Ian Anderson – Aotea Centre April 22, 2017

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With Jethro Tull left in a state of suspended animation, bandleader Ian Anderson trots out the old classics…and a few new ones…to an appreciative Auckland audience.

It seems that Jethro Tull, the band, has run its course, long serving guitarist Martin Barre left to start up his own Tull tribute act. Meanwhile Ian Anderson soldiers on, with this tour featuring two musicians from the final Tull line-up, keyboard player John O’Hara and bassist David Goodier.

Rounding out the band is drummer Scott Hammond and hot-shot guitarist Florian Opahle. Anderson himself plays some guitar, lots of flute and sings.

It’s the singing that is the issue at an Ian Anderson show. My understanding is that he blew out his voice sometime in the 1980s. It doesn’t affect his speaking, but does his singing, particularly in the higher registers.

The result is thin, nasally performance that sounds like it is fading in and out. It’s rather startling when you first hear it, but the ear adjusts and adapts, no doubt filling in the missing sounds internally. It’s not ideal, and if Anderson came across as a weak performer in other aspects I’d suggest he call it a day.

But he doesn’t.

Well into his 70th year, Ian Anderson is still a dynamic presence on stage, leaping about, gesticulation, conducting the band and yes, standing on one leg while blowing that flute.

With the voice not quite up to snuff, it feels like Anderson compensates by playing more flute. Possible a bit more than is to my liking, but it’s a minor quibble.

Guitarist Florian Opahle certainly adds an element of rock and roll to the proceedings and the rest of the band is solid.

On several occasions, Anderson “duets” with a couple of other vocalists who appear on film…Ryan O’Donnell during Aqualung and Unnur Birna Bjornsdottir during Heavy Horses. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer my vocalists to be actually in the house for a live show.

There’s no quibbling with the set list…plenty of old Tull faves…Living In The Past, Bourree, Thick As A Brick, along with a few new tunes to show that the creative juices are still flowing.

The show was presented in two halves, with an interval. The first half concentrated on the older material, while the second half presented newer songs such as Fruits Of Frankenfield and Pastime With Good Company (lyrics provided by King Henry VIII).

The show closed with the one-two combination of Aqualung and Locomotive Breath, both featuring irresistible guitar riffs that had the crowd on their feet, and some dancing in the aisles.

The Ian Anderson show rolls on with another performance tonight at the ASB Theatre.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Ivan Karczewski:

Ian Anderson set list:

1st half

  1. Living In The Past
  2. Nothing Is Easy
  3. Heavy Horses
  4. Thick As A Brick
  5. Banker Bets, Banker Wins
  6. Jack-In-The-Green
  7. Bourree
  8. Farm On The Freeway
  9. Songs From The Wood

2nd half

  1. Sweet Dream
  2. Pastime With Good Company
  3. Fruits Of Frankenfield
  4. Dharma For One
  5. A New Day Yesterday
  6. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
  7. My God
  8. Aqualung
  9. Locomotive Breath

 

Marty Duda
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