Sunday, October 11, 2009
Ian Anderson tonight
Sunday, October 11, 2009 
I saw Ian Anderson perform tonight, and while I've seen him in the past, tonight he was on fire. The concert in Worcester, MA started off a little shaky... Dun Ringil, some outtakes from Aqualung recordings, etc. but after he got warmed up, he was accurate as hell, his voice didn't sound so bad, and he started really getting into it.
He playfully started raising his leg while playing the flute in spots, egging the crowd on to do his patented stance. Normally I don't like Aqualung and Locomotive Breath, but Ian played expanded versions that eclipsed 8 minutes or so for each, and his flute playing was obnoxiously awesome. He still has it. He left it all out on the table for the encore, and the normally passive crowd (of mostly grey-haired, pony-tailed, leather jacket wearing hippies) went bonkers in the aisles near the stage. Ian was simply tearing it up like I haven't heard before... except in videos of him playing with Tull in the distant past. And yes, Ian balanced on one leg for the last few songs.
I heard Ian play a Fat Man that was about 8 minutes long too, and it was amazing.
Ian had some young voila player with him & she was pretty astounding.
In all, I was quite surprised at how great this concert was. I went because I felt the need to see Ian again (any time I can really). The last time I saw him was with Ben, Matt & my Uncle Stas at Darien Lake (I think it was) - and while good, it wasn't great. This gives me faith that Tull might put out a decent album sometime (last few were dreadful). If not Tull, then another good solo album.
The jazz drummer from the East End was pretty great too. Flamenco guitar on Tull tunes? It kind of worked, but I missed Martin. Thanks Ian, that was really awesome. Night.
He playfully started raising his leg while playing the flute in spots, egging the crowd on to do his patented stance. Normally I don't like Aqualung and Locomotive Breath, but Ian played expanded versions that eclipsed 8 minutes or so for each, and his flute playing was obnoxiously awesome. He still has it. He left it all out on the table for the encore, and the normally passive crowd (of mostly grey-haired, pony-tailed, leather jacket wearing hippies) went bonkers in the aisles near the stage. Ian was simply tearing it up like I haven't heard before... except in videos of him playing with Tull in the distant past. And yes, Ian balanced on one leg for the last few songs.
I heard Ian play a Fat Man that was about 8 minutes long too, and it was amazing.
Ian had some young voila player with him & she was pretty astounding.
In all, I was quite surprised at how great this concert was. I went because I felt the need to see Ian again (any time I can really). The last time I saw him was with Ben, Matt & my Uncle Stas at Darien Lake (I think it was) - and while good, it wasn't great. This gives me faith that Tull might put out a decent album sometime (last few were dreadful). If not Tull, then another good solo album.
The jazz drummer from the East End was pretty great too. Flamenco guitar on Tull tunes? It kind of worked, but I missed Martin. Thanks Ian, that was really awesome. Night.
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