It's comforting to know that in this indie, post-punk, myspace era that some things don't change. And along with Heinz beans, classic rock is still, well, classic. Even some of those childhood fizzy 'pop' drinks are making a resurgence - Tizer, Dandelion & Burdock and Cream Soda. Those were the days.
And it was way back in those heady days of the late 60's/early 70's that many of us latched on to the enduring brilliance of Jethro Tull. Some 30+ years later we've been privileged to witness a prodigious career, including the 25th Anniversary tour, the 2006 Aqualung 35th Anniversary tour, and now a celebration of the acoustic side of the band affectionately known as simply, Tull.
And while perhaps not genuinely 'acoustic', the tour does focus on some of the more gentle refrains from the Tull catalogue. Based loosely around the recently released Best Of Acoustic Jethro Tull CD, the set spans everything from 1968's Some Day The Sun Won't Shine For You from 'This Was' (a wonderful set opener featuring Anderson on blues harmonica and Martin Barre on acoustic) to some of Ian Anderson's latter day solo work, the 2004 Tull Christmas album and even the odd new track.
Alongside acoustically conceived gems such as Living In The Past, Jack In The Green, Dun Ringill and many more, the set also featured semi - acoustic versions of some of the best loved Tull numbers such as Fat Man, an abridged Thick As A Brick, My God, an alternative version of Aqualung, Beside Myself, Rocks On The Road and Locomotive Breath, alongside homages to J S Bach (Bouree), Henry VIII (Pastime With Good Company) and Bernstein/Keith Emerson (America), as well as several numbers by Anna Phoebe and a wonderful virtuoso - Spanish Tears - by Martin Barre.
As with any Ian Anderson/Tull gig, you're guaranteed an evening of good company, good cheer, and classic - in this case acoustic - rock. Life is, indeed, a long song.

Labels: music