Miscellaneous ramblings

[Stan Getz]

Haven't been around here much since the R40 tour ended but last night saw an amazing show that made me think...

 

Rush & Jethro Tull have been my favorite two bands for over 40 years now, and though different circumstances both bands are at best on indefinite hiatus. A few years ago Ian Anderson for whatever reasons basically ended Tull and decided he would embark out on his own from there on. Ian's a brilliant songwriter and a fantastic showman in his day (I've seen Tull some 40 times) but his newer music doesn't appeal to me and certainly live he's done vocally...having to enlist a singer to go on touring.

 

Last night in an intimate club setting in Ithaca, NY I saw Tull's guitarist Martin Barre perform with his own band and was just in blown away by the musicianship and raw energy, and though Martin's 69 now he's in amazing physical shape. A 2 1/4 hour show (with a 20 minute break in the middle) playing his own great hard rocking material, mixed in with some blues, a Govt Mule cover and lots of rarely played Tull gems. One of the very best nights of live music I've ever heard, and Tull songs without Ian's flute in the mix allow Martin's guitar virtuosity to shine and really the entire group of musicians shined.

 

A real bonus was his dry English sense of humor was on on full display with bits of comic relief scattered throughout the evening. Just a great night and if you get a chance to check out the Martin Barre tour it would be the best $30 you've spent this year I promise you, if you cant make a show their new CD "Back to Steel" is excellent.

 

I've been rambling on enough but my point is there's life after playing big sold out arenas and down the road if Geddy and/or Alex decide to do go out and perform whatever material just for the love of playing live don't miss it just because "it isn't Rush"!

[Mosher]

I encourage both Alex and Geddy to continue to create. The fact that Rush is done is no shackle on their right to continue their art. They have zero call to stop just because Neil stopped. If Geddy decides to do polka he should go ahead. If Alex wants to do an album of Beyonce covers let him.

 

I never understood the rules fans impose upon artists they claim to like.

 

They should do whatever they want and if we like it, we will go. But if you go and you are disappointed it isn't Rush, you're setting unfair standards.

[GeddysMullet]

If Geddy and Alex are playing, I'm there regardless of who else is or isn't on the stage

[Blue J]

I always enjoy your posts, Stan Getz. I'm a big Tull fan myself, too, but never got to see them live. I love hearing that Martin Barre is doing so well! And I agree about continuing to play, for anyone who still has the music in him (or her).

 

:guitar:

[Blue J]

If Geddy and Alex are playing, I'm there regardless of who else is or isn't on the stage

 

I don't think I could go see Ged and Al with somebody else other than Neil. But maybe I shouldn't totally swear that off...I don't know, maybe I would, maybe not.

 

I have always thought, however, that if the three of them carried on together in any capacity at all, I'd keep going to see them for as long as the three of them would want to make it last. Even if they just sat in chairs on the stage and sang campfire songs or something...haha. I wouldn't care, I'd still go. :)

Edited September 17, 2016 by Blue J

[lifeson90]

obviously Rush have had the highest standards in their career but if Al & Ged do decide to continue together in some form i'd person relish the prospect coz whatever they lay down in the studio better be sh*t hot and they know it. course i know they always had this attitide anyway but cant help thinking the guys defo wouldnt wanna blemish their output at this stage and might wanna make even more extra sure, almost like a new beginning with something to prove.

 

have to say i find the prospect of Al & Ged doing something without Neil to be really exciting would love to hear what theyd come up with both musically and lyrically etc. obvs we all wish Rush with Neil could go on but if it cant then lets see a new thing please

[Lucas]

I think Keith Richards was on to something when he said this on the creative process:

 

“People say they write songs, but in a way you’re more the medium. I feel like all the songs in the world are just floating around, it’s just a matter of like an antenna, of whatever you pick up.”

 

Both Geddy and Alex seem to be very eager to create, musically .... Neil, I suppose, is probably more in tune with his writing at this point ( books, blogs, etc ), but the notion that Geddy and Alex should simply take down their antenna is preposterous ..

 

It doesn't matter what the name of the band or project is, I am all in as far as hearing what these two musicians that I have loved since 1977 have going on ..

[ytserush]

It's never been in doubt.

[Disembodied Spirit]

Alex and Geddy Acoustic Casino Tour 2017

An Evening of songs, stories and hijinks in a theater setting

 

I can see this^^

[JohnnyBlaze]

I always enjoy your posts, Stan Getz. I'm a big Tull fan myself, too, but never got to see them live. I love hearing that Martin Barre is doing so well! And I agree about continuing to play, for anyone who still has the music in him (or her).

 

:guitar:

I agree with all of that. I always seemed to miss Tull on tour. It's a damn shame too since they've always been in my top 10 and sometimes top 5.

 

And I totally believe you Stan! Barre is up there with all the other greats that are mentioned more often than him.

[Stan Getz]

I always enjoy your posts, Stan Getz. I'm a big Tull fan myself, too, but never got to see them live. I love hearing that Martin Barre is doing so well! And I agree about continuing to play, for anyone who still has the music in him (or her).

 

:guitar:

 

Thanks Blue J, I appreciate it. That's a real shame you never got to catch Tull live, especially in there prime 70's - 90's....Ian A. was the most amazing front man perhaps ever of any band in his younger days. The wild haired, one legged stance while playing flute with his own unique style for that instrument was something to see for sure, plus Ian and Martin for so many years had that chemistry on stage much like Alex & Geddy.

 

Geddy has said himself many times when asked best concert he ever attended and the answer's always Jethro Tull...

 

As far as Martin Barre, his 2016 US tour looks to wrap up next month with some gigs in the UK but then he returns to the USA next year for another round of shows. I was so impressed with he and his band the other night we're booking hotels and taking a couple vacation days next March to catch another couple shows. For a bloke of his age he's renewed his spirit musically and in the best shape of his life, looking better at near 70 than when he was in his 40s. He's said those last 10 years of Tull shows were a bit stale for him as there was no new music, just a the same core favorites in the set list year in, year out. Now he can play anything he wants, and the Tull songs he chooses to add to the mix were rarely played the past 25 or so years.

[JohnnyBlaze]

I always enjoy your posts, Stan Getz. I'm a big Tull fan myself, too, but never got to see them live. I love hearing that Martin Barre is doing so well! And I agree about continuing to play, for anyone who still has the music in him (or her).

 

:guitar:

 

Thanks Blue J, I appreciate it. That's a real shame you never got to catch Tull live, especially in there prime 70's - 90's....Ian A. was the most amazing front man perhaps ever of any band in his younger days. The wild haired, one legged stance while playing flute with his own unique style for that instrument was something to see for sure, plus Ian and Martin for so many years had that chemistry on stage much like Alex & Geddy.

 

Geddy has said himself many times when asked best concert he ever attended and the answer's always Jethro Tull...

 

As far as Martin Barre, his 2016 US tour looks to wrap up next month with some gigs in the UK but then he returns to the USA next year for another round of shows. I was so impressed with he and his band the other night we're booking hotels and taking a couple vacation days next March to catch another couple shows. For a bloke of his age he's renewed his spirit musically and in the best shape of his life, looking better at near 70 than when he was in his 40s. He's said those last 10 years of Tull shows were a bit stale for him as there was no new music, just a the same core favorites in the set list year in, year out. Now he can play anything he wants, and the Tull songs he chooses to add to the mix were rarely played the past 25 or so years.

Kick ass!

That'd be great if Geddy & Alex did that -- that is, play new material but also put in 3-4 never before/rarely played Rush tunes. I think this is a possibility, and would be a smart move that keeps their (especially Geddy's) creative juices flowing

[Xanadoood]

I wish Ged toured in support of MFH. I'd definitely see any of them live solo.

 

[JohnnyBlaze]

I wish Ged toured in support of MFH. I'd definitely see any of them live solo.

I remember a radio interview back then in which the dj asked about that. In a nutshell, Geddy said that it wasn't out of the question and that he had checked out different options.

[GabesCavesOfIce]

Great story about continuance after the band is done, thanks for sharing.

 

Hopefully Alex n Ged will record something together.

 

It seems they are getting extremely comfortable in retirement and if they were to do anything, probably will be very short lived, a one off at best.

 

If it's polka I hope they pass on doing it. As much as I like them, it's not like something they would have the resources to do in their mid 60s had they not been in a successful rock band.

 

If not rock, something bluesy perhaps that speaks to their early career influences.

[geezer]

Martin Barre would deserve bigger venues, no matter what he plays. I have always found the sound of his guitar a JT trademark as Ian Anderson's flute and voice

[Stan Getz]

I agree, but sadly the name recognition just isn't there I'm afraid to warrant even smaller arenas...this tour is small clubs only.

 

He's playing clubs this tour that may bring in 100 folks, couple hundred tops...but if he's in any way hurt over this he didn't show it.

 

He was rocking hard the other night and didn't seem to matter one bit the crowd was very small...same energy and effort as if he were playing Madison square garden.

[x1yyz]

I agree, but sadly the name recognition just isn't there I'm afraid to warrant even smaller arenas...this tour is small clubs only.

 

He's playing clubs this tour that may bring in 100 folks, couple hundred tops...but if he's in any way hurt over this he didn't show it.

 

He was rocking hard the other night and didn't seem to matter one bit the crowd was very small...same energy and effort as if he were playing Madison square garden.

 

There is a certain energy you get in the small clubs that just isn't possible in larger venues. Maybe he really enjoys that, and is happy to have it back after years of playing big places.

[Blue J]

I agree, but sadly the name recognition just isn't there I'm afraid to warrant even smaller arenas...this tour is small clubs only.

 

He's playing clubs this tour that may bring in 100 folks, couple hundred tops...but if he's in any way hurt over this he didn't show it.

 

He was rocking hard the other night and didn't seem to matter one bit the crowd was very small...same energy and effort as if he were playing Madison square garden.

 

There is a certain energy you get in the small clubs that just isn't possible in larger venues. Maybe he really enjoys that, and is happy to have it back after years of playing big places.

 

Yes! I totally agree.

 

And an established act, a long-time act that is playing small venues results in just about everybody being there for the music- as opposed to having a certain quotient of the crowd that is just there to have a 'good time'.

[JohnnyBlaze]

I agree, but sadly the name recognition just isn't there I'm afraid to warrant even smaller arenas...this tour is small clubs only.

 

He's playing clubs this tour that may bring in 100 folks, couple hundred tops...but if he's in any way hurt over this he didn't show it.

 

He was rocking hard the other night and didn't seem to matter one bit the crowd was very small...same energy and effort as if he were playing Madison square garden.

 

There is a certain energy you get in the small clubs that just isn't possible in larger venues. Maybe he really enjoys that, and is happy to have it back after years of playing big places.

 

Yes! I totally agree.

 

And an established act, a long-time act that is playing small venues results in just about everybody being there for the music- as opposed to having a certain quotient of the crowd that is just there to have a 'good time'.

Agree with everything here. For me, a small club would be the perfect way to see Barre!

 

One of my bros says he catches Rik Emmett (formerly of Triumph) any time he comes through town. He says he sounds awesome. The vids I've seen online look and sound pretty good. And it's always a small bar/club with just Rik and another guitarist.