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Post by Quizz Kid on May 26, 2014 12:00:15 GMT
Dianne [Kelpie] saw the show the night before and posted this review on Facebook, she kindly gave her permission for me to share it here.
The ‘Homo Erraticus’ World Tour 2014 at Shephard’s Bush Empire, Saturday 24 May, was a truly wondrous musical extravaganza through time and a visual delight.
The first half of the program was the complete ‘Homo Erraticus’ album, which I have to say sounded even better live than the album itself. Ian Anderson is really amazing, he was up there playing on 1 leg and charging around the stage, he has such energy and a great stage presence. There was a huge screen in the background following the journey through time of the wondering man as the band played each track.
There was a 20 minute break and the second half of the show was The Best Of Jethro Tull, this is when the audience really became excited. It started off with Living In The Past followed by Bouree, Sweet Dream, Teacher, With You There To Help Me, A Passion Play, Too Old To Rock And Roll, Songs From The Wood, Farm On The Freeway, My God, Aqualung and finished off with Locomotive Breath. Throughout this the background screen played old footage of Ian and was in perfect sync with what they were playing at the time. The audience loved it and gave them a standing ovation. It was a fantastic evening.
I met some really nice people and the most amazing of all I met a Facebook friend from Canada who had come over for the show and coincidently was sitting behind me; it was great meeting and talking to you Pierre, and Mike, who I stood next to in the queue, it was great talking to you too.
Great band, great music, great people, great show, what more can I say...Loved it.
Europe and the USA you are in for a real treat…..enjoy.
Kelpie/Dianne
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 26, 2014 0:41:34 GMT
Let me start off by saying, yes, I managed to get my spare ticket to a real Tull fan, Group member and Facebook friend Dianne [Kelpie] did get her ticket for the 2nd night at Shepherd's Bush as she took me up on the offer after I put out a call here and on facebook. It was nice to meet her, and also coincidentally I met up with Duncan [Duncman] as we underwent the security search as we went in to the venue, by even more of a coinicidence he was sitting just two seats away from me in the same row. Had a chat with Mikey Downs, who revealed that last nights gig was almost cancelled due to a technical problem. Tom Lynch, as normal, was seen by the merch stall, as was Martin Webb who seemed deep in conversation in the bar. A few other faces from Tull world were present but you never know the rection you might get from offering a friendly hello......so I didn't. Great seats, 10 rows back but dead centre, sound was spot on, no technical problems tonight Mikey, Good show! I won't do a long review, as it's late and I'm knackered, more thoughts to follow later probably, but I will say this; Pay heed to the advice Mr David Rees passed out recently. Ignore the doom-mongers and the ne'ersaywells: THIS IS A GREAT SHOW. It looked to me as if the place was full from where I was sitting. Ian's voice sounded better tomight than I have heard in many a year, his vocals on Aqualung were pretty damned strong. HE was really enjoyable live, I've warmed to the album immensely of late but live, it is excellent. OK, I'll admit it, I even really liked Enter the Uninvited. The second half was great to see and listen to, the band were on form and I found the second half, like the first, ended too quickly. The video production was really done well and complimented the music, I had heard about the sync'd pieces of young Ian palying behind the band, but the use of the full width screen made it so good, For me that was a downside on the TaaB tour, some great images spoilt by using portrait projection rather than landscape, but not this time, some great images and some 'moody' video work, it worked a treat both for the HE element and the second half. For me there were a couple of rough moments where the voice faltered a bit, but I emphasise, it was only a bit, and it wasn't enough to detract from a strong show. Great to meet Dianne and Duncan and thanks for the company at a really splendid night. The place rocked!
No pics sadly as security were tighter than a duck's arse, but I'm sure a few will leak out here and there.
I'll probably post more thoughts tomorrow.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 25, 2014 12:07:03 GMT
I was supposed to be going tonight with an old school mate, but due to an urgent family problem he cannot make it, so I may have one spare ticket for tonight's show, it's a freebie from me, I have no desire to earn off of a Tull fan, only problem is I have to leave home by 4.00pm, so if you see this, fancy seeing the last night of the tour in the UK PM me here first come first served.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 24, 2014 0:14:33 GMT
Just watched the excellent Jazz Horns Gold on the superb BBC4 Friday night music slot and they showed this, well worth a repeat here.
Rahsaan Roalnd Kirk - Serenade to a cuckoo [or Ode to a cuckoo based on the on-screen banner]
uploaded by TangibleEmotions
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 23, 2014 22:07:22 GMT
Thanks Preston, once again a great review, well written, despite the limitations you mention your review keeps me optimistic for a good show in London. It would be good if you could make it down, I currently have a spare!
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 23, 2014 16:36:30 GMT
Yes, Happy Birthday young man Thankfully we have no dancing weenies/chillies to spoil this greeting, So have a dancer's cupcake instead
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 22, 2014 20:24:24 GMT
A bit of a musical brouhaha this week with allegations about potential plagiarism concerning Zep's 'Stairway to heaven' and Spiirt's 'Taurus'. BBC Newsnight ran this as their closing credits, overlaying Robert Plant's vocals over the Spirit track.
If it's a court room success will it reignite the 'We used to know'/Hotel California debate?
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 22, 2014 20:11:48 GMT
Hi Marcie, would love to get to one of your shows, if only it wasn't for the Atlantic!
Hope the shows go well, I'm sure we'll get to here about them here.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 22, 2014 16:08:56 GMT
Talk about bait and switch; I want my money back!! :-), that's what I thought when I got to this piece, a bit of me hoped that I'd find a May 2014 date on it.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 22, 2014 15:49:08 GMT
Heads up! It's not the one you might be hoping for though. This piece about 'Crest of a Knave' is from the collection of David Pier who sometime ago kindly sent me a rather large parcel of his memorabilia for inclusion in the Manual. I'll be adding a lot of the pieces David has kindly donated over at the Manual and here in the next few weeks. With thanks to David Pier
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 21, 2014 21:45:53 GMT
Cheers Preston, looking forward to it.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 20, 2014 22:21:20 GMT
Well, You can bowl me over, I'm a piece of cake!
BAKE ON!
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 20, 2014 22:17:23 GMT
I can always remember my parents saying things like, 'They won't be playing Beatles songs in 40 years time', well my parents were wrong back then and they are still playing The Beatles and many other bands of the early 60's. I think with the constant resurgance of past styles and music and the fact that there are too few bands of merit out there breaking through, there will be a backlash [maybe not an over-turning] against the likes of Simon Cowell and his bland musical proteges and this will guarentee that music from classic/Prog/Rock/Folk bands will survive and live on.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 20, 2014 22:08:25 GMT
I don't know Kurt personally, only through some of his work and his Tull connectiona, but best wishes to him and his family, and that he makes a quick and as full a recovery as possible.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 20, 2014 0:10:45 GMT
it is a good drive album, that's not menat in a disparaging way, but it's great to listen to without the interruptions that come from trying to sit down quietly and listen to it.
I played it yesterday on a trip down to the coast in glorious sunshine, loved it.
and Ian, congratulations on getting your license.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 19, 2014 23:43:53 GMT
Ok, here's a couple of mine and as a one off, Jane also very kindly signed the back of my extra APP cover, which had also been signed by Ian, can't be many of these around. Which just goes to show always make sure you have a spare.....pair......a pair!
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 19, 2014 22:51:27 GMT
I have to say I agree with that Ian. Maybe not as long a break as you're proposing for yourself but a week or so lay off for me was enough to make me appreciate it a bit more deeply than on first listening. Plus some of the pressure to like the album from the outset as the hyperbole from the more intense reviewers declaring it a masterpiece even before it shipped had died away meant I could judge it based on what it actually is; another fine piece of work from a trusted and very competent songsmith and his band of supporting minstrels.
I have to say I am really beginning to enjoy the album now, I still feel there's a few niggles and irritations but nothing to mar a full listening.
My advice to anyone who hasn't heard it yet [and there can't be many] is to ignore all the superlatives pushed out in some quarters as reviews, listen to it as you did to early Tull or Ian work, a collection of songs that work pretty damn well together.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 19, 2014 22:41:53 GMT
Preston, if you want to sneak another in on the 25th let me know!
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 19, 2014 18:52:10 GMT
Really nice piece from Fish of Marillion fame about Ian, Tull and the recent edinburgh gig that he attended "A rather entertaining weekend was had that ended up with a wonderful performance by Ian Anderson formerly known as Jethro Tull at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh.
We go back a long ways our first meeting being at the Theakston festival outside Wakefield on the 28th August 1982. It was Marillion's first ever festival and we were first on stage on Saturday afternoon ( I opened with "good evening" just after midday! ) I walked out of the dressing room area to come face to face with non other than the singer from the headline act and having been a fan of "Tull"' since I was a teenager I was as taken aback as Ian was when confronted by a 6ft 5 Scotsman wearing full face make up. We eyed each other up slightly bemused at what to say or do. He'd chosen us to open the day after listening to our demo which we had sent to the festival which he was co promoting. I found out, as we reminisced on gigs gone by this weekend, that he'd chosen Marillion over Runrig .
We were treated really well and had a "rider" in the backstage for the first time. It disappeared in minutes. I've never seen musos demolish a fruit tray so fast and not seen the like since!
We played a great short set despite heart stopping technical problems that our crew eventually dealt with as they were too busy taking instamatic photos of the audience. It was the biggest stage we'd been on and at 2000 scattered across the field the biggest crowd we'd played to at that time. We were a bit overawed at first but delivered the goods. I missed Jethro Tull that night as we were playing Liverpool and about to be told that EMI wanted to sign us!
This was to be one of the first of many meetings with Ian over the years and it holds a lesson for all musos out there!
Next time we met up was at Milton Keynes in June 86 when Marillion were headlining. That was when the photo below was taken backstage when we both had a relatively fine head of hair although my receding hairline was disguised in a bandana Mark Knopfler style!
We made sure we returned the hospitality and respect Tull had shown us years before not knowing that within a few years I'd be back supporting them as a solo artist on open airs in Germany.
It was only a few years ago that once again the bill changed round and Tull supported me at the Loreley "Night of Prog" and again a year later we were on the same bill in Calw me supporting them!
Although we'd met backstage on numerous occasions we had never had a "proper" sit down and natter.
I'd got to know Ian's son James over the years and we have become good friends meeting up in London watering holes when I'm down there. James is now Ian's tour manager and when he called to say he was in Edinburgh this weekend and had a day off before the show it was a great chance to catch up.
I headed into the city at half time during the FA cup final slightly stunned at the Arse being 2-1 down but confident it could be turned around. The hotel bar at Jury's seemed to be mainly populated with Arsenal fans amongst which were Ian, James some crew guys and Tom Lynch one of the Marillo's old merch stalwarts and solid Gunner. Beers were had and the game unfolded between conversations and tales from the Story Box! The goals went in the bar roared and big happy smiles were to be had as Arsene and the boys picked up the trophy for the first time in years! At least I had some comfort for my otherwise woeful footy season as a supporter!
Post match the obligatory curry was suggested and Ian, James, Tom and I headed up the road to Mother India and a mouthwatering array of tapas curry dishes!
A grand and scintillating conversation was to be had and I welcomed the chance to get to know Ian better outside "work"! Tom and I ping ponged old stories back and forward from my Marillo days and we all took stock of the music business.
Ian is a fascinating gentleman, worldly wise and humble despite a history that any muso would be proud to have on his Wikipedia page. Very funny and highly intelligent he was brilliant company as were James and Tom. It was the best night I'd had in a long while.
We said farewell to Ian outside his hotel as tomorrow was gig day but the remaining trio sallied into The Hebrides bar for close of evening pints. I got home about 2am and was surprisingly clear minded despite it being a decent session and my first drink for a week! :-0
Sunday afternoon was intermittent work on the PC in bright sunshine and another listen to Ian's new album " Homo Erraticus" which I've got more and more into since James gave me a copy the last time I was in London.
I went in with my mate Rab and met up with Tara, her friend and James and Tom for a pint in the Brass Monkey a gem of a pub that I'd never been in before but one I'll be returning to more regularly when I'm in the neighbourhood. See for yourself
www.theskinny.co.uk/venue/5617-brass_monkey
Ian was on stage at 7.30 and as James had got us brilliant seats in the centre of the stalls we couldn't be late without being noticed.
The Festival Theatre is a wonderful venue and one I'd like to play some day. A great array of balconies including a grand circle all withing "touching" distance of a full size stage. It's been redone in recent years and used to be a famous venue where I remember Floyd and Deep Purple playing when I was young although I never went into it until it was refurbished ,after years of being derelict, with an impressive glass frontage onto the street.
It was a perfect stage for Ian's show which opened with a first half that took in an entire performance of his new album.
It was a brave move but he pulled it off with panache, a back screen projection on a full cinema screen an intrinsic part of the show with stage movements finely synced to the bespoke visuals that really added to the understanding of the lyric content of an album I think quite a few people in the audience didn't quite know. The use of the excellent musicians in role playing with costume changes and a talented young singer and actor, Ryan O' Donnell who seemed to take on the role of court jester as well as backing vocalist with a free rein on stage added to the theatricality of it all. The sound was spot on and the stage lighting complimented the projections to create an engaging experience.
The second half was a "greatest hits "set with a clock on the projection screen counting back the years to reveal some black and white footage of these numbers from gigs gone by. Watching Ian one legged and pointy toed front of stage synced into his historical performance as a 22 year old all mad hair and mad eyes on the giant screen behind was somewhat surreal.
There were as expected a lot of comic moments and song introductions mixed in with great playing from all concerned. I mentioned to Ian after the show that his flute playing really stood out and he was obviously loving it. I think it was helped by great on stage sound that allowed all the instruments to be heard and there was nothing fighting over the volume including the voices that were clear and never strained.
Songs from Aqualung, Passion Play and Songs from the Wood were rolled out including Too Old To Rock and Roll which in the circumstances was somewhat tongue in cheek considering I was watching a man 10 years older than me going through the paces with apparent ease! It all drew to a close with Locomotive Breath and a strong crowd delivered a standing ovation. One of the best all round shows I had seen for quite a while.
Backstage after show he was in jovial mood but obviously knackered. Most impressive thing of the night was discovering he remembered all the lyrics by heart with no stage prompts! I felt slightly guilty as his tomes are as equally lengthy pieces as my scribblings! Must try harder stuck in my mind!
And so we made our farewells and left him to meet up with other back stage denizens while we retired to the Brass Monkey again to have a few beers and rums with the band and crew before they got in the bus for the show in Perth tonight.
It's not going to be long until we meet again as we are on the same bill in Poland in July!
As I said musos learn from this. Always treat people with respect and as you too would expect to be treated yourself as you never know when circumstances change, and they always change, and you might need that favour or recommendation that is the difference between playing a show or not.
I got back in the taxi around 1am inspired and happy but aware I should have been finishing my own tour this weekend. I am desperate to get back on a stage again after this unscheduled break. Rehearsals for us start again next Monday and I know the boys will be glad to put everything behind us and get back to work.
Another week of bits and pieces is in front of me. I just have to thread them all together and make sense of the brand new cunning plan! It's coming together nicely!"Copyright Fish/Derek Dick
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 19, 2014 14:03:06 GMT
I'm sure Dennis would have added this directly but this message from him via Facebook
PLEASE SEND WELL WISHES AND POSITIVE VIBES TO KURT STENZEL!
Kurt Stenzel, long time friend, fellow Tull Head, frontman, composer musician has suffered a serious stroke.
Tull Heads may remember Ian Anderson playing on one of his records. Kurt composed the music for Jodorowsky's Dune. Aside from all his accolades Kurt is a wonderful human being and has been a great friend to me.
Dennis Landau.
I'm sure everyone here echoes those thoughts for a fellow Tull fan.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 17, 2014 0:01:57 GMT
A rough sketch, never finished done shortly after the SftW tour from a programme photo
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 16, 2014 17:11:21 GMT
Back when we were teenagers we would have our own 'listening parties', as mates gathered round at yours or another friend's house once a week before or after going out to listen to that weeks album and single purchases.
All round to my old mate 'Gub's' house one night after football training and a mate produced 'Stand up', I don't remember it getting a unanimous thumbs up but it intrigued me enough to make me remember the name and want to hear more.
So, off to the record library on a regular basis to try and pick up on anything new by this 'underground' band called Jethro Tull. It was Tull that successfully swayed me from more 'mod' based music then any other band. it was just the right time for that brand of right stuff.
A short while later I was given a few singles and that started me off on collecting Tull as what i consider to be a real fan.
So, I can pin-point my first real Tull listening experience to 38 Willett Way in Bermondsey, London. The flat longer exists, but deserves a blue plaque to commemorate it I think.
So, where were you when you first heard Tull?
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 16, 2014 16:39:50 GMT
To all our friends here and on Facebook going along to The Sage at Gateshead tonight, enjoy the show and let us know how it went. Photo Mikey Downs via his FB page
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 16, 2014 10:37:34 GMT
Hi Preston
Was this the last show in your schedule?
I presume there's been little or no deviation in the second half set list. Ian seems to set these packed tour itineries for himself, I know there must be a financial breakpoint as to how many shows are required to break even or make a profit, but with more smaller venues being chosen over fewer large gigs the touring schedule must be wearing enough for most people let alone Ian who puts heart and soul into every gig. He must get knackered.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 15, 2014 23:49:48 GMT
Burning Shed advise that The Homo Erraticus t-shirts are now back in stock and that the Homo Erraticus digibook version has now sold out. However, the limited deluxe edition is still currently available.
So, crack open that ceramic pig if you haven't already done so.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 15, 2014 10:00:16 GMT
Just post the audio, Pat, what do you think soundcloud is for? ;-) Ian, that would be great to do, and I may post parts of it later subject Jane's approval. The problem with parts of the recording stem from the fact that we were sitting outside at a restaurant in the newly 'regenerated' Kings Cross area of London on a rare sunny day and we were also enjoying some street theatre that was going on, and so there is a fair bit of background noise. Once I get the second part of the interview done we'll look into what we can do to upload it. On another point, you may have noticed a few weeks ago we slimmed down the opening menu of boards and topics to hopefully make things easier. We have also added a sub-board where members can discuss music other than Tull as you and a few others suggested. Just go to "Mayhem Maybe" on the chat main page and then go to "Singing all day".
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 15, 2014 9:48:48 GMT
Welcome Prof, I'm liking the avatar! Looking forward to reading more of your posts. I can say that the APP release is eagerly awaited by us all here. If you get a chance add that picture and show off that signed cover.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 15, 2014 9:45:13 GMT
Cheers Preston, nice to have a set of objective reviews as the tour progresses, it's whetting my appetite more and more for the 25th.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 13, 2014 19:57:00 GMT
Thanks Preston,I agree it has been a long time coming, I recorded the whole interview and chat with Jane's permission, it's taken a time to transcribe [and still isn't fully transcribed] due to ambient noise from the surrounding area we were in; other interruptions unconnected to Jane further delayed making it into Tull World. However, Jane offered to meet up again and redo parts of the interview and to elaborate on some parts.
Jane has also given an interview for the upcoming APP release but I think ours will elaborate on a bit more since we won't need to edit it to fit.
I'm hoping to catch up with her in London sometime at the end of May/early June
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 13, 2014 16:35:31 GMT
After a couple of years of searching, last year I found, met up with and interviewed Jane, 'The Ballerina', who graced the cover of APP and performed on film during the intro and outro to the live APP shows, as well as being involved in more ways than one with the 'Hare who lost his spectacles' film segment. Jane has a fascinating story to tell and she kept me engrossed for nearly three and a half hours that day chatting about those times. It was less like an interview than I could imagine. She was totally charmimg and very honest about her role with Ian working on the album cover and film, and beyond. For one reason or another I never got to post the interview earlier and now I plan to get it up here before the APP release in June. I'm lucky enough to say that Jane and I have kept n touch on a pretty regular basis and we are meeting up again soon to add to my previous interview. Jane has some wonderful memories that should entertain. This is just one of the pictures from our meeting last year where she kindly showed me some of her personal pictures from the album shoot and some other personal pictures from those times. Picture Copyright The Jethro Tull Group/Pat KentShe also kindly signed some posters I had made for good friends. I hope she will sign one or two others next we meet, one of which I will suggest auctioning on behalf of a suitable charity.
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