Post by spiral on Mar 24, 2010 15:05:21 GMT
First off, apologies if I should have tacked this onto the other Ipswich thread - I'm new on here today so the last thing I want to do is break any rules/conventions.
When I first became a fan back in the year...(one?!) the idea of Tull playing shows anywhere near me seemed fanciful at best - but March 11th was the sixth time I've seen them at Ipswich, and I must admit the timbre and atmosphere of 'going to see Tull' has changed a bit over the years. The whole experience now seems a bit more laid back and relaxed compared to the more grandiose, dramatic 'bigger shows' of the 80's and part of the 90's.
For example, it seemed odd yet strangely 'right' for the occasion that Ian Anderson himself should come strolling onto the stage to introduce Saori Jo (very, very enjoyable her set was, too - and how good to see just about all the sell-out audience already in their seats instead of ambling in casually while she performed her set).
A first for me: it was the first time I knew pretty much song-by-song what would follow having read the set list on these very forums, and I must confess to a bit of a furrowed brow when I saw what they'd be performing. As some others have alluded to here and there on these boards, my first reaction was 'oh, not much by way of surprises there then.'
I should have known better: what I read on paper (well, screen) is quite different in performance. A couple of stand-outs slipped under the radar: I thought 'Eurology' worked beautifully, and 'Birthday Card at Christmas' (despite the first tendrils of Spring springing!) came over superbly even allowing for Ian straining vocally here and there.
What I'm saying is the songs and the order they appeared gave them a freshness that belied the number of times I've seen then before - even 'Aqualung' and 'Locomotive Breath.'
Some were more enjoyable than others - thought the only one that veered towards being 'unenjoyable' was 'Songs from the Wood.' It got off to a wonky start by kicking off two or three verses into its usual order - and unfortunately Ian just could not sing it for toffee. His way of re-phrasing and adapting some of the songs to suit his reduced vocal range works OK to a greater or lesser degree (depending on the song), but SFTW was, unfortunately, a big raspberry.
A great pity as it's one of my all time favourite Tull songs, and I recall the rendition that started the 'Crest of a Knave' shows in '87 was majestic. I note it was pulled from a later date according to another review - perhaps it's just as well.
On the other hand, 'Budapest' was excellent. I must confess to being less than overwhelmed to learn that it was in the set - especially so late on in the running order - but, again, it proved I shouldn't have pre-judged the set list as i did.
The sound was excellent - the Tull live sound seems to get better every time I see them. Loud enough to give you that 'live show' feeling, and a superb mix so everything from the loudest snare drum to the most discreet note on the flute could be heard in equal measure. Good to see keyboard player John O'Hara seemingly more the relaxed minstrel and less the music teacher moonlighting as a band member compared to previous tours. He's a fine musician, so it's gratifying that he's become a bit more 'Tullified' nowadays.
The playing from everyone else was, as usual, top notch and the man himself seemed to be having a good time - and I found it an unexpectedly moving moment when, at the very end, the audience rose a one to give the band a standing ovation. Also, how good to see the balloons back even if, as usual, I never got to touch one!
When I first became a fan back in the year...(one?!) the idea of Tull playing shows anywhere near me seemed fanciful at best - but March 11th was the sixth time I've seen them at Ipswich, and I must admit the timbre and atmosphere of 'going to see Tull' has changed a bit over the years. The whole experience now seems a bit more laid back and relaxed compared to the more grandiose, dramatic 'bigger shows' of the 80's and part of the 90's.
For example, it seemed odd yet strangely 'right' for the occasion that Ian Anderson himself should come strolling onto the stage to introduce Saori Jo (very, very enjoyable her set was, too - and how good to see just about all the sell-out audience already in their seats instead of ambling in casually while she performed her set).
A first for me: it was the first time I knew pretty much song-by-song what would follow having read the set list on these very forums, and I must confess to a bit of a furrowed brow when I saw what they'd be performing. As some others have alluded to here and there on these boards, my first reaction was 'oh, not much by way of surprises there then.'
I should have known better: what I read on paper (well, screen) is quite different in performance. A couple of stand-outs slipped under the radar: I thought 'Eurology' worked beautifully, and 'Birthday Card at Christmas' (despite the first tendrils of Spring springing!) came over superbly even allowing for Ian straining vocally here and there.
What I'm saying is the songs and the order they appeared gave them a freshness that belied the number of times I've seen then before - even 'Aqualung' and 'Locomotive Breath.'
Some were more enjoyable than others - thought the only one that veered towards being 'unenjoyable' was 'Songs from the Wood.' It got off to a wonky start by kicking off two or three verses into its usual order - and unfortunately Ian just could not sing it for toffee. His way of re-phrasing and adapting some of the songs to suit his reduced vocal range works OK to a greater or lesser degree (depending on the song), but SFTW was, unfortunately, a big raspberry.
A great pity as it's one of my all time favourite Tull songs, and I recall the rendition that started the 'Crest of a Knave' shows in '87 was majestic. I note it was pulled from a later date according to another review - perhaps it's just as well.
On the other hand, 'Budapest' was excellent. I must confess to being less than overwhelmed to learn that it was in the set - especially so late on in the running order - but, again, it proved I shouldn't have pre-judged the set list as i did.
The sound was excellent - the Tull live sound seems to get better every time I see them. Loud enough to give you that 'live show' feeling, and a superb mix so everything from the loudest snare drum to the most discreet note on the flute could be heard in equal measure. Good to see keyboard player John O'Hara seemingly more the relaxed minstrel and less the music teacher moonlighting as a band member compared to previous tours. He's a fine musician, so it's gratifying that he's become a bit more 'Tullified' nowadays.
The playing from everyone else was, as usual, top notch and the man himself seemed to be having a good time - and I found it an unexpectedly moving moment when, at the very end, the audience rose a one to give the band a standing ovation. Also, how good to see the balloons back even if, as usual, I never got to touch one!