Post by Preston Platform on Jan 9, 2014 19:21:04 GMT -5
I just recently trawled the ministry website to see how many Tull gigs I had attended. I thought it was many more ,but I currently have attended 53 shows in total.
the details are below including some reviews I wrote about particular shows.
25/11/74 Capitol Theatre Caerdydd, UK
Wrong Again Old Son row m
Intro (incl. Wind-Up/Passion Play excerpts), Thick As A Brick, My God (incl. flute & piano solos, incl. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen & Bourée), Cross-Eyed Mary, How Much Is That Doggie..., Skating Away..., Wond'ring Aloud, Queen And Country, Ladies (w. drum solo), Warchild, SeaLion, Bungle In The Jungle, Aqualung, Back-Door Angels/Guitar Solo (incl. Minstrel In The Gallery), Locomotive Breath/Hard-Headed English General/Back-Door Angels (reprise)
11/2/77 Hammersmith Odeon London, UK
Wondr'ing Aloud, Skating Away..., Jack-In-The-Green, Thick As A Brick, Songs From The Wood, Instrumental, To Cry You A Song, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Bourée and Living In The Past), Velvet Green, Hunting Girl, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Minstrel In The Gallery, Aqualung, Guitar Solo, Wind-Up (inc. Back Door Angels), Locomotive Breath
Italicised tracks unconfirmed.
3/5/78
Apollo Theatre row m
Quartet, No Lullaby, Sweet Dream, Skating Away..., Jack in the Green, One Brown Mouse, Heavy Horses, A New Day Yesterday (w. flute solo (incl. God Rest Ye...)/Living In The Past (inst.)/Thick As A Brick (inst.)), Songs From The Wood Wond'ring Aloud, Hunting Girl, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Conundrum (incl. drum solo), Minstrel In The Gallery, Pop Goes The Weasel/Cross-Eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath, Thick As A Brick, Quatrain/Aqualung/Dambusters March/Aqualung (reprise) Manchester, UK
16/5/82 National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham, UK
NEC Live
The Clasp, Hunting Girl, Fallen On Hard Times, Pussy Willow, Broadsword, Jack-In-The-Green, Seal Driver, Heavy Horses, Weathercock/Fire At Midnight/Flute Solo/Keyboard w. Drums/Sweet Dream, Songs From The Wood, Watching Me Watching You, The Swirling Pit, Pibroch (Cap In Hand), Beastie, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Aqualung, Minstrel In The Gallery, Locomotive Breath, Cheerio
3/9/84 Apollo 7th row Manchester, UK
4/9/84
Apollo
Intro, Locomotive Breath (inst. intro), Hunting Girl, Under Wraps, Later That Same Evening, Nobody's Car, Apogee, Thick As A Brick, Level Pegging, Skating Away..., Pussy Willow, The Clasp, Living In The Past (not inst.), Serenade To A Cuckoo, Fat Man, Keyboard w. Drums, Fly By Night, Made In England, European Legacy, Black Sunday, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll/Different Germany (inst)/Thick As A Brick (reprise)
7th row
Intro, Locomotive Breath (inst. intro), Hunting Girl, Under Wraps, Later That Same Evening, Nobody's Car, Apogee, Thick As A Brick, Level Pegging, Skating Away..., Pussy Willow, The Clasp, Living In The Past (not inst.), Serenade To A Cuckoo, Fat Man, Keyboard w. Drums, Fly By Night, Made In England, European Legacy, Black Sunday, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll/Different Germany (inst)/Thick As A Brick (reprise)
Manchester, UK
7/10/87 ABC Apollo 6th row Manchester, UK
Intro, Songs From The Wood, Thick As A Brick, Steel Monkey, Farm On The Freeway, Heavy Horses, Living In The Past, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Budapest, The Waking Edge (intro.)/Pegg Instrumental, Keyboard w Drums, Wond'ring Aloud, Dun Ringill, Nellie The Revenge, Jump Start, Hunting Girl, Aqualung, Too Old To Rock'n Roll..., Locomotive Breath, Wind Up
8/10/87 ABC Apollo 3rd row
Intro, Songs From The Wood, Thick As A Brick, Steel Monkey, Farm On The Freeway, Heavy Horses, Living In The Past, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Budapest, The Waking Edge (intro.)/Pegg Instrumental, Keyboard w Drums, Wond'ring Aloud, Dun Ringill, Nellie The Revenge, Jump Start, Hunting Girl, Aqualung, Too Old To Rock'n Roll..., Locomotive Breath, Wind Up
Manchester, UK
23/9/89 ABC Apollo Manchester, UK 4th row
Apollo 1989
Intro, Strange Avenues, Steel Monkey, Big Riff And Mando, Thick As A Brick, Rock Island, Requiem/Black Satin Dancer (inst.), Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Jack-A-Lynn, Another Christmas Song, My God (incl. Bourée/Soirée), The Pine Marten's Jig/Drowsy Maggie, Undressed To Kill, The Whaler's Dues, Budapest, Farm On The Freeway, SeaLion (inst.), Kissing Willie, Nothing Is Easy, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, The Third Hoorah (inst.)
24/9/89 ABC Apollo Manchester, UK 7th row
Intro, Strange Avenues, Steel Monkey, Big Riff And Mando, Thick As A Brick, Rock Island, Requiem/Black Satin Dancer (inst.), Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Jack-A-Lynn, Another Christmas Song, My God (incl. Bourée/Soirée), The Pine Marten's Jig/Drowsy Maggie, The Whaler's Dues, Budapest, Farm On The Freeway, SeaLion (inst.), Kissing Willie, Nothing Is Easy, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, The Third Hoorah (inst.)
13/5/90 Guildhall Preston, UK
Intro: Tanz, Wond'ring Aloud, Steel Monkey, Thick As A Brick, Living In The Past, Rock Island, Nellie The Revenge (inst.), Cheap Day Return/Nursie, Mother Goose/Jack-A-Lynn, Farm On The Freeway, Serenade To A Cuckoo, A Christmas Song, Budapest, Strange Avenues, Kissing Willie, Pine Martin's Jig, Drowsy Maggie, Dun Ringill, Jack-In-The-Green, Said She Was A Dancer, Pussy Willow/Pibroch (inst.), My God, Bourée, Double Violin Concerto, Another Christmas Song, Love Story, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Fylingdale Flyer (inst.), Cheerio
22/5/90 Empire Theatre Liverpool, UK
Intro: Tanz, Wond'ring Aloud, Steel Monkey, Thick As A Brick, Living In The Past, Rock Island, Nellie The Revenge (inst.), Cheap Day Return/Nursie, Mother Goose/Jack-A-Lynn, Farm On The Freeway, Serenade To A Cuckoo, A Christmas Song, Budapest, Strange Avenues, Kissing Willie, Pine Martin's Jig, Drowsy Maggie, Dun Ringill, Jack-In-The-Green, Said She Was A Dancer, Pussy Willow/Pibroch (inst.), My God, Bourée, Double Violin Concerto, Another Christmas Song, Love Story, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Fylingdale Flyer (inst.), Cheerio
3/10/91 Apollo Manchester, UK 4th row
4/10/91 Apollo Manchester, UK
Intro, Minstrel In The Gallery/Cross-Eyed Mary, Kissing Willie, Rocks On The Road, This Is Not Love, Heavy Horses, Like A Tall Thin Girl, The Whistler (inst.), White Innocence, Still Loving You Tonight, Doctor To My Disease, Sleeping With The Dog, Paparazzi (inst.), Thick As A Brick, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Bourée, Soirée), Look Into The Sun (inst.), Farm On The Freeway, Jump Start, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Black Sunday (inst.)/Minstrel In The Gallery (reprise)
Intro, Minstrel In The Gallery/Cross-Eyed Mary, Kissing Willie, Rocks On The Road, This Is Not Love, Heavy Horses, Like A Tall Thin Girl, The Whistler (inst.), White Innocence, Still Loving You Tonight, Doctor To My Disease, Sleeping With The Dog, Paparazzi (inst.), Thick As A Brick, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Bourée, Soirée), Look Into The Sun (inst.), Farm On The Freeway, Jump Start, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Black Sunday (inst.)/Minstrel In The Gallery (reprise)
20/3/92 City Hall Sheffield, UK
No support artist.
Cross-Eyed Mary, Living in the Past, Rocks On The Road, This Is Not Love, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Like A Tall Thin Girl, Somewhere In England (inst.)/The Whistler (inst.), White Innocence, Kissing Willie, Said She Was A Dancer, Thick As A Brick, Instrumental, Doctor To My Disease, A New Day Yesterday/Bourée, Reasons For Waiting, Instrumental, Farm On The Freeway, Jump Start, My God, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath
8/10/93 Apollo Manchester, UK front row
My Sunday Feeling, For A Thousand Mothers, Living In The Past, Bourée, So Much Trouble, With You There To Help Me, Flute Solo (incl. In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff), The Whistler (inst.), Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick, Sossity: You're A Woman/Reasons For Waiting, Songs From The Wood/Too Old To Rock'N'Roll/Heavy Horses, Later That Same Evening (inst.), Budapest, Andy Giddings' Parrot, Passion Jig (incl. Seal Driver), A New Day Yesterday, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Cross-Eyed Mary/Dharma For One
21/9/95 Apollo Manchester, UK
Intro, 'A' Medley (And Further On/Fylingdale Flyer/Protect And Survive), Roots To Branches, Rare And Precious Chain, Out Of The Noise, Valley, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, At Last Forever, Dangerous Veils, Beside Myself, Aqua Intro/Aqualung/Aquadiddley, - Interval - Nothing Is Easy, We Used To Know, Nothing To Say, In The Moneylender's Temple, My God, Misére, Fat Man, Budapest, Like A Tall Thin Girl, Wounded Old and Treacherous, Locomotive Breath, Jump Start/Dambusters March/Thick As A Brick (reprise)
22/11/96 King Georges Hall Blackburn, UK
Intro (In A Stone Circle), Aqualung, Thick As A Brick, Dangerous Veils, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, Beside Myself, Misére, One Brown Mouse, Songs From The Wood/Too Old to Rock'N'Roll.../Heavy Horses, Bourée, Bungle In The Jungle, Life Is A Long Song, Mother Goose, Up The 'Pool, Jack-In-The-Green, We Used To Know, In The Times Of India, Nothing Is Easy, Instrumental, My God, Hunting Girl, Locomotive Breath, Aquadiddley, Cross-Eyed Mary/Thick As A Brick (reprise)
30/11/96 Woodville Halls Gravesend, UK
The Conventional Flautist
UK Tull Convention, featuring IA, Andy Giddings & Jon Noyce, plus David Palmer, Blodwyn Pig, Solstice (incl. Clive Bunker) & Wild Turkey (without Glenn Cornick)
IA & D.Palmer: Elegy
IA & Solstice: Circles
IA, Andy & Jon: Mother Goose, Up The 'Pool, Bourée
IA, Mick A., Clive & Mick Summerland: My Sunday Feeling, It's Breaking Me Up, Serenade To A Cuckoo, A Song For Jeffrey
19/11/99 Apollo Manchester, UK 4throw
Steel Monkey, For A Thousand Mothers, Serenade To A Cuckoo (Cameras), Spiral, Nothing Is Easy, Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square, Fat Man, AWOL, A New Day Yesterday (w. flute solo, incl. Kelpie, & guitar solo), Nellie The Revenge, Dot Com, Boris Dancing, Hunting Girl (Phones), Hunt By Numbers, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Passion Jig, Locomotive Breath, Aquadiddley/Aqualung/Living In The Past/Dogs In The Midwinter (inst.)/Dambusters March/Cheerio
17/11/01 King Georges Hall Blackburn, UK front row
Martin's 55th birthday
Support artist: Willy Porter
Aqualung (intro), My Sunday Feeling, Cross-Eyed Mary, Roots To Branches, Jack-In-The-Green, Thick As A Brick, Sweet Dream, Beside Myself, Hunt By Numbers, Bourée, The Water Carrier, The Habanero Reel, Set-Aside, Pibroch (inst.), A New Day Yesterday, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, Budapest, Mayhem Jig/The Stormont Shuffle, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Living in the Past/Protect and Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
20/11/01 Apollo Manchester, UK 4th row
All Things To All People Also available as Apollo 20, but lower quality.
Support: Willy Porter. Tull on stage from 20:25.
Aqualung (intro), My Sunday Feeling, Cross-Eyed Mary, Roots To Branches, Jack-In-The-Green, Thick As A Brick, Sweet Dream, Beside Myself, Hunt By Numbers, Bourée, The Water Carrier, The Habanero Reel, Set-Aside, Pibroch (inst.), A New Day Yesterday, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, Budapest, Mayhem Jig, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Living in the Past/Protect and Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
/12/02 Fairfield Halls Croydon, UK
Solo concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Overture (Britten piece; just orchestra), Boris Dancing¹, Thick As A Brick, Elegy, Life's A Long Song², Wond'ring Aloud², In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, In A Black Box, Dot Com, Bourée - [Interval] - Bluesleeves (Fantasia On Greensleeves), Cheap Day Return³, Mother Goose³, Griminelli's Lament, From A Deadbeat To An Old Greaser, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Aqualung, My God, Budapest, Locomotive Breath
1: Ian's band (IA, Andy G., Kit Morgan, James Duncan)
2: band + string quartet
3: band + oboe & bassoon.
All others: band + orchestra.
18/4/03 Ferneham Hall Fareham, UK
Advertised as 'Ian Anderson and Friends', at the Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival.
A one-off 'Rubbing Elbows' show, unrelated to the proposed two-day fan convention previously mentioned at the band's site.
Audience: ~1500 (seated capacity: 750). Show lasted 20:12-22:58.
With musical guests: Helen Andrews, and Richard Hunt & Colin Murphy.
In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff (live flute over pre-recorded backing), Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away..., Thick As A Brick, Up The 'Pool, Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Fat Man, Griminelli's Lament, Montserrat, You In The Summer (Helen Andrews w. Ian), Bourée - [Interval] - A Christmas Song, Boris Dancing, One White Duck/010=Nothing At All, The Big Issue (Hunt & Murphy w. Ian), Circular Breathing, The Stormont Shuffle, Dun Ringill, Dot Com, Living In The Past, Locomotive Breath
12/2/04 Manchester front row
Aqua-intro, Living In The Past, Nothing Is Easy, Beggar's Farm, Eurology, A Christmas Song, Farm On The Freeway, Pavane, Weathercock, A Week Of Moments, Mother Goose (w. extended instrumental), Misère, Songs From The Wood/ Too Old To Rock'N'Roll.../Heavy Horses, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Holly Herald, Aqualung, Wind Up, Locomotive Breath/Protect And Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
14/2/04 ,Liverpool 4th row
Aqua-intro, Living In The Past, Nothing Is Easy, Beggar's Farm, Eurology, A Christmas Song, Farm On The Freeway, Pavane, Weathercock, A Week Of Moments, Mother Goose (w. extended instrumental), Misère, Songs From The Wood/ Too Old To Rock'N'Roll.../Heavy Horses, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Holly Herald, Aqualung, Wind Up, Locomotive Breath/Protect And Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
17/2/04 Sheffield front row
Aqua-intro, Living In The Past, Nothing Is Easy, Beggar's Farm, Eurology, A Christmas Song, Farm On The Freeway, Pavane, Weathercock, A Week Of Moments, Mother Goose (w. extended instrumental), Misère, Songs From The Wood/ Too Old To Rock'N'Roll.../Heavy Horses, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Holly Herald, Aqualung, Wind Up, Locomotive Breath/Protect And Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
'Songs From The Wood' was performed without pre-recorded backing vocals.
23/1/05 Glasgow front row
Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away..., Eurology, Up The 'Pool, Greensleeved, Jack-In-The-Green, Boris Dancing, Dun Ringill, Pavane, Griminelli's Lament (with Emma ?), Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Bourée, Weathercock, Living In The Past, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, Aqualung (orchestral version, without orchestra), My God, Budapest, Locomotive Breath, Up To Me, Slipstream
Italicised tracks scheduled but not played, probably because Ian was ill ('influenza').
Wonderful venue , superb centre front row seats I really enjoyed the concert , but it was sad to witness so many things which surely indicate that the end of Tull is not far away.
On this showing the Ian Anderson band were better than Tull’s 2004 incarnation. They were not complacent as Tull had been on the UK 2004 tour.
The mistakes which marred Tulls February tour were not apparent. The Ian Anderson band improvised and played with a freedom rarely seen in Tull's playing these days. Both My God and Budapest featured new arrangements and extensive improvised sections by Ian and Florian Opahle. The 21 yr old guitar player Florian Opahle was magnificient. His acoustic guitar work was exemplary and his limited opportunities on electric guitar were spine tingling. Simply outstanding. I would love to see him play in a truly electric Tull setting guesting and swapping guitar leads with Martin Barre.
Keyboardplayer John O’ Hara was excellent and would be a great replacement for A. Giddings if Ian wanted to shake things up.
The musical highlight was an extended Aqualung which began with Aquadiddley and then segued into the orchestral arrangement which was played extensively durinhg the 1995 Divinities and Roots To Branches tours. It was superb. Ians flute playing throughout the night was flawless. One minute melodic and subtle in tracks such as Griminelli's Lament from Rupis Dance, the next, rasping and viscious as in an extended solo in My God.
However, the negatives outweighed the good performance of the band . Half empty venue. The set list was disappointing and hardly reflected the gigs billing as an Ian Anderson solo concert. Many fans had travelled specifically to see songs from Rupis dance and SLOB being performed. What we got was neither Tull nor something new, rather a watered down Tull gig . In fact almost a rehash of the disappointing Edinburgh concert some 5 months ago.
Many in the audience had attended that gig and speaking to some it was clear they were suitably unimpressed by hearing more or less the same gig again.
It was undeniable that all the players performed well and the music was magnificient, but a check of previous concerts played by this band indicates their range of songs played is limited. More rehearsal and more songs at their disposal and this band could become a effective vehicle for any new Ian Anderson material and a worthy alternative to Tull.
Ians voice was reasonable throughout the night but was in tatters during Budapest and Locomotive Breath. I don’t have a problem with that, Ian’s music is more than a voice.
A number of songs including slipstream and up to me had been dropped from the setlist with Ian apparently suffering from flu. This explains the high proportion of instrumentals played.
A further negative, I don’t expect to hear the same stage patter as on the 2004 tour. It was laboured and the audience of die hards appeared muted and bored. Similarly where once Ian’s hernia movements were funny, to do it twice in one night during Bouree and My God is somewhat stretching it.
However , it is easy to be critical. I for one am just glad that Ian continues to perform and entertain on a regular basis.
21/7/05 liverpool
played as one set (they didn't leave and return for an encore, but just played on).
AquaIntro, For A Thousand Mothers, Cross-Eyed Mary, Boris Dancing, Beggar's Farm, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Thick As A Brick, Bourée, Up To Me, Mother Goose, Morris Minus, Farm On The Freeway, Hymn 43, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie), Budapest, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Protect And Survive, Cheerio
From the moment Tull entered the stage, the energy was high and the playing totally focused. It was apparent that this was going to be a special Tull night. This performance was not a pale imitation of former glories but rather a reincarnation of awesome proportions. Gone was the sloppiness which had marred Tull’s last appearance in Liverpool at the Liverpool Royal Court Theatre, in 2004. This was Tull in top form. Anderson was in superb vocal form. From my position, five rows front centre, his voice sounded better than any Tull concert since 1984.
The set list, although familiar and somewhat predictable, was a real improvement from the Christmas album laden and disappointing February 2004 UK gigs. There was no encore as Roger Chapman had overrun. It's probable that a number of other tunes were left out from the set because of this. After Aqualung, Ian said "let's keep playing and not do that encore thing - time's running out".
The highlight of the night was undoubtedly Martin Barre's playing. In 30+ Tull gigs I have attended since 1974, I have rarely seen him so energised. It was Martin's night at the big top. He took numerous spotlighted solos. He smiled and joked with the crowd. He even threatened to crowd surf into the audience during Locomotive Breath. His performance was immaculate. There were many highlights including a great slow solo which embellished Serenade To A Cuckoo and his chunky riffs on Up To Me really caught fire. On this form, Martin is not ready yet to relinquish his Tull spot to the precociously talented Florian Opahle.
Thick As A Brick was a welcome return to the setlist. I had not heard Tull play this since the 2001 tour. It enabled all members of the band to show their ability. There was total empathy between musicians and music and it brought the house down. Quite stunning. Budapest was also a highlight including extended keyboard, flute, and guitar interplay with Martin adopting a fantastic tone for his solo slots in this piece.
The Big Top was almost full to its 4,500 capacity and was by far the most enthusiastic and appreciative audience I had witnessed at a Tull show in many years.
The crowd were animated in their appreciation. Recent UK performances have often been received in a muted way by the audience, but not in Liverpool on Thursday. The band received numerous standing ovations, which appeared to inspire all band members and raise their performance to a even higher level.
I left The Big Top having witnessed probably the best Tull performance I have seen in a long long time.
________________________________________
4/3Manchester 06 front row
Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away..., Living In The Past, Slipstream, Up To Me, Griminelli's Lament¹, Aurora³, Wond'ring Aloud¹, Mo'z Art¹, Cheap Day Return/Mother Goose¹, She Is Like The Swallow², Bourée (standard version, w. new bass solo)¹ - [Interval] - Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody², Kashmir (incl. Whole Lotta Love)², Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, Steal, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Budapest¹, Aqualung, Wind-Up, Locomotive Breath¹, Protect And Survive¹, Cheerio
¹: Tull, accompanied by Lucia Micarelli.
5/3Blackpool 06 front row
Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away..., Living In The Past, Up The 'Pool, Up To Me, Griminelli's Lament¹, Aurora³, Wond'ring Aloud¹, Mo'z Art¹, Cheap Day Return/Mother Goose¹, She Is Like The Swallow², Bourée (standard version, w. new bass solo)¹ - [Interval] - Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody², Kashmir (incl. Whole Lotta Love)², Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, Steal, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Budapest¹, Aqualung, Wind-Up, Locomotive Breath¹, Protect And Survive¹, Cheerio
¹: Tull, accompanied by Lucia Micarelli.
²: Lucia Micarelli, accompanied by Tull.
³: Lucia Micarelli alone.
28/3/07 Birmingham front row
Someday The Sun Won't Shine For You¹, Living In The Past², The Water Carrier², Gypsy, Katerina's Theme³, Jack-In-The-Green², The Donkey And The Drum, Dun Ringill¹, Birnam Wood To Dunsinane, Fat Man², Bourée - [Interval] - 99 Lives, Thick As A Brick, Pastime With Good Company (King Henry's Madrigal), Spanish Tears4, Aqualung (orchestral version), America, My God, Beside Myself/Rocks on the Road/Budapest, Locomotive Breath (acoustic)/Bach's E-Minor Concerto Theme
3/4/07 York 2nd row
Someday The Sun Won't Shine For You¹, Living In The Past², The Water Carrier², Gypsy, Katerina's Theme³, Jack-In-The-Green², The Donkey And The Drum, Thick As A Brick, Birnam Wood To Dunsinane, Fat Man², Bourée - [Interval] - 99 Lives, Dun Ringill¹, Pastime With Good Company (King Henry's Madrigal), Empty Café4, Aqualung (orchestral version), America, My God, Beside Myself/Rocks on the Road/Budapest, Locomotive Breath (electric)/Bombay to Beirut
29/7/07 front row
Living In The Past, Jack-In-The-Green, The Donkey And The Drum, Thick As A Brick, Gypsy, Katerinas theme
My Sunday feeling, Pastime With Good Company (King Henry's Madrigal), Mother Goose, Bourée, Nothing Is Easy, After You After Me, Aqualung, America, 99 lives My God,
Budapest, Locomotive Breath
A crescendo of applause, frantic cries for more, and a sustained standing ovation, the 2007 incarnation of Tull left the stage after 2 hours plus of breathtaking intimate music.
The audience had witnessed an accomplished, powerful and confident performance that had turned back the years and often reminded of Tull at their peak
The concert of Sunday 29/7/07 was a special show. It had been arranged by the radio station Planet Rock and advertised as a secret gig at a secret location. It was to be attended by 200 competition winners and guests drawn at random. I was fortunate enough to be one of the winners.
I hoped that my latest attendance at a Tull show would not only be particularly memorable for the circumstances surrounding the show, but also for the music. I was not to be disappointed.
The venue at the Subscription rooms in Stroud Gloucestershire was perfect for the event. The Subscription rooms is a listed building with a small concert hall seating just 400. My seat on the front row slightly stage left was specifically chosen to give a close view of Martin Barre’s playing.
At 7.30 pm the show began. Living in the past was first up, David Goodier’s six string bass and James Duncan’s drums providing an outstanding platform for the songs distinctive time signature. This was to be an electric Tull set as befitting a Planet Rock audience.
The band was on fire, and this high level of energy and excellence was a feature of the evening.
The newly recorded track The Donkey and the Drum was particularly moving. This instrumental piece was first played during Tull’s UK Spring 2007 acoustic tour. Its eclectic and progressive nature made it impressive then, but with a fuller electric sound it sounded simply outstanding. I am hoping that this composition will be included in the new Tull CD which apparently should surface sometime in the next 12 months.
As in the acoustic tour, Tull were joined on stage for some numbers by Anna Phoebe. She excelled in every aspect. Her composition Gypsy was superb. It was very Tull like, and was reminiscent of Tulls Middle Eastern influenced sound from the Roots to Branches era.
Anna Phoebe’s energy seemed to inspire Ian Anderson. The interplay between flute and violin was breath taking
The first half of the show closed with a delightfully extended version of Bouree which included a bass solo. David Goodier’s bass playing was skillful, forceful and melodic. He does not have the stage presence of players like Glenn Cornick or Jeffrey Hammond Hammond, but is more animated than some Tull bassists have been. This was apparent at Stroud where he bounced along, mouthed and also sang the bass lines produced.
All evening he interpreted the bass lines of various past Tull bassists with some aplomb and in his solo slots his jazz influences came to the fore.
The second half of the show was even more powerful and enjoyable than the first, beginning with a blistering rendition of Nothing is Easy.
There were however one or two negative aspects of the show.
Ian Anderson’s voice sounded fine from the front row, but is a pale shadow of what it once was.
The contrived humour, which has blighted Tull shows in recent years is still apparent. The hernia joke was performed yet again at the end of My God. The Planet rock crowd loved it though. I guess that is the point , people in the audience I spoke to were seeing Tull for the first or at most second time and as such, moments like the hernia joke still posses some magic or at least a certain quaint charm. The negative points mentioned though pale into insignificance when measured against the quality of the whole experience of seeing Tull perform. There were so many highlights in this inspirational concert that it is perhaps unfair to criticise specific parts.
Special mention, however, must be made of the magnificent playing of Martin Barre. His contribution to each song was immeasurable and immense.
His instrumental piece ‘After you after me’ was spell binding in its intensity, incorporating a wide range of styles including some frantic shedding. His playing throughout the concert had the right balance of muscle and finesse. Piece after piece were embellished by free flowing solos which were expertly developed and executed. He looked relaxed and was having fun in this small setting, noticeably gaining a visible rapport with the audience. When Martin Barre is in this type of form, Tull invariably raise the bar to another level.
The concert finished with a rousing version of Locomotive Breath. The relaxed and unique nature of this gig was summed up when both Ian & Martin left the stage to hide from keyboardist John O’Hara during his keyboard intro. They then surprised him by emerging from the front row of the audience to play. It was a priceless moment, and was genuinely funny. Locomotive Breath included a wonderfully extended instrumental section which allowed all players the freedom to express themselves.
Two hours of glorious, entertaining and enthralling music was over all too soon. I felt grateful and honoured to see Tull perform at this level of intensity and musical integrity in what is approaching their 40th year of existence.
Set List
Living In The Past,
Jack-In-The-Green,
The Donkey And The Drum,
Thick As A Brick
, Gypsy,
Katerinas theme
My Sunday feeling
, Pastime With Good Company (King Henry's Madrigal)
, Mother Goose,
Bourée,
Nothing Is Easy,
After You After Me,
Aqualung,
America,
99 lives
My God,
Budapest,
Locomotive Breath
9/4/08 Lowry Salford
2nd row
Living In The Past, One For John Gee,So Much Trouble, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Beside Myself,For a Thousand Mothers ,A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie), Bourée - [Interval] - Heavy Horses, We Used To Know/Witches Promise/With You
There To Help Me, Dharma For One (w. drum solo), Pussy Willow ,Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick,Aqualung (standard version), Locomotive Breath
On a night of European Champions league glory for Manchester United just a mere half mile away, Jethro Tull were simultaneously producing their own performance of two halves. The first half a rather luck lustre affair: the second half a dynamic even inspirational performance spanning the years and belying Tull's veteran status. Such was the nature of the concert witnessed at The Lowry on Wednesday, 9th April 2008.
The proceedings began with a duo from Mostly Autumn. Bryan Josh was joined by Heather Findlay and played acoustic renditions of This Great Pearl and Evergreen. They were joined by ¾ of Jethro Tull on a track from Passengers and by the fluent guitar lines of Martin Barre on a cut from their forthcoming new release. I was familiar with Pearl and Evergreen, the latter being my favourite Mostly Autumn track, however this performance was substantially below the standard expected from members of such a prestigious UK progressive rock band. These tracks rearranged for an acoustic rendition sounded weak and repetitive. The Passengers track was equally insipid and the introduction of Ian Anderson on flute did little to raise it from average rock fare.
Anderson frankly looked disinterested and played from a reclined position on the drum rise. As a consequence his flute interventions seemed to lack substance and were substantially well below par.
The unrehearsed nature of this section of the concert was further revealed when Heather Findlay introduced the next song to be performed from their forthcoming album but ‘tonight featuring Jethro Tull's guitar player... total silence... she had forgotten Martin’s name ...Anderson subsequently took over and announced Martin Barre. Martin was received with polite applause and embellished the track with some tasty guitar work.
As soon as Bryan and Heather exited the stage ‘An Evening With Jethro Tull’ began.
No fanfare or elaborate stage introduction (as previously witnessed by the sweeping roadies of 1972, the wonderful Strange Avenues intro of 1989, or the personal introduction for each gig by Ian in 1995) was necessary. This was to be an evening with the emphasis on the music rather than showmanship.
The rhythm section of Perry and Goodier drew a cheer as they introduced Living In The Past and the songs from Tull's wonderful back catalogue just flowed and flowed. I particularly enjoyed One For John Gee performed live for the first time during this 40th anniversary tour. This track personified the enduring, genre breaking and eclectic nature of Tull’s music. Its inspired jazz like sound and structure allowed members of the ensemble the freedom to improvise and solo. Martin Barre's contribution in this piece emphasised his ability to play in a variety of genres and styles.
Despite a great selection of songs the first half was lacking. On reflection I am not sure exactly which ingredient did not quite gel. Maybe, it was the lack of a grand entrance, or Anderson's uncharacteristically weak flute on Serenade To A Cuckoo, or perhaps the sampled flutes during a blistering rendition of For A Thousand Mothers, or even the obtrusive backdrop of images and videos of Ian Anderson in his 20 something prime. These images compared with the stark reality of Ian in his dog eared years were a real distraction.
At any rate, the general consensus amongst the number of die hard Tull fans in the first few rows during the interval was that Tull were playing within themselves. The set was great, the performance was OK but...
This was however, a performance of two halves and the second half undoubtedly belonged to Tull.
The opening riff of Heavy Horses rang out and the show was underway once more. I enjoyed hearing a full version of this song which had not been played in its entirety for some years. Even the sampled violin accompaniment was fine. The sound was clear and Anderson's voice was surprisingly powerful as he lamented the demise of the Percheron. Backing vocals provided by David Goodier were slightly out of time but did not detract from the overall impact of the song.
A wonderful medley followed; of We Used To Know, Witches Promise and With You There To Help Me. Sections of music effortlessly segued into each other and the overall impression (despite some challenged vocals) was that this was some of the best Tull music ever. Special mention must be made of Martin Barre who in the second half of the show became increasingly energised. His playing on With You There To Help Me rolled back the years. He skilfully and faithfully recreated the sound of 1970 but added even greater emotive flair into the mix.
Dharma For One was simply outstanding. In this song Doane Perry was given ample opportunity to show what a capable player he is. The ensemble playing throughout the second half was brilliant and Dharma was memorable for this.
The show roared along towards its energy sapping conclusion of Locomotive Breath.
With a final flurry of No Way To Slow Down, Tull left the stage. No balloons, no Louis Armstrong outro, just a realisation that Tull had once again served up a memorable feast of high quality music and entertainment. I strongly recommend you see this unique band if you can, before they finally and inevitably call it a day.
Oh and for those interested in the score It was Man United 1 Roma 0
...and just half a mile away from Old Trafford the score was
Jethro Tull (0) 5 Doubters (0) 0
11/5/08 Grand Opera House York, UK
Support: Bryan Josh & Heather Findlay, joined by Tull for two of their four songs.
My Sunday Feeling, Living In The Past, So Much Trouble, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Nursie, A Song For Jeffrey, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie), Bourée - [Interval] - For A Thousand Mothers, We Used To Know/With You There To Help Me, Dharma For One (incl. drum solo & Count The Chickens), Heavy Horses, Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath*
*: Tull with Josh & Findlay; second verse sung by Heather
14/5/08 Venue Cymru Llandudno, UK
With Anna Phoebe.
My Sunday Feeling, Living In The Past, One For John Gee, So Much Trouble, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Nursie, A Song For Jeffrey, Gypsy¹, Katerina's Theme¹, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie), Bourée² - [Interval] - For A Thousand Mothers, We Used To Know/With You There To Help Me, 99 Lives¹, Dharma For One (incl. Count The Chickens), Heavy Horses, Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath²
1: Anna Phoebe with Tull.
2: Tull with Anna Phoebe.
15/5/08 King George's Hall Blackburn, UK
At the Edinburgh concert, Ian announced that the special guest in Blackburn would be Jeffrey Hammond. He did attend, but declined to go on stage.
On-stage guests were Martin Skyrme (John Evan Band, 1965-66) and Clive Bunker.
My Sunday Feeling, Living In The Past, One For John Gee, So Much Trouble, A Song For Jeffrey, Nursie, Griminelli's Lament¹, Sossity: You're A Woman/Reasons For Waiting, Fat Man², Serenade To A Cuckoo, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie)², Bourée¹ - [Interval] - For A Thousand Mothers, We Used To Know/With You There To Help Me, Dharma For One (incl. Count The Chickens)², Heavy Horses, Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath³
1: With Martin Skyrme (flute).
2: With Clive Bunker (drums).
3: With Martin Skyrme & Clive Bunker.
25/5/08 Catton Hall Park Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire, UK
Tull performing a mainly acoustic set at the Acoustic Festival of Britain. Replacing the abandoned 2007 event.
Other artists appearing on this date: Divided Opinions, Cheryl Beer, Jim Kirkpatrick, Karen Nash, Ade Payne, Ed Tudor Pole, Acoustic Beatles, Classic Clapton, 9 Below Zero, Gordon Giltrap, Boss Hoss, Hazel O'Connor, Melanie, Fairport Convention.
Without Anna Phoebe. James Duncan (Anderson) on drums.
Ian apparently requested that the marquee be cleared for a sound check. The audience, who had been holding prime spots for 8 hours, refused to leave.
Living In The Past, A Song For Jeffrey, Serenade To A Cuckoo, So Much Trouble, Sossity: You're A Woman (inst.)/Reasons For Waiting, Boris Dancing, Fat Man, Bourée, Dot Com, Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath
Keyboard parts of 'Thick As A Brick' were played on the accordion.
17/9/09 Opera House Buxton, UK
Dun Ringill, March The Mad Scientist, Just Trying To Be, Jack-In-The-Green, Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square, Skating Away..., Serenade To A Cuckoo, Back To The Family, Tea With The Princess, Fat Man, Rocks On The Road - [Interval] - Some Day the Sun Won't Shine For You, Mother Goose, Andantino, A Change of Horses, Bourée, My God, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath.
19/9/09 Grand Theatre Lancaster, UK
Sold out: 415!
With special guest Martin Skyme, of the John Evan Band.
Dun Ringill, March The Mad Scientist, Just Trying To Be, Jack-In-The-Green, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square, Skating Away..., Tugboat Boy (sung by John O'Hara, with David Goodier & Mark Mondesir), Tea With The Princess, Fat Man, Rocks On The Road - [Interval] - A Change of Horses (Ian read the lyrics from his on-stage monitor), Griminelli's Lament (with Martin Skyrme on flute), Mother Goose, Andantino, Bourée (with Martin Skyrme on flute), My God, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath.
23/3/10 Apollo Manchester, UK
19:30 start.
Dun Ringill, The Water Carrier, Life Is a Long Song, Eurology, Nothing Is Easy, A New Day Yesterday, Songs From The Wood, Tea With The Princess (instr.), Fat Man, Bourée,
A Change Of Horses, Bug (incl drum solo), Budapest, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath
31/3/10 Philharmonic Hall Liverpool, UK
Dun Ringill, The Water Carrier, Life Is a Long Song, Eurology, Nothing Is Easy, A New Day Yesterday, Tea With The Princess, Songs From The Wood, Fat Man, Bourée, A Change Of Horses, Bug (incl drum solo), Budapest, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath (w. balloons)
1/4/10 City Hall Sheffield, UK
Not the Arena, as originally advertised. Sold-out show.
Dun Ringill, The Water Carrier, Life Is a Long Song, Eurology, Nothing Is Easy, A New Day Yesterday, Tea With The Princess, Songs From The Wood, Fat Man, Bourée, A Change Of Horses, Bug (incl drum solo), Budapest, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath (w. balloons)
3/9/11 Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, UK Front row
Boris Dancing, Just Trying To Be, Slipstream, Up To Me, Set-Aside, Overture (previously 'That F***ing Tune'), Wond'ring Again, Andantino, Hare In The Wine Cup, Bach's Prelude In C Major, Bourée - [Interval] - Up The 'Pool, The Hare..., Thick As A Brick (incl. 'Poet and Painter'), Adrift and Dumbfounded (revised lyrics), A Change Of Horses, Bach's Toccata & Fugue (w. electric guitar); Budapest (electric guitar for second half), Aqualung (orchestral
version), Locomotive Breath (5/4 time acoustic guitar intro)
7/9/11 Buxton ,
Boris Dancing, Mother Goose, Up To Me, Set-Aside, Overture, Wond'ring Again, Andantino, Hare In The Wine Cup, Bach's Prelude In C Major/Bourée - [Interval] - Up The 'Pool, The Hare..., Thick As A Brick ('Poet and Painter' only), Adrift and Dumbfounded, A Change Of Horses, Bach's Toccata & Fugue, Budapest, Aqualung (orchestral version), Locomotive Breath (5/4 time acoustic guitar intro)
22/9/11 Mechanics Burnley, UK
Front row
Boris Dancing, Mother Goose, Up To Me, Set-Aside, Overture, Wond'ring Again, Andantino, Hare In The Wine Cup, Bach's Prelude In C Major/Bourée - [Interval] - Up The 'Pool, The Hare..., Thick As A Brick ('Poet and Painter' only), Adrift and Dumbfounded, A Change Of Horses, Bach's Toccata & Fugue, Budapest, Aqualung (orchestral version), Locomotive Breath (5/4 time acoustic guitar intro)
19/12/11 Manchester Cathedral
Front row
19/12/11 Cathedral Manchester, UK
Ian Anderson Band, including Florian.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Gaudete, Jack-In-The-Green, We Five Kings, A Christmas Song, Reading 1, Hare In The Wine Cup, Another Christmas Song, Reading 2, Bourée - [Interval] - Holly Herald, A Change Of Horses, Bach's Toccata & Fugue, Reading 3, My God, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Thick As A Brick
Reading 1: From 'Marmion: A Christmas Poem' (Sir Walter Scott) – read by Ian Anderson, accompanied by John O'Hara.
Other details, including readings, unknown.
Sheffield
19/4/12 City Hall Sheffield, UK
Thick As A Brick (entire) - [Interval] - Thick As A Brick 2 (entire
, Harrogate 21/4/12
Thick As A Brick (entire) - [Interval] - Thick As A Brick 2 (entire)
'Thick As A Brick' mid-break included a prostate cancer awareness section.
, Manchester
22/4/12 Opera House Manchester, UK
Ian Anderson Band.
Thick As A Brick (entire) - [Interval] - Thick As A Brick 2 (entire)
'Thick As A Brick' mid-break included a prostate cancer awareness section 7 featuring Jeffrey Hammond and Tom Lynch.
,Birmingham
30/4/12 Symphony Hall Birmingham, UK
Thick As A Brick (entire) - [Interval] - Thick As A Brick 2 (entire)
Albert Hall
30/6/13 Royal Albert Hall London, UK
Ian Anderson Band.
Sole UK date for 2013, apparently (apart from christmas concerts).
Line-up: Ian, Ryan O'Donnell, Florian Ophale, John O'Hara, David Goodier, Scott Hammond
Special guests: Marc Almond, Anna Phoebe, and BBC TV journalist (and Anna's husband) Gavin Estler as the frogman.
Intro film, Thick As A Brick Part 1, Interlude: Weather/Prostate Cancer Awareness, Thick As A Brick Part 2, Bourée - [Interval] - Intro film, From A Pebble Thrown, Pebbles Instrumental/Might-Have-Beens, Upper Sixth Loan Shark/Banker Bets Banker Wins, Swing It Far, Adrift And Dumbfounded, Old School Song, Wootton Bassett Town, Power and Spirit/Give Till It Hurts, Cosy Corner/Shunt And Shuffle, A Change Of Horses, Confessional, Kismet In Suburbia, What-ifs Maybes and Might-Have-Beens, Outro film, Locomotive Breath
53 times in total
the details are below including some reviews I wrote about particular shows.
25/11/74 Capitol Theatre Caerdydd, UK
Wrong Again Old Son row m
Intro (incl. Wind-Up/Passion Play excerpts), Thick As A Brick, My God (incl. flute & piano solos, incl. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen & Bourée), Cross-Eyed Mary, How Much Is That Doggie..., Skating Away..., Wond'ring Aloud, Queen And Country, Ladies (w. drum solo), Warchild, SeaLion, Bungle In The Jungle, Aqualung, Back-Door Angels/Guitar Solo (incl. Minstrel In The Gallery), Locomotive Breath/Hard-Headed English General/Back-Door Angels (reprise)
11/2/77 Hammersmith Odeon London, UK
Wondr'ing Aloud, Skating Away..., Jack-In-The-Green, Thick As A Brick, Songs From The Wood, Instrumental, To Cry You A Song, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Bourée and Living In The Past), Velvet Green, Hunting Girl, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Minstrel In The Gallery, Aqualung, Guitar Solo, Wind-Up (inc. Back Door Angels), Locomotive Breath
Italicised tracks unconfirmed.
3/5/78
Apollo Theatre row m
Quartet, No Lullaby, Sweet Dream, Skating Away..., Jack in the Green, One Brown Mouse, Heavy Horses, A New Day Yesterday (w. flute solo (incl. God Rest Ye...)/Living In The Past (inst.)/Thick As A Brick (inst.)), Songs From The Wood Wond'ring Aloud, Hunting Girl, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Conundrum (incl. drum solo), Minstrel In The Gallery, Pop Goes The Weasel/Cross-Eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath, Thick As A Brick, Quatrain/Aqualung/Dambusters March/Aqualung (reprise) Manchester, UK
16/5/82 National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham, UK
NEC Live
The Clasp, Hunting Girl, Fallen On Hard Times, Pussy Willow, Broadsword, Jack-In-The-Green, Seal Driver, Heavy Horses, Weathercock/Fire At Midnight/Flute Solo/Keyboard w. Drums/Sweet Dream, Songs From The Wood, Watching Me Watching You, The Swirling Pit, Pibroch (Cap In Hand), Beastie, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Aqualung, Minstrel In The Gallery, Locomotive Breath, Cheerio
3/9/84 Apollo 7th row Manchester, UK
4/9/84
Apollo
Intro, Locomotive Breath (inst. intro), Hunting Girl, Under Wraps, Later That Same Evening, Nobody's Car, Apogee, Thick As A Brick, Level Pegging, Skating Away..., Pussy Willow, The Clasp, Living In The Past (not inst.), Serenade To A Cuckoo, Fat Man, Keyboard w. Drums, Fly By Night, Made In England, European Legacy, Black Sunday, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll/Different Germany (inst)/Thick As A Brick (reprise)
7th row
Intro, Locomotive Breath (inst. intro), Hunting Girl, Under Wraps, Later That Same Evening, Nobody's Car, Apogee, Thick As A Brick, Level Pegging, Skating Away..., Pussy Willow, The Clasp, Living In The Past (not inst.), Serenade To A Cuckoo, Fat Man, Keyboard w. Drums, Fly By Night, Made In England, European Legacy, Black Sunday, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll/Different Germany (inst)/Thick As A Brick (reprise)
Manchester, UK
7/10/87 ABC Apollo 6th row Manchester, UK
Intro, Songs From The Wood, Thick As A Brick, Steel Monkey, Farm On The Freeway, Heavy Horses, Living In The Past, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Budapest, The Waking Edge (intro.)/Pegg Instrumental, Keyboard w Drums, Wond'ring Aloud, Dun Ringill, Nellie The Revenge, Jump Start, Hunting Girl, Aqualung, Too Old To Rock'n Roll..., Locomotive Breath, Wind Up
8/10/87 ABC Apollo 3rd row
Intro, Songs From The Wood, Thick As A Brick, Steel Monkey, Farm On The Freeway, Heavy Horses, Living In The Past, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Budapest, The Waking Edge (intro.)/Pegg Instrumental, Keyboard w Drums, Wond'ring Aloud, Dun Ringill, Nellie The Revenge, Jump Start, Hunting Girl, Aqualung, Too Old To Rock'n Roll..., Locomotive Breath, Wind Up
Manchester, UK
23/9/89 ABC Apollo Manchester, UK 4th row
Apollo 1989
Intro, Strange Avenues, Steel Monkey, Big Riff And Mando, Thick As A Brick, Rock Island, Requiem/Black Satin Dancer (inst.), Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Jack-A-Lynn, Another Christmas Song, My God (incl. Bourée/Soirée), The Pine Marten's Jig/Drowsy Maggie, Undressed To Kill, The Whaler's Dues, Budapest, Farm On The Freeway, SeaLion (inst.), Kissing Willie, Nothing Is Easy, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, The Third Hoorah (inst.)
24/9/89 ABC Apollo Manchester, UK 7th row
Intro, Strange Avenues, Steel Monkey, Big Riff And Mando, Thick As A Brick, Rock Island, Requiem/Black Satin Dancer (inst.), Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Jack-A-Lynn, Another Christmas Song, My God (incl. Bourée/Soirée), The Pine Marten's Jig/Drowsy Maggie, The Whaler's Dues, Budapest, Farm On The Freeway, SeaLion (inst.), Kissing Willie, Nothing Is Easy, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, The Third Hoorah (inst.)
13/5/90 Guildhall Preston, UK
Intro: Tanz, Wond'ring Aloud, Steel Monkey, Thick As A Brick, Living In The Past, Rock Island, Nellie The Revenge (inst.), Cheap Day Return/Nursie, Mother Goose/Jack-A-Lynn, Farm On The Freeway, Serenade To A Cuckoo, A Christmas Song, Budapest, Strange Avenues, Kissing Willie, Pine Martin's Jig, Drowsy Maggie, Dun Ringill, Jack-In-The-Green, Said She Was A Dancer, Pussy Willow/Pibroch (inst.), My God, Bourée, Double Violin Concerto, Another Christmas Song, Love Story, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Fylingdale Flyer (inst.), Cheerio
22/5/90 Empire Theatre Liverpool, UK
Intro: Tanz, Wond'ring Aloud, Steel Monkey, Thick As A Brick, Living In The Past, Rock Island, Nellie The Revenge (inst.), Cheap Day Return/Nursie, Mother Goose/Jack-A-Lynn, Farm On The Freeway, Serenade To A Cuckoo, A Christmas Song, Budapest, Strange Avenues, Kissing Willie, Pine Martin's Jig, Drowsy Maggie, Dun Ringill, Jack-In-The-Green, Said She Was A Dancer, Pussy Willow/Pibroch (inst.), My God, Bourée, Double Violin Concerto, Another Christmas Song, Love Story, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Fylingdale Flyer (inst.), Cheerio
3/10/91 Apollo Manchester, UK 4th row
4/10/91 Apollo Manchester, UK
Intro, Minstrel In The Gallery/Cross-Eyed Mary, Kissing Willie, Rocks On The Road, This Is Not Love, Heavy Horses, Like A Tall Thin Girl, The Whistler (inst.), White Innocence, Still Loving You Tonight, Doctor To My Disease, Sleeping With The Dog, Paparazzi (inst.), Thick As A Brick, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Bourée, Soirée), Look Into The Sun (inst.), Farm On The Freeway, Jump Start, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Black Sunday (inst.)/Minstrel In The Gallery (reprise)
Intro, Minstrel In The Gallery/Cross-Eyed Mary, Kissing Willie, Rocks On The Road, This Is Not Love, Heavy Horses, Like A Tall Thin Girl, The Whistler (inst.), White Innocence, Still Loving You Tonight, Doctor To My Disease, Sleeping With The Dog, Paparazzi (inst.), Thick As A Brick, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Bourée, Soirée), Look Into The Sun (inst.), Farm On The Freeway, Jump Start, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Black Sunday (inst.)/Minstrel In The Gallery (reprise)
20/3/92 City Hall Sheffield, UK
No support artist.
Cross-Eyed Mary, Living in the Past, Rocks On The Road, This Is Not Love, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Like A Tall Thin Girl, Somewhere In England (inst.)/The Whistler (inst.), White Innocence, Kissing Willie, Said She Was A Dancer, Thick As A Brick, Instrumental, Doctor To My Disease, A New Day Yesterday/Bourée, Reasons For Waiting, Instrumental, Farm On The Freeway, Jump Start, My God, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath
8/10/93 Apollo Manchester, UK front row
My Sunday Feeling, For A Thousand Mothers, Living In The Past, Bourée, So Much Trouble, With You There To Help Me, Flute Solo (incl. In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff), The Whistler (inst.), Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick, Sossity: You're A Woman/Reasons For Waiting, Songs From The Wood/Too Old To Rock'N'Roll/Heavy Horses, Later That Same Evening (inst.), Budapest, Andy Giddings' Parrot, Passion Jig (incl. Seal Driver), A New Day Yesterday, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Cross-Eyed Mary/Dharma For One
21/9/95 Apollo Manchester, UK
Intro, 'A' Medley (And Further On/Fylingdale Flyer/Protect And Survive), Roots To Branches, Rare And Precious Chain, Out Of The Noise, Valley, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, At Last Forever, Dangerous Veils, Beside Myself, Aqua Intro/Aqualung/Aquadiddley, - Interval - Nothing Is Easy, We Used To Know, Nothing To Say, In The Moneylender's Temple, My God, Misére, Fat Man, Budapest, Like A Tall Thin Girl, Wounded Old and Treacherous, Locomotive Breath, Jump Start/Dambusters March/Thick As A Brick (reprise)
22/11/96 King Georges Hall Blackburn, UK
Intro (In A Stone Circle), Aqualung, Thick As A Brick, Dangerous Veils, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, Beside Myself, Misére, One Brown Mouse, Songs From The Wood/Too Old to Rock'N'Roll.../Heavy Horses, Bourée, Bungle In The Jungle, Life Is A Long Song, Mother Goose, Up The 'Pool, Jack-In-The-Green, We Used To Know, In The Times Of India, Nothing Is Easy, Instrumental, My God, Hunting Girl, Locomotive Breath, Aquadiddley, Cross-Eyed Mary/Thick As A Brick (reprise)
30/11/96 Woodville Halls Gravesend, UK
The Conventional Flautist
UK Tull Convention, featuring IA, Andy Giddings & Jon Noyce, plus David Palmer, Blodwyn Pig, Solstice (incl. Clive Bunker) & Wild Turkey (without Glenn Cornick)
IA & D.Palmer: Elegy
IA & Solstice: Circles
IA, Andy & Jon: Mother Goose, Up The 'Pool, Bourée
IA, Mick A., Clive & Mick Summerland: My Sunday Feeling, It's Breaking Me Up, Serenade To A Cuckoo, A Song For Jeffrey
19/11/99 Apollo Manchester, UK 4throw
Steel Monkey, For A Thousand Mothers, Serenade To A Cuckoo (Cameras), Spiral, Nothing Is Easy, Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square, Fat Man, AWOL, A New Day Yesterday (w. flute solo, incl. Kelpie, & guitar solo), Nellie The Revenge, Dot Com, Boris Dancing, Hunting Girl (Phones), Hunt By Numbers, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Passion Jig, Locomotive Breath, Aquadiddley/Aqualung/Living In The Past/Dogs In The Midwinter (inst.)/Dambusters March/Cheerio
17/11/01 King Georges Hall Blackburn, UK front row
Martin's 55th birthday
Support artist: Willy Porter
Aqualung (intro), My Sunday Feeling, Cross-Eyed Mary, Roots To Branches, Jack-In-The-Green, Thick As A Brick, Sweet Dream, Beside Myself, Hunt By Numbers, Bourée, The Water Carrier, The Habanero Reel, Set-Aside, Pibroch (inst.), A New Day Yesterday, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, Budapest, Mayhem Jig/The Stormont Shuffle, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Living in the Past/Protect and Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
20/11/01 Apollo Manchester, UK 4th row
All Things To All People Also available as Apollo 20, but lower quality.
Support: Willy Porter. Tull on stage from 20:25.
Aqualung (intro), My Sunday Feeling, Cross-Eyed Mary, Roots To Branches, Jack-In-The-Green, Thick As A Brick, Sweet Dream, Beside Myself, Hunt By Numbers, Bourée, The Water Carrier, The Habanero Reel, Set-Aside, Pibroch (inst.), A New Day Yesterday, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, Budapest, Mayhem Jig, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Living in the Past/Protect and Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
/12/02 Fairfield Halls Croydon, UK
Solo concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Overture (Britten piece; just orchestra), Boris Dancing¹, Thick As A Brick, Elegy, Life's A Long Song², Wond'ring Aloud², In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, In A Black Box, Dot Com, Bourée - [Interval] - Bluesleeves (Fantasia On Greensleeves), Cheap Day Return³, Mother Goose³, Griminelli's Lament, From A Deadbeat To An Old Greaser, Too Old To Rock'N'Roll..., Aqualung, My God, Budapest, Locomotive Breath
1: Ian's band (IA, Andy G., Kit Morgan, James Duncan)
2: band + string quartet
3: band + oboe & bassoon.
All others: band + orchestra.
18/4/03 Ferneham Hall Fareham, UK
Advertised as 'Ian Anderson and Friends', at the Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival.
A one-off 'Rubbing Elbows' show, unrelated to the proposed two-day fan convention previously mentioned at the band's site.
Audience: ~1500 (seated capacity: 750). Show lasted 20:12-22:58.
With musical guests: Helen Andrews, and Richard Hunt & Colin Murphy.
In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff (live flute over pre-recorded backing), Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away..., Thick As A Brick, Up The 'Pool, Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Fat Man, Griminelli's Lament, Montserrat, You In The Summer (Helen Andrews w. Ian), Bourée - [Interval] - A Christmas Song, Boris Dancing, One White Duck/010=Nothing At All, The Big Issue (Hunt & Murphy w. Ian), Circular Breathing, The Stormont Shuffle, Dun Ringill, Dot Com, Living In The Past, Locomotive Breath
12/2/04 Manchester front row
Aqua-intro, Living In The Past, Nothing Is Easy, Beggar's Farm, Eurology, A Christmas Song, Farm On The Freeway, Pavane, Weathercock, A Week Of Moments, Mother Goose (w. extended instrumental), Misère, Songs From The Wood/ Too Old To Rock'N'Roll.../Heavy Horses, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Holly Herald, Aqualung, Wind Up, Locomotive Breath/Protect And Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
14/2/04 ,Liverpool 4th row
Aqua-intro, Living In The Past, Nothing Is Easy, Beggar's Farm, Eurology, A Christmas Song, Farm On The Freeway, Pavane, Weathercock, A Week Of Moments, Mother Goose (w. extended instrumental), Misère, Songs From The Wood/ Too Old To Rock'N'Roll.../Heavy Horses, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Holly Herald, Aqualung, Wind Up, Locomotive Breath/Protect And Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
17/2/04 Sheffield front row
Aqua-intro, Living In The Past, Nothing Is Easy, Beggar's Farm, Eurology, A Christmas Song, Farm On The Freeway, Pavane, Weathercock, A Week Of Moments, Mother Goose (w. extended instrumental), Misère, Songs From The Wood/ Too Old To Rock'N'Roll.../Heavy Horses, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Holly Herald, Aqualung, Wind Up, Locomotive Breath/Protect And Survive (inst.)/Cheerio
'Songs From The Wood' was performed without pre-recorded backing vocals.
23/1/05 Glasgow front row
Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away..., Eurology, Up The 'Pool, Greensleeved, Jack-In-The-Green, Boris Dancing, Dun Ringill, Pavane, Griminelli's Lament (with Emma ?), Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Bourée, Weathercock, Living In The Past, In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff, Aqualung (orchestral version, without orchestra), My God, Budapest, Locomotive Breath, Up To Me, Slipstream
Italicised tracks scheduled but not played, probably because Ian was ill ('influenza').
Wonderful venue , superb centre front row seats I really enjoyed the concert , but it was sad to witness so many things which surely indicate that the end of Tull is not far away.
On this showing the Ian Anderson band were better than Tull’s 2004 incarnation. They were not complacent as Tull had been on the UK 2004 tour.
The mistakes which marred Tulls February tour were not apparent. The Ian Anderson band improvised and played with a freedom rarely seen in Tull's playing these days. Both My God and Budapest featured new arrangements and extensive improvised sections by Ian and Florian Opahle. The 21 yr old guitar player Florian Opahle was magnificient. His acoustic guitar work was exemplary and his limited opportunities on electric guitar were spine tingling. Simply outstanding. I would love to see him play in a truly electric Tull setting guesting and swapping guitar leads with Martin Barre.
Keyboardplayer John O’ Hara was excellent and would be a great replacement for A. Giddings if Ian wanted to shake things up.
The musical highlight was an extended Aqualung which began with Aquadiddley and then segued into the orchestral arrangement which was played extensively durinhg the 1995 Divinities and Roots To Branches tours. It was superb. Ians flute playing throughout the night was flawless. One minute melodic and subtle in tracks such as Griminelli's Lament from Rupis Dance, the next, rasping and viscious as in an extended solo in My God.
However, the negatives outweighed the good performance of the band . Half empty venue. The set list was disappointing and hardly reflected the gigs billing as an Ian Anderson solo concert. Many fans had travelled specifically to see songs from Rupis dance and SLOB being performed. What we got was neither Tull nor something new, rather a watered down Tull gig . In fact almost a rehash of the disappointing Edinburgh concert some 5 months ago.
Many in the audience had attended that gig and speaking to some it was clear they were suitably unimpressed by hearing more or less the same gig again.
It was undeniable that all the players performed well and the music was magnificient, but a check of previous concerts played by this band indicates their range of songs played is limited. More rehearsal and more songs at their disposal and this band could become a effective vehicle for any new Ian Anderson material and a worthy alternative to Tull.
Ians voice was reasonable throughout the night but was in tatters during Budapest and Locomotive Breath. I don’t have a problem with that, Ian’s music is more than a voice.
A number of songs including slipstream and up to me had been dropped from the setlist with Ian apparently suffering from flu. This explains the high proportion of instrumentals played.
A further negative, I don’t expect to hear the same stage patter as on the 2004 tour. It was laboured and the audience of die hards appeared muted and bored. Similarly where once Ian’s hernia movements were funny, to do it twice in one night during Bouree and My God is somewhat stretching it.
However , it is easy to be critical. I for one am just glad that Ian continues to perform and entertain on a regular basis.
21/7/05 liverpool
played as one set (they didn't leave and return for an encore, but just played on).
AquaIntro, For A Thousand Mothers, Cross-Eyed Mary, Boris Dancing, Beggar's Farm, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Thick As A Brick, Bourée, Up To Me, Mother Goose, Morris Minus, Farm On The Freeway, Hymn 43, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie), Budapest, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Protect And Survive, Cheerio
From the moment Tull entered the stage, the energy was high and the playing totally focused. It was apparent that this was going to be a special Tull night. This performance was not a pale imitation of former glories but rather a reincarnation of awesome proportions. Gone was the sloppiness which had marred Tull’s last appearance in Liverpool at the Liverpool Royal Court Theatre, in 2004. This was Tull in top form. Anderson was in superb vocal form. From my position, five rows front centre, his voice sounded better than any Tull concert since 1984.
The set list, although familiar and somewhat predictable, was a real improvement from the Christmas album laden and disappointing February 2004 UK gigs. There was no encore as Roger Chapman had overrun. It's probable that a number of other tunes were left out from the set because of this. After Aqualung, Ian said "let's keep playing and not do that encore thing - time's running out".
The highlight of the night was undoubtedly Martin Barre's playing. In 30+ Tull gigs I have attended since 1974, I have rarely seen him so energised. It was Martin's night at the big top. He took numerous spotlighted solos. He smiled and joked with the crowd. He even threatened to crowd surf into the audience during Locomotive Breath. His performance was immaculate. There were many highlights including a great slow solo which embellished Serenade To A Cuckoo and his chunky riffs on Up To Me really caught fire. On this form, Martin is not ready yet to relinquish his Tull spot to the precociously talented Florian Opahle.
Thick As A Brick was a welcome return to the setlist. I had not heard Tull play this since the 2001 tour. It enabled all members of the band to show their ability. There was total empathy between musicians and music and it brought the house down. Quite stunning. Budapest was also a highlight including extended keyboard, flute, and guitar interplay with Martin adopting a fantastic tone for his solo slots in this piece.
The Big Top was almost full to its 4,500 capacity and was by far the most enthusiastic and appreciative audience I had witnessed at a Tull show in many years.
The crowd were animated in their appreciation. Recent UK performances have often been received in a muted way by the audience, but not in Liverpool on Thursday. The band received numerous standing ovations, which appeared to inspire all band members and raise their performance to a even higher level.
I left The Big Top having witnessed probably the best Tull performance I have seen in a long long time.
________________________________________
4/3Manchester 06 front row
Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away..., Living In The Past, Slipstream, Up To Me, Griminelli's Lament¹, Aurora³, Wond'ring Aloud¹, Mo'z Art¹, Cheap Day Return/Mother Goose¹, She Is Like The Swallow², Bourée (standard version, w. new bass solo)¹ - [Interval] - Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody², Kashmir (incl. Whole Lotta Love)², Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, Steal, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Budapest¹, Aqualung, Wind-Up, Locomotive Breath¹, Protect And Survive¹, Cheerio
¹: Tull, accompanied by Lucia Micarelli.
5/3Blackpool 06 front row
Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away..., Living In The Past, Up The 'Pool, Up To Me, Griminelli's Lament¹, Aurora³, Wond'ring Aloud¹, Mo'z Art¹, Cheap Day Return/Mother Goose¹, She Is Like The Swallow², Bourée (standard version, w. new bass solo)¹ - [Interval] - Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody², Kashmir (incl. Whole Lotta Love)², Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, Steal, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Budapest¹, Aqualung, Wind-Up, Locomotive Breath¹, Protect And Survive¹, Cheerio
¹: Tull, accompanied by Lucia Micarelli.
²: Lucia Micarelli, accompanied by Tull.
³: Lucia Micarelli alone.
28/3/07 Birmingham front row
Someday The Sun Won't Shine For You¹, Living In The Past², The Water Carrier², Gypsy, Katerina's Theme³, Jack-In-The-Green², The Donkey And The Drum, Dun Ringill¹, Birnam Wood To Dunsinane, Fat Man², Bourée - [Interval] - 99 Lives, Thick As A Brick, Pastime With Good Company (King Henry's Madrigal), Spanish Tears4, Aqualung (orchestral version), America, My God, Beside Myself/Rocks on the Road/Budapest, Locomotive Breath (acoustic)/Bach's E-Minor Concerto Theme
3/4/07 York 2nd row
Someday The Sun Won't Shine For You¹, Living In The Past², The Water Carrier², Gypsy, Katerina's Theme³, Jack-In-The-Green², The Donkey And The Drum, Thick As A Brick, Birnam Wood To Dunsinane, Fat Man², Bourée - [Interval] - 99 Lives, Dun Ringill¹, Pastime With Good Company (King Henry's Madrigal), Empty Café4, Aqualung (orchestral version), America, My God, Beside Myself/Rocks on the Road/Budapest, Locomotive Breath (electric)/Bombay to Beirut
29/7/07 front row
Living In The Past, Jack-In-The-Green, The Donkey And The Drum, Thick As A Brick, Gypsy, Katerinas theme
My Sunday feeling, Pastime With Good Company (King Henry's Madrigal), Mother Goose, Bourée, Nothing Is Easy, After You After Me, Aqualung, America, 99 lives My God,
Budapest, Locomotive Breath
A crescendo of applause, frantic cries for more, and a sustained standing ovation, the 2007 incarnation of Tull left the stage after 2 hours plus of breathtaking intimate music.
The audience had witnessed an accomplished, powerful and confident performance that had turned back the years and often reminded of Tull at their peak
The concert of Sunday 29/7/07 was a special show. It had been arranged by the radio station Planet Rock and advertised as a secret gig at a secret location. It was to be attended by 200 competition winners and guests drawn at random. I was fortunate enough to be one of the winners.
I hoped that my latest attendance at a Tull show would not only be particularly memorable for the circumstances surrounding the show, but also for the music. I was not to be disappointed.
The venue at the Subscription rooms in Stroud Gloucestershire was perfect for the event. The Subscription rooms is a listed building with a small concert hall seating just 400. My seat on the front row slightly stage left was specifically chosen to give a close view of Martin Barre’s playing.
At 7.30 pm the show began. Living in the past was first up, David Goodier’s six string bass and James Duncan’s drums providing an outstanding platform for the songs distinctive time signature. This was to be an electric Tull set as befitting a Planet Rock audience.
The band was on fire, and this high level of energy and excellence was a feature of the evening.
The newly recorded track The Donkey and the Drum was particularly moving. This instrumental piece was first played during Tull’s UK Spring 2007 acoustic tour. Its eclectic and progressive nature made it impressive then, but with a fuller electric sound it sounded simply outstanding. I am hoping that this composition will be included in the new Tull CD which apparently should surface sometime in the next 12 months.
As in the acoustic tour, Tull were joined on stage for some numbers by Anna Phoebe. She excelled in every aspect. Her composition Gypsy was superb. It was very Tull like, and was reminiscent of Tulls Middle Eastern influenced sound from the Roots to Branches era.
Anna Phoebe’s energy seemed to inspire Ian Anderson. The interplay between flute and violin was breath taking
The first half of the show closed with a delightfully extended version of Bouree which included a bass solo. David Goodier’s bass playing was skillful, forceful and melodic. He does not have the stage presence of players like Glenn Cornick or Jeffrey Hammond Hammond, but is more animated than some Tull bassists have been. This was apparent at Stroud where he bounced along, mouthed and also sang the bass lines produced.
All evening he interpreted the bass lines of various past Tull bassists with some aplomb and in his solo slots his jazz influences came to the fore.
The second half of the show was even more powerful and enjoyable than the first, beginning with a blistering rendition of Nothing is Easy.
There were however one or two negative aspects of the show.
Ian Anderson’s voice sounded fine from the front row, but is a pale shadow of what it once was.
The contrived humour, which has blighted Tull shows in recent years is still apparent. The hernia joke was performed yet again at the end of My God. The Planet rock crowd loved it though. I guess that is the point , people in the audience I spoke to were seeing Tull for the first or at most second time and as such, moments like the hernia joke still posses some magic or at least a certain quaint charm. The negative points mentioned though pale into insignificance when measured against the quality of the whole experience of seeing Tull perform. There were so many highlights in this inspirational concert that it is perhaps unfair to criticise specific parts.
Special mention, however, must be made of the magnificent playing of Martin Barre. His contribution to each song was immeasurable and immense.
His instrumental piece ‘After you after me’ was spell binding in its intensity, incorporating a wide range of styles including some frantic shedding. His playing throughout the concert had the right balance of muscle and finesse. Piece after piece were embellished by free flowing solos which were expertly developed and executed. He looked relaxed and was having fun in this small setting, noticeably gaining a visible rapport with the audience. When Martin Barre is in this type of form, Tull invariably raise the bar to another level.
The concert finished with a rousing version of Locomotive Breath. The relaxed and unique nature of this gig was summed up when both Ian & Martin left the stage to hide from keyboardist John O’Hara during his keyboard intro. They then surprised him by emerging from the front row of the audience to play. It was a priceless moment, and was genuinely funny. Locomotive Breath included a wonderfully extended instrumental section which allowed all players the freedom to express themselves.
Two hours of glorious, entertaining and enthralling music was over all too soon. I felt grateful and honoured to see Tull perform at this level of intensity and musical integrity in what is approaching their 40th year of existence.
Set List
Living In The Past,
Jack-In-The-Green,
The Donkey And The Drum,
Thick As A Brick
, Gypsy,
Katerinas theme
My Sunday feeling
, Pastime With Good Company (King Henry's Madrigal)
, Mother Goose,
Bourée,
Nothing Is Easy,
After You After Me,
Aqualung,
America,
99 lives
My God,
Budapest,
Locomotive Breath
9/4/08 Lowry Salford
2nd row
Living In The Past, One For John Gee,So Much Trouble, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Beside Myself,For a Thousand Mothers ,A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie), Bourée - [Interval] - Heavy Horses, We Used To Know/Witches Promise/With You
There To Help Me, Dharma For One (w. drum solo), Pussy Willow ,Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick,Aqualung (standard version), Locomotive Breath
On a night of European Champions league glory for Manchester United just a mere half mile away, Jethro Tull were simultaneously producing their own performance of two halves. The first half a rather luck lustre affair: the second half a dynamic even inspirational performance spanning the years and belying Tull's veteran status. Such was the nature of the concert witnessed at The Lowry on Wednesday, 9th April 2008.
The proceedings began with a duo from Mostly Autumn. Bryan Josh was joined by Heather Findlay and played acoustic renditions of This Great Pearl and Evergreen. They were joined by ¾ of Jethro Tull on a track from Passengers and by the fluent guitar lines of Martin Barre on a cut from their forthcoming new release. I was familiar with Pearl and Evergreen, the latter being my favourite Mostly Autumn track, however this performance was substantially below the standard expected from members of such a prestigious UK progressive rock band. These tracks rearranged for an acoustic rendition sounded weak and repetitive. The Passengers track was equally insipid and the introduction of Ian Anderson on flute did little to raise it from average rock fare.
Anderson frankly looked disinterested and played from a reclined position on the drum rise. As a consequence his flute interventions seemed to lack substance and were substantially well below par.
The unrehearsed nature of this section of the concert was further revealed when Heather Findlay introduced the next song to be performed from their forthcoming album but ‘tonight featuring Jethro Tull's guitar player... total silence... she had forgotten Martin’s name ...Anderson subsequently took over and announced Martin Barre. Martin was received with polite applause and embellished the track with some tasty guitar work.
As soon as Bryan and Heather exited the stage ‘An Evening With Jethro Tull’ began.
No fanfare or elaborate stage introduction (as previously witnessed by the sweeping roadies of 1972, the wonderful Strange Avenues intro of 1989, or the personal introduction for each gig by Ian in 1995) was necessary. This was to be an evening with the emphasis on the music rather than showmanship.
The rhythm section of Perry and Goodier drew a cheer as they introduced Living In The Past and the songs from Tull's wonderful back catalogue just flowed and flowed. I particularly enjoyed One For John Gee performed live for the first time during this 40th anniversary tour. This track personified the enduring, genre breaking and eclectic nature of Tull’s music. Its inspired jazz like sound and structure allowed members of the ensemble the freedom to improvise and solo. Martin Barre's contribution in this piece emphasised his ability to play in a variety of genres and styles.
Despite a great selection of songs the first half was lacking. On reflection I am not sure exactly which ingredient did not quite gel. Maybe, it was the lack of a grand entrance, or Anderson's uncharacteristically weak flute on Serenade To A Cuckoo, or perhaps the sampled flutes during a blistering rendition of For A Thousand Mothers, or even the obtrusive backdrop of images and videos of Ian Anderson in his 20 something prime. These images compared with the stark reality of Ian in his dog eared years were a real distraction.
At any rate, the general consensus amongst the number of die hard Tull fans in the first few rows during the interval was that Tull were playing within themselves. The set was great, the performance was OK but...
This was however, a performance of two halves and the second half undoubtedly belonged to Tull.
The opening riff of Heavy Horses rang out and the show was underway once more. I enjoyed hearing a full version of this song which had not been played in its entirety for some years. Even the sampled violin accompaniment was fine. The sound was clear and Anderson's voice was surprisingly powerful as he lamented the demise of the Percheron. Backing vocals provided by David Goodier were slightly out of time but did not detract from the overall impact of the song.
A wonderful medley followed; of We Used To Know, Witches Promise and With You There To Help Me. Sections of music effortlessly segued into each other and the overall impression (despite some challenged vocals) was that this was some of the best Tull music ever. Special mention must be made of Martin Barre who in the second half of the show became increasingly energised. His playing on With You There To Help Me rolled back the years. He skilfully and faithfully recreated the sound of 1970 but added even greater emotive flair into the mix.
Dharma For One was simply outstanding. In this song Doane Perry was given ample opportunity to show what a capable player he is. The ensemble playing throughout the second half was brilliant and Dharma was memorable for this.
The show roared along towards its energy sapping conclusion of Locomotive Breath.
With a final flurry of No Way To Slow Down, Tull left the stage. No balloons, no Louis Armstrong outro, just a realisation that Tull had once again served up a memorable feast of high quality music and entertainment. I strongly recommend you see this unique band if you can, before they finally and inevitably call it a day.
Oh and for those interested in the score It was Man United 1 Roma 0
...and just half a mile away from Old Trafford the score was
Jethro Tull (0) 5 Doubters (0) 0
11/5/08 Grand Opera House York, UK
Support: Bryan Josh & Heather Findlay, joined by Tull for two of their four songs.
My Sunday Feeling, Living In The Past, So Much Trouble, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Nursie, A Song For Jeffrey, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie), Bourée - [Interval] - For A Thousand Mothers, We Used To Know/With You There To Help Me, Dharma For One (incl. drum solo & Count The Chickens), Heavy Horses, Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath*
*: Tull with Josh & Findlay; second verse sung by Heather
14/5/08 Venue Cymru Llandudno, UK
With Anna Phoebe.
My Sunday Feeling, Living In The Past, One For John Gee, So Much Trouble, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Nursie, A Song For Jeffrey, Gypsy¹, Katerina's Theme¹, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie), Bourée² - [Interval] - For A Thousand Mothers, We Used To Know/With You There To Help Me, 99 Lives¹, Dharma For One (incl. Count The Chickens), Heavy Horses, Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath²
1: Anna Phoebe with Tull.
2: Tull with Anna Phoebe.
15/5/08 King George's Hall Blackburn, UK
At the Edinburgh concert, Ian announced that the special guest in Blackburn would be Jeffrey Hammond. He did attend, but declined to go on stage.
On-stage guests were Martin Skyrme (John Evan Band, 1965-66) and Clive Bunker.
My Sunday Feeling, Living In The Past, One For John Gee, So Much Trouble, A Song For Jeffrey, Nursie, Griminelli's Lament¹, Sossity: You're A Woman/Reasons For Waiting, Fat Man², Serenade To A Cuckoo, A New Day Yesterday (incl. Kelpie)², Bourée¹ - [Interval] - For A Thousand Mothers, We Used To Know/With You There To Help Me, Dharma For One (incl. Count The Chickens)², Heavy Horses, Farm On The Freeway, Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath³
1: With Martin Skyrme (flute).
2: With Clive Bunker (drums).
3: With Martin Skyrme & Clive Bunker.
25/5/08 Catton Hall Park Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire, UK
Tull performing a mainly acoustic set at the Acoustic Festival of Britain. Replacing the abandoned 2007 event.
Other artists appearing on this date: Divided Opinions, Cheryl Beer, Jim Kirkpatrick, Karen Nash, Ade Payne, Ed Tudor Pole, Acoustic Beatles, Classic Clapton, 9 Below Zero, Gordon Giltrap, Boss Hoss, Hazel O'Connor, Melanie, Fairport Convention.
Without Anna Phoebe. James Duncan (Anderson) on drums.
Ian apparently requested that the marquee be cleared for a sound check. The audience, who had been holding prime spots for 8 hours, refused to leave.
Living In The Past, A Song For Jeffrey, Serenade To A Cuckoo, So Much Trouble, Sossity: You're A Woman (inst.)/Reasons For Waiting, Boris Dancing, Fat Man, Bourée, Dot Com, Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath
Keyboard parts of 'Thick As A Brick' were played on the accordion.
17/9/09 Opera House Buxton, UK
Dun Ringill, March The Mad Scientist, Just Trying To Be, Jack-In-The-Green, Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square, Skating Away..., Serenade To A Cuckoo, Back To The Family, Tea With The Princess, Fat Man, Rocks On The Road - [Interval] - Some Day the Sun Won't Shine For You, Mother Goose, Andantino, A Change of Horses, Bourée, My God, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath.
19/9/09 Grand Theatre Lancaster, UK
Sold out: 415!
With special guest Martin Skyme, of the John Evan Band.
Dun Ringill, March The Mad Scientist, Just Trying To Be, Jack-In-The-Green, Serenade To A Cuckoo, Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square, Skating Away..., Tugboat Boy (sung by John O'Hara, with David Goodier & Mark Mondesir), Tea With The Princess, Fat Man, Rocks On The Road - [Interval] - A Change of Horses (Ian read the lyrics from his on-stage monitor), Griminelli's Lament (with Martin Skyrme on flute), Mother Goose, Andantino, Bourée (with Martin Skyrme on flute), My God, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath.
23/3/10 Apollo Manchester, UK
19:30 start.
Dun Ringill, The Water Carrier, Life Is a Long Song, Eurology, Nothing Is Easy, A New Day Yesterday, Songs From The Wood, Tea With The Princess (instr.), Fat Man, Bourée,
A Change Of Horses, Bug (incl drum solo), Budapest, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath
31/3/10 Philharmonic Hall Liverpool, UK
Dun Ringill, The Water Carrier, Life Is a Long Song, Eurology, Nothing Is Easy, A New Day Yesterday, Tea With The Princess, Songs From The Wood, Fat Man, Bourée, A Change Of Horses, Bug (incl drum solo), Budapest, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath (w. balloons)
1/4/10 City Hall Sheffield, UK
Not the Arena, as originally advertised. Sold-out show.
Dun Ringill, The Water Carrier, Life Is a Long Song, Eurology, Nothing Is Easy, A New Day Yesterday, Tea With The Princess, Songs From The Wood, Fat Man, Bourée, A Change Of Horses, Bug (incl drum solo), Budapest, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath (w. balloons)
3/9/11 Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, UK Front row
Boris Dancing, Just Trying To Be, Slipstream, Up To Me, Set-Aside, Overture (previously 'That F***ing Tune'), Wond'ring Again, Andantino, Hare In The Wine Cup, Bach's Prelude In C Major, Bourée - [Interval] - Up The 'Pool, The Hare..., Thick As A Brick (incl. 'Poet and Painter'), Adrift and Dumbfounded (revised lyrics), A Change Of Horses, Bach's Toccata & Fugue (w. electric guitar); Budapest (electric guitar for second half), Aqualung (orchestral
version), Locomotive Breath (5/4 time acoustic guitar intro)
7/9/11 Buxton ,
Boris Dancing, Mother Goose, Up To Me, Set-Aside, Overture, Wond'ring Again, Andantino, Hare In The Wine Cup, Bach's Prelude In C Major/Bourée - [Interval] - Up The 'Pool, The Hare..., Thick As A Brick ('Poet and Painter' only), Adrift and Dumbfounded, A Change Of Horses, Bach's Toccata & Fugue, Budapest, Aqualung (orchestral version), Locomotive Breath (5/4 time acoustic guitar intro)
22/9/11 Mechanics Burnley, UK
Front row
Boris Dancing, Mother Goose, Up To Me, Set-Aside, Overture, Wond'ring Again, Andantino, Hare In The Wine Cup, Bach's Prelude In C Major/Bourée - [Interval] - Up The 'Pool, The Hare..., Thick As A Brick ('Poet and Painter' only), Adrift and Dumbfounded, A Change Of Horses, Bach's Toccata & Fugue, Budapest, Aqualung (orchestral version), Locomotive Breath (5/4 time acoustic guitar intro)
19/12/11 Manchester Cathedral
Front row
19/12/11 Cathedral Manchester, UK
Ian Anderson Band, including Florian.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Gaudete, Jack-In-The-Green, We Five Kings, A Christmas Song, Reading 1, Hare In The Wine Cup, Another Christmas Song, Reading 2, Bourée - [Interval] - Holly Herald, A Change Of Horses, Bach's Toccata & Fugue, Reading 3, My God, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath/Thick As A Brick
Reading 1: From 'Marmion: A Christmas Poem' (Sir Walter Scott) – read by Ian Anderson, accompanied by John O'Hara.
Other details, including readings, unknown.
Sheffield
19/4/12 City Hall Sheffield, UK
Thick As A Brick (entire) - [Interval] - Thick As A Brick 2 (entire
, Harrogate 21/4/12
Thick As A Brick (entire) - [Interval] - Thick As A Brick 2 (entire)
'Thick As A Brick' mid-break included a prostate cancer awareness section.
, Manchester
22/4/12 Opera House Manchester, UK
Ian Anderson Band.
Thick As A Brick (entire) - [Interval] - Thick As A Brick 2 (entire)
'Thick As A Brick' mid-break included a prostate cancer awareness section 7 featuring Jeffrey Hammond and Tom Lynch.
,Birmingham
30/4/12 Symphony Hall Birmingham, UK
Thick As A Brick (entire) - [Interval] - Thick As A Brick 2 (entire)
Albert Hall
30/6/13 Royal Albert Hall London, UK
Ian Anderson Band.
Sole UK date for 2013, apparently (apart from christmas concerts).
Line-up: Ian, Ryan O'Donnell, Florian Ophale, John O'Hara, David Goodier, Scott Hammond
Special guests: Marc Almond, Anna Phoebe, and BBC TV journalist (and Anna's husband) Gavin Estler as the frogman.
Intro film, Thick As A Brick Part 1, Interlude: Weather/Prostate Cancer Awareness, Thick As A Brick Part 2, Bourée - [Interval] - Intro film, From A Pebble Thrown, Pebbles Instrumental/Might-Have-Beens, Upper Sixth Loan Shark/Banker Bets Banker Wins, Swing It Far, Adrift And Dumbfounded, Old School Song, Wootton Bassett Town, Power and Spirit/Give Till It Hurts, Cosy Corner/Shunt And Shuffle, A Change Of Horses, Confessional, Kismet In Suburbia, What-ifs Maybes and Might-Have-Beens, Outro film, Locomotive Breath
53 times in total
