Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre has responded to fans' demands by recording an album of his acclaimed live show of Tull classics.
Classic tracks: Martin Barre
and was such a hit fans asked for a recorded souvenir. But instead of just taping a concert Martin and his band decided to go into a studio to lay down the tracks while they were in Somerset headlining a festival.
He explains: ''
We wanted a live CD to be a summary of the last two years of our work and this was the idea opportunity. Fans had kept asking for a CD version of the show but rather than record an actual gig, we thought we would do something better and record 'live in a studio', with all the energy of a show but with the best sound quality possible.
''So, with the band in one place, and a couple of 'days off, we met at Middle Farm Studio the next morning, set the back-line up as we do onstage, with vocalist Dan Crisp in a booth, as he, rightly, felt that it was important to record all his vocals live. It was really important to keep the feel and continuity the same as a live gig. By the end of the day, we had all the songs finished."
The completed album,
Order of Play, is released on September 29. The tracklisting is:
New Day Yesterday/ Fatman/ Watch your Step/ Crossroads/ Minstrel in the Gallery/ To Cry You a Song/ Steal Your Heart Away/ Thick as a Brick (excerpt)/ Sweet Dream/ Song for Jeffrey/ Rock Me Baby/ Teacher/ Still Loving You Tonight/ Locomotive Breath.
The record will be promoted with a series of gigs in September and another batch in December, including Leamington Spa Assembly on December 20.
On the road again: Martin Barre
Martin's band comprises Dan Crisp on vocals, acoustic guitar and bouzouki, drummer George Lindsay, Richard Beesley on saxophone and clarinet and bassist Alan Thomson.
As well as being a member of Jethro Tull for 43 years Martin has worked with many other artists including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa and Chris Thompson. He has shared a stage with such legends as Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.
Martin Barre's 2014 UK tour dates:
September 5: Bolton, The Railway;
September 6: Liverpool, Lomax;
September 7: London, The Borderline;
September 8: Leicester, The Musician;
September 9: Cambridge, The Junction;
September 11: Bristol, The Tunnels;
September 12: Derby, The Flowerpot;
December 4: St Helens, The Citadel;
December 6: Newcastle, The Cluny;
December 7: Skegness Folk Festival;
December 20: Leamington Spa, Assembly;
December 21: East Devon, Budleigh Salterton Public Hall.
