Post by admin on Jul 1, 2008 9:29:12 GMT
A review from this months Classic Rock magazine. I must confess I've had this lying around in my reading room (i.e. the loo!) for a while and forgot to post it so, better late than never:
Jethro Tull
Oxford New Theatre
Halfway through what is turning out to be a triumphant section of Jethro Tull's 40th anniversary tour, frontman Ian Anderson does a comedic hop and, to mass approval strikes a pose - the pose - whereby he rasps on his electric flute while standing on one leg. As trademarks go it's a good ruse, proving that while Anderson may now be 61 he's still in cracking form.
Previously known for obtuse concept prog, Tull are now something of a lovable institution. Their audience seems to have stuck with them forever, too, judging by the whiff of patchouli in the air and the number of thinning longhairs.
What was once deemed pomp is now amusing, and the band, including exemplary and long standing guitarist Martin Barre, legendary folk rock bassist Dave Pegg and hand-picked members of Anderson's orchestral ensemble, are absurdly slick and wonderfully entertaining.
The big set pieces - early 70s favourites Thick As A Brick, Aqualung and Locomotive Breath- even sound vital again (did you know that Nick Cave is a Tull fan?), and there are also generous amounts of earlier, singular stuff of the Living In The Past and The Witch's Promise vintage.
Of tonight's show, even a cynic would have to admit that Tull came, they saw, they bonkered.
Max Bell
Jethro Tull
Oxford New Theatre
Halfway through what is turning out to be a triumphant section of Jethro Tull's 40th anniversary tour, frontman Ian Anderson does a comedic hop and, to mass approval strikes a pose - the pose - whereby he rasps on his electric flute while standing on one leg. As trademarks go it's a good ruse, proving that while Anderson may now be 61 he's still in cracking form.
Previously known for obtuse concept prog, Tull are now something of a lovable institution. Their audience seems to have stuck with them forever, too, judging by the whiff of patchouli in the air and the number of thinning longhairs.
What was once deemed pomp is now amusing, and the band, including exemplary and long standing guitarist Martin Barre, legendary folk rock bassist Dave Pegg and hand-picked members of Anderson's orchestral ensemble, are absurdly slick and wonderfully entertaining.
The big set pieces - early 70s favourites Thick As A Brick, Aqualung and Locomotive Breath- even sound vital again (did you know that Nick Cave is a Tull fan?), and there are also generous amounts of earlier, singular stuff of the Living In The Past and The Witch's Promise vintage.
Of tonight's show, even a cynic would have to admit that Tull came, they saw, they bonkered.
Max Bell