Sweaty
ThE OtHeR rAmOnE
Special edition CD by any chance LG?
Jethro Tull (Official Thread)
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- Start date
KingHeadache
Banned
TAAB2 is OK, not in the same league as the original, but still the best from Ian since Roots To Branches. 
KingHeadache
Banned
An Interview with
MARTIN BARRE
So Martin, the question that I have to ask you first...... is this the end of Jethro Tull?
Ah well, anything to do with Jethro Tull, you really need to talk to Ian about, because I don’t really know anything.... I can only really talk about me, because that’s the only thing I’m in control of and know anything about. It’s a cloud of mystery and......err......non-disclosure surrounding Jethro Tull. All that Ian has told me and Doane is that the book isn’t closed, it’s on the shelf. Whether or not it’s on a shelf that can be reached is something that you’d have to ask Ian.
Ian’s not really saying much at the moment, but you know more than we do!
I can’t say it’s the end of Jethro Tull. Ian is going out to do his own thing, I’m doing my thing, and at this moment there are no plans for Jethro Tull. It hasn’t actually come to an end, there is no official announcement or anything like that. It would make sense, if only in commercial terms, to keep Jethro Tull as an entity even if it’s not actually out there. It gives Ian an identity, a fan base, and it would be foolish to throw that away. Of course it does the same for me too.
I know you don’t want to talk specifically about the Tull situation, but the fans want to know what’s going on. It seems clear to many of us what’s happening....
Well yes of course, people aren’t stupid and they can read between the lines. You will know the score I’m sure...
Only from what I deduce. I’ve not spoken to Ian about it.
No, but it’s obvious really isn’t it. But it’s ok, we’ve not had a huge row or anything. Ian has done his own thing in the past, and now he’s decided that’s what he wants to concentrate on. My personal, gut feeling is that the book is closed....but it’s just my feeling. It’s in Ian’s camp really because only he can resurrect it. It’s beyond me, there’s nothing I can do about it, so I’ve made a very happy decision to get on with my career and start things off on my own, and it’s been really really good. I mean it’s all positive. If Tull happens again, fantastic. If it doesn’t, fantastic. Whatever happens I will be a very happy person. But as I say, all those questions are questions for Ian. I think right now his comfort zone is with his solo band, that’s what he’s happy doing. But I haven’t heard from anybody since July, if that’s an indication of just how dormant Jethro Tull is. I’ve heard absolutely nothing from anybody. It’s as quiet as a graveyard (laughs) ....... metaphorically speaking.
Yeah, of course it’s entirely up to Ian, he can do what he wants, but fans are at best mystified and at worse rather outraged that he’s chosen to do, of all things, Thick As A Brick in its entirety without Martin Barre. Did it come as a complete surprise to you?
Well again, I don’t know anything about it so I can’t really comment on it. I didn’t know anything....I guess I didn’t need to know.
C’mon Martin.... you must be a bit miffed!
(laughing) Well you’re putting words into my mouth......it does seem a bit odd, and I’m a bit surprised, but I’m not angry or bitter about it. It’s what he wants to do and that’s fine. And it means I can go out and do some things that I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m really feeling very excited about it. The last few months with Tull, without going into details, were quite hard and I was not having a good time, but now I feel happier than I have done for years. It’s like having a new lease of life and I can’t wait to get out there to start playing again. I’m in a positive frame of mind and I think it’s better just to ignore what’s going on. It doesn’t affect me in the slightest. I’ve got total confidence in what I’m doing. Whether I end up playing to a lot of people or just a few people I know that, on any level, it’s going to be really good. If I can make a long term success of it then I’m definitely going to do it. I’ve told everybody that’s involved that we are in it for the long haul. I see it as an ongoing thing and I don’t see an end to it at all. That’s all I’m looking at, and whatever else happens won’t affect me in the slightest.
Is it safe to say though that you won’t be going to any of the Thick As A Brick shows?
Oh David, you are a naughty boy! (laughing). It wouldn’t be a political decision, I’m just not interested. I’ve got my own plans, my own things to do. I’m genuinely not interested, and that’s not being sour or negative at all – just not interested. I like the people, and one day I hope to go and have a coffee with Dave (Goodier) and John (O’Hara) again. The big thing I miss is that John, Dave and me used to go and find a Starbucks somewhere and sit in the sun and talk about life. I miss that. But we’re all moving on. But I do like to go to concerts.....I just haven’t thought about it. If I don’t go to one of the shows it wouldn’t be for any reason....other than I’m not interested. I’m focussed on my plans and don’t need to dwell on anything that might detract from it. I’m not going out there...err.... to spite what’s going on. I’m not thinking “right, I can do that too”, you know. I’m going out there because that’s what I’ve always done. I’ve played the music of Jethro Tull for 42 years and it’s as much my music as anybody else’s. I know as much about the music of Jethro Tull as anybody else, and I like the music and I enjoy playing it. So that’s my motivation. Otherwise I’d be out playing my own solo stuff and writing my own solo stuff. I can do that anyway, I can make that a part of what I do, but that’s always been a bit of a hobby. I’ve always found my solo music a bit of fun, it’s not particularly commercial. It’s me being given the freedom to play any music I want, which usually ends up being music that doesn’t appeal to a lot of people (laughs). But no, I genuinely want to go out and play Jethro Tull music. I’ve been really busy, lots of things are happening for me, and now I’ve got the full line-up of the band sorted and it’s looking great.
From A NEW DAY #102
MARTIN BARRE
So Martin, the question that I have to ask you first...... is this the end of Jethro Tull?
Ah well, anything to do with Jethro Tull, you really need to talk to Ian about, because I don’t really know anything.... I can only really talk about me, because that’s the only thing I’m in control of and know anything about. It’s a cloud of mystery and......err......non-disclosure surrounding Jethro Tull. All that Ian has told me and Doane is that the book isn’t closed, it’s on the shelf. Whether or not it’s on a shelf that can be reached is something that you’d have to ask Ian.
Ian’s not really saying much at the moment, but you know more than we do!
I can’t say it’s the end of Jethro Tull. Ian is going out to do his own thing, I’m doing my thing, and at this moment there are no plans for Jethro Tull. It hasn’t actually come to an end, there is no official announcement or anything like that. It would make sense, if only in commercial terms, to keep Jethro Tull as an entity even if it’s not actually out there. It gives Ian an identity, a fan base, and it would be foolish to throw that away. Of course it does the same for me too.
I know you don’t want to talk specifically about the Tull situation, but the fans want to know what’s going on. It seems clear to many of us what’s happening....
Well yes of course, people aren’t stupid and they can read between the lines. You will know the score I’m sure...
Only from what I deduce. I’ve not spoken to Ian about it.
No, but it’s obvious really isn’t it. But it’s ok, we’ve not had a huge row or anything. Ian has done his own thing in the past, and now he’s decided that’s what he wants to concentrate on. My personal, gut feeling is that the book is closed....but it’s just my feeling. It’s in Ian’s camp really because only he can resurrect it. It’s beyond me, there’s nothing I can do about it, so I’ve made a very happy decision to get on with my career and start things off on my own, and it’s been really really good. I mean it’s all positive. If Tull happens again, fantastic. If it doesn’t, fantastic. Whatever happens I will be a very happy person. But as I say, all those questions are questions for Ian. I think right now his comfort zone is with his solo band, that’s what he’s happy doing. But I haven’t heard from anybody since July, if that’s an indication of just how dormant Jethro Tull is. I’ve heard absolutely nothing from anybody. It’s as quiet as a graveyard (laughs) ....... metaphorically speaking.
Yeah, of course it’s entirely up to Ian, he can do what he wants, but fans are at best mystified and at worse rather outraged that he’s chosen to do, of all things, Thick As A Brick in its entirety without Martin Barre. Did it come as a complete surprise to you?
Well again, I don’t know anything about it so I can’t really comment on it. I didn’t know anything....I guess I didn’t need to know.
C’mon Martin.... you must be a bit miffed!
(laughing) Well you’re putting words into my mouth......it does seem a bit odd, and I’m a bit surprised, but I’m not angry or bitter about it. It’s what he wants to do and that’s fine. And it means I can go out and do some things that I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m really feeling very excited about it. The last few months with Tull, without going into details, were quite hard and I was not having a good time, but now I feel happier than I have done for years. It’s like having a new lease of life and I can’t wait to get out there to start playing again. I’m in a positive frame of mind and I think it’s better just to ignore what’s going on. It doesn’t affect me in the slightest. I’ve got total confidence in what I’m doing. Whether I end up playing to a lot of people or just a few people I know that, on any level, it’s going to be really good. If I can make a long term success of it then I’m definitely going to do it. I’ve told everybody that’s involved that we are in it for the long haul. I see it as an ongoing thing and I don’t see an end to it at all. That’s all I’m looking at, and whatever else happens won’t affect me in the slightest.
Is it safe to say though that you won’t be going to any of the Thick As A Brick shows?
Oh David, you are a naughty boy! (laughing). It wouldn’t be a political decision, I’m just not interested. I’ve got my own plans, my own things to do. I’m genuinely not interested, and that’s not being sour or negative at all – just not interested. I like the people, and one day I hope to go and have a coffee with Dave (Goodier) and John (O’Hara) again. The big thing I miss is that John, Dave and me used to go and find a Starbucks somewhere and sit in the sun and talk about life. I miss that. But we’re all moving on. But I do like to go to concerts.....I just haven’t thought about it. If I don’t go to one of the shows it wouldn’t be for any reason....other than I’m not interested. I’m focussed on my plans and don’t need to dwell on anything that might detract from it. I’m not going out there...err.... to spite what’s going on. I’m not thinking “right, I can do that too”, you know. I’m going out there because that’s what I’ve always done. I’ve played the music of Jethro Tull for 42 years and it’s as much my music as anybody else’s. I know as much about the music of Jethro Tull as anybody else, and I like the music and I enjoy playing it. So that’s my motivation. Otherwise I’d be out playing my own solo stuff and writing my own solo stuff. I can do that anyway, I can make that a part of what I do, but that’s always been a bit of a hobby. I’ve always found my solo music a bit of fun, it’s not particularly commercial. It’s me being given the freedom to play any music I want, which usually ends up being music that doesn’t appeal to a lot of people (laughs). But no, I genuinely want to go out and play Jethro Tull music. I’ve been really busy, lots of things are happening for me, and now I’ve got the full line-up of the band sorted and it’s looking great.
From A NEW DAY #102
Nololob
Long Live Wock 'n' Woll
Oh, that flute intro and bits played backwards... one of the best songs off Benefit.
Play In Time
Play In Time
Sox
Avoiding The Swan Song
^^^ A blinder of an album Nolo I really like that Clive Bunker / Glenn Cornick vibe, for me there was some really great rhythm happening on those first three albums.
Nololob
Long Live Wock 'n' Woll
^^ It's hard for me to get into This Was, Stand Up is almost there. But Benefit is on my top 3 list . 
Sox
Avoiding The Swan Song
^^^ I was lucky enough to see Mick Abrahams and Clive Bunker at a Blues concert for the Alexis Korner cancer charity and what a special slot. It was a total surprise when Clive walked on Nolo.
Mr.Camel
Dromedary
Jethro Tull is my absolute favourite band in the history of forever!
Top 5 Tull Albums
1. Benefit
2. Minstrel in the Gallery
3. Songs from the Wood
4. Aqualung
5. Stand Up
If I were to make a Tull compilation album it would have the following tracks..
1. With You There to Help Me
2. Bourée
3. Son
4. Beggar's Farm
5. To Cry You a Song
6. We Used to Know
7. Aqualung
8. Cheap Day Return/Wond'ring Aloud
9. My God
10. Baker Street Muse/Grace
11. Bungle in the Jungle
12. Requiem
13. Cup of Wonder
14. Moths
15. Fire at Midnight
16. Too Old to Rock 'n Roll, Too Young to Die
17. Heavy Horses
18. From a Deadbeat to an Old Greaser
Top 5 Tull Albums
1. Benefit
2. Minstrel in the Gallery
3. Songs from the Wood
4. Aqualung
5. Stand Up
If I were to make a Tull compilation album it would have the following tracks..
1. With You There to Help Me
2. Bourée
3. Son
4. Beggar's Farm
5. To Cry You a Song
6. We Used to Know
7. Aqualung
8. Cheap Day Return/Wond'ring Aloud
9. My God
10. Baker Street Muse/Grace
11. Bungle in the Jungle
12. Requiem
13. Cup of Wonder
14. Moths
15. Fire at Midnight
16. Too Old to Rock 'n Roll, Too Young to Die
17. Heavy Horses
18. From a Deadbeat to an Old Greaser
Nololob
Long Live Wock 'n' Woll
^^ Heavy Horses is my favourite album followed by Benefit and TAAB. We Used To Know was one of the first tracks that got me into this band. 
...that is one massively enlightening interview KH. Also Martin almost comes right out and says Tull is retired permanently. I think by his comments about "the last Tull tour being hard..." that Ian also must have picked up on that and does give some insight into why he did TAAB II without Martin.
I will be a little melancholy but also understanding if indeed we never see Ian and Martin on stage together again...as Martin said 42 years is a Long Haul for any band.
And Mr.Camel, great set of songs but you left off my favorite..."Velvet Green".
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