Post by tootull on Mar 25, 2010 8:02:19 GMT -5
www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1596710?UserKey=
Wandering minstrels take to the road again
Martin Hutchinson talks to legendary Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson as the band prepare for their new tour
Published: 25/03/2010
Ian Anderson, top, and with the rest of Jethro Tull, below
More Pictures
JETHRO Tull’s Ian Anderson has forthright views on today’s music industry: “Because of how the industry is, it’s tough for young musicians,” he said.
“The outlets for retail physical output are fast disappearing because of downloads.”
“I know they’re not illegal, but I think they’re immoral, as they reduce the amount of money that musicians make.”
This may be one reason why bands tour constantly and release less new material.
“That’s right,” he agreed,
“Traditional theatres hold only about 500-700 people and sometimes it’s not even cost effective to tour.”
Having said that, Ian and his band are currently on a 23-date tour around the country which began in Northampton on March 5 and finishes on April 1 in Sheffield.
In among that, the band, whose hot albums include Thick as a Brick, Aqualung and Heavy Horses, will be appearing in Aberdeen on Sunday.
“We’ve been gigging all over the world since we last toured the UK, not just as Tull, but also under my own name.”
Ian, who founded the band in 1968, has hinted that the set-list will feature an assortment of the best of Tull with some rare gems thrown in.
“Although we try to vary it, there are some songs that we have to do, such as Aqualung, Beret and Locomotive Breath,” he said.
“Everything else is a moveable feast . . . and move it we do.
“We may not even do Thick as a Brick this time.”
“Yes,” he carried on, “there will be some less-well-known material on this tour.
“How unknown it is depends on the degree to which the fans know the songs; there may be two or three new things.”
Jethro Tull became one of the biggest bands of the 70s. The music was heavily influenced by a “rural” atmosphere, and Ian was instantly recognisable with his wild, unkempt hair and crazed eyes.
For proof, just watch any of the old recordings of the band on The Old Grey Whistle Test doing Living In the Past or Minstrel in the Gallery (two of the band’s single hits).
The band’s line-up has remained stable for some time now. Joining Ian on stage is original guitarist Martin Barre, Doane Perry, David Goodier and John O’Hara.
Ian, well-known as the band’s vocalist with a penchant for playing the flute while standing on one leg, always tries to be environmentally friendly when touring, preferring to travel by train.
“I do look forward to touring,” he said.
“I enjoy travelling by train and tend to use it when we can as it’s a little bit more environmentally benign.
“However, it can be a little fraught with risk, especially at weekends when they do all the works.
“I also look forward to visiting places I’ve never been to before.
“When I do my acoustic tours, I tend to go farther afield.”
Harking back to his views on the music industry, he concluded by saying.
“We are living in such a changed world, but I’m happy and honoured to have lived when there was an explosion of music.”
Jethro Tull play Aberdeen’s Music Hall on Sunday. Tickets are £24.50 and £27.50 (plus booking fee) and are available from the box office on 01224 641122 and all the usual agencies.
Wandering minstrels take to the road again
Martin Hutchinson talks to legendary Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson as the band prepare for their new tour
Published: 25/03/2010
Ian Anderson, top, and with the rest of Jethro Tull, below
More Pictures
JETHRO Tull’s Ian Anderson has forthright views on today’s music industry: “Because of how the industry is, it’s tough for young musicians,” he said.
“The outlets for retail physical output are fast disappearing because of downloads.”
“I know they’re not illegal, but I think they’re immoral, as they reduce the amount of money that musicians make.”
This may be one reason why bands tour constantly and release less new material.
“That’s right,” he agreed,
“Traditional theatres hold only about 500-700 people and sometimes it’s not even cost effective to tour.”
Having said that, Ian and his band are currently on a 23-date tour around the country which began in Northampton on March 5 and finishes on April 1 in Sheffield.
In among that, the band, whose hot albums include Thick as a Brick, Aqualung and Heavy Horses, will be appearing in Aberdeen on Sunday.
“We’ve been gigging all over the world since we last toured the UK, not just as Tull, but also under my own name.”
Ian, who founded the band in 1968, has hinted that the set-list will feature an assortment of the best of Tull with some rare gems thrown in.
“Although we try to vary it, there are some songs that we have to do, such as Aqualung, Beret and Locomotive Breath,” he said.
“Everything else is a moveable feast . . . and move it we do.
“We may not even do Thick as a Brick this time.”
“Yes,” he carried on, “there will be some less-well-known material on this tour.
“How unknown it is depends on the degree to which the fans know the songs; there may be two or three new things.”
Jethro Tull became one of the biggest bands of the 70s. The music was heavily influenced by a “rural” atmosphere, and Ian was instantly recognisable with his wild, unkempt hair and crazed eyes.
For proof, just watch any of the old recordings of the band on The Old Grey Whistle Test doing Living In the Past or Minstrel in the Gallery (two of the band’s single hits).
The band’s line-up has remained stable for some time now. Joining Ian on stage is original guitarist Martin Barre, Doane Perry, David Goodier and John O’Hara.
Ian, well-known as the band’s vocalist with a penchant for playing the flute while standing on one leg, always tries to be environmentally friendly when touring, preferring to travel by train.
“I do look forward to touring,” he said.
“I enjoy travelling by train and tend to use it when we can as it’s a little bit more environmentally benign.
“However, it can be a little fraught with risk, especially at weekends when they do all the works.
“I also look forward to visiting places I’ve never been to before.
“When I do my acoustic tours, I tend to go farther afield.”
Harking back to his views on the music industry, he concluded by saying.
“We are living in such a changed world, but I’m happy and honoured to have lived when there was an explosion of music.”
Jethro Tull play Aberdeen’s Music Hall on Sunday. Tickets are £24.50 and £27.50 (plus booking fee) and are available from the box office on 01224 641122 and all the usual agencies.