Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2011 15:02:09 GMT -5
Martin Barre's Q&A session.
He may be small on stage and his replies may be even shorter, but he's giant when he's plugged in, and also when he's taking the piss out of Croydon.....
So over to Martin, who has kindly put aside his technological phobias, his running shoes and his wind-surfing boards for a short while to answer a few of your questions....
From Kai in Virginia
Martin,
I realize the questions a bit broad, but which Jethro Tull album throughout the years did you and the boys have the most fun writing, arranging and recording, and what was it like?
Thanks so much for taking time to answer our questions!
MB - The most fun were the albums with Peter Vitesse and Dave Pegg, namely Under Wraps and Crest of a Knave.
We spent a lot of time recording; but being only 3 of us we had plenty to do and got very involved with the arranging and mixing.
We were able to record the tracks to our own standards
Paul from New Jersey
Hi Martin,
Thanks very much for all the enjoyment you have given us Tull fans throughout the years, and of course for taking the time to answer our questions.
My question pertains to writing music. Ian has stated that when he writes for Jethro Tull, he's writing with the sensitivity of the other guys in the band. Do you do the same when writing your own music, and does the vocalist have any affect on your writing style?
Along similar lines, have you ever thought of or have you ever written a song that you felt would be perfect for Ian to sing? I think it would be very interesting for the two of you to swap roles in that regard.
Lastly, do you have any plans to release any new music in 2011 - with Tull or without?
MB - I write completely for myself, to suit my own style and abilities, but always leave the creating of other instrumental parts to the individual musicians; unless they went in the wrong direction of course!! and then i would step in.
i always played as many of the instruments as possible and enjoyed arranging all the vocal parts as I love harmony and often came up with parts that a normal singer wouldn’t think of!
My songs are far too naive for Ian and the lyrics would never come up to his standards!
Mix in Ireland asks;
Martin,
There was talk a couple of years ago about you recording an album of Tull music with your own interpretations.
I did and still think this would be so exciting. Please tell me this is still on the cards Martin?
MB - I still have the intention of recording an album of Tull songs, but not the usual ones at all!
There are some great tunes that are rarely heard and theses are the ones that interest me.
I’ve just bought a big Applemac recording system and have made my 1st. "demo"...so no excuses!
Blue Smith, in the USA
Martin,
As one of the World's Worst Guitar Players, I'd really love to ask you how you've managed to give so many consistently brilliant performances, I'm not going to though. When you consider that in the never mind how many years I've been playing I've never managed one bordering mediocre, I'm sure the answer would depress the living spit out of me.
Instead, I'll take this opportunity to ask this: Who is your favourite guitarist?
MB - I don’ t listen to many guitarists as they tend to melt into one animal!
If you want my all time favourites...
The late Gary Moore;
Scott Henderson;
Robben Ford.
I like to listen to other instruments as they always present an alternate side to playing and technical ability.
Daniel from Santiago- Chile
Hi, Martin!
Based on your own performance, which "studio" Tull song/s is/are the most you personally like?
Regards,
MB – I’ve always had a soft spot for Benefit, the band was very confident, positive and very happy to be together.
Dan from Upstate New York asks
Hello Martin.
Two part question;
What band or musician would you most like to record with or wish you could have recorded with that are now gone?
And while practising do you find yourself reaching for the acoustic guitar more these days , or does the electric guitar still take precedence?.
MB - I prefer recording on my own!!
This gives me my own pace and control but I do like the interaction between musicians in a studio environment, especially if you’ve never met and therefore don’t know the outcome!
Predictability is not what I look for in a musician.
Practising is a compromise, time wise between electric, acoustic guitars, bouzoukis, mandolin, flute and my new instrument……..bass clarinet.
I love them all and there’s not enough hours in the day!!
Brian in Belfast.
Martin,
Firstly, just to thank you for the great pleasure, excitement and inspiration I have gained listening to your playing over the years.
As an amateur musician I'd love to ask you a music related question...however, I can't think of a good question right now so I'll do the opposite...
If you had not followed a career in music what do you think you might have done?
MB - I started off as an Architect student (4 years!) and would always have enjoyed the idea of design and building.
I keep a love of buildings; every time I see the Sydney or Oslo Opera houses, I go weak at the knees.
Charlie from Boston asks Martin,
Firstly thank you for all the wonderful years of enjoyment, my question is how much input do you get as to what will be played live in the concert sets
Thank you
MB - Ian writes all the set lists these days; so it’s always a surprise!
Two questions, first from Scott from Pennsylvania and then Silken...
Martin,
Throughout the myriad of amazing players that Tull has included over the years, the musical team of you and Ian has remained its one constant (since 1969, at least!). How would you characterize your relationship with Ian, and has it changed much over time?
and
Good Day to You Martin:
You always been my most favourite guitar player on this planet and I know you have always been with Ian from the very beginning. My question is this:
Is everything always business or do you have a special friendship with Ian because of Tull?
P.S. I love Stage Left.
MB - Well... it’s business, as that makes everything professional and produces the best shows.
We all have our individual interests on the road.
John and Dave like a stroll and a coffee,
Doane conserves energy by sleeping as much as possible
and
Ian likes a curry or two!
Regards
MB
So, there you have it, a big thank you to Martin
and to round off, a clip of the man in action.....
He may be small on stage and his replies may be even shorter, but he's giant when he's plugged in, and also when he's taking the piss out of Croydon.....
So over to Martin, who has kindly put aside his technological phobias, his running shoes and his wind-surfing boards for a short while to answer a few of your questions....
From Kai in Virginia
Martin,
I realize the questions a bit broad, but which Jethro Tull album throughout the years did you and the boys have the most fun writing, arranging and recording, and what was it like?
Thanks so much for taking time to answer our questions!
MB - The most fun were the albums with Peter Vitesse and Dave Pegg, namely Under Wraps and Crest of a Knave.
We spent a lot of time recording; but being only 3 of us we had plenty to do and got very involved with the arranging and mixing.
We were able to record the tracks to our own standards
Paul from New Jersey
Hi Martin,
Thanks very much for all the enjoyment you have given us Tull fans throughout the years, and of course for taking the time to answer our questions.
My question pertains to writing music. Ian has stated that when he writes for Jethro Tull, he's writing with the sensitivity of the other guys in the band. Do you do the same when writing your own music, and does the vocalist have any affect on your writing style?
Along similar lines, have you ever thought of or have you ever written a song that you felt would be perfect for Ian to sing? I think it would be very interesting for the two of you to swap roles in that regard.
Lastly, do you have any plans to release any new music in 2011 - with Tull or without?
MB - I write completely for myself, to suit my own style and abilities, but always leave the creating of other instrumental parts to the individual musicians; unless they went in the wrong direction of course!! and then i would step in.
i always played as many of the instruments as possible and enjoyed arranging all the vocal parts as I love harmony and often came up with parts that a normal singer wouldn’t think of!
My songs are far too naive for Ian and the lyrics would never come up to his standards!
Mix in Ireland asks;
Martin,
There was talk a couple of years ago about you recording an album of Tull music with your own interpretations.
I did and still think this would be so exciting. Please tell me this is still on the cards Martin?
MB - I still have the intention of recording an album of Tull songs, but not the usual ones at all!
There are some great tunes that are rarely heard and theses are the ones that interest me.
I’ve just bought a big Applemac recording system and have made my 1st. "demo"...so no excuses!
Blue Smith, in the USA
Martin,
As one of the World's Worst Guitar Players, I'd really love to ask you how you've managed to give so many consistently brilliant performances, I'm not going to though. When you consider that in the never mind how many years I've been playing I've never managed one bordering mediocre, I'm sure the answer would depress the living spit out of me.
Instead, I'll take this opportunity to ask this: Who is your favourite guitarist?
MB - I don’ t listen to many guitarists as they tend to melt into one animal!
If you want my all time favourites...
The late Gary Moore;
Scott Henderson;
Robben Ford.
I like to listen to other instruments as they always present an alternate side to playing and technical ability.
Daniel from Santiago- Chile
Hi, Martin!
Based on your own performance, which "studio" Tull song/s is/are the most you personally like?
Regards,
MB – I’ve always had a soft spot for Benefit, the band was very confident, positive and very happy to be together.
Dan from Upstate New York asks
Hello Martin.
Two part question;
What band or musician would you most like to record with or wish you could have recorded with that are now gone?
And while practising do you find yourself reaching for the acoustic guitar more these days , or does the electric guitar still take precedence?.
MB - I prefer recording on my own!!
This gives me my own pace and control but I do like the interaction between musicians in a studio environment, especially if you’ve never met and therefore don’t know the outcome!
Predictability is not what I look for in a musician.
Practising is a compromise, time wise between electric, acoustic guitars, bouzoukis, mandolin, flute and my new instrument……..bass clarinet.
I love them all and there’s not enough hours in the day!!
Brian in Belfast.
Martin,
Firstly, just to thank you for the great pleasure, excitement and inspiration I have gained listening to your playing over the years.
As an amateur musician I'd love to ask you a music related question...however, I can't think of a good question right now so I'll do the opposite...
If you had not followed a career in music what do you think you might have done?
MB - I started off as an Architect student (4 years!) and would always have enjoyed the idea of design and building.
I keep a love of buildings; every time I see the Sydney or Oslo Opera houses, I go weak at the knees.
Charlie from Boston asks Martin,
Firstly thank you for all the wonderful years of enjoyment, my question is how much input do you get as to what will be played live in the concert sets
Thank you
MB - Ian writes all the set lists these days; so it’s always a surprise!
Two questions, first from Scott from Pennsylvania and then Silken...
Martin,
Throughout the myriad of amazing players that Tull has included over the years, the musical team of you and Ian has remained its one constant (since 1969, at least!). How would you characterize your relationship with Ian, and has it changed much over time?
and
Good Day to You Martin:
You always been my most favourite guitar player on this planet and I know you have always been with Ian from the very beginning. My question is this:
Is everything always business or do you have a special friendship with Ian because of Tull?
P.S. I love Stage Left.
MB - Well... it’s business, as that makes everything professional and produces the best shows.
We all have our individual interests on the road.
John and Dave like a stroll and a coffee,
Doane conserves energy by sleeping as much as possible
and
Ian likes a curry or two!
Regards
MB
So, there you have it, a big thank you to Martin
and to round off, a clip of the man in action.....
