Seeing Ian Anderson tomorrow

I saw Tull five or six times through the 70s, 80 and 90s, including the Under Wraps tour. It was always an enjoyable evening and a memorable event. The only thing I’ve got to go on this century is the Montreux set on BD, which looked like quite a weak affair with Ian’s voice a shadow of its former self. They appear to have pretty much conked out. If you come back from the concert saying different it will be a happy day.

Agree with Harry. I saw them 3 or 4 times in the 80s and then most recently in 2010 at the New Oxford Theatre - so not a huge venue. Ian's classic voice was sadly not there that night but I too would be very happy to hear that he has recovered it.

As an aside I saw The Who at Birmingham on Dec 7th and it was the first time I thought Rodger was struggling with some of the higher notes although he did manage to produce the amazing scream as Won't Get Fooled Again comes out of the middle section. I read today that they have had to postpone the O2 shows until March to allow his voice to recover. Fingers crossed on that one too. 

Scott

I saw them twice in my youth including Under Wraps at Hammersmith Odeon. Not their heyday but good enough. I saw them again about 7-8 years ago and it had lost a lot of the excitement-and Ian's voice had definitely gone.

I have avoided recent releases such as Homo Erraticus and TAAB2 expecting only to be disappointed and rather bought some of the 'classics' re-mastered. Benefit has been brilliantly buffed up on the recent Steve Wilson version and Passion Play is not bad (including the Chateau d'Isaster tapes). if he could turn his attention to Stand Up and Stormwatch then I'd be happy to snap them up but maybe nothing more recent.

Bruce

Oh yes indeed. A lovely job and now a much cherished version. Aqualung came up a treat too.

I saw Jethro Tull twice, as well.  First was Passion Play tour in the early seventies in Baltimore, Maryland, and in the mid seventies approximately around Bursting Out and indeed, one of those giant spotlighted balloons floating from the stage into the arena in Cleveland, Ohio.  Enjoyed them both times.

Jeff A

I saw them in the eighties on the Under Wraps and Crest of a Knave tours; Mr Anderson's voice was in fine fettle.  More recently, I caught Tull on their 40th anniversary tour at Eden Court theatre, Inverness, a venue with superb acoustics;  it's fair to say his voice was struggling to reach its former highs but knowing the lyrics kept me involved.  Fast forward to earlier this year and I saw Ian Anderson on the Homo Erraticus Tour, again at Eden Court; to say I was disappointed would be an understatement.  It was almost impossible to hear what he was singing and the story behind the album would have been nigh on impossible to fathom, had it not been for the rear video support.  The second half of the show was a selection of Tull classics and was much better, mostly due to lyrical familiarity and the aforementioned great sound.

To be honest, I don't think I would go and see him again.

Agree with the comments re Benefit.  If you can, rip the 24 bit version; better still.

Hope you find something to enjoy in the gig.

Ian

Komet,

Come on what was the gig like?

We saw Jethro Tull at Watford Colosseum about eight years ago and it was very enjoyable, although a far cry from when I saw them for the first time at the Guild Hall Plymouth in 1969.

Steve,

Nothing will ever seem as good as back then in 1969.

You were in the early flush of your teenage years still counting your pubic hair  and watching TOTPs Batman The Man from U.N.C.L.E. during the week and Thunderbirds on Saturdays . 

Saw them in 99' at the shepherds bush empire and it was a night to remember. I can only imagine what they were like at the pick of their career in late 60's and early 70's. Magic...