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Post by bambooflute on Oct 10, 2014 15:07:04 GMT
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Post by bambooflute on Oct 10, 2014 14:27:22 GMT
Someone has a dirty mind, and an even filthier mouth.
I have now received an obscene phone call. It didn't mention Ian or Tull, but the timing of it - two days after I made my initial post on this subject- is fascinating. I have to say very clearly: I do not have any proof that the same person(people) are responsible, but the timing is mighty strange. A coincidence, or someone being clever in order to continue harassing me? I don't know.
I have reported this. All is being taken care of.
Amazing!
-David
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Post by bambooflute on Oct 9, 2014 16:36:11 GMT
Thanks for the support, everybody. I knew this would be controversial but I am sick of my life being disrupted from tiny-minded fanatics. Quizz, I think you are considered a mindless follower because you are affiliated with the other creators of this board. I know otherwise! Tootull, thanks for the vote of confidence, and thumbs up for quoting "Roots to Branches!" Gerrald, you do have a great collection and are very generous and giving... (why else do I talk to you? Ha ha ha!) Don't let cretins like this make you cynical (like they are making me!). Hopefully, it's not too late... And progrockdeepcuts - your post is eloquent and describes the true state of Tull fandom, and the ways mature adults should treat each other. If we were all the same, there would be no original ideas. Mankind would still be living in caves, listening to a different kind of "rock" music. (And arguing over the merits of which bones sound better when used to beat the stones, I'm sure...) Thanks again to you all. Hopefully we are nearing the end of these dark times. -David P.S. Still awaiting my apology, Mr. Troll...
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Post by bambooflute on Oct 8, 2014 14:53:14 GMT
Portrait of an unsuspecting Tull Fan: me, several years ago, venturing into the world of online Tull fandom after reading a handful of posts on chat groups. The posts (at that time) showed a love of Tull music while maintaining an irreverent sense of humor. Yes, this was my kind of thing, or so I thought. I was also buoyed by the memories of the U.S. Tull conventions that I attended in the 1990s: one of my favorite moments was sitting around a table with a bunch of fans I had never met before. A woman suggested we all write down our top ten favorite JT songs. The resulting lists were so diverse – it was fascinating and generated a lot if in-depth conversation. I felt kind of proud to be fan of a group whose musical output was so varied that it inspired such a broad range of opinions from its fans. All seemed right with the world.
Little did I know what lurked over the horizon. The weather was on the change…the stormwatch brewed….
Well, as we all know, Ian Anderson and Martin Barre had a parting of the ways in 2011. While no one can really know what happened (and the accounts of both men are murky, at best), it doesn’t sound like the happy dissolution of a 40+ year musical relationship. Human nature loves drama, and it also loves to speculate, to fill in the blanks. A flood of sometimes very heated and intense finger-pointing ensued, with some fans taking sides, if you will, in either the IA or MB camps. Ian released TAAB2 and continued to tour, and Martin put together his own touring band, etc etc etc
This was the climate when I decided to become involved in JT chat boards. Several months had passed since I first looked at the online Tull world, and I had not followed all the recent conversations that closely. This was my mistake. If I had been more thorough, perhaps I would not have put my foot into the trap.
My first mistake was making it known that I was a Tull fan because of IA’s contributions and not due to MB’s guitar. I came under fire from some who attacked my age, the number of concerts I had been to, and even the fact that I was not a musician! I was taken aback, but not too rattled, and I defended my opinion without making personal attacks on the others. This dispute drew the attention of several people who befriended me. I thought they were open-minded fans – in some cases this was true, while in others…
I saw the TAAB2 tour both times it swung through New England, and I enjoyed the shows, just as I enjoyed the album. Some fans thought both were an abomination, but, as my late mother used to say, that is why we have vanilla and chocolate ice cream, because not everyone has the same tastes.
In the meantime, all manner of negative exchanges were flying back and forth between the Tull camps, most of them subtle when posted online, but downright nasty in private. I tried to maintain a neutral stance, being friends (so I thought) with parties on both sides.
(An aside: the fact that there are even “sides” in the appreciation of a musical group is so sad and pathetic it is beyond belief! How old are we? Aren’t there larger issues in the world?)
I made excuses for some bad behavior, saying the guilty parties were simply “letting their enthusiasm run away from them.” There came a point when I couldn’t justify it any longer, and that was when events began to impact me directly. To be honest, I am a little ashamed that this is what it took to open my eyes.
Anyway, the real turning point, at least from my perspective, came a few weeks before the release of IA’s latest album, “Homo Erraticus.” A song from the album was released with an official video on Youtube. Yes, it was “Enter the Uninvited.”
This is not a review thread, but suffice to say that I found the song less than enchanting. Subsequent listenings led me to the opinion that this was the worst song IA had written in 46 years.
I made my feelings known to the Tull fans at large. Understand: I am a nobody in terms of Tull fans – I have no connection with the band and am just a lifelong listener. I have no blog or webcast and my opinion doesn’t really matter to anyone but myself.
When I said I didn’t like “Enter the Uninvited,” you would have thought I had walked into a Catholic church and announced there was no God.
I received phone calls, endless phone calls from someone I thought was a friend. I was being lectured, talked down to. “Enter the Uninvited” was more than just a song. It was educational, I was told. IA’s embarrassing “rap” sections were not rap, but a “different form of vocal interpretation.” I was told it was “literature” that was “above the heads of people not prepared to make the effort to appreciate it.”
Anyone who wants to come to my home and look at my bookshelf can make up their own mind about my literary knowledge, both classic and popular, fiction and non-fiction. Enter, you’re invited, and we can discuss the subject in detail, if you wish. I’m not being arrogant, but I’m simply amazed at how I was having my intelligence insulted because I didn’t like a song. There are plenty of things I don’t know, but please don’t tell me I can’t appreciate a song because its literary content is over my head. ARGH!
If it stopped there, I would have been able to shrug it off as mere annoying fan bullsh*t. But then the anonymous phone calls began, from blocked numbers, with snide, insulting comments made by unfamiliar voices.
The first call accused me to being friends with Gerrald Bostock (on this board) because I have ulterior motives. “You’re only friends with [him] so you can get his Tull collection.”
More calls followed, extolling the virtues of “Enter the Uninvited” and “Homo Erraticus” (an album I had the audacity to think was an inferior piece of work). The language was insulting and later threatening. I was told that I was “too negative,” that I was “being brainwashed” by a certain faction of Tull fandom. By then, I had the authorities trace the calls. Former Fan Friend (as I shall call him) insisted that the man behind the calls was Darin Cody (on this board). I told him the calls were determined not to originate with Darin – and why would Darin have a beef with me, anyway? This person bears a particular dislike of Darin, and just the other day, Former Fan Friend accused Darin of trying to “frame” him. I was told how Gerrald, Quizz Kid, Darin Cody and Tulltapes were not to be trusted. I was cautioned that Gerrald just likes to lord his collection over people, Tulltapes is a thief, Quizz Kid is a misguided follower, and Darin is the worst of all: the ringleader of this bunch and a bully to boot. (None of which I believe, and is totally unfair. All of these men have treated me kindly, and, in some cases, with extreme generosity. And I’m sure I’m not the only to which that applies)
I received the most recent Tull-related crank phone call this week, this time from yet a different area code, in a different voice I do not recognize. Someone is putting up his friends to make these calls. And it is the latest call that has prompted me to write this essay.
I would like to address the person responsible, directly and publicly: You know who you are. You do not approve of opinions that differ from yours. You know my tastes, affiliations, and my contact info. If your goal is to somehow change my opinion of certain songs or band members, or even (most importantly) people I know in the real world, then you have failed. I have a mind of my own, tastes of my own, opinions of my own. If your goal is to scare me, then you have failed. I have pity for you and your childish, imbecilic behavior. The only thing you have succeeded in doing is make me wince at the mere thought of the two words Jethro Tull. You have taken a lifelong passion of mine and soiled it, and if you think this is an accomplishment, then rock on, li’l dude. It is not an accomplishment. It should be a source of deep embarrassment and shame. The fact that you try to besmirch the reputations of people who do their best to uplift the Tull fan community…it’s reprehensible. Shame on you, sir. I would ask for a public apology, but that would take courage, which you obviously lack as you hide behind the anonymity of the internet as you spread your poison. In fact, I will ask for a public apology anyway. I don’t expect to hear word one from you, unless it is in the form of more crank phone calls from one of your minions. This cowardice, and your refusal to do the right thing, will expose you for what you are.
To the rest of the Tull fan world: be careful whom you trust. We’ve got to be as wary of other fans as we would be of any contacts made on the internet – a sad reminder of the dangerous and untrustworthy world in which we live.
I wonder what the members of Jethro Tull and IA’s band think of these obnoxious fans? It certainly doesn’t make any of us look good to be associated, even loosely, with people such as these.
Another thing: I have spent the better part of an evening writing this piece, choosing my words carefully to ensure I have reported the events as accurately as possible. There are other projects I have put aside in order to do so, but I feel what I am saying must be said. Thanks to the guilty party for stealing even more of my time.
I hope you’re happy, little troll. Your trail of destruction is quite legendary by now. Is that why you did it, to fulfill some yearning for power or control over a small group of people? How pathetic.
Oh, by the way, “Homo Erraticus” is still a poor album. I can see why half of it has been cut from the live setlist.
Postscript: A mere hour after I wrote this piece, I received yet another crank call. “Ian Anderson is God,” the voice proclaimed before hanging up. Perhaps it’s time for me to consider changing my number. The fun and games continue, ladies and gentlemen.
-David
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Post by bambooflute on Oct 1, 2014 17:39:50 GMT
I AN ANDERSON BAND 2012Thanks for posting my drawing, Charlie! I'm glad that you like it! -David
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Post by bambooflute on Sept 26, 2014 13:48:14 GMT
Hello; great idea for a contest! Here's my favorite concert story, from October 11, 2009, at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods, in Connecticut, USA.
I attended with a friend, a more casual Tull fan than I, but someone still knowledgeable about the music. We found our seats, and then a very brash, outgoing chap sat down in front of us, with his wife alongside. He turned and greeted us - hey, a friendly fan is good in these days when people can be rude and dismissive of strangers, right? But it got weird. The guy (I'll call him "guy" for ease of reference) asked us if we had ever been to a Tull/Ian show before. We answered in the positive, and I pointed out that I had seen the previous night's performance in Worcester, Massachusetts. Guy's eyes widened and he said, "Is David Bartholomew still in the band?"
My friend and I exchanged curious looks. "David Bartholomew? I've never heard of him," I replied.
Guy got agitated. "Yeah, you know, David Bartholomew. He was Tull's second bass player."
"You mean Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond?"
"No, no, no, no." Guy peered at us suspiciously. "How old are you guys, anyway?"
I was 40, and Guy had maybe ten years on me. I told him my age, and he sneered, as if to say I knew nothing as a callow youth.
"Well, David Bartholomew was Tull's second bass player, and I would love to see him again!" Guy pronounced, and he excused himself to go get another drink.
His wife turned to us and sighed, "Don't mind my husband. When he thinks he's right, there's no arguing with him. It's worse when he's drinking."
The coda to this tale took place during the show, and came from the mouth of Ian Anderson himself. When introducing the song "Jeffrey Goes to Leicester Square," Ian told a humorous story about all the bass players that had been in Tull, and how he stopped referring to them by name, choosing instead to assign them numbers. He dubbed David Goodier (NOT Bartholomew) number seven. Then Ian kindly helped my friend and I win the argument by chatting about Tull's second bass player, Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond.
Guy and his wife didn't speak to us again before exiting the venue that night, but I certainly hope Guy was listening!
That's my favorite Tull concert story! Very silly and inconsequential, but memorable!
-David
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Post by bambooflute on Aug 20, 2014 15:08:12 GMT
Good points! The 1995 material highlighted what a unique talent IA is an what a unique band JT were; at the time, I thought it was the beginning of a new "golden age," if you will. Sadly, it was the beginning of the end of all new material. Well, until now...which is a controversial subject for another day! -David With the exception of Dot.Com, the post '95 period may not have seen much activity in terms of new music, but it did spawn the opportunity for Tull fans to get together on this web-thing and share their interests. So, whilst the home team were sticking to a life on the road, with a touch of the same old, same old, the fans were in the most part trying to keep the flag flying by running chat borads and keeping the name going other than in the odd venue on an odd tour here or there around the more remaote parts of the world. Love it or loathe it, the recent bout of activity is to be welcomed and in the main lauded but I wonder whether it would have happened if those anal fans hadn't kept the name of Tull going through the lean years. Very well said! I don't want to give the wrong impression; while I was disappointed in the lack of new music for all those years, I still went to the concerts and enjoyed most of them. I never felt like I was getting poor product. Regarding the new material, I love "TAAB2' and, while I'm disappointed in "Homo Erraticus," I am glad IA got back into the studio rather than just fizzle out playing the oldies. Plus, you are right: we did keep Tull alive through buying concert tickets and keeping the discussion going! David
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Post by bambooflute on Aug 19, 2014 17:25:08 GMT
Thanks for the detailed and insightful responses everybody!! From my perspective, first seeing them in 1984 at an arena in Worcester, Mass, the place was about two-thirds full. The next show, in 1987, was full, and the outdoor gig in Mansfield, Massachusetts in 1988 was sold-out, with a wildly enthusiastic crowd, people playing flutes in impromptu jams in the parking lot beforehand, etc... That, to me, was the "peak" of their popularity that I was able to view firsthand. Since then, it has been a slow, but very noticeable, slide into obscurity. Not that popularity makes music any better - I saw Fairport Convention in 1995 in a pub with 50 people, and it was GREAT! But, as a Tull fan, it is a little disheartening to see the audience ebb away to virtual nothingness. Speaking of 1995, that was my favorite year for Ian/Tull - both "Divinities" and (you'll be sick of hearing me praise this) "Roots to Branches" were brilliant albums and the live shows blew me away. They were playing 2600 (ish) capacity theatres in my area at that time. Too bad such places seem almost like huge arenas compared to many of the venues IA is playing now... I guess nothing lasts forever. - David I agree David that 95 was a good year for Tull. The 93-94 25th anniversary shows a year prior were good shows and Divinities album + show was superb. Totally different from what I would expect from Ian. Top that off with a great new album "Roots to Branches" including new influences and instrumentation, good songs & great playing by Martin. The only problem was that Dave Pegg who I considered an integral part of Tull was gone. The tours that followed became more and more repetitive and straightforward. "Dot Com" was not a bad break, but not up to par with Roots and the material quickly abandoned.. and the tours that followed dot com ... well we know how this story goes. Good points! The 1995 material highlighted what a unique talent IA is an what a unique band JT were; at the time, I thought it was the beginning of a new "golden age," if you will. Sadly, it was the beginning of the end of all new material. Well, until now...which is a controversial subject for another day! -David
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Post by bambooflute on Aug 18, 2014 23:37:16 GMT
Thanks for the detailed and insightful responses everybody!! From my perspective, first seeing them in 1984 at an arena in Worcester, Mass, the place was about two-thirds full. The next show, in 1987, was full, and the outdoor gig in Mansfield, Massachusetts in 1988 was sold-out, with a wildly enthusiastic crowd, people playing flutes in impromptu jams in the parking lot beforehand, etc... That, to me, was the "peak" of their popularity that I was able to view firsthand. Since then, it has been a slow, but very noticeable, slide into obscurity.
Not that popularity makes music any better - I saw Fairport Convention in 1995 in a pub with 50 people, and it was GREAT! But, as a Tull fan, it is a little disheartening to see the audience ebb away to virtual nothingness.
Speaking of 1995, that was my favorite year for Ian/Tull - both "Divinities" and (you'll be sick of hearing me praise this) "Roots to Branches" were brilliant albums and the live shows blew me away. They were playing 2600 (ish) capacity theatres in my area at that time. Too bad such places seem almost like huge arenas compared to many of the venues IA is playing now...
I guess nothing lasts forever.
- David
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Post by bambooflute on Aug 14, 2014 14:57:26 GMT
I'm not trying to be negative, but I am curious because I missed Tull's heyday of popularity by only a few years! (The first album I bought when it was released was "A")
So...when did Tull's commercial bubble burst? I have read many places that the "Songs from the Wood" album did very well for them, but then "Heavy Horses" didn't do so well a year later, and yet I have also read that 1978 saw them selling out Madison Square Garden on multiple nights, etc (with the infamous satellite broadcast originating from there). I always been led to believe that "Stormwatch," an album I love, was a poor seller. And then came "A," and I know what happened from that point onwards...
This is why it's great to have so many people who were active fans during that era - I'd like to know your perspectives on what was going on at that time!
David
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Post by bambooflute on Aug 7, 2014 22:58:33 GMT
I FINALLY got hold of a copy of the new edition of A Passion Play, and here are a few thoughts: First, the packaging is lovely and the contributions of Charlie, Steve, Pat and Erin are lovely, and it is great to see them get the credit that they deserve. (And I'm not kissing *ss!) The text and interviews, while very small and thus hard to read (!), are informative and entertaining. On a musical level: I don't have a 5.1 surround system, but the straight remixes of both the album and the Chateau sessions really make this set worth having. Steven Wilson, whose remixes of Thick as a Brick and ELP's Tarkus left me a bit cold, has really earned his paycheck on this release. This is particularly true of the Chateau recordings. I listened to it before reading Wilson's interview, but it noticed immediately how he, for example, removed the excessive reverb from the boxed set/ Nightcap version of "Scenario." Ian's vocals didn't need the help - they sound great "straight." Plus, the new mix of "Skating Away" makes a much-loved classic (that I grew up with) even more loveable! I find "Sailor" to be dull, but it's nice to finally hear it in context, and, while I prefer the flute added to some of the instrumental sections by Ian in 1993, I also feel that Wilson's intention to present the music as it sounded in 1972/73 is well considered and interesting to hear. Of course, hearing the "new" verses in A Passion Play made me giggle like a small child with a new toy. Overall, then, a superior package and well worth having. David
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Post by bambooflute on Jul 25, 2014 20:03:13 GMT
Someone out there must really want me to re-evaluate "Homo Erraticus!" Today the mailman delivered a copy of the two disc version, in a plain envelope with no return address, covered in a bunch of stamps, with an unreadable postmark. And I already own the album. Very, very strange. It must have been the Wandering Man... - David That is odd David.. Yes, it's odd! I think it's someone who was annoyed with my lukewarm response to the album. It reminds me of how some fanatics will leave literature by your front door, hoping to convert you... that's the best guess I have! David
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Post by bambooflute on Jul 24, 2014 16:37:26 GMT
Good question, Pat! I just wish my mysterious benefactor took requests! Ha ha ha ha! David David, possibly its an English Lit. Professor, incognito, trying to educate you in true literature?………………….. That's my feeling as well... - David
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Post by bambooflute on Jul 23, 2014 14:42:42 GMT
Welcome, Jennifer. We look forward to your opinions and insights!
David
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Post by bambooflute on Jul 23, 2014 14:40:42 GMT
It must have been the Wandering Man... - David David, Are you sure you're not being stalked by a Homo Erraticus. Good question, Pat! I just wish my mysterious benefactor took requests! Ha ha ha ha! David
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Post by bambooflute on Jul 22, 2014 18:41:37 GMT
Someone out there must really want me to re-evaluate "Homo Erraticus!" Today the mailman delivered a copy of the two disc version, in a plain envelope with no return address, covered in a bunch of stamps, with an unreadable postmark. And I already own the album. Very, very strange.
It must have been the Wandering Man...
- David
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Post by bambooflute on Jul 3, 2014 18:14:08 GMT
Thanks David, Have you heard it yet? I'd be interested to hear your views on it. Not yet, but I am looking forward to it. I used to get everything on the day of release, but $$ has been tight of late (cue the violins for the sob story...preferably played by Anna Phoebe, Ann Marie Calhoun, and Lucia Micarelli!) Ha ha ha!!! Thanks for being interested in my humble opinion and I will let you know what I think when I do hear it! - David
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Post by bambooflute on Jul 2, 2014 21:21:26 GMT
Congratulations to Charlie, Steve, Erin, and Pat. Thank you for all the hard work you put in on behalf of the fans!
- David
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Post by bambooflute on Jun 24, 2014 14:26:39 GMT
Well done, Pat! This is the most fascinating thing I've read about Tull in some considerable time!
- David
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Post by bambooflute on Jun 19, 2014 23:41:13 GMT
The music of Jethro Tull has always seemed to exist apart from everything else in "popular" music. Its very uniqueness is what appeals to me, and there is so much variety and scope. That is not to say that IA has been immune to outside influences (such as the proliferation of keyboards in the early 1980s), but the results are (almost) always unique.
And, in my day-to-day life, when people I know hear the music, their reactions range from dismay and confusion to outright disgust! It does seem like JT music inhabits its own sphere.
So...since this music (or aspects of it) mean so much to people like you and me, I've always wondered: what is it that makes a Tull fan? Speaking for myself, it almost makes sense, since I definitely march to my own drummer and have always had quirky tastes in everything. But the other fans I have met seem so diverse - as diverse as the music itself. The common denominator is the music. What is it about a person that makes them a Tull fan?
It's a question that's fun to ponder, but is it impossible to answer?
-David
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Post by bambooflute on Jun 11, 2014 22:05:00 GMT
Beautifully done, Kelpie. I daresay I wouldn't mind seeing a follow-up! - David
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Post by bambooflute on Jun 11, 2014 22:00:06 GMT
Well I attended a nice affair last night. Those of you that know me know I have a particular critical interest in "Tull Tributes" so I do pay close attention and was very glad I attended last night. It was Coffeehouse venue in North Pasadena. Great little showcase for an intimate performance by Paul and Marcie Forrest. I have been aware of Paul and Marcie for quite some time and can safely say they are first rate talents. Paul stuck to guitar and singing and Marcie played flute and sang. Vocals were very impressive, their harmonies were just beautiful stuff. The fare was mostly Tull with a good quarter of the 2 sets being originals that were very impressive. The Tull set was properly varied, including Reasons for Waiting, Jack n the Green, a modified Dun Ringell, Sossity, Mother Goose, The Whistler, A Gift of Roses (A Birthday request for our FB friend Steve Smith) Just trying to Be, Minstrel in the Gallery, and a great and creative edit of Thick as a Brick. Paul's voice IS remarkably akin to a younger Ian Anderson and Marcie obviously a schooled musician,had a lovely voice and is a very skilled flute player (no clinkers there!) They also had some great stories of times spent with (and playing with) Ian and a variety of other past members of Tull in many different countries! They currently reside in Israel. Their originals rank high, one in particular "One More Day" I believe was the title, was a very impressive. So a great evening, sat and talked for while, very cool to make the connection with more Tull folks. BTW If you happen to be on FB and aren't already, find and friend Steve Smith he offers up lots of good "media" news and a great Tull fan, had a chance to talk with him and meet a lot of his friends there, great guy and nice people. I'd do it again Great review and photos, Darin! I would love to have heard "A Gift of Roses!" -David
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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 bambooflute on Jun 11, 2014 14:24:39 GMT
I am very happy that this is getting an official release; and the fact that is coming out on CD is great news, too! -David
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Post by bambooflute on Jun 3, 2014 15:59:46 GMT
Hi David, Thanks for adding your opinion, no backlash likely here. Personally I love Martin's style of playing, but I can appreciate that it might not be a.n.other's cup of tea. I have friends, who were Tull fans back in the day who really didn't like Martin's guitar style after Aqualung, they considered that he had become less of a lead player and slowly shifted into a support rhythmn guitar role. Difference of opinion and discussion is fine, browbeating isn't, particularly when it's the same old, same old. From my perspective, I find it odd and sad that if Martin was 'up to the job' after 43 years, then any change from that in the band personnel should surely show a radical departure of style and sound, I don't personally hear that in TaaB2 or HE. But, then each to their own, and as you say. it's Ian's band, so it's Ian's call. I'm sorry you have had to suffer that sort of crap from a so called fan. I feel I got off lightly with beng called a few names on Fb and the poorly organised campaign of back-stabbing on the web. You are right about would this happen elsewhere in other musical genre's, I suspect it does to alesser degree, but I wonder did it happen when Glenn was replaced by Jeffrey, repalced by John G, replaced by Dave, replaced by etc. etc. Probably not, I suspect mainly because we didn't have the internet to support such goings on. I'm glad you added your sound and valid opinion, I'm also glad you can lsiten to other opinions as well and felt you can join in here. Thanks, Pat. It is a relief to be able to exchange differing opinions like adults! You raise a good point though, and I don't pretend to know IA's motives behind who he chooses to be in his band, and I think Florian has a thankless job as it sounds like he's been given instructions to mimic Martin... I remember my sister, a very casual fan, being really upset when Dave Pegg left! We all have our favorite members, and I think that's great, actually. As an aside, I live next to a sports bar and have witnessed some arguments in the parking lot that have bordered on violence regarding whose team is "better," etc. Perhaps these childish urges are built in the human animal... Hey, maybe IA should write a song about that! It would've fit in quite well on H.E. -David
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Post by bambooflute on Jun 3, 2014 14:53:39 GMT
Oh boy.
I considered not adding my opinion to this. In doing so, I feared I would be perceived as aligning myself with the trolls. I do not approve of the methods of the trolls - the way they have hammered away at people who disagree and fostered discontent is appalling. However, in a broad sense I do share their opinion, and the reason I am writing this is that I still think it is important to be able to speak one's opinion, and to make it known that a variety of viewpoints do exist. And so...deep breath: Not every Tull fan is a Martin Barre fan. I'm not, and it doesn't bother me that Martin Barre isn't playing with Ian Anderson any more. And if Martin comes to the USA on tour I would not be interested in seeing him.
People on this board never knew me before TAAB2 came out, but, going back to 1979 when I first hard Tull, I have never been a fan of Martin. Martin's contribution means less than zero to me: and I shudder to think that makes me a sycophantic fan of IA. I am not, there are plenty of IA songs I don't like (half the new album, for example), but it is his songwriting, musicianship, lyrics and unique vision that made me a Tull fan. To be honest, I rate the contributions of the various keyboard players and drummers as more important to me than the electric guitar. I was disappointed when Andrew Giddings departed and I miss seeing and hearing Doane Perry on the drum stool. As far the electric guitar goes: Ian can hire Florian, or Kit Morgan (remember him?), or any Rent-A-Guitarist from Acme's Music Shop... it just doesn't matter to me. That's just a matter of taste, and I realize that I may be the only Tull fan who feels this way, but, once again, I feel it's important to be able to give voice to this opinion in a civilized matter. I do not judge anyone for loving Martin Barre's work, that would silly, and it is a shame that the trolls have turned a difference of opinion into a series of personal attacks. I have suffered them, from telephone lectures to anonymous crank phone calls made to my home (and these were for not liking Homo Erraticus enough - a person can't win sometimes no matter how hard he tries!). All of this for what - a difference of opinion in a rock band. I wonder if classical music aficionados resort to fisticuffs when they disagree over which violinist they like better... It's a sad state of affairs. And one of the reasons I am voicing my opinion here is that I truly believe I won't be given shit about it... If I am, then maybe it'll be time to "move on alone..."
Martin comes across as a decent guy in interviews, very laid back, humorous, and thoughtful. I've never met him, but he might be the best person out of all of Tull to have a chat with, who knows? If he was badly treated by IA (and since we weren't in the room with them we may never know), then I feel badly about that. I wish him luck with his endeavors. But when it comes to the music, I am in IA's camp, and if he wanted to call his current band Jethro Tull, I would have no objections. But right now it's the Ian Anderson Band, and, as Shakespeare wrote: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet..."
-David
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Post by bambooflute on May 29, 2014 22:22:35 GMT
I love it, Pat, and yes, it does work extremely well in sepia!
David
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Post by bambooflute on May 28, 2014 16:56:32 GMT
Thanks for your thoughtful post yesterday, Pat! And that Mekon sculpture is COOL! I love British science fiction and comics...
David
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Post by bambooflute on May 28, 2014 16:52:38 GMT
Great stuff! They have a really intriguing look, too!
David
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Post by bambooflute on May 27, 2014 14:31:56 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.
It's great to hear you enjoyed the show! Some of the recent tensions among certain fan groups have distracted me from the reason I'm a fan in the first place, and cast a little bit of a cloud over things for me. So it's good to get a reminder of what it's all about! -David
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