CityLife

If you think you can judge the quality of a band by the lead singer's ability to balance on one leg, and prance while playing a flute, I suggest that you all spend more time at a circus than at live shows. <br /> <br /> The musicianship was predominately skilful, but it is important to bear in mind that truly brilliant musicians do not show off. They contribute as a unit sacrificing their own egos so that the importance of the overall sound dominates. Through the self-indulgent drum solos, the guitar solos, the flute solos etc. I fail to see where this occurred. <br />

Was this reviewer really determined to have a miserable evening or is he just Thick As A Brick?!?<br /> <br /> It is true that Ian Anderson's voice is not what it once was but he did indeed tell us that he was suffering with a bronchial infection. He even apologised at one point for playing a tune in the wrong order due to his failing eyesight in not reading the set list correctly. However, that is part of the humour of the man. Ian is so engaging and funny, telling us many a tale about the wide variety of songs. I just loved the simple Life's A Long Song and Songs From The Wood. A highlight for me was the brilliant Budapest and of course the classic Aqualung and Locomotive Breath. There were more instrumental segments than I'd heard in previous year's shows but these were all delightful and varied. How Ian still manages to perch on one leg during his solos continues to amaze me! <br /> <br /> I thought that Martin Barre's guitar playing was excellent showing him to continue to be the perfect foil for Ian's marvellous flute. However, Martin's solo on Bug was a tad self indulgent.<br /> <br /> It has to be said that Ian is a most generous man, taking time to come on stage at 7.30 pm prompt to introduce the support act, the mesmorising French singer, Saori Jo. She was joined on stage by various members of JT throughout her 40 minute set. The highlight was the wonderful Fairy World on which Ian himself accompanied her with some delicate flute. This prompted me to buy her brilliant CD which she gladly signed for me at the interval. <br /> <br /> JT are still an important fixture in the rock / folk calendar and deliver a near 2 hour set that pleased the vast majority of the attentive audience. Come back soon!<br />

Great to see Tull again last night at the Manchester Apollo. Don't agree with the review re Martin's guitar and Ian did have a throat issue, I though it was brilliant musicianship, Ian Anderson's ramblings between songs as funny as ever. I though the crowd was a little subdued last night and that maybe some of the show was a bit self-indulgent. Didn't like Martin's solo offering 'Bug', but the classics including A New Day Yesterday, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath were fresh as ever. A new arrangement of Bouree was superb, a couple of Ian's solo efforts were interesting and overall they were superb value for money in the UK's best music venue.<br />

Was Chris Gilliver at the same concert as me on Tuesday evening?<br /> <br /> True, Ian Anderson's voice was suffering but he did mention on at least two occasions, albeit subtly, that he had some kind of throat infection. Yes, this was disappointing but I suppose cancellation was the only alternative. Ian Anderson, 'eyes darting frenetically at the audience' whilst 'balanced impressively on one leg' et al, IS Jethro Tull!<br /> <br /> The Martin Barre instrumental which so offended our reviewer is actually called Bug (not 'Bach'.) This renders whole chunks of the review meaningless as it was nothing to do with Johann Sebastian of that ilk.<br /> <br /> It appears to this reader that the reviewer arrived at the Apollo determined to have a miserable time. I and hundreds of others thoroughly enjoyed the evening which also included that rarity, a support act well worth arriving on time to listen to. Saori Jo, supplemented at times by members of Jethro Tull, was a delight.<br /> <br /> A FOUR STAR evening for me! (But only one for the review!!!)<br /> <br /> NH<br />