Post by TM on Dec 3, 2009 16:26:50 GMT -5
ROSANNA ROTHERY talks to charismatic Jethro Tull frontman, Ian Anderson, and discovers there's more than a hint of humour in the musings of the musician who is famous for frenzied ethnic flute and wild whistle playing.
THE man who introduced manic-mouthed funky flute playing to rock music is talking about what promises to be a magical Christmas concert in Devon's only Anglican cathedral this December.
Ian Anderson plays the Christmas Jethro Tull is a fundraiser for Exeter Cathedral and, for fans of the band, it's a one-off opportunity to hear the them play on Devon soil in a glorious historical setting.
Ring Out Solstice Bells is the big Tull hit you'll often hear included in seasonal compilation albums but what you may not know is the band have a whole album of Christmas songs (it comes highly recommended if you are a sip sloe gin and munch mince pies in front of a rustic log fire type of person).
The concert in the cathedral on Tuesday, December 22 at 7.30pm includes classic Tull hits, Christmas and ecclesiastical songs "slightly jazzed up with a degree of improvisation" and new songs written for a nine-date Christmas themed tour.
"It's in the spirit of Christmas," says Anderson. "It's invitational. I hope the people coming to see the concert are people who are not normally in Exeter cathedral for a normal Sunday worship. I hope people will come in and say this is a really nice place and a place worth preserving."
As it happens he has quite a bit to say on the subject of Christmas.
"Really Christmas is the Winter Solstice. It's a time that was imprinted on our genes long before the time of Jesus Christ and his disciples. In a broader sense it's a genetic and spiritual affair but it's not just about Christianity. Yet, Christianity is the fundamental gathering point at which we come together at Christmas. Luckily, Christianity is a welcoming religion. It will allow the unbeliever and the infidel through its doors and that's a good thing."
Anderson describes himself as "an interloper in a Christian world" and, should you remember the extrovert front man from the 1970s (look at him performing Aqualung on YouTube), it's perhaps hard to imagine him letting rip in an ecclesiastical setting. Will he curb his exuberance a little?
"I'm an angry type of guy and I can sometimes be a bit of a potty mouth and say words that shouldn't be spoken in such a context."
He's now at an age, though, when conforming isn't out of the question.
"I can occasionally bring myself to be among other people and fit in and not have to be controversial, aggressive and angry," he says with humour.
On stage, Anderson looks like one of those people who are naturally extrovert and totally confident. Yet he's quick to point out we are all multifaceted — all of us have the ability to come out of shells occasionally.
"We just don't choose to do it most of the time. I shan't be walking around Waitrose this morning singing loudly at the top of my voice or dancing down the aisle. I shall keep my head down, push my trolley in a humble and subservient fashion a few respectful metres behind my wife."
His outrageous musical talent may appear 'natural' but, he'll have you know, he was up at 4am this morning to practise. He then reels off all the things he has to do today: interviews, shopping, meetings. Sometimes getting up early is the only way to fit in his flute playing.
"I try and play everyday and I have quite a bit of music I need to learn, relearn and improve upon."
As a performer he is aware that people get different things out of music: some people have an emotional response to the notes themselves and some like the sound of the words. Other people are there just to tap their foot to the rhythm.
"They don't want to be deflected from their comfort zone. My job as a musician and an entertainer is to push people from their comfort zone to maybe alien territory, yet at the end of it they are rather pleased they took a step beyond the familiar.
"I think that's something I enjoy doing but I'm not going to do it mercilessly… I like to give people some of what they want and expect but I do have to push the boundaries a little bit here and there."
He then has a sudden attack of honesty: but who says it's about making the audience happy anyway?
"We are not doing it to make them happy we are doing it to make us happy. If the audience acknowledge that with a healthy cheer and an encore or a standing ovation at the end, that's an added bonus. That's the fairy light on the Christmas tree."
Primarily, musicians should be out there for themselves to have a great time, he stresses.
"If you are not really getting some big primeval ooze of satisfaction out of doing it, you shouldn't be doing it anyway. If all you are up there for is to please the audience and just go through the ritual then go and join Status Quo." He adds with a laugh: "No I didn't mean that — even I like Status Quo!"
● Tickets for Ian Anderson plays the Christmas Jethro Tull are £25 from Exeter Tickets at www.exetertickets.co.uk. Phone: 01392 493493. Exeter Phoenix also have £25 tickets to sell: 01392 667080. A small number of £20 tickets might still be available from the Cathedral shop. Phone: 01392 271354.
www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/leisure/Jethro-Tull-frontman-Ian-Anderson-talks-Rosanna-Rothery/article-1538930-detail/article.html
THE man who introduced manic-mouthed funky flute playing to rock music is talking about what promises to be a magical Christmas concert in Devon's only Anglican cathedral this December.
Ian Anderson plays the Christmas Jethro Tull is a fundraiser for Exeter Cathedral and, for fans of the band, it's a one-off opportunity to hear the them play on Devon soil in a glorious historical setting.
Ring Out Solstice Bells is the big Tull hit you'll often hear included in seasonal compilation albums but what you may not know is the band have a whole album of Christmas songs (it comes highly recommended if you are a sip sloe gin and munch mince pies in front of a rustic log fire type of person).
The concert in the cathedral on Tuesday, December 22 at 7.30pm includes classic Tull hits, Christmas and ecclesiastical songs "slightly jazzed up with a degree of improvisation" and new songs written for a nine-date Christmas themed tour.
"It's in the spirit of Christmas," says Anderson. "It's invitational. I hope the people coming to see the concert are people who are not normally in Exeter cathedral for a normal Sunday worship. I hope people will come in and say this is a really nice place and a place worth preserving."
As it happens he has quite a bit to say on the subject of Christmas.
"Really Christmas is the Winter Solstice. It's a time that was imprinted on our genes long before the time of Jesus Christ and his disciples. In a broader sense it's a genetic and spiritual affair but it's not just about Christianity. Yet, Christianity is the fundamental gathering point at which we come together at Christmas. Luckily, Christianity is a welcoming religion. It will allow the unbeliever and the infidel through its doors and that's a good thing."
Anderson describes himself as "an interloper in a Christian world" and, should you remember the extrovert front man from the 1970s (look at him performing Aqualung on YouTube), it's perhaps hard to imagine him letting rip in an ecclesiastical setting. Will he curb his exuberance a little?
"I'm an angry type of guy and I can sometimes be a bit of a potty mouth and say words that shouldn't be spoken in such a context."
He's now at an age, though, when conforming isn't out of the question.
"I can occasionally bring myself to be among other people and fit in and not have to be controversial, aggressive and angry," he says with humour.
On stage, Anderson looks like one of those people who are naturally extrovert and totally confident. Yet he's quick to point out we are all multifaceted — all of us have the ability to come out of shells occasionally.
"We just don't choose to do it most of the time. I shan't be walking around Waitrose this morning singing loudly at the top of my voice or dancing down the aisle. I shall keep my head down, push my trolley in a humble and subservient fashion a few respectful metres behind my wife."
His outrageous musical talent may appear 'natural' but, he'll have you know, he was up at 4am this morning to practise. He then reels off all the things he has to do today: interviews, shopping, meetings. Sometimes getting up early is the only way to fit in his flute playing.
"I try and play everyday and I have quite a bit of music I need to learn, relearn and improve upon."
As a performer he is aware that people get different things out of music: some people have an emotional response to the notes themselves and some like the sound of the words. Other people are there just to tap their foot to the rhythm.
"They don't want to be deflected from their comfort zone. My job as a musician and an entertainer is to push people from their comfort zone to maybe alien territory, yet at the end of it they are rather pleased they took a step beyond the familiar.
"I think that's something I enjoy doing but I'm not going to do it mercilessly… I like to give people some of what they want and expect but I do have to push the boundaries a little bit here and there."
He then has a sudden attack of honesty: but who says it's about making the audience happy anyway?
"We are not doing it to make them happy we are doing it to make us happy. If the audience acknowledge that with a healthy cheer and an encore or a standing ovation at the end, that's an added bonus. That's the fairy light on the Christmas tree."
Primarily, musicians should be out there for themselves to have a great time, he stresses.
"If you are not really getting some big primeval ooze of satisfaction out of doing it, you shouldn't be doing it anyway. If all you are up there for is to please the audience and just go through the ritual then go and join Status Quo." He adds with a laugh: "No I didn't mean that — even I like Status Quo!"
● Tickets for Ian Anderson plays the Christmas Jethro Tull are £25 from Exeter Tickets at www.exetertickets.co.uk. Phone: 01392 493493. Exeter Phoenix also have £25 tickets to sell: 01392 667080. A small number of £20 tickets might still be available from the Cathedral shop. Phone: 01392 271354.
www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/leisure/Jethro-Tull-frontman-Ian-Anderson-talks-Rosanna-Rothery/article-1538930-detail/article.html
