Jethro Tull, Bergen June 4th 2009

Yesterday, my girlfriend and I went to see Tull. I've seen them once before, while my girlfriend isn't really much of a proghead so I've tried to educate her a little prior to the concert (see my compilation cd thread here http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=58347).

Having already seen them once, I knew what to expect and I got exactly that. As the newspaper critic put it, 'a pleasant meeting with slightly moth-eaten former greats'. Ian Anderson unfortunately doesn't have much of a voice left, and at times it's almost painful watching him struggle to reach the high notes. However, it was less obvious in some songs compared to others. Heavy Horses and Farm On The Freeway both worked rather well, even with Ian's diminished vocals, while Cross-Eyed Mary and Back To The Family were quite bad. The instrumental songs worked decently well, as Ian sure still can play his flute. Martin Barre was, while not spectacular, certainly doing a respectable job. I was less than impressed with the bass player and the drummer though. In particular, the drum solo during Dharma For One seemed completely out of place.

On the plus side, they played more songs from Stand Up and This Was than I expected and a fairly lengthy excerpt from TAAB, on the down side Ian has no voice left. It might be time to call it quits and rest on their laurels..

3.5 of 5 stars.

Set list:

Cross-Eyed Mary
Beggar's Farm
Serenade to a Cuckoo
Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square
Farm On The Freeway
Back To The Family
Heavy Horses
Mother Goose
Bourée

Intermission

Pastime With Good Friends
Sweet Dream
Dharma For One
Thick As A Brick
My God
Aqualung

Encore: Locomotive Breath

I always wonder why people complain about Ian's voice. He never was the strongest rock singer, but he had and still has distinctive voice. Isn't that enough? IMO the essence of Tull's music is not in high notes.

I've seen their tour continues up until September, I may go to a gig.

How much of "Thick" was played? I assume he's still doing the Madison Square Gardens selection, minus the "Poet and the Painter" bit...

Rip Van ProgWinkle wrote: I thought Anderson should have another singer on hand to sing some of the songs that require more range.

^ Good enough reason. 

^ You are right telling of his high notes. But I don't feel songs are ruined now with Ian's voice. We all know he had worse times when he sang almost like Mark Knopfler. Fortunately those times are gone.

For me Ian's stage presence, charisma, sense of humour etc are more important than some 'wrong' notes. The voice changed, but it is still Ian's voice. No one can sing his songs better.

I like all Tull periods - be it raw and wild energy of the 70s or today's wisdom and maturity. I was lucky to see Tull live 4 times last years, and if this circus will come to our town again I'll be among the first ones who runs for tickets.