Completely agree , Jethro Tull is Ian Anderson , Martin Barre , Doane Perry , Andrew Giddings and j Noyce or D Pegg . Ian Anderson knows that , even if he doesn’t recognize. But all Jethro Tull fans think that.
Loved him forever...always seemed like a great guy and a fantastic guitarist. He says he has no regrets about how it all worked out...That is worth more than the money.
This interview took place a while back, but it's great to see Martin being so healthy and articulate. His guitar playing is always brilliant and unique and has had a very positive influence on my life as a rock fan. I was lucky enough to see Jethro Tull in L.A. in the early 70s and it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen. And Aqualung is one of the best albums I've ever heard. After Aqualung came out and I bought it, I played it EVERY morning for six months while I got ready to go to work. Thanks for the memories, Martin.
Big thumbs up to Martin Barre. His part in the history of THAT BAND will always be integral...he was always "Stage Left" but the fearless leader's right hand man!
I have forgotten a great deal of the Isle of Wight festival but I remember Jethro Tull well. One of my favourite bands to see around that time. Brilliant!
Just listened to IA and MB interviews. I am a big Tull fan but sadly the last couple of concerts I saw it seemed to be a band merely going through the motions. Martin's interview was like a breath of fresh air sounded like a true gent, Martin may well have a bit of an axe to grind but he didn't use this interview to really further himself over IA or anyone else in Tull, not even when pushed a bit by the interviewer. Just came across as a really nice guy, I wish him and his band well.
19:30 - Martin, talking about arranging songs. He says that the band heavily contributed to arranging Thick As A Brick, but he would not expect them to get credit for that ... but, I seem to remember, could be wrong perhaps, that David Palmer was credited with string arrangements, and I think other credits were given. If Martin is happy with that it's fine, but I think a lot of us Martin Barre fans want to see the man get more credit because we feel he is/was such an integral part of Jethro Tull. Also since the band never as far as I know of did any songs NOT written by Ian, whatever else gets done, and a lot of the music is so good because of its arrangements. Particularly TAAB, I love how I can listen to that record and hear something new or focus on different things and hear different things every time I play it. Cannot even imagine how many hours I have enjoyed listening to JT music.
I know Anderson did give royalties for pieces that Barre wrote himself, for instance the transition piece between the acoustic and electric parts of "Minstrel in the Gallery." But the songs -- words, melody, chords changes -- were Anderson and the rest of the band worked from that.
Martin was the hot bellied boiler that chugged the Tull train along. Every incarnation and sound HE handled with his axe to perfection and in reality was that unique sound that distinguished Tull from all others. Never the showman, he lets his licks sear a place in your heart that pop into your brain and you find yourself subconsciously humming. Love you Martin. Blessed to have seen you perform. Keep traveling that fretboard and making those notes dance in the minds of all.
Very, very interesting when Martin is talking about IA shutting out Tull band members from interviews. Clearly Ian was the central figure of the band, in cannot be denied, neither can his brilliance; but the fact is that in many, many interviews over the decades he saw Tull as "his", as the Ian Anderson band in all but name. MB's anger, his being "upset" is totally understandable, not least because his sound was a fundamental element in what made Jethro Tull great and what made it distinctive. On Ian's two recent records, TAAB2 & HE, his chosen guitarist just doesn't cut it: hasn't the distinctiveness of MB & his depth of expressiveness. Good as TAAB2 is - and I think it is really, really good - it would have sounded so much better with MB in the chair.
"I am not rich I can't retire" the guitarist in one of the greatest rock bands of all time, sold 60 million albums and has been touring almost continuously for 50 years.
Yes exactly my sentiments, he may not be rich compared with some music legends or even Ian Anderson but he must be dam comfortable, but that's not what it's all about I think as much as identifying and although the glory days are long gone for barre and Anderson they must find it very difficult to just stop playing.
Martin seems a very realistic and honest gentleman. I do love his guitar tone - but goodness, his albums are little hard to come by! The earlier ones anyway.
From say Broadsword 1982, to Crest of a Knave & Rock Island (87 & 89), something miraculous happened to Martin's playing. He became a true guitar god, so polished, much faster, better tone, a true shredder. I wish an interviewer would ask him, what the heck happened! I was shocked when I dropped listening to Tull for a while and came back an heard how he had changed, progressed so dramatically. The solo on the song Rock Island is fantastic! The Whistler on Beacon's Bottom is another example. In my opinion, he just keeps getting better, I have all his solo albums. Check out the Summer Band too if you ever get a chance!
Martin says they missed out on Woodstock but Ian always said he did not want to play Woodstock because he hated hippies, and that was part of his animus towards Glenn Cornick and what got him fired as well.
Para mí el poder ver y escuchar a toda una personalidad de la talla de Martín barre es un privilegio Felicidades por su excelente trabajo Soy admirador de Jethro tullo desde los 18 años Soy de la generación de los 60gracias por su trabajo es maravilloso
Martin is a great guitarist, an intelligent man, and is not about to be drawn into argument that he can neither win or benefit from. All of us love and admire Martin's playing and person, but none of us is at all unaware of which member of the band rightfully remains forever it's key member and guiding spirit. As is was with Frank Zappa, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, etc, we all know who we're mainly buying tickets to see and albums to own. And, certainly the members of his band are well aware of that as well.
I have to publicly apologize to Martin for conducting what was possibly his least memorable all- time interview, in Buffalo, N.Y., while I believe he and Tull were on the "Aqualung" tour. I was a mere lad of seventeen or so, working for my family's then- entertainment mag, Buffalo's "Scene" magazine. My co- interviewer Bill Levine and I waylaid Martin after the sold- out show at the Memorial Auditorium, and plied him with drinks at a hotel bar,, He was gracious enough to grant me and Bill a wonderful interview, despite our "guerrilla journalism" tactics. What I mostly remember about the interview he gave us was when Martin spoke of the day that Ian hired him to work with Tull. Martin told us about standing in a long line at such- and such studios in London (the name escapes me) along with the hundreds of other hopeful guitarists who answered the want- ad in the "Times". when Martin's time to audition came, he told us that he was led into a room at the studios, and, in his words, "I was only really into playing classical guitar at the time, you understand, so I sat and played a few classical pieces, and then Ian came into the room and said "you're hired". I guess the rest was musical history. Martin, I hope you recovered sufficiently from that night in Buffalo. You are a real "trouper"! all the best of luck with your new band!! Andy Ginter
The interviewer really seems to be egging Barre on, playing "let's you and him fight" between Barre and Anderson. But Barre remains common sense and fair throughout. Yes, he obviously has issues with Anderson, but he's not going to extend them to slam Anderson's talent as a songwriter or performer. He says as a simple statement of fact what so many people who think they have to take sides in the JT split sometimes don't want to admit: Anderson's songs were what made Jethro Tull a success.
Thanks for your comments. Martin Barre said at the outset of the interview "ask me anything". There was no hidden agenda with the questions and the section regarding royalties was really to emphasise that for most band members their income is derived from albums they play on and, most important, gigs. Some people won't realise that in spite of his massive contribution to Tull over a 40+ year period, Martin picked up few songwriting royalties from which many performers will derive their livelihood. Some bands implement an "equal share" split which may or may not lead to a happier band situation in the longer term, at least financially! Martin commented outside of the video that only comparatively recently he felt "secure" in Tull, having seen many musicians (and friends) come and go. (This interview segment is included in a Martin Barre special on our radio station (Sunday 28 September, 22:00 GMT www.getreadytorockradio.com ) For many also, whilst recognising Ian Anderson's vision and talent, Martin Barre remains an integral and critical part of Tull's sound from earliest times.
+popeye3234 Me too--and I'm a flutist who's figure out a lot of IA's riffs. I'd rather see Barre do his arrangements of Tull stuff than pay to see Ian Anderson play Tull stuff w/o Barre.
Of course, Tull wouldn't be anywhere without Anderson because he founded the band and determined it's direction. Barre joined later. Barre might well have become a success playing with some other band because he's really great and his growth as a guitarist throughout his career has been phenomenal -- a lot of the "great guitar players" still play about as well as they did when they arrive on the scene or shortly thereafter, but Barre (who was already pretty good) continued to expand his abilities for decades. AFAIC he's now in a league of his own. But he wouldn't have done any of that in Tull if it weren't for Anderson. And in interviews I've seen, including this one, he seems okay with that assessment.
It's not an opinion that Anderson CREATED Tull and without him, there would have been no Tull for Barre to join. In fact, Anderson HIRED Barre to replace Tull's first guitarist (actually he replaced Tony Iomi who replace the first guitarist but only lasted two weeks in Tull before going back to Black Sabbath). We don't have to imagine Tull without Barre: we can listen to the first record. None of this is opinion. It's history.
Jon Hart--What the fuck is wrong with you? Jesus! You get bent out of shape because popeye gives a thoughtful, tempered opinion. Let me tell you something, big shot. Everybody's entitled to their opinion, but not everybody gives a flying fuck what yours is. Okay--Now open your trap again and let's hear some more ignorant vitriol. Fuck an a, Jon, take a chill pill.
I always wished Ian would have gave Martin all of the credit that he deserved, I mean Ian always gave him some, but I always felt that Ian was holding back some of the praise that Martin certainly deserved....
This is a fantastic interview, in a horrible location, that confirmed many of my suspicions about how the rest of the band was compensated for their efforts, especially during Tull's best years '69 to '80. Barre is a class act and explained the situation honestly without regret. Ian was a brilliant singer, lyricist, guitarist, and song writer, no doubt, but I listen to Tull, primarily, for Barres contributions to that music. Tull's best albums are where Barre is permitted to shine! Nobody can remove that fact, and Tull is not Tull without him, nor will they sell me an album without him. Harsh, perhaps, but true. Was Ian bitten by the Greed Gene? Hmmm....
If Ian was the stripper.Martin was the pole .,,,,,It was a wonderful evolving thing .The flavor might have been good with Ian and whoever ,but the two of them made something lasting and ingrained .I was lucky enough to see them a number of times from the 70's to the end .The band of the 2000's was incredible as were the others .Got to see that lineup 4 or 5 times .Just wonderful .Each lineup had a thing all of their own .,One of my favorite shows was Houston 77 or 78 .Front row seats . ,,, Martin , if you ever read this ,thank you for helping me along with guitar ,and keeping me interested .Many times when stuck in a musical rut ,you pulled me out with just a riff here n there . Big thing in my life .
The noise isn't an issue, I understood what there saying. It's great the interview is in what looks like a back Street greasy spoon . Shows the measure of the man. Ok he doesn't have Clapton or Pages fame and exposure but he's a relatively famous multi million pound guitar player.. happily been interviewed in a cafe. And that's makes him brilliant.
15:41 - "It's a happy band" Wow, does that strike a nerve ... I noticed a long time ago that the members of Jethro Tull never seemed to really be having fun, and it has gotten worse over time as Ian has hogged all the attention, songwriting and run the band like a dysfunctional family or something. Look at the old videos, they used to smile and appear to be having fun. I think the dividing line was the "A" album where perhaps anyone who worked for the band knew they could be fired at any moment so they were terrorized by Ian.
Of course Ian hogs the attention. It's his band. Like Dee Palmer said in the Classic Artist Series documentary about Tull, "Ian Anderson is Jethro Tull". It's always been that way, even from the horse's mouth.
Richard Little yes watch the dvd ,Dee Palmer compares Anderson to Pontius Pilate,nice reference to the egomaster. The regime started when Hammond left,Poor John Glascock was on such a pittance of a contract that He didnt even have enough money to pay for his funeral. Barrie paid for it.
I did not catch this comment when it came out. What DVD are you talking about. That sucks about Glascock, and Ian seemed to always make such a deal about his death. I wonder if he had the same problem with JG as he did with GC ... that he was kind of a hippie type. Ian now has all studio musicians that I guess must be on some kind of salary. I wonder if he pays them fairly or well, or if they would complain?
Martin came through the best years with tull and contributed greatly to their brilliance but I guess that all good things must come to an end also it seems mad that someone as outstanding as Ian Anderson has such a fragile ego.
Barre is a great guy and guitar player, but he is seriously deluded when he says that he doesn't want to do Jethro Tull without the flute player and that is the same as Ian doing Jethro Tull without him. I've seen almost every concert since Passion Play in 1973 and especially lately Martin has been phoning in most of his guitar parts in live shows. They've been anything but fresh and improvisational and way too much like old rock dinosaur guitar solos have been criticized for. Ian can and is getting along pretty well without Martin, but I doubt the reverse it true, however much Martin's solid fans, including myself, would like it to be. I got another one of his albums where he jams old Tull songs together with instrumentals of his own efforts. It is a mere curiosity and does not sound that good. It is very good to see Martin in such good health and fit though. He has a better attitude towards his work than Ian, and frankly I like him more.
You've seen almost every concert since Passion Play in 1973??? You are aware that Tull/Anderson have done roughly 2,750 concerts since the "A Passion Play" tour of 1973, correct? Fucking Liar!!!!
I spoke to Martin about why he left Tull and he said he wasn't allowed to play the parts differently at all, so years on end, and he got fed up playing the same old stuff. If you see him live the music sounds really fresh and different, really invigorating and interesting to listen to. I have no interest in seeing Ian now as a) Martin isn't there and b) his voice is shot away. Try and see Martin live, you'll love it.
newportmeister Thanks for the reply. Yeah, Ian pretty much owns the franchise I guess, and he really doesn't like anyone upstaging him. The arrangements of the songs have been terrible, the get shorter, more trite, less interesting to listen to, but mostly, the same exact notes played for years ... decades. There are none of the BS flute solos that Ian used to do for 20 minutes ... which is good as far as I'm concerned, no drum solos and very small guitar solos ... but they have been crap to listen to. I saw the Homo Erraticus tour back a few months, and it was really unenjoyable. I just do not like rock concerts any more I guess. The acoustics were terrible, and the whole show was like a stripped down for profit enterprise. Ian's singing was not good. I like the idea of using Ryan O'Donnell, but the trading off back and forth doesn't really work either. I got the impression that for the first time the show was played from tape or computer or something. It just did not sound right. The album was played note for note ... which I could have just listened to again on the album if that was what I wanted. One reason I made the effort to see Tull in the past was the rearrangements of songs and solos. It was fun. The people playing the concert I saw seemed to just want it to get over with and go home. Maybe that is the problem with a US tour, they all have lives a continent away that they miss on the road and they get tired and cranky. I'll never see another concert like that again. I also missed Ian's flute playing, not much on the new album and very little in concert. I wondered if he has lung, breathing problems at this point? I am sorry to hear that the group was so tightly managed that Martin could not play the way he liked ... one the other hand, Ian has the real taste when it comes to composing, and I think most of Martin's parts were invented by Ian, to which Martin gave his impeccable style. Martin did the right thing, and I hope he is very successful, I just don't like that music as much as Ian's, and Ian's is mostly in the past though. Sad.
10:30 ... Martin does not seem to indicate that he was impressed by Jimi Hendrix. He doesn't go off and how amazing Hendrix was as seems to be obligatory in the rock world ... wonder why?
Probably because Hendrix wasn't that great. Amateur's think he's nice. Classical guitarists laugh at Hendrix and his noisy sloppy guitar technique. Martin Barre could play circles around Hendrix.
Richard Little >> Martin Barre could play circles around Hendrix. That is unnecessary cheerleading, or call it just plain ass-kissing. You are right, and I agree with you that Martin is an exceptional rock-guitar player, but there is a valid reason that he has not ever really connected with the public and been an individual success. Hendrix made it to huge individual success based on his own music, playing, style ... like it or not. Barre has not really done that and I don't like to say it out loud because out of blue it sounds as bad as unrestrained worship, but Martin is not Ian, Tull and if he had no association with either he would be just one in a million electric guitar players. As it is he gets attention to the best parts of his playing and skill, but there is just no need to denigrate Hendrix and no reason to.
Just so you're aware, justgivemethetruth, I actually like you. And I'm one of the biggest Tull fans to grace this planet. But I'm also a troll. You, being possibly a bigger Tull fan than I, make informed comments on many videos. You, like me, probably search 'Ian Anderson' every day and sort the results by time uploaded, so we get the newest daily videos. Everywhere I look, there you are. So of course you get the brunt of my trolling. And always will. So there. Remember the troll in the Tull message board? That's me (partly... there was more than one, for sure). See you soon (online, that is)
Richard Little Your "low" behavior is an insult to people you don't know and who do not want to know you. No one has any right to behave any different on the Internet than they do in public, so when people act like buffoons you have to assume they probably are that way in real life to, so such a person just drags down any interaction.
Ian without Martin, or Martin without Ian, is not Jethro Tull.
Shaun Kelly So true. So true.
+Shaun Kelly Have to agree. Martin's guitar sound was integral to JT sound.
Completely agree , Jethro Tull is Ian Anderson , Martin Barre , Doane Perry , Andrew Giddings and j Noyce or D Pegg . Ian Anderson knows that , even if he doesn’t recognize. But all Jethro Tull fans think that.
Loved him forever...always seemed like a great guy and a fantastic guitarist. He says he has no regrets about how it all worked out...That is worth more than the money.
For a talented man being interrupted at his morning meal table, what a delightful gentleman .
This interview took place a while back, but it's great to see Martin being so healthy and articulate. His guitar playing is always brilliant and unique and has had a very positive influence on my life as a rock fan. I was lucky enough to see Jethro Tull in L.A. in the early 70s and it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen. And Aqualung is one of the best albums I've ever heard. After Aqualung came out and I bought it, I played it EVERY morning for six months while I got ready to go to work. Thanks for the memories, Martin.
Nice bloke, great music, great memories; life's a better place, the world's a finer weave, thanks Martin.
Big thumbs up to Martin Barre. His part in the history of THAT BAND will always be integral...he was always "Stage Left"
but the fearless leader's right hand man!
Barre is really courageous is in honesty and humanity ... that's why I really like him.
Nobody cares.
Great Martin. What is so incredible is the fact you had two guys at totally opposite ends of the ego spectrum!
Maybe that's why they were able to work together for so many years.
Vambo Rools Thats for sure!
I love his accent. Then again, I love all British accents❤
What a splendid chap! Despite constant attempts by the interviewer to get him to slag Ian Anderson off, he remains humble and loyal....
I grew up listening to and trying to play his guitar parts. It's nice to know that he is such a kind intelligent man.
Don't beat yourself up Martin...You are a world class guitarist and an all round good man! Ian is full of himself ...
Wow. What a gentleman.
Martin saw you several times. Always a pro. Always a great show.
what a nice guy mr barre is, so modest like him a lot seen him live lucky me lol .
Great place to have an interview...in a NOISY cafe! Good one...
I have forgotten a great deal of the Isle of Wight festival but I remember Jethro Tull well. One of my favourite bands to see around that time. Brilliant!
Just listened to IA and MB interviews. I am a big Tull fan but sadly the last couple of concerts I saw it seemed to be a band merely going through the motions.
Martin's interview was like a breath of fresh air sounded like a true gent, Martin may well have a bit of an axe to grind but he didn't use this interview to really further himself over IA or anyone else in Tull, not even when pushed a bit by the interviewer. Just came across as a really nice guy, I wish him and his band well.
We saw Martin Barre’s band a few years ago in Virginia. Intimate, awesome show.
19:30 - Martin, talking about arranging songs. He says that the band heavily contributed to arranging Thick As A Brick, but he would not expect them to get credit for that ... but, I seem to remember, could be wrong perhaps, that David Palmer was credited with string arrangements, and I think other credits were given. If Martin is happy with that it's fine, but I think a lot of us Martin Barre fans want to see the man get more credit because we feel he is/was such an integral part of Jethro Tull. Also since the band never as far as I know of did any songs NOT written by Ian, whatever else gets done, and a lot of the music is so good because of its arrangements. Particularly TAAB, I love how I can listen to that record and hear something new or focus on different things and hear different things every time I play it. Cannot even imagine how many hours I have enjoyed listening to JT music.
I know Anderson did give royalties for pieces that Barre wrote himself, for instance the transition piece between the acoustic and electric parts of "Minstrel in the Gallery." But the songs -- words, melody, chords changes -- were Anderson and the rest of the band worked from that.
Martin's finest hour for me is Stand Up,brilliant guitar.
Awesome!!! Thanx so .much, we love Martin. Can't wait to check out the solo worx. Ciao,M
Martin was the hot bellied boiler that chugged the Tull train along. Every incarnation and sound HE handled with his axe to perfection and in reality was that unique sound that distinguished Tull from all others. Never the showman, he lets his licks sear a place in your heart that pop into your brain and you find yourself subconsciously humming. Love you Martin. Blessed to have seen you perform. Keep traveling that fretboard and making those notes dance in the minds of all.
Great interview. Noisy place to have sit down and have a chat. Go Martin.
Very, very interesting when Martin is talking about IA shutting out Tull band members from interviews. Clearly Ian was the central figure of the band, in cannot be denied, neither can his brilliance; but the fact is that in many, many interviews over the decades he saw Tull as "his", as the Ian Anderson band in all but name. MB's anger, his being "upset" is totally understandable, not least because his sound was a fundamental element in what made Jethro Tull great and what made it distinctive. On Ian's two recent records, TAAB2 & HE, his chosen guitarist just doesn't cut it: hasn't the distinctiveness of MB & his depth of expressiveness. Good as TAAB2 is - and I think it is really, really good - it would have sounded so much better with MB in the chair.
Electric guitars were the reason why I started listening to Jethro Tull.
"I am not rich I can't retire" the guitarist in one of the greatest rock bands of all time, sold 60 million albums and has been touring almost continuously for 50 years.
Yes exactly my sentiments, he may not be rich compared with some music legends or even Ian Anderson but he must be dam comfortable, but that's not what it's all about I think as much as identifying and although the glory days are long gone for barre and Anderson they must find it very difficult to just stop playing.
great interview
Thanks man!
Martin seems a very realistic and honest gentleman. I do love his guitar tone - but goodness, his albums are little hard to come by! The earlier ones anyway.
From say Broadsword 1982, to Crest of a Knave & Rock Island (87 & 89), something miraculous happened to Martin's playing. He became a true guitar god, so polished, much faster, better tone, a true shredder. I wish an interviewer would ask him, what the heck happened! I was shocked when I dropped listening to Tull for a while and came back an heard how he had changed, progressed so dramatically. The solo on the song Rock Island is fantastic! The Whistler on Beacon's Bottom is another example. In my opinion, he just keeps getting better, I have all his solo albums. Check out the Summer Band too if you ever get a chance!
He was a guitar God way before that, listen to Minstrel In The Gallery.
Martin is a very good guitar player, listening to Tull beginning in the 60's, unique band.
Martin says they missed out on Woodstock but Ian always said he did not want to play Woodstock because he hated hippies, and that was part of his animus towards Glenn Cornick and what got him fired as well.
Para mí el poder ver y escuchar a toda una personalidad de la talla de Martín barre es un privilegio
Felicidades por su excelente trabajo
Soy admirador de Jethro tullo desde los 18 años
Soy de la generación de los 60gracias por su trabajo es maravilloso
Martin is a great guitarist, an intelligent man, and is not about to be drawn into argument that he can neither win or benefit from. All of us love and admire Martin's playing and person, but none of us is at all unaware of which member of the band rightfully remains forever it's key member and guiding spirit. As is was with Frank Zappa, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, etc, we all know who we're mainly buying tickets to see and albums to own. And, certainly the members of his band are well aware of that as well.
The only man to ever survive Ian Anderson's chopping block
great i like that he knows 10cc story quite well just cool
I have to publicly apologize to Martin for conducting what was possibly his least memorable all- time interview, in Buffalo, N.Y., while I believe he and Tull were on the "Aqualung" tour. I was a mere lad of seventeen or so, working for my family's then- entertainment mag, Buffalo's "Scene" magazine. My co- interviewer Bill Levine and I waylaid Martin after the sold- out show at the Memorial Auditorium, and plied him with drinks at a hotel bar,, He was gracious enough to grant me and Bill a wonderful interview, despite our "guerrilla journalism" tactics. What I mostly remember about the interview he gave us was when Martin spoke of the day that Ian hired him to work with Tull. Martin told us about standing in a long line at such- and such studios in London (the name escapes me) along with the hundreds of other hopeful guitarists who answered the want- ad in the "Times". when Martin's time to audition came, he told us that he was led into a room at the studios, and, in his words, "I was only really into playing classical guitar at the time, you understand, so I sat and played a few classical pieces, and then Ian came into the room and said "you're hired". I guess the rest was musical history. Martin, I hope you recovered sufficiently from that night in Buffalo. You are a real "trouper"! all the best of luck with your new band!! Andy Ginter
The interviewer really seems to be egging Barre on, playing "let's you and him fight" between Barre and Anderson. But Barre remains common sense and fair throughout. Yes, he obviously has issues with Anderson, but he's not going to extend them to slam Anderson's talent as a songwriter or performer. He says as a simple statement of fact what so many people who think they have to take sides in the JT split sometimes don't want to admit: Anderson's songs were what made Jethro Tull a success.
Thanks for your comments. Martin Barre said at the outset of the interview "ask me anything". There was no hidden agenda with the questions and the section regarding royalties was really to emphasise that for most band members their income is derived from albums they play on and, most important, gigs.
Some people won't realise that in spite of his massive contribution to Tull over a 40+ year period, Martin picked up few songwriting royalties from which many performers will derive their livelihood. Some bands implement an "equal share" split which may or may not lead to a happier band situation in the longer term, at least financially!
Martin commented outside of the video that only comparatively recently he felt "secure" in Tull, having seen many musicians (and friends) come and go. (This interview segment is included in a Martin Barre special on our radio station (Sunday 28 September, 22:00 GMT www.getreadytorockradio.com )
For many also, whilst recognising Ian Anderson's vision and talent, Martin Barre remains an integral and critical part of Tull's sound from earliest times.
+popeye3234 Me too--and I'm a flutist who's figure out a lot of IA's riffs.
I'd rather see Barre do his arrangements of Tull stuff than pay to see Ian Anderson play Tull stuff w/o Barre.
Of course, Tull wouldn't be anywhere without Anderson because he founded the band and determined it's direction. Barre joined later. Barre might well have become a success playing with some other band because he's really great and his growth as a guitarist throughout his career has been phenomenal -- a lot of the "great guitar players" still play about as well as they did when they arrive on the scene or shortly thereafter, but Barre (who was already pretty good) continued to expand his abilities for decades. AFAIC he's now in a league of his own. But he wouldn't have done any of that in Tull if it weren't for Anderson. And in interviews I've seen, including this one, he seems okay with that assessment.
It's not an opinion that Anderson CREATED Tull and without him, there would have been no Tull for Barre to join.
In fact, Anderson HIRED Barre to replace Tull's first guitarist (actually he replaced Tony Iomi who replace the first guitarist but only lasted two weeks in Tull before going back to Black Sabbath). We don't have to imagine Tull without Barre: we can listen to the first record.
None of this is opinion. It's history.
Jon Hart--What the fuck is wrong with you? Jesus! You get bent out of shape because popeye gives a thoughtful, tempered opinion. Let me tell you something, big shot. Everybody's entitled to their opinion, but not everybody gives a flying fuck what yours is. Okay--Now open your trap again and let's hear some more ignorant vitriol. Fuck an a, Jon, take a chill pill.
I always wished Ian would have gave Martin all of the credit that he deserved, I mean Ian always gave him some, but I always felt that Ian was holding back some of the praise that Martin certainly deserved....
why did they do this interview in a such a noisy place? What is it a cafeteria or something? The background noise is ridiculous... amazing.
Amazing interviews; one can hardly understand what one is saying!.
Such an awful place to do an interview, so noisy
With the clattering of dishware in the background, I was waiting for someone to break into a rendition of "Skating Away..."
I know, I can't keep listening....
Great interview.
Is it possible to edit down the background noise.
Yeah, I stopped watching this because of this...
This is a fantastic interview, in a horrible location, that confirmed many of my suspicions about how the rest of the band was compensated for their efforts, especially during Tull's best years '69 to '80. Barre is a class act and explained the situation honestly without regret. Ian was a brilliant singer, lyricist, guitarist, and song writer, no doubt, but I listen to Tull, primarily, for Barres contributions to that music. Tull's best albums are where Barre is permitted to shine! Nobody can remove that fact, and Tull is not Tull without him, nor will they sell me an album without him. Harsh, perhaps, but true. Was Ian bitten by the Greed Gene? Hmmm....
Now all we have are the LP's and memories. Not a bad deal.
Tull without Martin is like a scone with jam and no cream. Cream floats to the top and you get stuck in Jam
Keep on jamming
Dave
Bloke, chap....love it!
If Ian was the stripper.Martin was the pole .,,,,,It was a wonderful evolving thing .The flavor might have been good with Ian and whoever ,but the two of them made something lasting and ingrained .I was lucky enough to see them a number of times from the 70's to the end .The band of the 2000's was incredible as were the others .Got to see that lineup 4 or 5 times .Just wonderful .Each lineup had a thing all of their own .,One of my favorite shows was Houston 77 or 78 .Front row seats . ,,, Martin , if you ever read this ,thank you for helping me along with guitar ,and keeping me interested .Many times when stuck in a musical rut ,you pulled me out with just a riff here n there . Big thing in my life .
Is the background rabble noise annoying or what. Could they not have done the interview somewhere quieter
Hahaha, no shit!
The noise isn't an issue, I understood what there saying.
It's great the interview is in what looks like a back Street greasy spoon .
Shows the measure of the man.
Ok he doesn't have Clapton or Pages fame and exposure but he's a relatively famous multi million pound guitar player.. happily been interviewed in a cafe. And that's makes him brilliant.
Martin, your a top bloke
love this interview ,but it´s realy loud at this cafe.women cafe,i think !!!!!
To see Martin barre live was one of those privileges I'll never forget what a fantastic player
15:41 - "It's a happy band"
Wow, does that strike a nerve ... I noticed a long time ago that the members of Jethro Tull never seemed to really be having fun, and it has gotten worse over time as Ian has hogged all the attention, songwriting and run the band like a dysfunctional family or something. Look at the old videos, they used to smile and appear to be having fun. I think the dividing line was the "A" album where perhaps anyone who worked for the band knew they could be fired at any moment so they were terrorized by Ian.
Of course Ian hogs the attention. It's his band. Like Dee Palmer said in the Classic Artist Series documentary about Tull, "Ian Anderson is Jethro Tull". It's always been that way, even from the horse's mouth.
Richard Little Ah, the automatically contradictory troll makes another slimy appearance.
Richard Little yes watch the dvd ,Dee Palmer compares Anderson to Pontius Pilate,nice reference to the egomaster.
The regime started when Hammond left,Poor John Glascock was on such a pittance of a contract that He didnt even have enough money to pay for his funeral. Barrie paid for it.
I did not catch this comment when it came out. What DVD are you talking about. That sucks about Glascock, and Ian seemed to always make such a deal about his death. I wonder if he had the same problem with JG as he did with GC ... that he was kind of a hippie type. Ian now has all studio musicians that I guess must be on some kind of salary. I wonder if he pays them fairly or well, or if they would complain?
Yes I agree. This latest incarnation without Martin is not Jethro Tull...even though Ian writes the songs..
I thought the mike was a wing mirror for his scooter. Parking it inside, how rock n roll would that have been!
Martin came through the best years with tull and contributed greatly to their brilliance but I guess that all good things must come to an end also it seems mad that someone as outstanding as Ian Anderson has such a fragile ego.
Go back with Tull!…
Martin..When will you play in the States??..
Great interview man but the restaurant people in the background making too much damn noise!
Eat that croissant Martin...or I will...
Ian Anderson gave him the gig of a lifetime, and the interviewer wants him to shit on Anderson
Graeme Forsyth Martin made Tull with Ian, no Martin = no gig of a lifetime
is that a mic or a heat lamp? lol!
It looked like a piece of fried dough on Martin's plate. It looked delicious. I wonder if he ate it afterwards. Maybe with some butter or syrup.....
Martins a very honest sincere guy
Ando could learn from this
try listening to an ian anderson interview sometime he is nothing but gracious when speaking bout ANY member of Tull. .. ando?
clancy coburn Ando is a full blown snake ,he needs a kick in the ballsack
Barre is a great guy and guitar player, but he is seriously deluded when he says that he doesn't want to do Jethro Tull without the flute player and that is the same as Ian doing Jethro Tull without him. I've seen almost every concert since Passion Play in 1973 and especially lately Martin has been phoning in most of his guitar parts in live shows. They've been anything but fresh and improvisational and way too much like old rock dinosaur guitar solos have been criticized for. Ian can and is getting along pretty well without Martin, but I doubt the reverse it true, however much Martin's solid fans, including myself, would like it to be. I got another one of his albums where he jams old Tull songs together with instrumentals of his own efforts. It is a mere curiosity and does not sound that good. It is very good to see Martin in such good health and fit though. He has a better attitude towards his work than Ian, and frankly I like him more.
You've seen almost every concert since Passion Play in 1973??? You are aware that Tull/Anderson have done roughly 2,750 concerts since the "A Passion Play" tour of 1973, correct? Fucking Liar!!!!
I spoke to Martin about why he left Tull and he said he wasn't allowed to play the parts differently at all, so years on end, and he got fed up playing the same old stuff. If you see him live the music sounds really fresh and different, really invigorating and interesting to listen to. I have no interest in seeing Ian now as a) Martin isn't there and b) his voice is shot away. Try and see Martin live, you'll love it.
newportmeister Thanks for the reply.
Yeah, Ian pretty much owns the franchise I guess, and he really doesn't like anyone upstaging him. The arrangements of the songs have been terrible, the get shorter, more trite, less interesting to listen to, but mostly, the same exact notes played for years ... decades.
There are none of the BS flute solos that Ian used to do for 20 minutes ... which is good as far as I'm concerned, no drum solos and very small guitar solos ... but they have been crap to listen to.
I saw the Homo Erraticus tour back a few months, and it was really unenjoyable. I just do not like rock concerts any more I guess. The acoustics were terrible, and the whole show was like a stripped down for profit enterprise. Ian's singing was not good. I like the idea of using Ryan O'Donnell, but the trading off back and forth doesn't really work either.
I got the impression that for the first time the show was played from tape or computer or something. It just did not sound right. The album was played note for note ... which I could have just listened to again on the album if that was what I wanted.
One reason I made the effort to see Tull in the past was the rearrangements of songs and solos. It was fun. The people playing the concert I saw seemed to just want it to get over with and go home. Maybe that is the problem with a US tour, they all have lives a continent away that they miss on the road and they get tired and cranky. I'll never see another concert like that again.
I also missed Ian's flute playing, not much on the new album and very little in concert. I wondered if he has lung, breathing problems at this point?
I am sorry to hear that the group was so tightly managed that Martin could not play the way he liked ... one the other hand, Ian has the real taste when it comes to composing, and I think most of Martin's parts were invented by Ian, to which Martin gave his impeccable style. Martin did the right thing, and I hope he is very successful, I just don't like that music as much as Ian's, and Ian's is mostly in the past though. Sad.
Richard Little He means he has seen almost every tour you nimrod.
newportmeister Martin left?...more like Ian said he didn't need him and wanted to do other things.
I like to hear stuff from Martin's point of view, but it looks like the poor guy is trying to eat his breakfast! ;-)
His wristwatch?
10:30 ... Martin does not seem to indicate that he was impressed by Jimi Hendrix. He doesn't go off and how amazing Hendrix was as seems to be obligatory in the rock world ... wonder why?
Probably because Hendrix wasn't that great. Amateur's think he's nice. Classical guitarists laugh at Hendrix and his noisy sloppy guitar technique. Martin Barre could play circles around Hendrix.
Richard Little >> Martin Barre could play circles around Hendrix.
That is unnecessary cheerleading, or call it just plain ass-kissing. You are right, and I agree with you that Martin is an exceptional rock-guitar player, but there is a valid reason that he has not ever really connected with the public and been an individual success. Hendrix made it to huge individual success based on his own music, playing, style ... like it or not. Barre has not really done that and I don't like to say it out loud because out of blue it sounds as bad as unrestrained worship, but Martin is not Ian, Tull and if he had no association with either he would be just one in a million electric guitar players. As it is he gets attention to the best parts of his playing and skill, but there is just no need to denigrate Hendrix and no reason to.
Just so you're aware, justgivemethetruth, I actually like you. And I'm one of the biggest Tull fans to grace this planet. But I'm also a troll. You, being possibly a bigger Tull fan than I, make informed comments on many videos. You, like me, probably search 'Ian Anderson' every day and sort the results by time uploaded, so we get the newest daily videos. Everywhere I look, there you are. So of course you get the brunt of my trolling. And always will. So there.
Remember the troll in the Tull message board? That's me (partly... there was more than one, for sure). See you soon (online, that is)
Richard Little
Your "low" behavior is an insult to people you don't know and who do not want to know you. No one has any right to behave any different on the Internet than they do in public, so when people act like buffoons you have to assume they probably are that way in real life to, so such a person just drags down any interaction.
That's the point, bro
Martin ...Who ever played guitar in Tull this would have happened to them...
Are you for real boy
van doosel What does that mean boy?
You tell me sunny jim
too loud.. he needs to be miked and in a quiet place!
Yes, too noisy
Stupid choice of locale.
What a ridiculous place to do an interview. Annoying beyond belief.
noisy !!!!!!!!!!!
Can't stand the stupid noise. CIAO !
awful.to bad you couldn't have put a little effort into this