Ian Anderson's Best of Tull Tour 2013

[TM]

British Rock band Jethro Tull shown with its classic line-up. The one constant has been singer and songwriter Ian Anderson (center front), who is known for his flute solos. Source: Leighton Media via Bloomberg

Jethro Tull’s Anderson Does Rock of Ages With Magic Flute Solos
By Frederik Balfour

Front man Ian Anderson was 28 when Jethro Tull released “Too Old to Rock ’n’ Roll: Too Young to Die!” in 1976. Judging from his performance at Hong Kong’s Asia World Expo, the passing of 37 years hasn’t slowed him down much.

In between jokes poking fun at his advancing years and memory loss, he’s determined to live up to the tour’s subtitle “Never Too Old to Rock ’n’ Roll.”

Dressed in a black skull cap, white t-shirt and black pants, he leaps around like a leprechaun, now perched on one leg during flute solos (if you’re unfamiliar with his trademark playing, think Karate Kid), now wildly gesturing to incite band members to play better, then doing high kicks that would do a can-can girl proud.

This athleticism overcompensates for the fact that the years have taken their toll on his voice. At times it’s painful to watch him strain for high notes on “Thick as a Brick” and “Too Young to Die,” a situation exacerbated by a heavier rock sound than the original versions.

The crowd, which is full of sixtysomethings, is willing to cut him plenty of slack. I meet one fan who’d seen him play at a free Hampstead Heath show in 1968 and another who caught him a few years later in Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.

Anderson’s flute and acoustic guitar playing have improved over time, showcased in a moving rendition of “Hunting Girl.”

Missing Martin

Unfortunately, there’s little chemistry between Anderson and 30-year-old lead guitarist Florian Opahle, whose flowing locks are like a blond Jack Black from “School of Rock.” His solo of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue is ill conceived and leaves us missing Martin Barre, who is now touring with his own band.

Things get better when Anderson joins local flautist Melody Chuan for “Griminelli’s Lament.” Her classical sound is a fine counterpoint to Anderson’s Rahsaan Roland Kirk-inspired playing on “Bourree.”

There isn’t much toe tapping, let alone dancing, until the band blasts into the title track from “Aqualung.” One white-haired guy somewhat self-consciously holds his lighter aloft.

With an encore of “Locomotive Breath,” people rush to the edge of the stage, unfettered by the absence of security guards: Hong Kong rock concert goers are famously well behaved. After 16 numbers, Anderson has barely broken a sweat, and clearly has as much fun as anyone in the audience.

The band’s next performance is on June 30 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Information: www.j-tull.com/tourdates/

(Frederik Balfour is a Reporter-at-Large for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. Opinions expressed are his own.)

Muse highlights include Scott Reyburn on the auction market, Hephzibah Anderson on books, Ryan Sutton on New York dining and Stephanie Green’s Scene in D.C.

To contact the writer on the story: Frederik Balfour in Hong Kong at [e-mail] or on Twitter @frederikbalfour.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at [e-mail].

www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-25/jethro-tull-s-anderson-does-rock-of-ages-with-magic-flute-solos

[Deleted]

Not the most definitive of reviews, on the one hand....whilst on the other....
I wonder what this one sounded like?

[TM]

Jun 26, 2013 11:10:02 GMT -5 @quizzkid said:

Not the most definitive of reviews, on the one hand....whilst on the other....
I wonder what this one sounded like?

Don't know but I found this clip on the tube:

[Dan]

There is some good, bad and ugly on YouTube from the Best of Tour: I find this Songs From The Wood to be in the ugly category:

The Too Old clip sounds pretty good . I don't anticipate going to see any future Best of Tours.

Dan

[Mothfairy]

Charlie, Darin this is what we were listening to, right? Songs from the wood was a little hairy but I agreed, the Too Old sounds better than my clip did of that song in 08. I would go see Best of. And TAAB. But wish for APP anniversary.

[housebrick]

Jun 26, 2013 14:22:18 GMT -5 Dan said:

There is some good, bad and ugly on YouTube from the Best of Tour: I find this Songs From The Wood to be in the ugly category:

The Too Old clip sounds pretty good . I don't anticipate going to see any future Best of Tours.

Dan

Dear me that is absolute rubbish!!!!
Ian's vocals are so much weaker than ever .
The music isnt good either.
Dont even think Martin could rescue that lot to be honest.

[Deleted]

Jun 26, 2013 10:38:40 GMT -5 TM said:

Missing Martin

Unfortunately, there’s little chemistry between Anderson and 30-year-old lead guitarist Florian Opahle, whose flowing locks are like a blond Jack Black from “School of Rock.” His solo of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue is ill conceived and leaves us missing Martin Barre, who is now touring with his own band.

Things get better when Anderson joins local flautist Melody Chuan for “Griminelli’s Lament.” Her classical sound is a fine counterpoint to Anderson’s Rahsaan Roland Kirk-inspired playing on “Bourree.”

Hmmmmm He does look a little like Jack and the "Tocatta and Fugue" might be seen as a cheap imitation of a famous rock guitarist (I wonder who?) doing Bach's "Double Violin Concerto"

Recognize this? From.........(and it was killer.)
Darin

[Deleted]

Jun 26, 2013 10:38:40 GMT -5 TM said:

Unfortunately, there’s little chemistry between Anderson and 30-year-old lead guitarist Florian Opahle, whose flowing locks are like a blond Jack Black from “School of Rock.” His solo of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue is ill conceived and leaves us missing Martin Barre, who is now touring with his own band.

You just can't replace 45 years of chemistry

[Deleted]

My take on this on June 17th show is this

Ian knows he can not sing SFTW anymore, so why do it. There so many more songs that fit into his vocal range and capabilities. Also I do not think the heavy tour schedule is doing Ian any favors, he has such painful effort in his voice trying to get the notes. That is why it was good to have Ryan helping out on vocals. They did have David Goodier helping out on vocals, which I am not sure helped the performance.

There were other songs that he had a difficult time with I thought TOTRNRTYTD was poor.

I thought that TAAB portion Ian struggled in every note that was in the higher ranges, you could almost hear him straining to get the notes out.

The band was not tight either IMO, the whole performance to me was strained and sloppy. It was a show that I am sure Ian would like to have back, not one of his better ones.

Every artist has to be allowed a sub par show, lets hope that this is the only one and not the norm.

It also sounded that the audience was far from full,

This was the set list
01. living in the past
02. beggar's farm
03. thick as a brick (extract from)
04. mother goose
05. banker bets, banker wins
06. wootton basset town
07. cross-eyed mary
08. bourée
09. too old to rock'n roll: too young to die
10. songs from the wood
11. hunting girl
12. my god
13. budapest
14. aqualung
15. locomotive breath

[TM]

Jun 26, 2013 16:12:05 GMT -5 @darincody said:

Jun 26, 2013 10:38:40 GMT -5 TM said:

Missing Martin

Unfortunately, there’s little chemistry between Anderson and 30-year-old lead guitarist Florian Opahle, whose flowing locks are like a blond Jack Black from “School of Rock.” His solo of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue is ill conceived and leaves us missing Martin Barre, who is now touring with his own band.

Things get better when Anderson joins local flautist Melody Chuan for “Griminelli’s Lament.” Her classical sound is a fine counterpoint to Anderson’s Rahsaan Roland Kirk-inspired playing on “Bourree.”

Hmmmmm He does look a little like Jack and the "Tocatta and Fugue" might be seen as a cheap imitation of a famous rock guitarist (I wonder who?) doing Bach's "Double Violin Concerto"

Recognize this? From.........(and it was killer.)
Darin

Absolutely but I can't put my finger when they did it. I'm guessing early 80's?

Nice video BTW.

[TM]

Jun 26, 2013 14:22:18 GMT -5 Dan said:

There is some good, bad and ugly on YouTube from the Best of Tour: I find this Songs From The Wood to be in the ugly category:

The Too Old clip sounds pretty good . I don't anticipate going to see any future Best of Tours.

Dan

I hear ya.

This whole "IA's Best of Jethro Tull" is truly an oxymoron. Seeing a performance like that makes me sad, and I'm not just referring to Ian. That performance is so not Jethro Tull.

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2013 10:43:04 GMT -5 TM said:

Jun 26, 2013 16:12:05 GMT -5 @darincody said:

Hmmmmm He does look a little like Jack and the "Tocatta and Fugue" might be seen as a cheap imitation of a famous rock guitarist (I wonder who?) doing Bach's "Double Violin Concerto"

Recognize this? From.........(and it was killer.)
Darin

Absolutely but I can't put my finger when they did it. I'm guessing early 80's?

Nice video BTW.

Its on Trousersnakes and other 77 boots (cant find it on YT) and was Martins opening to the encore with his guitar solo in 77. it was killer and huge, the big chunky sound that was Martins signature. Now to compare that to Florians Toccata......almost, but not so much.

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2013 13:09:35 GMT -5 @darincody said:

Jun 27, 2013 10:43:04 GMT -5 TM said:

Absolutely but I can't put my finger when they did it. I'm guessing early 80's?

Nice video BTW.

Its on Trousersnakes and other 77 boots (cant find it on YT) and was Martins opening to the encore with his guitar solo in 77. it was killer and huge, the big chunky sound that was Martins signature. Now to compare that to Florians Toccata......almost, but not so much.

[Deleted]

Martin's Style.....






I made this quick and a hurry


and fixed it quick and a hurry

[TM]

Jun 27, 2013 16:21:41 GMT -5 @derekpith said:

Martin's Style.....






I made this quick and a hurry


and fixed it quick and a hurry

Ah yes, been a long time since I've heard it. What a great concert that I missed.

I was a freshman in high school that year and remember seeing all the upper class-men walking through the halls donning their new Tour '77 tees which they purchased the night before at MSG. It was then that I knew I wouldn't miss their next tour.

[Heavy Horse]

That clip of SFTW is absolute shite! But it's nothing new, is it?

I count myself lucky to have heard Tull in concert for the first time on the Under Wraps tour, before Ian - let's face it - to all intents and purposes lost his voice.

He's compensated for this in the studio ever since, and actually to pretty good effect: keeping to the low-ish registers and not pushing it means that a lot of his singing from COAK onwards, is amongst his most expressive... Live shows are an entirely different matter...

I've seen Tull seven times in all, and each time has reminded me more and more of past glories and present failings. I'm not a fan of "best of" tours, at the best of times - a genius song like Locomotive Breath is diminished in its power, once it becomes an exhibit in a museum of a set that most of us could write out in our sleep - but to hear Ian on this clip, bleating away like an old sheep, and doing that annoying late phrasing thing, pisses me off on behalf of anyone who parted with their cash for it.

I am a professional musician, and hope to be playing until they drag my ancient corpse off the stage feet first, so I understand why Ian wants to keep touring but, he is in danger of ruining Tull's legacy as a great - and I mean GREAT - live band. What I don't understand is how poor his quality control has got. He is by all accounts a perfectionist but the last couple of times I've seen him, the playing has been sloppy to plodding.

I know a lot of people seem to think that Martin's return would improve matters - and I dare say Ian might up his game: the chemistry between them is palpable - but the truth is, that the band now consists of journeyman musicians, without an ounce of the creative spark or character that previous lineups had. Blaming Florian is a bit of a cop out, when the rest of them are so nondescript. I did enjoy the TAAB show, but mainly because of Ryan, who was the best performer on stage, by a country mile. Whether this is a deliberate attempt by Ian to wind things down or not, I've no idea; he is pushing 70, and I wouldn't blame him at all. But the present Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson Band - for they are one and the same now - is an (at best adequate) tribute band with a poor singer, and I won't be going to any best of Tull shows - it's not the best of Tull at all and, to bill it as such is a travesty!

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2013 19:43:40 GMT -5 TM said:

Jun 27, 2013 16:21:41 GMT -5 @derekpith said:

Martin's Style.....






I made this quick and a hurry


and fixed it quick and a hurry

Ah yes, been a long time since I've heard it. What a great concert that I missed.

I was a freshman in high school that year and remember seeing all the upper class-men walking through the halls donning their new Tour '77 tees which they purchased the night before at MSG. It was then that I knew I wouldn't miss their next tour.

Wouldn't it be great to revisit these gigs with the ability of hindsight, picking out the snippets that we missed at the time. Normally I can't abide the notion of bootlegging but in the absence of anything of comparable age or interest ever seeing the light of day before it's too late from the offical Tull vaults, thank god we have this stuff to look back on.

[TM]

Jun 28, 2013 13:10:10 GMT -5 @quizzkid said:

Jun 27, 2013 19:43:40 GMT -5 TM said:

Ah yes, been a long time since I've heard it. What a great concert that I missed.

I was a freshman in high school that year and remember seeing all the upper class-men walking through the halls donning their new Tour '77 tees which they purchased the night before at MSG. It was then that I knew I wouldn't miss their next tour.

Wouldn't it be great to revisit these gigs with the ability of hindsight, picking out the snippets that we missed at the time. Normally I can't abide the notion of bootlegging but in the absence of anything of comparable age or interest ever seeing the light of day before it's too late from the offical Tull vaults, thank god we have this stuff to look back on.

I agree. At this stage, I think we should.

[Deleted]

Jun 28, 2013 13:45:31 GMT -5 TM said:

Jun 28, 2013 13:10:10 GMT -5 @quizzkid said:

Wouldn't it be great to revisit these gigs with the ability of hindsight, picking out the snippets that we missed at the time. Normally I can't abide the notion of bootlegging but in the absence of anything of comparable age or interest ever seeing the light of day before it's too late from the offical Tull vaults, thank god we have this stuff to look back on.

I agree. At this stage, I think we should.

I have always been a fan of boots as you know. I've never sold one and stopped purchasing them around the turn of the century.

I justify it by owning every commercial release that has been offered, and by now thats about 4 to 5 times for each album (depending on which one, I have 7 TAABS!!). Atttending every live appearance they've made in my area for 43 years. So I've paid for everything they've asked for money for.

All boots now are traded or given away, many of them contain music that can't be found on commercial releases. And some of that I consider the best features of the band. Just gotta have it.
Darin

[TM]

Jun 28, 2013 15:11:12 GMT -5 @darincody said:

Jun 28, 2013 13:45:31 GMT -5 TM said:

I agree. At this stage, I think we should.

I have always been a fan of boots as you know. I've never sold one and stopped purchasing them around the turn of the century.

I justify it by owning every commercial release that has been offered, and by now thats about 4 to 5 times for each album (depending on which one, I have 7 TAABS!!). Atttending every live appearance they've made in my area for 43 years. So I've paid for everything they've asked for money for.

All boots now are traded or given away, many of them contain music that can't be found on commercial releases. And some of that I consider the best features of the band. Just gotta have it.
Darin

I believe that's a pretty fair deal. It's not as if these recordings will become commercial releases.

And if we were to post them for our members, it would only hurt those trying to profit off them.

[Deleted]

Jun 28, 2013 15:11:12 GMT -5 @darincody said:

I have always been a fan of boots as you know. I've never sold one and stopped purchasing them around the turn of the century.

I justify it by owning every commercial release that has been offered, and by now thats about 4 to 5 times for each album (depending on which one, I have 7 TAABS!!). Atttending every live appearance they've made in my area for 43 years. So I've paid for everything they've asked for money for.

All boots now are traded or given away, many of them contain music that can't be found on commercial releases. And some of that I consider the best features of the band. Just gotta have it.
Darin

Darin, I have no problem with owning them, as you rightly say having contributed greatly to the Tull coffers over many years and buying all the legitimate releases, it isn't truly hurting the official Tull catalogue. My issue I suppose is with some people making money out of other peoples work and I have a bigger issue with people selling or downloading whole albums of formal releases, same goes for stealing anything of a creative nature and taking credit without reference. I know so many people who have been ripped off by twats who do this, I've even seen video lifted and one watermark overlaid with another, bootlegging the bootlegger.

[Mothfairy]

Buying and selling bootlegs makes no sense to me.

I told Charlie this story, in my early Tull fanism, I was handed the Watchers boot in drawing class by someone who knew I liked Tull. I loved it and it was on tape, this was 99, and I spent a long time trying to find it in stores...haha.

I won't even talk about how many copies of Heavy Horses I've had over the years.

You all may be shocked to find out I've had two Dot Coms. ha...

[Deleted]

Jun 28, 2013 16:24:17 GMT -5 @quizzkid said:

Jun 28, 2013 15:11:12 GMT -5 @darincody said:

I have always been a fan of boots as you know. I've never sold one and stopped purchasing them around the turn of the century.

I justify it by owning every commercial release that has been offered, and by now thats about 4 to 5 times for each album (depending on which one, I have 7 TAABS!!). Atttending every live appearance they've made in my area for 43 years. So I've paid for everything they've asked for money for.

All boots now are traded or given away, many of them contain music that can't be found on commercial releases. And some of that I consider the best features of the band. Just gotta have it.
Darin

Darin, I have no problem with owning them, as you rightly say having contributed greatly to the Tull coffers over many years and buying all the legitimate releases, it isn't truly hurting the official Tull catalogue. My issue I suppose is with some people making money out of other peoples work and I have a bigger issue with people selling or downloading whole albums of formal releases, same goes for stealing anything of a creative nature and taking credit without reference. I know so many people who have been ripped off by twats who do this, I've even seen video lifted and one watermark overlaid with another, bootlegging the bootlegger.

My take on bootlegs is this and it just like Darin, Quizz and TM have said. I have acquired a fairly extensive Tull catalogue over the years. From multiple copies of every album, CD, to 7" CD singles. I also collected bootlegs and recordings of live shows and I still will collect them. However I will never sell or profit from them. I will give them away or trade them, but never sell them. I have an extensive collection of live shows and will keep adding to them.

There are so many moments that are caught in a live recording that we would never hear on any studio album the banter, the great solos,and so much more. I have never been a fan of trying to grade them. I know people who do, my ears are different then some elses, so I usually will stay away from grading them. The exception is I truly feel it is a bad all around show.

What bothers me the most is what Pat was stating in his post, the folks who see fit to profit or put up official released material, entire CD's, and copyrighted material. Thus taking money away from the artist. You Tube has become the largest vehicle for people to take away from the artist, if you do a search for any artist you will find it up on YouTube.Also it is not uncommon to search around and find other creative works such as art work that the artists has painstaking drawn or painted appear with no credit. Then there are others who will take it and give absolutely no credit from where it came from. At least give credit to site you got it from.

[TM]

Jun 28, 2013 22:49:41 GMT -5 Mothfairy said:

Buying and selling bootlegs makes no sense to me.

I told Charlie this story, in my early Tull fanism, I was handed the Watchers boot in drawing class by someone who knew I liked Tull. I loved it and it was on tape, this was 99, and I spent a long time trying to find it in stores...haha.

I won't even talk about how many copies of Heavy Horses I've had over the years.

You all may be shocked to find out I've had two Dot Coms. ha...

Not at all. I bet your first copy was the American version and you just had to get your hands on the European version.

[Deleted]

Jun 28, 2013 22:49:41 GMT -5 Mothfairy said:

Buying and selling bootlegs makes no sense to me.

I told Charlie this story, in my early Tull fanism, I was handed the Watchers boot in drawing class by someone who knew I liked Tull. I loved it and it was on tape, this was 99, and I spent a long time trying to find it in stores...haha.

I won't even talk about how many copies of Heavy Horses I've had over the years.

You all may be shocked to find out I've had two Dot Coms. ha...

But now throught the magic of the web you have another copy of Watcher's ....

and I am sure a few more in the future as well......

had, what have you done with them I still have 4 copies I can give you one..

LOL...

TM.. I am sure Mothfairy was going for the cover art work of the European version, It had more to offer than the American release.