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Post by bambooflute on Jun 11, 2014 21:56:47 GMT
Would it have been possible for Tull to have had a big "comeback" (in terms of popularity) at any time post-1980? I do not cultivate any interests based on popularity or lack thereof (indeed, my tastes tend towards the non-mainstream, due to no fault of my own!). However, it would have been nice to have experienced a time when my interest in Tull was not laughed at. As many of you know, I just missed their 1970s heyday and experienced a tiny bit of resurgence of respect for the band circa "Crest of a Knave" (even though the Grammy debacle quickly made them a laughing stock again). It doesn't take a huge difference to me, but I do occasionally wonder about it...
Look at a band like Yes, for example: they have experienced internal disputes much like Tull had done, and these days play to mostly small venues, but, as recently as 2003, Yes played Madison Square Garden, with one of their "Classic" early 1970s lineups. Tull, as we know, last played MSG in 1980. So, what, in your opinion, would it have taken to push Tull back into being a "popular"/big concert draw/arena act again? Would it have required a reunion of classic members? A big hit album? Ian not blowing out his voice? Less frequent touring? Your opinions are welcome!
- David
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Post by lucas on Jun 13, 2014 11:05:39 GMT
Man, if we had John Evans, Barrie Barlow, Martin Barre and Peggy or Glenn, plus Dee Palmer and Ian, it would be something. If they did a new Tull album it would be even more of a something. Might even get a concert in MSG. But it won't happen.
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Post by Gerrald Bostock on Jun 25, 2014 14:48:41 GMT
A question that has many different nuances to it. I think that a lot of Tull's shall we say fall from grace was the music scene itself. It didn't help the eras of the "power ballads" or the dumbing down of the music fans. The music industry dictated what was going to get played and what was going to be popular.
Truth be told after 79 Stormwatch album Tull's music was really not radio friendly or the stations that would play bands like Tull were changing formats, so they lost the air waves to speak. Ian and Tull relied on there rich history to get through the early 80's, but even they were downsizing playing the second tier places (10 to 12,000) seaters. I think a lot of what made Tull , Tull was gone after the big split. Ian only had Martin left and it was probably difficult for the band to gain its identity. One of the biggest problems came in 84 on Under Wraps when Ian had problems with his voice. He could no longer sing certain songs in the manner in which the fans were used to.
A lot of causal fans probably decided to move on and the semi more dedicated fans stayed on board because: A. Tull is Tull B Ian is a great performer C Martin is well Martin D Tull id Tull. So the fans were treated to Crest in 87, a fine album that got a lot of air play for Tull, and there was a short lived resurgence in Tull. Even to the point in 88 that they got a grammy for the album. But sad it is still the blunt of many jokes.
The late 80's and early 90's were a time were they had some decent albums but the crowds became smaller into the realm, of 7500 seaters, there were still many places that they would get 12,000 "ais" but the average had waned down. I thought that Roots to Branches was by far there best album since 79 (IMO) and that that line up was going to bring Tull up a notch or two, but sadly it was not to be. Sadly it would be one of the last studio albums they did. Dot.com was well I think a very uninspired attempt at putting some songs on a disk and lets sell it.
Ian and Tull did them selves no favors when we got the basic same show for 5 years and Ian's voice was hit or miss. When Ian was good he damn brilliant as in the past, but if he had a bad night ..it could be very bad. Those 4 years of no new material might have been the swan song starting.Even when dot com came out the set list tired before it ever got going, an album and tour that was not one of their finest.
Ian and Tull in 21st century was a jukebox of old hits, mix in some of Ian solo stuff and that was the tour. That was the format they used for quite some time on occasion some gems would be thrown in, but the lack of new material hurt Tull.
Ok I will end my blabbering with this, I would of thought that a resurgence could of began after Roots, that was squander by no new material and the same tour year in and year out. What would it take now probably the classic 70's lineup Ian, Martin,John,Barrie, Jeffrey, and Dee. However knowing Jeffrey would rather paint, I bet Peggy would e a decent choice for that.
But that said we have Ian playing with his bans, which is a very good. Martin playing with his, which is another good thing. We should be celebrating there music and happy that they are still out tour and putting out music for us.
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Post by Quizz Kid on Jun 26, 2014 10:54:18 GMT
I think we're having it. Not confusing the current success of Ian and his band with Tull, but on the back of Ian's recent explosion of productivity in the studio and on tour the Tull back catalogue, the Tull legacy and Tull's place in 20th century music history is, I think, being reappraised for the good.
Whether this opportunity to restate Tull's value and influence will reflect 'the band's' and not just 'the man's' role will be put across or remembered accurately is, oddly, pretty much down to the man himself. I suppose it depends on how magnanimous Ian feels toawards many, if not all, of his former colleagues and friends in a band he was once in called Jethro Tull. Given that it might be the last chance to get the record straight, I hope it's a straight as straight can be.
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