By Danny Coleman
originally published: 06/27/2015
"Our agent at the time was a history graduate, we were dithering about searching for band names and he suggested it and I was sort of like; yeah, well, OK. Then it dawned on me; we're named after a dead guy," explained founding member and music icon Ian Anderson with a laugh on how legendary rock band Jethro Tull got their name. "So let that be a lesson to you children; pay attention in history class!"
The year was 1968 and Tull was on their way to becoming an emerging force to be reckoned with in what was becoming the post Beatles era of rock music. Album oriented "Classic Rock," had begun to dominate radio airwaves and harder, more heavy concept records were lining record store shelves. Every band, unique in its own way, from the album packaging and art to their on and off stage gimmicks or antics; music was changing and Jethro Tull was an integral part of it.
Anderson, the front man and face of the band is widely credited with introducing the flute into rock music. Helping to launch an entire trend into the genre; Anderson blazed a trail with his use of this wind instrument. Now more than four decades later, thirty studio and live albums and more than sixty million records sold world wide; Anderson is bringing his first "Quasi rock opera" to the masses. Tickets are now on sale for "Jethro Tull, The Rock Opera," premiers in the U.S. beginning with a show at the Chicago Theater in Chicago,IL on November 1 and ending with a show in Newark, NJ on November 11 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
"Other than the Pretty Things and then Pete Townsend writing what is the all time greatest rock opera "Tommy," which really isn't an opera at all, not in the operatic sense, it's not in the traditional connected sense where it's a series of arias incorporated to tell a story; it's a series of songs that were put together to tell a great story and this is something like that but not quite," explained Anderson. "This is the re-imagined story of the agricultural inventor who suffered with bronchial disorders as a child and who, as he got older, moved to study in France hoping that he could find ways to treat his illnesses. All these years later I started looking into that, I wanted to find something out about him and I discovered that whether it be by fate or accident; many songs that I've written coincide with his life or career. I didn't know at the time I wrote it that a song such as "Aqualung" could actually relate to his bronchial disorder but it is all quite similar and there are quite a few of the songs that are like this; so I assembled them all together into this sort of an opera style show."
"Heavy Horses," "Farm On The Freeway," "Songs From The Wood," "Aqualung," "Living In The Past," "Wind-Up," "A New Day Yesterday," "The Witch's Promise," "Locomotive Breath" and multiple other classic from the Tull collection will be part of this undertaking; some modified a bit to "fit the bill" so to speak but not drastically altered. "I didn't do much really in the way of altering the songs," he explained. "What I did was bring them up to speed to reflect a modern day chemist who is trying to feed the planet; a very hungry planet. Other than obvious cosmetic changes and a few pronoun changes; I've done very little in the way of changing the material. Those who come to the show are going to hear approximately twenty songs from the best of the Jethro Tull repertoire and they'll all be relevant to the show and what I am trying to do; so obviously there will be no "Bungle In the Jungle," Anderson said with a slight laugh.
Also included in this presentation will be some new material and some "Virtual guests" as well. "I'm using the original lyrics for the most part and incorporating them in a theatrical, multi-media event. The virtual guests will be on a large screen and will interject at precise moments to help tell the story."
Anderson's concerns about the show are minimal at best; even sort of poking fun at himself or any possible detractors who think an aging rock star is grasping at straws to continue chasing a ship which has set sail. "Oh I am sure there are cynics out there who are thinking, "Look at this pathetic old man trying to get his music out" and they can't see a very old chap doing what I am still doing; I say humor me until I am ready to go away."
This series of eight shows in November are just the start of something much bigger to top off 2015 and prepare the band for a larger scale tour in 2016. "We are scheduling more in 2016 after Easter. In September we will take it to the west coast of the U.S. and shows in Europe as well. I am looking forward to this tour but as I get older I don't want to be away from family for prolonged periods of time. I'm not a homebody by any stretch but doing months on end on the road doesn't hold the same appeal as it did years ago when we were younger and more; shall we say expressive and versatile?
As the laughter faded from his voice a seemingly confident Ian Anderson, the face of Jethro Tull took his leave. A leave which will bring he and the band back here once again come fall. Anderson once said, "A band to me is whomever is in the room at the time." Well, this tour features a new band, a new show and a few history lessons as well and tickets are on sale now.
To obtain tickets or learn more about Jethro Tull; please visit www.jethrotull.com .
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Matt Roach
Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham
All shows 21+
Amalfi's Restaurant
146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 9 p.m. No Way Out
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Country" Ron Crites
Fri. 8 p.m. Living The Dream
Sat. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Tues. 8 p.m. Ambiance the Duo
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Corners Of Sanctuary, Suicide Conspiracy, Escape From Crete, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Mesina, Allora Mis, Midnight Anthem, Lurk, In Theory, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sun. 4 p.m. In Dying Arms, Phantoms, War Among Us, Disaffect, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Daryl Yokley Tenor & Alto Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Kevin Toft & The All Star Band
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Keli Vale Jazz Duo (9 p.m.) Brian Eastburn
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Faraway Guys
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz Duo (3 p.m.) Tommy Griggz
Mon. 8 p.m. Jay Regan
Tues. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus
Wed. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Thurs. 9 p.m. Curtain Call
Sat. 8 p.m. The Kim Yarson Band
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. (TBA)
Halo Pub
9 Hullfish Street Princeton
(609) 921-1710
Sat. 6:30 p.m. The Ragtime Relics
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 8 p.m. Denny Laine and Steve Holley w/ The Cryers. Doors at 6 p.m., $30
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Bigg Romeo
Sat. (12 p.m.) Brian's Harley Davidson Presents: "Rock & Ride For The Cure." (8:30 p.m.) Schwubby Buzzer
Sun. (1 p.m.) Sip and Shop (6 p.m.) JB Kline
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke
Sat. 10 p.m. F2 & The Anchovy Brothers
Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z Memorial Jam
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Skunk Ruckus
Fri. 9 p.m. Ammunition
Sat. (3 p.m.) The Real Fugitives (9 p.m.) Rainbow Fresh
Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin Presents: A drag Show Benefit (9 p.m.) Collin J. Rocker
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Tim
Tues. 9 p.m. DJ Aggreschen
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Buffalo Trixx
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Dan Zimmerman & The Torquebillies
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deb and The Sons of Rock
Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web site for upcoming shows
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (9 p.m.) The Soul Cruisers
Sat. 10 p.m. "The Best of Both Worlds: Blue and White Affair" w/ DJ Diamond Cuts and DJ Wallah
All Shows 21+
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Sneak Attack
Sat. 9 p.m. Tres Hombres
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Copacetic
Sat. 10 p.m. Stereo87
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. (8:30 p.m.) Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron
The Millhill Basement
300 South Broad St Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Thurs. 7 p.m. Toys That Kill, Mikey Erg, Honah Lee, The Groucho Marxists, Benny The Jet Rodriguez. $10
Sat. 9 p.m. The Rentiers, Tim hoh Jr., Logan Carpenter, Playoff Beard. $8
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Sofia Nicole / Joe Keris. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. New Dawn
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
The Trellis Outdoor Bar & Patio
30 Route 156 Hamilton
(609) 581-6782
Sat. 9 p.m. Tequila Rose
Tilted Kilt
557 US Hwy. 130 North, Hamilton
(609) 585-1800
Fri. 9 p.m. Kevin Toft & The All Star Band
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Cinema Thursday Presents: (TBA)
Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. (TBA)($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. The Law Suits. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
All shows 21+
