Post by bambooflute on Mar 24, 2015 16:58:49 GMT
I just watched an interview with IA from 1993 on Youtube, and he stated that there is a time for all bands to call it a day, but most won't and they will go on too long. Well, I am a lifelong IA/Tull fan, but last year's album and the performances posted on Youtube (both by Tull Management and private sources) have made me wonder if it's time for Ian to call a halt to touring.
Of course, he will do what he wants to do regardless of what I say (and why should he care what I say to begin with?). I love the rich history of Tull music (most of it, anyway), and I even enjoy most of IA's solo works. Martin Barre's absence on TAAB2 did not concern me, and I adore that album. For many years prior to its release I maintained that all I wanted from IA was one more good album, and he produced something that was not only good, but great to my ears. I saw the TAAB2 tour twice and enjoyed it both times. Then, oh dear oh dear...
I need not elaborate on how disappointed I was in the Homo Erraticus album. I didn't see the tour, but, once again, videos from it seemed to show an alarming drop in quality even from the previous year. Whereas I thought Ryan O'Donnell was a wonderful (albeit underused) addition to the 2012/13 tours, at least he seemed well integrated into the show. In 2014, the poor attempts at harmonizing with IA and overall lackluster performances of even the old material was a shock. An IA show could always be counted on to be musically engaging even if his voice was under par. Hell, even the flute playing, stellar in recent years, seems a bit off. There is little in all of this to inspire me to look forward to another show, when and if he ever plays in my area again.
It gives me no pleasure to write this, but I feel it has to be said. I LOVE this music, but am I being too harsh? Or has the time come when IA really should call it a day?
- David
Of course, he will do what he wants to do regardless of what I say (and why should he care what I say to begin with?). I love the rich history of Tull music (most of it, anyway), and I even enjoy most of IA's solo works. Martin Barre's absence on TAAB2 did not concern me, and I adore that album. For many years prior to its release I maintained that all I wanted from IA was one more good album, and he produced something that was not only good, but great to my ears. I saw the TAAB2 tour twice and enjoyed it both times. Then, oh dear oh dear...
I need not elaborate on how disappointed I was in the Homo Erraticus album. I didn't see the tour, but, once again, videos from it seemed to show an alarming drop in quality even from the previous year. Whereas I thought Ryan O'Donnell was a wonderful (albeit underused) addition to the 2012/13 tours, at least he seemed well integrated into the show. In 2014, the poor attempts at harmonizing with IA and overall lackluster performances of even the old material was a shock. An IA show could always be counted on to be musically engaging even if his voice was under par. Hell, even the flute playing, stellar in recent years, seems a bit off. There is little in all of this to inspire me to look forward to another show, when and if he ever plays in my area again.
It gives me no pleasure to write this, but I feel it has to be said. I LOVE this music, but am I being too harsh? Or has the time come when IA really should call it a day?
- David