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Post by Tulltapes on Nov 5, 2014 17:15:26 GMT
Enjoyed the show in Buffalo. The band seems very tight at this point and played well off each other. Ian for his age is still an incredible performer and his flute playing is still the best. I would have liked to see more H.E. as it's actually this bands material and I think Ian's vocals would have came off better than it did with the Tull material. I couldn't help feel somewhat bad that Ian felt he had to stop playing his new stuff.. I do wish he wouldn't cave in so fast. Does it really affect ticket sales that much at this point? The UB center for the arts seemed full last night. Florian was throwing out some beastly guitar riffs. It is a different interpretation of Tull music played very well. It's impossible for me not to feel Martin's absence in the Tull context.. There is a huge presence missing!! But that's not to say That Florian doesn't do his job well, he is very impressive. Ryan vocally saves the day many times and I don't think it would hurt to just let him keep singing. I find the best parts of the show are when they are jamming. Bouree was actually wonderful, and the Locomotive reprise flute solo was a highlight. Other favorites of the night include TAAB Side one, and Farm on the Freeway. Good to see Passion Play but they should have kept going or picked an instrumental passage from it to jam on. If Ian tours again he should not focus on singing so much. Drop most of the hits..There is way too much great music to choose from that could be done instrumentally or with little vocals and would/should entertain any crowd. Maybe the reaction would be better than expected? Maybe there would be more ticket sales by not only casual fans but more eclectic music fans. At any rate it was great to see him again.
Off to Long Island.
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Post by Tulltapes on Nov 6, 2014 7:27:52 GMT
Here is the review from my friend and critic for The Buffalo News who I attended the show with. Buffalo News reviewUndeterred by dying vocals, Ian Anderson thrives at UB By Jeff Miers | News Pop Music Critic | Well, he’s not “Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll.” But he may be past the point where tackling lead vocals in concert is a viable option. Ian Anderson, whose flute, voice, and songwriting prowess have come to be synonymous with the brand name Jethro Tull over the past 45 years, brought his excellent new post-Tull ensemble to UB’s Center for the Arts on Tuesday. Ostensibly touring behind his latest album, the dense prog-folk concept album “Homo Eraticus,” Anderson offered a tour through many highlights of Tull’s illustrious career, offering only a brief snippet of the new album’s mass. The show was outstanding on both musical and theatrical levels. But there’s just no getting around it – Anderson, who has struggled with throat problems for years, has very little voice left. Gone is the gorgeous high baritone that once so effortlessly tore through Tull’s tenacious compositions. In it’s place is a thin raspy tone manned by a singer struggling to hit the high notes. Anderson is clearly aware of the state of his voice, and wisely, for this tour, he enlisted the talents of singer and actor Ryan O’Donnell, who traded verses with Anderson throughout the evening and lent a theatrical flair to the proceedings. Would that Anderson had simply let O’Donnell handle all the vocals, and concentrated on his flute playing, which was simply stellar all evening. Alas, old habits die hard. Anderson, always the consummate front man, is understandably clinging to his own history. That aside, Tuesday’s show was marked by moments of brilliance. Anderson has assembled an outstanding ensemble of musicians, and if we missed his former Tull sparring partner, guitarist Martin Barre, we were certainly grateful for the contributions of Barre’s doppelganger, guitarist Florian Ophale, who played with fire and precision throughout. Bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O’Hara, and drummer Scott Hammond were equally impressive, slicing into Tull’s complex and ambitious catalog like a hot knife through butter. The band opened with the "Homo Eraticus” material, but unlike the majority of shows on the tour to date, which featured most of the album in the first set and the Tull favorites in the post-intermission slot, Anderson led the band straight into the older material. The crowd had no qualms with this, as classics like “Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll, Too Young To Die,” “With You There To Help Me,” and the obligatory closing punch of “Aqualung” and “Locomotive Breath” were played with passion and precision. Anderson has always been one for dusting down and dressing up seasoned songs with new arrangement flourishes, and this was the case with many of the Tull tunes performed on Tuesday. Standouts were many, but principal among them were a good 15-minute chunk of the evergreen “Thick As A Brick,” as well as the deep cut “Critique Oblique,” from the “Passion Play” album. Anderson’s flute playing led the charge here, and he was ably served by the contributions of his sidemen, virtuosos all. The rarely played '80s Tull gem “Farm On the Freeway” was treated to a blazing rendition as well. In all, a great show, marred only by occasional failings in the vocal department. Email: jmiers@buffnews.com
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Post by tootull on Nov 6, 2014 13:24:37 GMT
Beat me to the (Buffalo) news (of course). Thanks Erin, from the Greater Toronto Area. Good to read.
Regards JohnN
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Post by Tulltapes on Nov 6, 2014 15:20:22 GMT
Thanks and your welcome TT Figured I was obligated to post first as I sat with the reviewer
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