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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 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 16:37:41 GMT
A few things to add.
The audience really did come alive in the second half, not that it was subdued in the first half, I think there was a respect that people were listeing to a single composition. James work on the video was really good, the timing of recorded and live action was sync'd up perfectly. One problem was that there was no call from the bar to take seats for the 2nd half, and so stragglers desperate for that last gulp, made their way back after the start with the obvious deisruption that causes.
For anyone who hasn't been to the Shepherd's Bush O2 [Empire] before, the bar is incorporated into the stalls area and so is open all the time, allowing punters to drift away from their seats and get a drink, not a problem when they have no seats downstairs and it's standing only, but for a gig like this it's a bit of a distraction as a mexican wave starts off every now and then through a very visual show.
I noticed a few images on the back projection that may have been Ian in his childhood days [it was I've had it verified!]. I wnated to grab a photo as it appears a couple of times, but the constant visits by the security there t people around me made that a no-no. Anyway, if you catch the tour it appears in 'New Blood, Old Veins' and features Ian in what looks like his school uniform [doubling as a youngster's sunday best in those days possibly?]with his parents standing behind him with what appears a pigeon flying past. Nice to see the old chap [he is all of 9 years older than me] delving back and sharing some of his past.
Last night they were giving away free mugs with each programme purchased. Nice mugs, and even nicer programme. some nice pics in it and some decent text.
HE really did come across quite strongly live, I am a convert to it, and I think the live version has pushed me past my doubts and tipped me towards advocate, the spoken word segments are much more of a coherent part of the piece when it is performed live.
The mix last night seemed well balanced with David's bass parts are great to listen to with John O'Hara's keyboard work sounding intricate, but on one or two occassions over fussy, but to me that beats samples anyday. I still rate him the best keybords since John Evans.
Despite what you may ahve heard in a few quarters, Ryan's role is perfectly pitched and in my opinion compliments Ian's vocals better this time than thye did on the TaaB/Taab2 tours. Barrie and Doane have a place in my heart for their work in Tull, I love Clive's work as well, but I've seen Scott taking some stick in some places, but he does a great job and I'd be glad if he stuck around in any future interation of the Ian Anderson band.
Florian, well I'm not going to be drawn into a flaming war over who is best, we all have our favourites, I'm not a fan of shredding guitar work, but the boy did well last night, some blistering guitar work which I'd like to think plays homage to Mr Barre. I suppose what I liked about Martin was that he was under-stated, he was a humble guitar genius who never did the guitar hero thing. It's horses for courses I suppose, I have the utmost respect for how good Florian is and last night he proved why he desreves respect, there was less toussled hair tossing virtuoso and more band guitar player.
I came away from the gig feeling that a trip to see them in Huntington NY in November will be a worthwhile excursion.
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Post by prestonplatform on May 26, 2014 17:31:12 GMT
Thanks for your thoughts Pat. I am glad that you had a good night. I agree with the points you made on the band and their supporting roles. I did not notice the image you referred to in New Blood Old.... wish I had.
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Post by Gerrald Bostock on May 27, 2014 2:13:47 GMT
Ian Anderson at Shepherd’s Bush Empire THE UPCOMING www.theupcoming.co.uk/2014/05/26/ian-anderson-at-shepherds-bush-empire-live-review/ Monday 26th May 2014 Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull’s riveting performance last night at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire proved without a doubt that you are in fact never Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll. The famous track from 1970s was sung during the second half of a two-act concert that looked both forward as well as back at the band’s 40-year history. Like the pied piper himself, Ian Anderson’s fabulous antics on the flute hypnotised the audience with rippling, mysterious melodies as he darted about the stage or else balanced on one leg, in classic “Jethro” style, wielding his primary instrument as if he were free-wheeling on the electric guitar. The tour, with dates across England, is connected with the release of Anderson’s second solo album Homo Erraticus, an album that relates the life of the artist’s alter-ego Gerald Bostock, of which some of the stand-out tracks include Doggerland, The Turnpike Inn and The Pax Brittanica. The first half of the concert was a spectacular, beautifully played live version of the new album in its entirety, accompanied by a projection of curious medieval images flickering in the background, which enhanced the atmosphere created by the cult band’s trademark fusion of hard rock, folk music and blues. As always, the songs were theatrically “introduced” by way of the recitation of cryptic poetry – all supposedly written by the elusive boy-genius Gerald Bostock (AKA Ian Anderson) – and themed after key events in British history. The second half of the evening was a grand run-through of Jethro Tull’s greatest hits from the late 60s onwards. Beginning with 1969’s Living in the Past from their first big hit album Stand Up, the fans were then treated to, among others, rocking performances of Sweet Dream, the wonderfully trippy Teacher and Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young to Die, before cranking out the classic Aqualung, and rounding up the night with Loco Breath. Despite their age, the music is still as beguiling and powerful as ever. Although the band’s unusual sound is perhaps not as universal as many of its more conventional counterparts from the Golden Age of Rock, Jethro Tull has nevertheless left an indelible mark on the face of rock-music history, and last night’s show was a reminder of exactly why. Mark Sempill Photo: Dena Flows
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 27, 2014 11:46:37 GMT
SPOILER ALERT DON'T WATCH IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE SHOW YET! Uploaded by Basab Bose who also has several more of this night on their channel
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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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Post by Quizz Kid on May 27, 2014 15:18:52 GMT
David,
Having personally been the brunt of some of that sort of trouble and attacks, along with the abuse hurled at friends here and those at my previous chat board of choice, I wholeheartedly agree with your comments. I have certainly been distracted by some of the extreme factions in Tull World, but I think that's part of the trolls game-plan. In the end we're all just fans of a 'rock/prog/folk/metal' band, and no fan has any right to undermine or declare someone as any less a fan because they disagree on a point. It's taken me a while but I've learnt to see these people for what they are and try to focus more on the fan than the fanatic. For me, it's about what a 'fan' personally brings to the table, creative and engaging or destructive and disruptive. I know where my preference now lies and thank the trolls for showing me the difference.
It was nice that Dianne took up the offer of my spare ticket. We have never met before and I'm grateful she trusted me enough to take the ticket. I wanted the ticket to go to a real Tull fan for no cost rather than end up in the hands of a tout or go to waste. I would generally have no issue giving the ticket to a fan from any Tull chat group [well, maybe not the one or two who's continued abuse went beyond the limit] but sadly there remains an animosity in some quarters, which means even saying a passing hello to someone at a gig from another forum could be misconstrued as being confrontational.
One of the reasons why we set this group up was to appeal beyond those boundaries by focussing on memorabilia and the 'fan' side of things. We just don't want trolls and people who offer little more than continued abuse here to spoil it for those others who just want to enjoy what we are trying to achieve, Our aim is primarily to celebrate the good stuff about Ian and Tull, whether it be from the past or here and now.
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Post by progrockdeepcuts on May 28, 2014 2:56:25 GMT
SPOILER ALERT DON'T WATCH IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE SHOW YET! This video contains content from Aviator Management GmbH, who has blocked it on copyright grounds.
Bummer. (I'm really bad at following directions, by the way) Also, I like 'Oz-Ian'
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 28, 2014 10:43:10 GMT
Ian, This video contains content from Aviator Management GmbH, who has blocked it on copyright grounds. it was only a matter of time before it was blocked as with all the other videos of the tour. Bummer. (I'm really bad at following directions, by the way) Well, you found your way here so you're sense of directon isn't all bad :-) It shows the different cultural issues that influence us, I completely overlooked the Wizard of Oz since it was supposed to be spoken admonition and a wraning from the far alien side and so saw a much more English influence in that segment, harking back to a British comic of the 1950's, 'The Eagle' where it's main story character Dan Dare [Pilot of the future - drawn originally by the great British comic artist Frank Hampson, and later Frank Bellamy] would would do battle with The Mekon, ruler of the The Treens from Venus. a great sculpt of The Mekon
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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 Quizz Kid on May 28, 2014 17:11:22 GMT
Thanks for your thoughtful post yesterday, Pat! David, no worries, I think most fans who stick their head above the parapet have gone through that sort of abuse now and then. if not directly then through comments designed to inflame [or flame] their opinions. If ever it should happen here let any of us know and it will be dealt with. O And that Mekon sculpture is COOL! I love British science fiction and comics... Well I love US comics and science fiction, but grew up on a diet of Dr Who, Gerry Anderson, Quartermass, Doomwatch, HG Wells, John Wyndham, Arthur C Clarke and the like. so, we have more in common than just Tull and art it seems!
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Post by progrockdeepcuts on May 28, 2014 17:25:20 GMT
I think you're probably spot on, Pat. Sometimes I forget that perhaps Wizard of Oz isn't as culturally important in other places as it is in the US. I think it's probably a tribute to 'little green men' and not necessarily Oz due to the futuristic nature of the words. I wonder if he'll keep that graphic when the tour hits stateside?
Speaking of little green men, here's a fun little tune from Steve Vai ...
I'm a sci-fi geek, too, but mostly Star Trek. However, I do enjoy some Doctor Who, as well as some recent sci fi like Fringe. As with music, I can be a picky eater when it it comes to sci fi, though.
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kelpie
Cub Scout
So I took a journey, threw my world into the sea.
Posts: 11
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Post by kelpie on May 28, 2014 23:01:09 GMT
Thank you for the ticket, it was greatly appreciated. It was great meeting you and Duncan. It was a terrific evening.
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Post by Quizz Kid on May 29, 2014 12:22:34 GMT
Dianne, my pleasure, I'm glad you could put it to use.
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