving Martin out OF TAAB2 was indeed Ian's decision. It is of my professional Tull opinion that it was indeed a tour budget move. He can do more theatrics n things but he has to make room in the budget. Now after 45 years of dedication Martin say's he's still ready to play Tull if the phone should happen to ring?? And it may not ever again. Martin was notified that he would just be left out this time
I like the new Ian stuff and have decided to for the most part to accept it for what it is and enjoy the shows while they last. I am very grateful to be able to see Ian perform at 64 yrs old.
Ian's has hired a band of talented, solid musicians who are for the most part "generic". That includes Florian's great yet generic budget take on Martin's style.
It's Ian Anderson with a budget band period. It is not TULL people! I have been a little shocked by some who just cast Martin aside and & claim they don't miss him. You are doing just what Ian wanted you to do and giving him all the more the reason for him to leave Barre out for good. There was a chemistry that was very special and the reason I loved Tull so much. Those of you that always thought of Tull as just Ian must've never really understood that chemistry or never listeded to Martin too close. I also realize some of you just like to stir things up by disagreeing in general. If at least Martin were on this album and tour it would have made it really special. This is an Ian tour and I will focus on Ian but I wouldn't start comparing any of these guys to anything even close to the characters that made up that original TAAB chemistry or comparing this Ian album to any classic Tull album before Crest. Just silly. Not to trying to be negative just going to be realistic about what is actually happening with Ian. Overall disappointed bigtime about Martin but STILL Looking forward to all this music from both guys.
Speaking of which Martin's New Album will be out next week
Studio CD 1 Bug (Barre) Empty Cafe (Barre) Morris Minus (Barre) Blues for all Reasons (Barre) Steal (Barre) The Potion (Barre) Misere (Barre) As Told By (Barre) Favorite Things (Barre) Murphy’s Paw (Barre) Winter Snowscape (Barre) Next Steps (Barre) Warren (Barre) Silk Ties (Barre)
Live CD 2 Spanner (Barre) Running Free (Barre) The Meeting (Barre) Another Mean Day (Perry) Time After Time (Barre) After You, After Me (Barre) Wind (O’May) Overlord (O’May) Way Before Your Time (Barre) Born Under A Bad Sign (Booker T Jones / William Bell) ..
First lets acknowledge the work you have done for the Tull community(?), second only to Ian and Martin. Lets acknowledge your disappointment, but it is time to get real and move on.
I think we'll let most of your comments linger and have the wind deal with them, BUT, you keep coming back to budget, well two of the guys are in Tull, same rate. Scot Hammond, may be a little cheaper than Doane, but he brings a different energy, I like it. So that leaves Martin, how much money do you really think we are are talking about. If he were that important, EMI and Ian would not sacrifice the record sales his name would deliver, I guess in the end they felt little or no sales would be lost without Barre. How much do you feel Martin is worth in ticket sales, again, market says not much. So what are we really talking about? On the other hand, it the little amount saved allows for a better stage show, additional player, great, in light of the fact that the guitar playing is a wash, it is a sound business decision. A couple of years ago Martin said in an interview that it wasn't like he and Ian were friends, it was all business. That statement seems to have cut both ways, so I don't see why he, you or anyone is upset when this happens in business every day; I sure you have made decisions based on sound business factors, I have, why can't Ian, because you like Martin; please.
I think you have difficulty admitting that Ian wanted to step out artistically, TAAB2 could be his musical "What-ifs, Maybes, and Might-have-beens".
I am glad you like Martin, I do too, he is an OK guitar player, sorry not great, one solo in Aqualung does not a career make. The fact that most people who are not on this board don't miss him when they review TAAB2, just shows that Florian is the right player for the project. If Martin comes back great, if he doesn't, we have the next version of Tull, also great!
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Re: Martin Barre's New Day « Reply #57 on Apr 15, 2012, 2:40am »
I admire your continuous positivity Jim. I am also thrilled that Ian is producing new good material. Whatever it took to get him there I wish were different circumstances..but it is what it is..
housebrick One of the Youngest of the Family member is offline
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Re: Martin Barre's New Day « Reply #59 on Apr 15, 2012, 5:25am »
Great article from Barrie (Undisputed BEST Tull drummer ever)
Sums up why the current lineup has NO PERSONALITY NO CHARACTER and in comparison to the 70's lineup are very LAME.
So Anderson makes acute business moves,this DOES NOT gaurantee a good band . Great bands have a thing called CHEMISTRY. Current Tull/IA band have very little of this.
Its very Understandible that Martin i spissed off when his band mates keep getting fired.
Watch the Tull documentary and Dave Pegg tears into Anderson as being Mr Unpopular.
Surely Budget shouldnt even come into this when your 1 of the wealthiest musicians around.
Anyone that thinks Martin is just Ok doesnt understand what great guitar playing is about.
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