Thanks very much to Barrie, and thanks to all of you for your participation. You may notice a few quick Q&A's that I scattered into the mix as well.
So in my best Claude Knobs I say " sit back, relax and enjoy a few words with Barriemore Barlow!"
Good Day to you Barrie:
To me, you were always my most favorite drummer of the entire history of the Jethro Tull lineup. If I may be so bold as to ask you what happened between you and Ian to cause you to leave Tull?
Thank you.
Regards,
Silken...
(Pearl from Miami Beach, Florida)
Hello Pearl, fatigue, missing my family, wanting a new challenge, disenchantment with the regime.Barrie,
Do you have a favorite venue? For instance many athletes have spoken about the thrill of playing Madison Square Garden. Did you ever get that perception that one particular venue was somewhat more special to play in then the others?
Paul from New Jersey
PS - Bernard from Drummerworld sends his greetings.
Hi Paul, Radio City New York. The best on-stage sound ever for me.Hi, Barrie.
What was the most challenging drum passage you ever played with Tull, and what made it so difficult?
Jeff
New York, NY
Hi Jeff, Beethoven`s 9th! ....Why? ....
Attempting to create a drum part that was worthy of its place inside the masters music. Hoping that he might have approved.Hello Barrie,
Was there a particular opening act for Tull that you bonded with well or one that you held in high disdain, for that matter?
Dan from Upstate New York
Hi Dan, most opening bands I got on well with. In particular, Artie Tripp “Captain Beefheart” Terry Bozzio “UK” (Both fantastic drummers). Peter Knight “Steely Span”. (Fiddle) and more... Zal Cleminson, John Miles, Bob Marshall...the list goes on..
Hello Barrie,
Could you tell us about what you were doing from around 1968 to 1971? Was your time taken up with schooling, work, practicing the drums, working as a musician? Details please? What was it like to transition from "that" life into being thrust onto the drummers throne in Jethro Tull?
David
Gaithersburg, MD
Hi David, I had a day job and two regular gigs in night clubs six nights per week. It was very tiring but I was young. I slept all day Sundays. Going from that life into Tull was surreal. Having said that the work load was similar.
Barrie,
I have to echo what many have said and will no doubt say, your departure from Tull was sad and bad news, and even more so that you were up there in the premier league of drummers and didn't get snapped up by a major band straight away.
I saw you play at Tull's Royal Festival Hall gig and wonder how you felt sitting in on a Tull gig again?
It was great to see you playing again and you had lost none of your power and style. Thanks it made an old man very happy!
Who influenced you, both as a youngster starting out on the drums and in later years when you were on the gig circuit with Tull?
Finally, is there any scope for you working with Ian and Martin again in the future and if not what plans have you got to get back out on the road?
Pat, Beckenham, Kent
Hi Pat, playing again with Ian and Martin was a pleasure, although I was quite nervous at first. There was of course mixed emotions but over all enjoyable. My influences have been and are varied. From Joe Morello and Buddy Rich to Ringo and Michael Giles.
Who knows what the future holds. World peace is far more important!
Your favorite Tull song?
Mouse Police Dear Barrie,
I don´t really have a question, but it´s a thrill to make contact with you.
I just would like to say that, to this very day, I deeply feel the lack of live material of your best years with Tull. I wish I could see you playing back then for hours.
I´m only 26 and I live in Chile, so only now (a couple of years ago) thanks to the internet and youtube, I`ve been able to see more of you. (You hardly appear playing 5 minutes on any official DVD).
Anyway, maybe I could ask one thing: Did ever anyone filmed you, and only you, for a Tull concert or rehersal that could see the light some day? Like a drumm special or something...
Or just an hour, or... 10 minutes? anything?
You are the best, Barrie.
Kind Regards from Santiago,
Daniel
Kind words Daniel but undeserving.
My daughter filmed me playing with Tull last year in London. There is much more of me in her footage as I am her Dad. Maybe I`ll get my own web site and include it on that. You can see me playing with a very talented young singer/ songwriter, whom I am producing at the moment. www.meganhenwood.com It`s a long way from Tull but enjoyable never the less. Dear Barrie,
how are you? I hope you enjoyed Cropredy this year.
Here´s my question: How was it to have Amy Winehouse at your studio? Any trouble? The place covered in Charlie after the recording session? Or was she just a lovely girl?
Best wishes
Ulla from Worms (Germany)
Dear Ulla, Amy is a sweet girl. Hallo Barrie .Thanks for answering us.
I would like to know. Considering the so hig level as drummer you reached, wich have been your professional activityes until today.
Thanks.Michele,Italy.
Hi Michele, I think you can find this information if you search the web. OK, now, this is a very personal question, so, please feel free to hit me with a big " Mind yer own business!" but I've always wondered about this. OK, I know how I broke mine and how many times it's been broken and I'd be happy to trade horror stories over a beer, so, how did you break your nose?
Oh you noticed?
When I was ten years old I saved a crab from being stamped on by this oaf. In his rage he punched me in the face. Two black eyes ensued. Ironic really as I now love the taste of crab !
John Glascock and you always seemed to get on so well, did Ian complain a lot about the two of you hanging out and all? I think you know where I'm going with this but I just want to finally hear something from someone that really knew first hand about John and your friendship as well.
Mike in Florida
Hi Mike
John was a happy, generous and loving man. A talented and dedicated musician, with feel, empathy and enthusiasm for music.
Most people he knew loved him. Not everyone took the time to appreciate him. A massive loss RIP.Last Tull album you’ve listened to?
Passion Play...Hot !! I`d re-mix it and swap the sax for the flute ! Hey what do I know ? Dear B.,
Thanks so much for being this board's first guest interigatee ( is that a word?). I hope my question isn't too off the authorized topic for you or the board: I know that Echo and the Bunnymen recorded at your studio...in fact, they speak very highly of you as someone who did far more than just collect studio rent....The 'other' Ian, Mac, strikes me as similar in some ways to Ian Anderson: Confident, sure of what he wants and how he wants it done, musically and certainly not restricted by silly little things like imagining how his words will be taken when ranting to the press. Anything to this theory from your up-close perspective? How all is well with you and remains so and you increase your visibility as a live performer!
Bernie-San Francisco
Dear B,
Ian, Will and I became good friends during their recording here and remain so. Along with Pete and Peasy the management team.
The only similarity between Ian and Ian is that they are writers and singers. Any front man needs to have an ego. They are both intelligent and articulate artists.
Hello from Germany!
Dear Barrie,
I was very happy to see you play at an Itullian Convention a few years ago (sadly only "Loco...") and to talk to you , Clive and John after the show. I told you that I came into JT at the age of 11 with the Stormwatch album (my first record). Until today I think this album contains some of the finest drumming in rock music. Nowadays i am a proud owner of a certified RIAA gold award for the sale of more than 500.000 copies and I am sure I have earned it because I have heard it nearly that often . So here my questions:
How was it to work with Ian on bass?
.....We bonded !Who is "Lawrence Doffman" to whom my (your) award was presented?
.... Ian`s solicitor.Will we ever here some music from "Tandoori Cassette", "Storm" or other bands / projects with you beside the familiar things like "Plant", "Page" etc.?
Probably not, sorry !What about working with Martin Barre?
Ask Martin.When and where will we see you playing again live? www.meganhenwood.com
How does it smell to work with Mr. Methane? (These days he is on German TV in a show named "Das Supertalent")
We have to keep the windows open as he puts the “Art into Fart” !Don`t worry about your poor English, Mr Methane speaks an international language !Sorry for my poor english...
All best wishes
Rainer
Your favorite performance, song and/or album?
Radio City New York. There are good tracks on all Tull albums. Not fair to single one out. Hi SashaDear Barrie,
first of all: best drummer ever to play for Tull, totally different from Clives earlier blues inspired style. The inventivness of your drumming, especially on the folk based albums of the late seventies, remains unmatched and is still badly missed. At least by me.
I was a bit suprised, that when I bought the albums of Plant, Page and Malmsteen, which contain your contributions, your unique style wasn’t that apparent. Am I wrong?
I play what I feel is appropriate for the music at the time. We are inspired by what and who we are playing with.Dee unveiled the astonishing „Apocalypse“ live a few years ago with an itullian ( ) Tull coverband and talked about another unreleased song named „Ten o'clock news“ from 1976.
Not interested !Any memories of finished yet unreleased songs from Ians vaults concerning the heydays of Tull? Releases of Tandoori Cassette and Tallis would also be something to look forward to.
Thanks in advance
Sascha from Germany
Dear Barrie, two questions if I may:
Of all the great drummers, in my opinion you are one of the most musical. Can you describe how the 70's Tull band approached new material and built an arrangement? How much rehearsing did you do and were any rehearsals recorded?
I'd also be interested to know if you remember recording any memorable material with Tull that was never released?
Thanks,
Mix. Ireland
Hi Mix, mostly whilst Ian was describing to the “musicians” in the band I would listen and come up with what I thought appropriate. By the time he got round to me I`d usually have an angle. Occasionally, Ian might have some input on my parts.
I think Ian has scoured the vaults enough. Some things that have been released in recent years I`d completely forgotten about. My memory is a thing of the past ! boom boom... Hello again,
another questions from me:
Dear Barrie,
after the sad departure of John Glascock came Dave Pegg. How did you fit together?
What did you think / feel when you heard (if you heard) the work of Dave and Mark Craney on the "A" album?
Are you in touch with any of the band mates of JT? How about the relationship?
Best regards
Rainer
Again ! Dave is a great player and had to play the parts from earlier members, Glen, Jeffrey and John. Dave and I never got the chance to invent together. Mark Craney, again, a great player RIP. The “A” album did not excite me too much. I think we all became slaves to the technology of the day.
As John Evans, Jeffrey, Ian and myself were all teenagers together, a family was formed. John, Jeffrey and I are like brothers and we each have an eye on what our talented brother is up to. Martin is like a step-brother who remains in the divorced home.
Love abounds underneath it all. Sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes angry..families eh.....?
Hi, Barrie,
I love your drumming on the Too Old To Rock and Roll album, which in my opinion is very underrated. My favorite is Crazed Institution where your drums, John Glascock's electric bass and John Evans' piano provide such a firm foundation for the song, which is just a musical gem. It seems from listening to it that you and the rest of the band were having a very fun time recording that album. Was the band getting along during that period? What was it like working on that album?
Jeff from New York
Hi Jeff, John G bought the band to life somewhat. With all due love and respect to Jeffrey. We did have fun, however, the different locations of recording disturbed the flow, if I remember.. I could be wrong though, it`s all a bit hazy and a long time ago with so much going on.
More questions...
Barrie,
Do you have any regrets? If so, would you mind sharing some of them?
Being a Punk ! Long before Punks. Overplaying !Do you have any untold "life on the road" Tull stories you'd like to share with us?
Getting the Hells Angels to throw our tour manager out of the venue for not wearing his back-stage pass. He had had our record company boss thrown out for the same reason! Sweet justice !Have you ever seen any of Jeffrey's paintings?
Yes, all of them ! He`s bloody good.Have you saved any Tull artifacts/memorabilia from the days you were in the band? If so, could you tell us about some of your favorites?
My tribelled hat. I gave my kilt to our tea lady. Another member gave her a bit more !Thanks,
Long time fan David.