Ian Anderson (9 of 11) - I Don't Think I Can Do This Anymore
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- Опубліковано 7 січ 2008
- An exclusive series of Living Legends Music interviews with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Part 9 of 11. Recorded on December 10th, 2007 in Orlando, FL.
Jethro Tull's official website: www.jethrotull.com
Living Legends Music online: www.livinglegendsmusic.com
I am personally greatful for this man's talent. Thank you Mr. Anderson.
No matter how many times I see Anderson being interviewed he ALWAYS talks sense. Honest, candid and intelligent comment every time.
Guys a genius. every single song is awesome
Absolutely!!!
My piano teacher told me if I made a mistake to just keep going. My Mom told me I was the only one who would know there was a mistake, because it was my perfomance. Hence, although Ian is regretting his imperfections, I never heard a wrong note in any of his performances. A front man extroadinnare.
I am also a pragmatist- but Ian, you have authored a lot of perfection in your life! Thanks, you mad musical genius.
Great intellect and musical maestro a treat to listen to
Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson.....Truly original music......Incredibly talented musicians....wonderfully entertaining........Timless music......Makes my life so much richer........Thank you Ian!!!!
I'm not a concert goer. I've only been to one concert back in '76. It was Bread. I can't stand people hooting and shouting, swaying back and forth.....I prefer listening to music on the radio or on disk where I can enjoy it and sing and rock out by myself. Loved Jethro Tull's older music from the late 60's-70's. Ian Anderson can write and perform some absolutely beautiful songs. I love his voice, mannerisms, energy....Heavy Horses, Acres Wild, One Brown Mouse, Weathercock, Living In The Past, Thick As A Brick are just a few I think are genius. Glad he decided to go the musical route. The minstrels of merry melodies!
Meanwhile back in the year one!
My respect for the man and the group knows no bounds. Rock on.
The throat surgery Ian had in 1986-ish changed his singing voice forever, and actually it is a miracle he has managed to front Tull at all in these last 24 years. I'm actually surprised he has continued it all these years, and not simply done acoustic solo albums.
really sad I heard him in a studio performance on the tube.. yess, his voice is really not there anymore.. but his playing and passion have never left ..I saw Tull in 1970 in the US,, great concert..
Wow, that explains the drastic change in vocal power. I never knew that, I thought it was just the cigarette smoking.
Geesus! Never heard that.
Well- that explains it.
Ian, (As Eli Wallach as Tuco in the Good,Bad & Ugly says..."... it doesn't matter...") we'll go out there and knock 'em dead anyway!!!...which you always manage to accomplish...amazing as always!!
Ian began having throat/vocal issues as far back as 1978. He cancelled the show at the Anaheim Convention Center that year due to an infection and returned to England. I have heard from one other fan that he was sick for much of that tour. During the Under Wrap's tour in 1982, I saw him cuss out the audience sitting in the front rows for smoking pot because he said it was killing his throat and if they didn't cut that sh*t out he would cancel the show. He canceled the second show the following evening and returned home to mend. It was obvious his voice was beginning to change even at that point. I had seen Tull on every tour starting with Thick as a Brick so I know what Ian sounded like with healthy vocal cords.
Seen 'Tull half a dozen times through the years- great band they were!
I have seen Tull a dozen times. I have seen a dozen other band once.
I was fortunate to have grown up in the Tampa Bay Area where all the big bands came. As I recall I saw Tull 3 times,Thick As A Brick,Aqualung,and Passion Play. Fantastic concerts,Ian Anderson is the consummate showman. I always went to his concerts if I could. Aqualung is one of the best albums in rock history....my opinion!🤔🤔🤔
I saw the TAAB tour in 1972. Best concert I ever attended and I've seen a lot of them. The first encore was the entire Aqualung album. Then came the songs from Stand Up. There were 5 encores in total. It was well after midnight before the band stopped playing. Ian didn't seem to be upset with anything that night. Maybe we were more respectful than most. Fans in those days were often chemically motivated to act up. From what I could see they weren't alone. It was a night to remember for sure. The audience ended up standing on the backs of the folding chairs in front of the stage (one foot behind and one on the seat in front). It was all but impossible to fall because we were packed together so tight. If one had fell the whole crowd would have followed.
I saw Tull again during the Minstrel In The Gallery tour. It was more cerebral and one heck of a show. But nothing could ever match the total experience of that TAAB concert. Not Deep Purple, The Who, Pink Floyd, etc. etc. etc. Not for me I saw them all. Tull was in a league of their own.
I saw them on that tour also. Gentle Giant opened for them and as far as I recall the audience was pretty respectful. Of course, the thick pot haze could have had something to do with that! The Chicago Stadium didn’t allow for great acoustics, but we didn’t care - it was an awesome concert.
I've seen, and listened, to Jethro Tull twice. My reasons for going to your shows were simple. I wanted so much to hear you play, and sing the songs I knew and ones I may not have been aware of. It felt like a home away from home to me, only far better than mine. Some of the most beautiful music ever in the history of music. I love the musical pieces like "Warm Sporran". That one is great to get you through the gym or marching off to war. You have to temper yourself, tamp down, and move forward, or cut the weeds around the house more voraciously lol. One thing's for sure Ian, Martin, and every single musician that's ever lent their expertise to the finest music of Jethro Tull, we love you all very much and I'm sure all would agree, the world is a better place with you than without.
I say it again, Mr. Anderson is a master musician, statesman and businessman. Genius
I Have the same feeling Ians Voice has been declining since the 90,s But i Love him and he does a great job
compensating for it ,
I saw the Thick as a Brick concert in mid 72. Awesome, and saw the band several times after that.
I attended one of his shows back in 73 or 74 great show and happy memories, thanks
Interesting insight of a rock n roll genious.A legend to be sure.
I saw Tull on that Thick As A Brick tour in 1972. It still ranks as the greatest concert I have ever seen. I got to meet Ian Anderson in the late 90s and told him that. I ask him if they filmed any of those shows and he said they had a DVD coming out shortly called "The Jethro Tull Story" but sadly when it came out it was the current lineup in concert and not much vintage stuff. I would love to have one of those early shows on DVD.
"Passion Play" is my favorite album!! I think it resumes the best Tull's music!!
Mine as well. I was lucky enough to do to Tulls concert when Passion aplay was released.
Flash forward, 7/5/19 Indio California. Jethro Tull's 50th Anniversary Tour. Not only did We enjoy a living legend but Ian
gave us a 7.1 EARTHQUAKE!!
Ian Anderson was always a great musician, Aqualung must go down as one of the top ten albums of that time.I really liked Benefit but it is a no brainer that they were a really really great band. Barre gets really very little credit he was a fab guitarist .
bob tucker yes! Mr Barre is a fabulous guitarist!
...he IS a fab guitarist!!
He'll be coming thru Dallas TX, w/His band in Jan '21...with GOD's help against this rreeediculous covert crap...hopefully letting Ian get some seriously overdue vocal chord R&R.
Absolutely loved Thick As a Brick 2 ! The artistry, talent and musical genius was brilliantly performed. There will always be a place for true musicians playing instruments brilliantly. The added electronic media was great and gave the theatre life; the video addition was a hoot.
I will have to revisit Passion Play somehow that eluded me. Had a friend who saw it in Edmonton and was very impressed. I was on the move getting the cobwebs sorted out. Thanks for sharing your memories as best as you can.🤠👍
I introduced you in 1972 in Hawaii on your tour.you were a madman on the flute as I remember
You want to scream and holler? Go see AC/DC. This is Tull man! Pipe down.
How many damn times do I have to point out that Ian should be made King Of The World....ASAP ?
Ian is a humble genius !
Love this man, great musician, great inside views
Its rock music, its not supposed to be perfect, its the damn effort that counts, like Charlie Parker said, if you dont make a mistake, you aint trying. Take it easy on yourself Ian.
He is a very honest artist.
His diction is perfect.
maestro !!!!
Very candid.
When I saw the Aqualung tour I remember Ian Anderson commenting about craziness going on uncertain venues. But then I heard him say "But not in L.A.". I believe the audience of that time was into the new music..
Back in 72 or so would see jt every time they came to San Diego just great ..sold alot of weed.
Great stuff. Thanks for posting.
I fart in the supermarket also. When no one is in the same aisle as I, I go as loud as my sphincter will allow. No harm done - plus, I feel like I got away with something.
Life's too long, as the lemming said (from Moths on Heavy Horses, a Tull gem).
Thanks, IA, for one of the best, most original, lyrical and clever bodies of music by anyone, ever.
Period.
i saw tull a few times and every show ian would stop playing and chew a fan? out for throwing a bottle of ale-and then jump sraightt into a song back door angels!!!! it was great!!!
I wish I had the opportunity to watch TAB in full and live in the 70's, perhaps in a sitting smaller theater people would be more polite.
@dougsrccom I agree because Tull was one of the most polished bands of that era along with Hendrix, Clapton, The Who, Zep. Ian Anderson's performances were flawless in my mind and he really solo'd as in playing all by himself. Brilliant performances. Breathtaking.
I saw the Passion Play tour in Greensboro. Brewer and Shipley opened up for them which I thought was an odd pairing. It was my first big boy concert.
I Saw Hydra at the Arrmory in Concord
and Skeeter Davis play at Concord High School but Tull was in another category altogether. Apologies if we seemed excited and excitable but we were culturally starved millbillies. Concord had two theaters and for time was the largest city in America (I read) which didn't have liquor by the drink. You'd have to drive to Hurlockers south on 29 for booze in Mecklenburg County or North on 29 to the Rowan County line to score from either Johnny's or Terry's.
We had two theaters on Main until they built the mall out near the interstate which began the slow bleed out of commerce on main which meant there was even less to do.
Forgive us for being a over enthused.
Un mito quest'uomo!! 👍
There's a live King Crimson album where Adrian Belew tells the audience.." I have a message for you from the man to my left, (Robert Fripp) those of you that are screaming TURN IT UP, need to listen more intently."
Beautiful. I'd never heard that.
So true! This is why I don't go to concerts anymore, and haven't for years now. Too many self-centered a**holes in the crowd who think they're more important than the artist on stage.
Ian is the most creative musician in the world. Can we say that about these hip-hop-rappers of today?? Nope......the so-called 'musicians' these days suck compared to groups like Tull!
Thank you for the clarification. I have such respect for Ian as an artist, and a person in general. I just wanted to make a comment that I have heard Ian remark about 'missing a note' or playing a wrong note, or messing up a section of music (to his ears only most likely!), but I have never heard him mention anything about his voice problems. It seems to be a White elephant in the room. And I've noted that most interviewers stay clear of asking him about it as well. Thoughts anyone?
Great interview. Interesting that there is quite a bunch of popular musicians of Ian´s generation, who consider themselves to be serious artists, that came to the same conclusion (and for the same reason, too) - "I can´t do this anymore" - at some point in their career. Like Pete Townshend or Roger Waters. I adore them all. ;)
I remember the thick as a brick concert 72 and we yelled all the time because we loved them we did it for elton mcCartney Zeppellin Deep purple! It had nothing to do with politics. Just young people having a great FUCKING time.
its like the game of golf ian.lol!
That’s funny, the Beatles said the same thing when they played Shea Stadium, they said with all the screaming going on, they couldn’t hardly hear themselves play, and they were saying to themselves,”They’re not even listening to the music we are attempting to play”. And if not for Ringo’s steady drumming, to try hear through all the screaming, they’d have been lost... They felt unappreciated.
Aye, me too. The band, and Anderson, seem to look back on it with distinct ambivalence, but I think it was a masterwork. The pushback to the great audience beast, over-ruling it, taking it by the scruff and making it listen, gives APP a sustained energy and pressure that is very persuasive.
I saw Jethro Tull a couple months ago. The guy sitting next to me spent the entire show looking at a dating site on his phone. He literally didn't look up once. BBWs, BTW.
O.M.G.... lol! I should've been there instead of ...him. what a waste of a Tull ticket.
It's like Patton Oswalt says. Some fans are just too obtuse to allow the dynamic level to go below a roar, or change at all. It pisses me off as well when a song is in the outro (which is, after all, still part of the song) and people insist on hooting over it. Shut up.
Foxy in his older age!
LOL nice story
Gotta to agree with that ... I never liked the concert scene with people talking, yelling, whistling, throwing up or passing out. I pretty much just went to Jethro Tull concerts, but it was the same people who went to every concert every week or whatever ... I hated it ... but at least back then it was affordable though. $6-7 bucks. Today ... ridiculous.
Isn't Ian aware of why Candlestick Park in SFO was The Beatles' last concert?
...imagine....Ian Anderson ditched his "Hippie Disguise" only to reveal a dyed-in-the-wool "Old Fart" underneath it !
OlymPigs2010 haha 😂........so pompous as well
i would agree with the talking & noise of the audiance~~~i got tickets to hear music not talk ~~~~~its bad form & most disrespectful.i so loved the early shows of the 70 IAN,i WAS listening whole heartly.a fan forever,leesa
Ian mentioned the date '1993' in a previous clip then mentioned that was thirteen years ago, so this interview was done in 2006?
Thanks for the clarification. I have so much respect for Ian as an artist, and person in general, but I do find it interesting that Ian will talk about 'missing a note' or not playing parts of music well, he always stays clear of ever discussing the ongoing problems with his voice. It seem a bit of a white elephant and a taboo subject that most interviewers shy clear of as well.
Hence is the problem with acoustic music in big halls. I live in Austin where most clubs are listening rooms, with no one daring to make a peep during acoustic/quiet performances. Those who do are out of towners who are quickly shamed. The best band in town is The (all-acoustic) Resentments.But big halls, even in music-centric towns like Austin, are not so manageable.
I CAN NEVER comprehend why people here in the Corpse-oration spend their (presumably...) hard earned dollars to see and (presumably...) HEAR a TULL concert, then, only to be completely obnoxious to their equally paying neighbors in adjacent seats by making all manner of noises/disturbances/yelling/screaming much to the hating of thoseof us who ACTUALLY WANT to hear DETAIL of songplays LIVE, vs studio mixings. I could never truly enjoy the intricacies of Ian's flute interactions with Martin's guitar as heard on "Bursting Out" flute solo/improv intro. I did see "Branches to Leaves"(?)@ Dallas, TX fair park amphitheatre a decade or so back. Got to hear pretty good there...but...still, dealing with the rude sort, still. It's a shame. But I will always love the band, regardless of those who may play in it, or shouting all around them. It's all about the music.
First FAVORITE Album bought: Songs from the Wood. It's cherished MORE than any other Album by any other band...
I would be found playing it while cruising around and thru Henry David Thoreau's WALDEN POND, in my '66 Chevy Van, as In the late 70's I grew up in Billerica, MA, just east thru carlisle and into Billerica.
Loved the context of the Album...and the record player/treestump...genius!
MOST FAVORITE SONG: LIVING IN THE PAST! First heard it on the highway heading up to ski country during a sun shiney summer day in same '66 Chevy Van. Made my heart soar! Perfect weather, perfect feeling, perfect song, perfect memory moment. GOD bless you, Ian & Tull Band members!!! You Rock!!
It's 2019, and it's time to quit. His voice is gone
The thing with Ian's singing is that on the album it is perfect, but live he seems to be always trying to slow down and pull back whatever song it is. I wonder if he gets and earphone feedback that is timeshifted or something so that he cannot tell he is doing it. Whatever it is I hate it. Ian has a great voice, even limited as it is now his voice is pretty good when he can control it, but live it has always been a problem that I can remember.
I noticed that, too. He seems to listen first to the music and then singing to what he hears.
Nevertheless, a great live performer and one of the best voices at his time. Even now he still manages well sometimes. We must not forget his pieces often are more difficult vocal parts.
What I find puzzling about Ian's voice is that his speaking voice has remained relatively the same so you'd think he'd sound something like himself when he sings in his speaking range but he sounds completely different. Odd...
Brett Owen Yes, confusing… is the more recent singing style an affectation? The speaking voice here is pretty strong whereas his singing is so wheezy. come to think of it - flute playing requires much breathing and there really doesn't seem to be a problem there. There are times where it sounds like he drowning.
He's fine in the studio. He should have had operation when his voice really cracked up about 1992. I'm sure he would have a much better singing voice than he has today
The injury to his vocal cords happened on the Songs From the Wood tour. You can hear it start to get raspy on Heavy Horses. After that, the injury must have just turned to scar tissue. It was never the same after that. Now his voice is gone.
Saw them on the roots to branches tour and Ian stopped midsong on one of his divinities tunes to chastise a fan by saying "we'll get to some fucking rock and roll, you're the kind that only eats fucking meat and mashed potatoes"
Ian Anderson is most likely a Genius.But the only thing he seemed to appreciate about His audience was their money.
I'm not sure what leads you to believe that. He spoke only against the rowdy and drug addled who were probably not there to hear his music anyway.
He performed for me a couple years ago and he was very appreciative and giving in the form of engaging the audience during the performance. I was bobbing my head and being quiet so I could hear the music and he was asking for my attention and I gave it.
Benefit
When I hear Ian talking about doing better than his last performance I wonder why in 2019 he continues to perform live, maybe it's now just for the money, but I can't watch him anymore, listening to him trying to sing is just too painful. It's just not Tull anymore.
I wonder what he thinks of today's audiences holding up their f**king cell phones!
@dougsrccom no, dude.. he has a HUGE ego.. but well deserved no doubt.
ok, this is odd. He looks and sounds younger than he did in 1975.
Unfortunately Ian , your are possibly looking at all wrong. They were just full of energy . because they took in tulls music before and liked it .but a Live show, especially since a tull show is electric.an so you adjusted your presentation as to be more befitting a jethro tull audiance ensemble.
Here is a musician that didn't want to be caught up in the craziness of the political dissent of the 60s. Meanwhile there are artists now that create and foment the political extremism of today. Roger Waters makes it a central point of his performances.
Waters has every right to do that. I personally go to music to get away from all of that. To have an artist bring it to me is defeating the purpose, so I will not go see Waters ever again. Well, I am also not too enthused by his current brand of music either.
Give me Steven Wilson (and Ian Anderson) any day of the week. He has political opinions and he will even bring them into his lyrics, but it isn't a central point of his music. He also doesn't preach his political religion to me from the stage.
:)) When you say "there is no perfection" it proves that you are a "perfectionist". "Trying to achieve your own idea of accomplishment " is called "perfectionism"..He thinks he is a pragmatist!! Johnny Rotten is a pragmatist.
i loved tull from the time i was 12 in '72 but my god is he ever boring to listen to speaking about a subject
ooooh, savage
Voices decline and age. Women at menopause, men a little later.
Worse now Hatred/nastiness unprecedented. Terrible no God
@Keysersozay1432
Stop waving the flag and get a life.
Unfortunately the kind of guy, and they were primarily guys, who found their way to Jethro Tull are a very boisterous bunch of people who love to drink. Ian has nobody to blame but himself. His persona on stage brought forward the nutcase element in his audience. People go to a Tull concert to party and get loud. That's the way it used to be in the 70's. Pink Floyd concerts were much more sedate. Better class of people who went to see them.
😂😂😂😂
Well that's very interesting that you don't like American audiences...because I see you came back to America and toured in subsequent years. So the only conclusion I can draw is that you like American dollars but not Americans. That's okay because after Aqualung I can't name a single Tull tune.
Well said, except for Lennon. He was a legend in his own mind. His own music, like McCartneys was and is awful! A bunch of pretentious garbage, he tried to cover for by trying to be political.