Ian Anderson

I hadn't seen Jethro Tull since 1969! I took my son to this show, not knowing what to expect since it was billed as a Rock Opera. It was very clever. The added vocals were all beautiful, and the video was wonderful! Ian Anderson is so fun to watch, even after 47 years!

Sadly his voice dampened the experience. His multimedia approach with two vocalists singing on video was a crutch to get through the songs as much as they were an interesting multimedia augmentation. He would almost not finish lines, pulling his head away from the microphone. Has great wind for the flute though. I could have stayed home.

First the positive stuff: Ian Anderson is still a killer flute player and the band was really great! They played a few of the songs from Aqualung which is why I went and the music sounded great ! Negatives: Ian Anderson cant sing as well, but I would have rather he sang the entire song than have some image of a man and woman on a big video screen singing most of the verses. This was on every song. The songs are not the same without him singing. The video compilation they put together was awful. The vitual person singing with some different scenes added behind them and different colors and the people spinning in circles. In between songs, Ian was also virtual in some scholarly get up talking about who knows what. Other virtual people were in between songs as well talk/singing about something. it was just a jumbled mess. Id say about 80% of the time I was thinking about leaving. But then one of the songs I loved would come on and it all started out perfect, sounded great, Ian sang the first verse and played his flute and then bam.. the virtual guy/girl would appear and sing the rest and ruin the whole song for me.

HAVE SEEN IAN WITH ORCHESTRA,40TH TOUR NOW THIS SHOW. EACH SHOW INCREDIBLE IN ITS OWN RIGHT.HOPE HE NEVER STOPS COMING AROUND

It was great to hear some Tull songs that wouldn't normally make the playlist of a typical Tull tour.Mother Goose,Dun Ringhill and Back To The Family.He said that was the worst song he ever wrote.I love it.

Concert is laid back with the fan able to enjoy the music the way they wish! Ian Anderson explains when and where many of the songs were written. A mixture of old and young musicians of which all are extremely talented. The musicians play several different kinds of instruments making the show a unique experience. Ian Anderson is still and always will be an awesome flute player and performer!

Trotted out some old gems, engaging patter between songs. A real old pro.

As the title says, Ian is the consumate musician. He keeps doing it year after year and always finds new ways of keeping things fresh. Yes, some of the songs he plays are literally from 40 years ago, but they as fresh and vital as the day they came out on LP! He also surrounds himself with not only seasoned Tull members, but also young, aspiring and prodigy musicians. In this concert for example he invites Nina Basin, a Carnegy fellow to join in on viola and Florian Opahle (seen on other rubbing elbows and orchestral shows) on guitar. My only regret was not hearing some other favorites, but truly, how does one select which songs to play out of 41 years of writing and recording? Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull are a legend.

I went to see the one legged flute player, but was focused on the two legged babe on violin. The show held it's own, no complaints.

Ive been going to Tull concerts since 1976 and although Mr.Andersons vocals arent what they used tobe,who s are?,the range of talent from his backing musicians as well as his own instrumentals skills seems to be improving with age.It was such a pleasure to hear the OLD tull songs that they sounded even better than the originals.Took a first time Tull attendee who was blown away by the show!I hope he keeps coming back so next time I can bring my son.

Great Show excelent mix of styles and instruments. lots of fun

In the 30 years or so that I have been making my way to Tull concerts, Ian Anderson has nearly never disappointed me and this past Wednesday was no exception. As a Tull fan, I appreciated the new arrangements of familiar material but especially so, the variety of obscure titles also performed such as "March the Mad Scientist" and "Back to the Family." Ian is a brilliant musician and entertainer; a true artist that has both honed his craft and has created a library of the most unique and evolved music that has come from the 60's-70's. The one somewhat disappointing aspect of the show was that it was basically Ian playing with the "new" Tull lineup even though it was billed as "Ian Anderson." I truthfully did not know what to anticipate, but was expecting only Ian Anderson playing his acoustic material with a string quartet or something else with orchestral instrumentation. Tull audiences are mostly an orderly and respectful group but to the crowd this past Wednesday, I will say that I am particularly disappointed in what seems to be a growing inability to differentiate between behavior better suited at sporting events rather than musical performances. It is irritating to pay the high price for a concert these days only to have the entertainment interrupted, particularly at the quiet moments, because some sorry fools in the audience feel the need to insert themselves into the show. Apart from that, I hope that Ian continues as long as he is physically capable!

I knew going in that it was going to be in acoustic show and it was an interesting show. However, I came away wishing that at least part of it was electric. Some of the Tull favorites just seem to need to be played loud and proud. Ian was very engaging with the audience and talked about the wide variety of instrumentation to be used in a particular song as well as some of the history and mindset he was in when he wrote it. I found that very interesting and the musicians who were in the band were all fine craftsmen. It was very intimate with a lot of lesser known Tull songs. They were good, but it seemed a little slow. The crowd seemed primed and ready to break out, but the slower pace seemed to keep it in check. I expected more of the known classics after the break and was surprised to get more of the same for the first half hour of that set. Ian did break out a bit for the final 2 or 3 songs (Aqualung, Locomotive Breath) and it definitely ignited the crowd. Unfortunately, just as the crowd's energy level was high, the show ended. I'm glad I went, but wouldn't rush back for another acoustic show- electric and acoustic yes, acoustic only, no.

If you are an Ian Anderson Tull fan, you had to love the enchanted evening of acoustic sound performed by Ian Anderson leading a group of young talented musicians that embraced the music of Jethro Tull. Each individual artist contributed to the rearranged Tull songs that we have enjoyed since the late 60's along with a couple of new songs. While Ian does not have the energy he had 40 plus years ago, he still could not sit on his stool for long without gracing the stage with his flute and leading the band and the audience to new highs. Ian has proven that he is one of rock music's most lasting talented icon's by his versatility and ability to play all types of music, blues, jazz, classical, hard soft and progressive rock, folklore and songs from the woods! Ians musicians were able to keep up with him as he played several differnet instruments demonstrating his and their diverse knowledge of music. I only wish I could have joined on stage and help Ian sing.

I love Jethro Tull, but I have never gotten around to seeing them, so I was really looking forward to this concert. Ian was still the showman I had heard about. I hadn't heard of some of the songs, but I knew enough. He is still a great musician! The other musicians were also very talented. The Vic was a great venue--just the right size and you can drink beer during the show. It was a seated show, so it was very comfortable. Chit chatting with my "neighbors" during breaks made it very relaxed and intimate.

such a fabulous performance ... loved the size of the show. such an intiment setting at the vic. well done Ian!

Great show! Ian Anderson proved once again what a genius he is -- remaking his classics with an classy acoustic flair!

The show was amazing. Ian & Co. really deliver.

almost three hundred songs to his credit the master is a live and well, the venue. . .should be bull dozed! The great master deserves a bit better place to perform his majic.

The acoustic Ian Anderson concert at the Vic's in Chicago was incredible! He had excellent musicians accompanying him. Florian Opahle, was superb, playing the guitar with intricate passages that were just phenomenal! He also had a woman from Iran playing the viola, and a African oriented chap from London on drums; it was a culturally diversified group that helped bring on a feeling of cultural wholeness and harmony! The viola was exquisite, with passionate and very intricate parts played throughout the evening, and the drums were sweet! John O'Hara was very accomplished on the keyboards and on the accordion. I play synthesizer accordion occasionally as a hobby, and I thought John did an impeccable job! (Listen to one of my self-created pieces on YouTube as you watch me fly a Sport Kite; do a search on "Kite Tricking, Bees, and Synthesizers") Anyway, the concert was very entertaining; Ian Anderson still would go on one leg and move around the stage quite a bit. How can he still do that at his age?! It was a wonderful, very special experience! (By the way, Ian's early albums remind me a lot about J. Krishnamurti's teachings and books; splendid holistic philosophy!)

one should see these guys at least once in their lifetime. it's absolutely amazing.

Ian was entertaining as always! I always enjoy his early works. It good that he also helps promote these new, young artists get some well deserved time in the spot light! Ian is a class act!!!!!

Amazing musician who brought some other amazing musicians to play incredible music. Beautiful, smart and challenging and engaging music that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Unbelievable

Great Concert, Great seats and great time!!!

Great show. Ian hasn't lost anything great showman as well as musician. Terriffic supporting band especially his young guitarist Florian. A mix of old and new material and different arrangements on the old tunes. Did the old stand on one leg and play the flute pose. Not bad for a guy in his early sixties. Thoroughly enjoyed and very much reccomended.

Ian played new versions of old songs and made them sound even better. He was energetic and connected well with the audience. He had a woman who played the viola who was really first class. She played a piece that she had recently written. A young man on the guitar was given the chance to play his classical and flemenco styles as well as normal accompaniment. I wished they would have played longer!

THIS WAS (get it?) my 105th time I have seen Ian and/or Tull. Once again, the quality and musicianship of Ian and his band members is on such a out of this world level, all I can do is laugh and cry for each song. Of course, Ian has slowed down most of his trade mark moves,however, he still showed us the one legged minstrel we all love for so many decades. He is the ultimate performer and entertainer. He just gets better with age. Ian also took time after the concert to sign autographs for all the fans there. He is and always will be a class act. Thank you Ian. Please never stop touring......

He played many old songs that he had not previously been playing in recent years as well as some new music. He rocked the crowd with standing ovations for a wonderful rendition of Aqualung. He continues to delight and is a legendary entertainer.

Excellent show! Ian Anderson, (and his Band), performed TAAB to the T! Part II was just as entertaining as the classic Part I! For those who expected a Jethro Tull greatest-hits show, he encored with a fantastic version of........don't want to give away the ending.....go see it yourself!

Ian Anderson and his band were awesome! We all had a great time. The Fox Theater is the perfect venue! Came in from Grand Rapids, got off the freeway and everything is right there.... the Fox, great restaurants, parking right across the street! Stayed for the entire show plus the encore, walked out, got in the car and drove outa town, no traffic backups!

It was great to see the full performance of Thick as a Brick!

This show exceeded all my expectations. Ian Anderson and his band covered all of Thick As A Brick, all of Thick As A Brick 2, and an encore, plus some additional video clips and skits. Ian had some help with the vocals (kudos to Jason), but he can play his flute and guitar just as well as ever, if not better. They performed the albums completely and accurately, and the staging, lighting and video were executed flawlessly. On a personal note, this show tore me up emotionally, and I remained torn up thru the following day. I feel as if Ian Anderson is an old friend, and his music has been an important part of my life for over forty years. After the concert, I drove home with the music and memories lingering in my mind. That night I had dreams about my favorite Jethro Tull songs, and I actually cried myself awake. If that isn't a testament to the power and significance of Ian' s music, I don't know what is. I'm grateful that he is still willing and able to share his many talents with the world.

Fantastic Show. Turned my young daughter on to Tull for the first time and he did not disappoint. My daughter was disappointed there was only one ( really bad) female T Shirt for sale however or only one small size available - same bad shirt. Really hope Tull plays a whole new show again next yr and I wish This theatre had more of these great old sixties bands.

Awesome! Anderson is proof that you are never too old to Rock 'n' Roll. Although a little slower and a little less agile than in his younger days he still commands the stage with his mastery of wit and charm and cleverly placed moments of props and skits. A true showman and as much as I have seen him, he never gets old.

Having seen the original 'Thick as a Brick' live show in April 1972 (two weeks before the album was released) the approach to the new stage show evoked some vivid memories and the availability of modern technology enabled Ian to make the point visually about the contemporary take on the 1972 classic. Like the original show, 'roadies' in long coats and driving caps come out to dust up the instruments, adjust amplifiers, sweep the stage, etc. It became apparent that these were the other band members, although I don't think Ian was among them as he was in the original, stripping off his raincoat to reveal his signature plaid coat of the time. They recede into the background as a film begins on the screen behind the stage. The opening film is Gerald Bostock being ushered into the office of a psychiatrist, Dr. Max Quad (remember the name of one of the actors in the Passion Play booklet?). He sees a doctor (Ian wearing a goofy wig looking like Moe Howard crossed with all four Beatles) who begins an interview, asking when Gerald's insecurities began ('tell me about it'). The film stops and the band begins playing Thick as a Brick. The use of a second singer (Ryan O'Donnell) serves a practical purpose, in that it relieves Ian of some of the vocal burdens as Ryan can sing higher notes that Ian can no longer reach and he also appears as almost a younger version of the Ian persona, flourishing a baton much as Ian would his flute, doing some of the same choreographed moves of Ian and so on. I was skeptical of how well it would work at first but seeing it in context it makes sense. As I said, there are modern day equivalents of the 1972 show. For example, just as Ian begins singing the 'I've come down from the upper classes' segment the phone ring, Ian answers his cell phone and a woman is on the line. Ian says, "Great to here from you but it's kind of a bad time. I'm in the middle of a concert. Could you give me two minutes and call back through Skype?" The woman on the line is a violinist and at the point in the song where Ian played some fiddle in the background, a big Skype screen opens on the screen and a woman, Anna something or other, is sitting there with a baby on her lap, sets the baby down and plays the violin on that portion. A frogman appears behind her in the doorway (much like the 'Mike Nelson' character that walked across the stage on the original and answered the phone on the side of the stage). At the mid-point i.e. the big, crashing chord finale of the first side, the lights go out and then come back up as Ian presents a prostate presentation, bringing up one 'audience member' and another 'doctor' and having them go behind the stage, where a silhouette on the big screen of the 'doctor' sticking his finger in the guy's ass is visible, then the audience member comes back out walking carefully and Ryan retrieves the lab coat from the 'doctor.' Then Ian cautions all the males to get their prostates checked regularly. The second side music starts as a slide show of famous men dying from prostate cancer appears--Frank Zappa, Telly Savalas, Dennis Hopper, Herbie Mann, then the actual band begins playing the music from the second side. The band did a perfectly fine job of playing the very challenging music of TAAB, including the drummer who did fine with Barrie Barlow's drum solo and the relentless and constantly changing rhythms of the rest of the music (what an album to start out with a band playing!). The guitarist played the same kind of Gibson Les Paul that Martin usually played and the keyboard man was faithful to that hammond organ sound of John Evans. Ian's flute and guitar playing were as good as they've ever been. He doesn't move as much as he used to, obviously, but he still gets caught in some of his old choreographed gestures, like the arm and hand waving signals he does most particularly on the 'See there! A man is born' portion. Of course, the theatrical persona is intact and he is as dramatic and hammy as he's ever been. After a fifteen-minute intermission, they returned for Thick as a Brick 2, with some of the same images displayed as before, plus some more film footage e.g., the frogman walking down streets and Ian posing as a country gentleman giving a tour of his estate. On the 'Old School Song' segment, itself patterned after the 'I've come down from the upper classes' segment, school images appear, including a class photo, zoomed in to highlight the very young John Evans, Jeffrey Hammond and Ian Anderson. I hadn't realized that Ryan O'Donnell does some singing on the studio version of TAAB 2 although he does pick up some of the portions that Ian sings or speaks on the album. They alternate verses frequently. As the band was involved with the studio album of TAAB 2 I expected, naturally, that they'd be more familiar with it and play with fewer rough edges than the original. Of course, at this point they've been playing both albums regularly for several months so they're just about as comfortable with the complete Thick as a Brick as they are with Thick as a Brick 2. They move in unison on portions, almost like the Z Z Top guys. Overall, the show is very skillfully and carefully choreographed. It would be very easy to screw something up, miss a cue (I only noticed a couple of those, like where it appeared that Ryan was going to start signing the beginning of the 'poet and painter' segment but Ian charged in and started signing it himself, or Ian slowing down slightly as he struggles to hit certain notes. In fact, it seems like the only rough edges are due to his vocal constraints that occasionally slow him down and, therefore, the rest of the band as they also slow down slightly to get back in sync. This is very subtle and it's probably not even noticeable to audience members who aren't as familiar with the music as I am. As I expected, they came back for an encore--"Locomotive Breath." After all that, I suppose it makes sense to deliver a crowd-pleasing finish, kind of a signature tune. I was pleasantly surprised. While it is absurd to expect Ian to bring the same level of energy and movement (and vocal dexterity) as he did 40 years ago, he is far from an old tired has-been trying to recover past glories. He is as professional and as committed to delivering a first rate performance as he's ever been. He's 65 now so I wonder how many more years he'll give to it before he finally has to slow down and retire. However, it's obvious that he still loves what he's doing. This Thick as a Brick 1 and 2 idea seems to have rejuvenated him (the 40th anniversary edition of Thick as a Brick is due out next Tuesday I believe). It's certainly given him a higher profile and wider publicity than he's had in many years. The venue of the Ryman Auditorium is just right for this kind of show. It's not like a stadium or arena where the sound gets distorted from the rafters and you can only see a postage stamp image if you on the back row. It's loud when it needs to be and the softer portions are just loud enough to hear them. As I've said before, Thick as a Brick is one of my all-time favorite pieces of music and that first concert transported me to a new level. I'd never seen anything like it and it left a deep and permanent impression on me. Also, as he said in that original introduction, 'we're going to play a rather lengthy tune which, by its conclusion, will have you shuffling from buttock to buttock.' My buttocks were sufficiently shuffled.

This was a fun show. Musically great but unfortunately Ian has lost the high notes from his voice. His young singer, Ryan, did an excellent job of filling in. Ian is NOT too old to rock and roll but maybe he should bring some of his older material down a couple of keys. Still, a great show by one of the prog rock greats!!

I had waited forty years to see Tull live and was not disappointed. Ian surprised me with his versatility on both the guitar and flute. I loved the added theatrics and the videos played well with the music. I loved Thick as a Brick when it came out and was delighted with TAAB2. I took my son and he enjoyed the evening as well. The Balboa theater is lovely, but the staff are incredibly rude. They interrupted my son and I three times over taking pictures with our cell phones which was posted as allowed. Never have I been treated so rudely by a venue staff. The Balboa needs to lighten up and respect their customers.

It is hard to believe it has been nearly 40 years since I first experienced Jethro Tull in concert. Especially after the intimate experience of participating in Ian Anderson's presentation of Thick As A Brick 1 and 2. I say participating because above all things Ian Anderson is a storyteller. His flute and music is a vehicle to deliver the tale. And like all really good stories, they never get old. You begin to immerse yourself and soon you are inside the world the storyteller has created for you. The Balboa Theater is a small venue and that is an asset to all in attendance. Although I was fortunate to obtain 3rd row seating, I wandered up to the balcony and the feeling of intimacy was still there. No matter where you were seated, you were close. The master flautist wove his tale into a family quilt. Each piece of fabric telling its own story. Stories from the past to the present. A comforting blanket of fond memories. We all get older, and so with Gerald Bostock. Ian Anderson has the endurance of a 20 year old, but is careful not to overplay his hand with the vocals. The high notes were either deferred to the thoroughly enjoyable actor/singer portraying Bostock, sung an octave lower, or by using various tricks of the trade like reaching for the note and stopping short with the instruments completing the journey. The overall impression was a mix of stage production and concert. A satisfying reminiscence with an old friend. The feeling that you are growing old together\u2026and everything is going to be OK.

I left energized and rejuvenated! Ian pulled together a great group of musicians to interpret his music as he intended. Always very theatrical, he didn't disappoint. His apprentice, Ryan O'Connell, was perfect, very talented, animated and cute! My memories of listening to the Thick as a Brick album did not do justice to the music. Watching and hearing it performed live is the only way to enjoy this. As Ian's main instrument is a flute, there were times when he couldn t sing and play at the same time, so Ryan was there as a mime artist, prop master and with a voice very similar to Anderson s to fill in the gaps. Ian is a smart, talented man who still plays a mean flute. My husband and I had a really great time and we just loved every minute. Of course the Beacon Theatre is the best too.

This was an exceptional show that i recommend to any Tull fans out there. split into two parts, Thick as a Brick 1 and Thick as a Brick 2, each about an hour long, the concert concluded with a smashing version of Locamotive Breath. Part One from his 1972 album was done note for note with the band playing perfectly tight. The sound was excellent w/ fine acoustics . A young singer did a lot of the vocals as Ian's voice apparently does not have the range as it did when he was a young man. It was a theatrical performace that added another level of interest on my part. The 2nd part was even better in my opinion. The new album translates beautifully in a live setting and is worth admision on its own. It was a really fun night!

Phenomenal! If you are a Tull fan do what you must to see this show! Band is great. Ians voice is getting a little week however, his hired ego was a fantastic addition to the bands lineup.

What an amazing show.....Ian and the band were magnificent in recreating the 1972 album....they played the entire album straight thru...one of the most difficult musical pieces to perform flawlessly...the new Thick as a Brick 2 second half of the show while unfamiliar to most of the audience was another great performance...I would recomend seeing Ian and the band as you will never see this done like this again...

I bought tickets for my husband birthday gift as I'm not a huge Tull fan but he is (we even had Till music in our wedding video). The concert turned out to be the best gift I ever could've got him. Not only because he had such an amazing time, but because he now had a wife who is a Jethro Tull fan too! Ian Anderson is a performer that will not disappoint !

Knowing that Ian Anderson IS Jethro Tull makes for an interesting evening when it is billed as Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson. Despite the confusion offered by the title (evident by some of the patrons I spoke with but more about that later) it was an amazing evening of just what one would have expected. The last time I saw Jethro Tull was in 1989 on the Rock Island tour so I was expecting nothing less than the fantastic show that was presented. The title of the show states the setlist (TAAB 1 and 2) with the unexpected encore addition of Locomotive Breath. Using projections to assist in the story telling the music was spot on. In addition a young man by the name of Ryan O'Donnell performed a portion of the vocals. Sometimes singing solo and other times with Ian Anderson. When singing by himself, if you closed your eyes you would swear that it was Mr. Anderson singing. One of the more amusing portions was a gentleman next to me asking if any other original members were in the band (UMM no it's not Jethro Tull) and have the put out any albums since Crest of a Knave (UMM, yes about 15-20). Overall if you have a chance to see this show AND you are a fan of Jethro Tull--DO IT

A very disappointing show. More of a theatrical performance than a rock show. Ian Anderson had another singer sing the majority of the show. The band butchered TAAB 1. There was no flow. Ian spent more time playing his little guitar than his flute. At times the flute music was pre-recorded. He is definitely too old to rock and roll and needs to hang it up. We had seen Tull 4 times previously and this is the first time I felt like I wasted my money. Recommend steering clear of his future performances.

I've seen JT on many tours dating back to '93 and this was the second theater show...the band was just fantastic, that is really what I think !! joking...lots of gags (no spoilers) and IA in incredibly fine fettle for a bloke with so many miles on his chasis...the new album was the real highlight, note perfect all night long, this music must be heard live to fully appreciate it although Tull always sounds great in the studio...I hope they finally release a new live album to mark Anderson's continued contribution to the prog rock canon...get out there and see him before he really gets Too Old To Rock & Roll !! (it'll never happen !!)...I thought the absense of Martin Barre would be an issue but Florian was born to be in a version of Tull !! that guy has serious chops and his simple Les Paul crunch setting was perfect for the era-centric music.

We saw the opening night show last week in Miami and tonight we had seats in the 5th row on the aisle right of center. Great spot for taking photos! Much more enthusiastic crowd than in Miami. The band was definately feeding off of the crowd. This band was spectacular! To sum it up; Thick as a Brick (1972) + TAAB2 (2012) = Ian Anderson as a modern day Shakespeare. Don't miss this show. Best Tull line up ever! Here are some pictures I took. The Keyboardist John O'hara was out of this world along with young Guitar prodigy Florian Opahle as well as the other members of the cast. Which way to Blue Skies? Great line from opening cut of TAAB2. Afterall, Ian Anderson is Jethro Tull and will always be! Bravo!

Fabulous musician, singer-songwriter, and melodious maestro. Had a ball reminiscing and singing along with one of the ALL TIME Greats!

Loved the show, I've seen Jethro Tull 10-15 times since 1969. I thought that acoustics were great - both the flute and Ian Anderson's voice were very clear - not the case in some previous Tull concerts. Only disappointment was nothing from Benefit album- my favorite Tull album..

The maestro is a living legend, and surely worth seeing live! I'd do it again, and again in a heartbeat!!! Thanks Ian

The Ian Anderson show was fabulous. Ian was totally on both musically and vocally. Although I love and prefer Martin Barre, with Florian Opahle on guitar, Ian can play any Jethro Tull song without missing a beat. Florian also adds his own flavor to the show having been trained in both classical and flamenco guitar. Despite being in his late 20's he has a very good rapport with Ian onstage and does not appear to be the least bit intimidated by Ian. In fact, he seems to really enjoy interacting with Ian on stage. It should also be noted that Ian was very into both Florida shows and his vocals were good, as was the case when I saw Tull on June 4, 2010 at MIsner Park in Boca. The sound was pristine as always whether it is a Tull show or one of Ian's solo shows. The benefit of the solo shows is that more obsure pieces can be played; however, recently Tull has been playing shows that are not all that different. After seening over 100 Tull and Ian's solo shows, the Tull songs played during Ian's shows did not lose any of the impact of a Tull show. It would be interesting to see Martin and Florian do some shows together. I have to say that evenafter all this time. There is nothing that compares to a Jethro Tull or Ian Anderson solo show. The setlist for the Florida shows is as follows: FIRST HALF OF SHOW -------------------------------- Life's A Long Song Up To Me Nursie In The Grip Of Stronger Stuff Set Aside Hare In The Wine Cup Wond'ring Again Adantino (Florian Opalhe Flamenco Guitar Solo) Adrift and Dumfounded Passion Play, Pt. 2: The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles Bach Prelude In C Major / Bouree SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW ------------------------------------------- New Song (Instrumental) Thick As A Brick (10-15 minutes) Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (F.O. Electric Guitar Solo) A Change Of Horses Budapest Aqualung: Jam (Ian teased beginning by humming the 'Smoke On The Water' riff ) - > Verses/Choruses ENCORE -------------- Locomotive Breath: Jam -> Verses/Choruses I would have replaced "Hare In The Wine Cup" with Eurology, which along with "Bungle In The Jungle" was apparently performed during the shows in Canada. Also really enjoyed the song "A change Of Horses," which is another excellent newer song written originally without lyrics to play during the shows in India with sitar player, Anoushka Shankar, the daughter of Ravi Shankar.

Simply sublime. Ian gave his audience a different and well mixed delivery of his current and classic. His attention to detail and the ability to showcase newer members is always a treat.

Too young to die.......... Sadly, Ian has lost nearly all his vocal abillity. I will stop hoping that each new tour will bring some sort of rebirth of that powerful voice that shone through the beautiful complexity of his music. Ian if you still need the money (which I doubt) hire a vocalist to sing your part. Otherwise, just park it and let us have our memories.

Hi folks, All things considered it was a great night out. I introduced my 13 year old son to Ian Anderson " live ", & he was amazed. Great show & great venue. Wifey also enjoyed the lead guitar player.

A great evening, the set list included many older Jethro Tull songs that I had not seen performed live before. As well there were some very new pieces including one completely new to the tour. The performance was solid by all the musicians, and they really appeared to be enjoying themselves.

Ian Anderson put on a great show at The Warfield Theater in San Francisco on November 9th, 2009. The concert consisted of a combination of newer works and some songs from such early albums as Aqualung and Stand Up, with few pieces from the band's middle years. The concert was divided into two sets and there was no opening act. I very much enjoyed this concert. The music was excellent and Ian Anderson told many humorous stories during the performance. The staff at The Warfield Theater are courteous and helpful. It was nice to hear the music of Jethro Tull live again after many years and I am glad I was able to attend this show!

What a great show. The man's talent with the flute is amazing. The whole show was well done and the flow was really, really great. Ian had some really good musicians with him and the Oregon Symphony was really good.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull was outstanding. He is whitty, funny and extreemly talented. He brought along some extraordinary musicians. Ian Anderson has as much energy and enthusiam as he did when I first saw him in 1974. His instrumental ability shines through as he plays guitar and harmonica. Of course nothing is more outstand than his electrifying flute playing.

I went into this thinking the it was going to be just another rock concert. I had no idea it was going to be a multimedia extravaganza. The content was very well presented and the coordination of the live aspects of the show with that content projected on the screen along with the lighting was perfection. It had just the right amount of old material and new. A great experience for the eye, ear, and mind.

At times wonderfully nostalgic, but mostly disappointing. Ian Anderson's voice is almost gone and using a large screen video with support singers to compensate was awkward. His flute playing is still excellent and the band was very good. The 'Rock Opera" approach is not what the audience wanted to hear at the expense of some great hits ignored for obscure songs. Aqualung was well done as was Locomotive Breath, Witches Promise, but some old standards were redone to their detriment. Very disappointed with the omission of Thick as a Brick, Bungle in the Jungle, Too Old to Rock and Roll, Minstrel in the Gallery, and other classics. At his age, Anderson does not need to be worried about "new" stuff. Give the fans what they want - the Tull classics. The Nazi approach to no picture taking (even without flash) was ridiculous as well.

Let's be straight, Ian has almost no voice left. He does his best and uses other singers to enhance your musical experience. The band is amazing, although I found the guitarist a bit over the top. But seeing Ian play and sing Slipstream had me in tears. Also Requiem was wonderful. Sure the obligatory Locomotive Breath was done as well and many other songs. In fact it was like an entire show of great music was had before the intermission. If you are going to see the old master and expecting him to look and sound like he did in 1975, please stay home and watch old vids. But for those of you who might appreciate this man's contribution to the musical world for the last 50+ years you will not be disappointed. The show is billed as Jethro Tull a Rock Opera and although I got a little lost trying to follow the story, I will try to see some sure to come later videos and get some of the nuances I missed. Might have been the bourbon and coke LOL. As with all life, nothing lasts forever and don't miss a chance to see this Man while you still have the chance.

I saw the show at the Genesee theater in Waukegan, Il on April 1. The band was fantastic. Ian Anderson has lost a bit of his vocal range, but still continues to do a great job of entertaining. The sight of him standing on one foot and playing flute brought me back to my 1970 days! I did not especially like the screen and movie playing in the background, and had a hard time following the movie portion. I had done my homework before going to the show...I knew this was not going to be a revival of all the old Jethro Tull favorites. If that is what you expect, do not go to this show. But if you want to see this rock and roll icon again, or even for the 1st time, I totally enjoyed my evening, and knowing what I know now, would still go to the show.

Ian Anderson should have Hung up his Flute after last year's shows. He is Not Roger Dalltry JETHRO TULL A Rock Oprea? What a Freaking Joke and Waste of Time and Hard Earned Money. Yes JETHRO TULL is Done They Have " JUMPED THE SHARK"

First off, I'm a huge Jethro Tull fan. But this wasn't Tull, it was Ian Anderson taking a few old Tull songs and adding some new songs to create a rock opera. Most people didn't buy the $10.00 program which explained the story the opera tells, so most people in the audience were clueless about what was going on. Many of the songs were sung by a woman and a young man on a video screen behind the stage. You literally could not hear the vocals over the music, so most of the songs were unintelligible. Even the few classics they performed like Aqualung, Living in the Past and Locomotive Breath were muffled. I enjoyed The Witch's Promise but probably only because I love the song itself. The opera covers themes related to farming, big agribusiness, genetic engineering, familial obligations, tradition, the relentless march of time forward, etc. I really wanted to love this show, but it just missed the mark. Great to see Ian play the flute and dance around the stage, but I'm glad I didn't shell out for better seats.

This is my 9th time seeing Jethro Tull since 1988 starting in Cincinnati OH with the "Crest of a Knave" tour. I have NEVER been disappointed with this band. We drove from Dayton OH to Chicago to see the Rock Opera and it was well worth the 10 hour round trip. The Rock Opera was definitely a unique concept for a show and I give major props to Ian and the gang.

First 35 minutes of show was all new Tull album. Not what was expected. What the best of Tull is to fans and what it is to Ian seemed to be two different things. Second set, all old Tull classics, less than spectacular.

The Best of Jethro Tull took me back to my first concert in 1978... Awesome show!!

Ian Anderson always a consummate showman delivered a high energy, highly polished show that treated concertgoers to great music,film footage both old and new. Theatrics and costumes. This show is not for the casual or new fan. As evidenced by the lukewarm response from the audience for the first part of the evening. Ian offered Albany Homo Erraticus a concept piece that most attending the concert was unfamiliar with until the night of the show. Ive been listening to it since its release and it is not a easy piece to listen to and requires a lot of revisiting. It's helpful to have an open mind. So sit back,relax and let the story flow. The second half of the show the attendees came to life. Ian and company delivered all of the Jethro Tull tunes that everyone wanted to hear. Be aware that Ian Anderson's voice is no longer the voice from Thick as a Brick,Aqualung or Benefit. In place of that once unique voice is Ryan O'Donnell who sounds like a much younger Ian Anderson. And he does it very well. In Andersons defense though he delivers amazing flute solos and his usual energy. He was clearly having a good time and connected with the audience. I would have given this review 5 stars but the staff at the Palace ruined that with less than helpful behavior.

I like him using a surrogate singer. Ian is a great musician. It was a great mix of new music and old.

I gave four stars not five because he played the songs from his new solo albums which is not really impressive. I goes there to enjoy his old songs rather than new ones just like other Tull fans. I have seen Ian's solo and TUll show many times. Everytime he comes in town, I go to listen the same songs because everytime, he plays differently. What an entertainer he is! I was sorry not seeing old members like Martin Barre but young members were good, all very talented. For the last two songs, the security let us to go just below the stage which was nice. The securities don't allow taking pictures or videos but I did anyway and now I am sharing the photos here.

This concert was so amazing, covering many years of their music. Ian Anderson is still as awesome with his flute, as he was in the late 60's, and early 70's, which is the last time I saw them. All are amazing musicians, and the young man singing with him is a great voice and entertainer. The only bad thing of this concert was that no camera's or phone pictures were allowed.

Continuing for almost 50 years this band continues to produce enjoyable music and perform with flawless accuracy. The trip down memory lane with many of our early favorites was a joy. The new music from HOMO ERRATICUS remains true to the band's roots. I will be downloading a copy for my own collection.

The performance was what I expected. The performers were excellent and the sound was great. The problem was the venue. My family and I were in a nearly flat section with high stools. Once people filled in in front of us we had to look between heads. The seats should have been sold as obstructed view. My wife is short and and she felt like a little kid with her legs dangling unable to reach the wire footrest on the stool.

Ian put on a flawless performance in Seattle. It was the very 1st time I have seen him in concert without a rag on his head, plus he wore glasses. He used very interesting back ground film throughout the entire show. I loved it when they matched up his older tunes with his performance from years back. Loved the newest release. However, I would love to hear more of his older tunes that are not main stream. Always full of magical energy and imagination. Watching Ian over the last 35 years has never gotten boring. His group is fantastic and I will never get too old to Rock & Roll :-)

Ian Anderson is a great musician. the 1st set was all about his new album, the 2nd half was filled with classics

Being a Tull fan since thier first album in October 1968 ("This Was"), my view may be a bit biased, but I'm guessing that is true of most attendees of this performance. The pre-intermission portion of the concert, Homo Erraticus", was interesting but obviously much less familiar to most (including myself). Post intermission, things got much more exciting. Kicking off with Living in the Past, With You There To Help Me & Sweet Dreams got all of us old time Tull fans going. Ian has so many great songs from the first 6 - 8 albums that it was impossible to hear all your favorites, but for me, the concert was worth it just for "With You There To Help Me", probably my favorite Tull song. All in all, a great concert. It was the sixth time I'd seen Ian (first was in 1969) and he can still hop around on one foot and kill it on the flute!

I'm sure this was not the show that people in attendance had expected. It was more like a " rock opera" with his less poplar songs. Just when it seemed they were getting ready to jam into some Aqualung , they went into the obscure . Instead of Ian handling all the vocals, he had an assistant who seemed like a "Peter Pan" flitting around the stage in various costume changes. The intermission seemed to be a good excuse for many to leave the show early, The rest of us endured and waited for an anticipated " high energy " encore. We got only 1 song , which wasn't enough to save the show. Locomotive Breath was great and exactly the sound we had all come to hear , but 1 song wasn't enough The show had " The Thud " of a Thick Brick !!

Great show, great theatrical performance, high energy.

TAAB2 really grew on me over time. Reminds me of growing up with Tull and buying an album, then eventually loving every song on the album. This was the second time out of three that I've caught the tour. The sound was perfect as was the music. Ian now has a young man named "Ryan" helping out on vocals and also performing many of the theatrics a younger Ian used to entertain us with. This show was 250 miles from my home ..... I loved it that much last year!

Have to say this was one of the best shows I have seen in a while. I loved the mixture of media, lights and of course the music! I would be really upset to have missed this show. Well worth seeing!

Ian Anderson and his band of renown performed at the fabulous Peabody Opera House on August 14 and blew the doors off the place. How he constantly performs with such energy is beyond me, but he was just as animated and mobile as he was back in '72 when I first saw the band. TAAB I and II was performed without a glitch and was certainly what the audience wanted and appreciated. I would see the group again any place close to me. If you have not seen this man and the things he can do instrumentally, it is a bucket list item for sure. A musical treasure to be sure.

The show was amazing as is the theatre. It was great to hear Thick as a Brick again in it's entirety. The addition of Ryan O'Donnell was genious as are most of Ian's decisions. He was like a young Ian and added so much to the show while allowing Ian to do everything he needed to do. The TAAB II was also very good and they did an encore of Locmotive Breath so what more could you ask for.

Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull got me through 45 of my of my 60 years. Thank You! Mr.Anderson,

I've been trying to see Jethro Tull, or Ian Anderson as a solo act for many years now and this past Wed. night I was finally able to make that happen! Mr. Anderson no longer sports his trademark wild hair and beard, but make absolutely no mistake folks, he still sings and plays as well as ever and he still puts on a show that you won't soon forget! During the first half of the show, he and his band mates performed "Thick As A Brick 1", followed by a fifteen minute intermission and then they performed "Thick As A Brick 2" and at this Phoenix show, they finished off with a one song encore. The audience which included a fairly wide age difference from younger to older like myself, gave the band a standing ovation at the end of the first half, the end of the show and after the encore, so I'm sure that Mr. Anderson knows that he has a very loyal fan base in Arizona! To sum this event up, I'd say that if you have the chance to see this show in your area, I'd highly recommend that you do so, because you will see a great performance by everyone on stage and you will also see everything that you have loved about Mr. Ian Anderson for so many years! In closing, I will also say that my wife and me were able to meet Mr. Anderson and Mr. Ryan O'Donnell who plays Gerald Bostock after the show and they were both extremely nice towards their fans after just completing an over two hour extremely high energy show! This show was everything that I had hoped for and much more indeed!

It was fun hearing Ian and his group play through Thick As A Brick 1 live. It is one of my favorite albums. I was a bit surprised that Ian is not able to hit all those high notes anymore on the vocals. I guess that's why Ryan O'Donnell was there. He was excellent, and sounded very much like the vocals on the album. But Ian still plays a mean flute! I'm ashamed to admit that I'd never listened to Thick As A Brick 2 before. It was good, but not as great to me as the more familiar 1. It was interesting that Ian sang much more of the vocals in this part. I assume since it was written more recently, it plays more strongly to Ian's current vocal abilities. But overall, a great concert! I'm very glad I attended. I would recommend this to any Ian Anderson fan, and particularly to folks who love Thick As A Brick.

Granted this is billed as Ian Anderson but it sure seems like a re-boot of Jethro Tull. Performing the original Thick as a Brick note for note, with a quick PSA for prostate exams, followed by TAAB 2. It's an amazing show and Ryan O'Donnel as young Gerald Bostock/ Ian Anderson's alter ego adds an energy that had been lacking in the past few Tull tours. If the show is coming to your area. GO SEE IT !

Wonderful entertaining music from start to finish! Loved the simple lighting. Great job with big screen showing pictures that told a story with the music. Great energy throughout.

I was blown away at the quality and showmanship that Ian brought to this show. It was my first time seeing him and will NOT be the last. I've always been a big fan, but my appreciation has doubled after being a witness to this masterpiece!

Ian Anderson is still rocking! Great show. Great selection of acoustic songs. Great musicians playing with him. The young guitarist was phenomenal, so was the drummer. Lots of flute solos. Another unforgettable performance of the greatest rock'n'roll musician of all times. Long life Ian Anderson!

I haven't seen Ian Anderson live since Jethro Tull played in Pheonix in 1976. Now my son is about the same age I was then, and a talented flute player, partly inspired by the recordings I still listen to (yes, a couple of them are still on 8-track). So my son and I went to the Warfield Monday night to see Ian Anderson perform. I knew I would enjoy the show but was gratified to find that I enjoyed the show much more than expected. The fabulous things Ian Anderson does with a flute are still just as fanciful, wondrous and fun as I remembered, and my teenage son highly enjoyed the show. Mr. Anderson demonstrated his talent with the flute and with his other traditional instruments. He gave a great show that rocked the house. His other musicians were each wonderful in their own right. The viola pulled at my emotions and the guitar raised my heart rate. I caught myself smiling almost constantly. The Warfield is an enjoyable venue, intimate enough so that you can see the stage clearly from all over the theater (even with my 50-year old eyes). Lighting added to the show without overpowering the musical performance.

So it's hard to say that Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson "rocked" the Warfield and the show was all the better for it. The expert acoustic band he assembled for this tour elevated this show to the level of "5 stars" for this long time fan. The show was superior to any I have seen Ian perform since the Divinities tour, including his many travels with Jethro Tull over the last 20 years. Ian suffered damage to his voice some time in the 80's and this causes him to strain for any high or sustained notes. However if you can look past that and appreciate the incredible musicianship of the man and his companions, you will be pleasantly surprised. Several seldom played gems this tour along with the staples, including "Trying to Be", "March the Mad Scientist" and "Jeffrey Goes to Leicester Square".

Nice selection of songs...always enjoy hearing from the early records(THIS WAS, STAND UP,BENEFIT) as well as everything else HE pulls from his gigantic playlist..never know what you might hear! As the years fly by...I hope that Ian and TULL will continue to tour. I have been lucky enough to see them since their first American tour in 1969, and as long as Ian keeps comin back...so will I..Special treat at thursdays show was getting to greet Ian and get his autograph after the show as he came out by the parking lot to give us lucky ones some of his time....THANK YOU IAN

The only other time I saw Ian (or Tull) was in 2002 in Balto. I had waited about 25 years to see them and it was worth the wait. But to see Ian at the Lyric - 4 rows back & center - was a childhood dream come true! The absolute artistry of the music and all the players simply took my breath away! I will confess that I did get 4 great pics, 2 in classic Ian pose!

From the opening chords of Dun Ringill (with wave crashing sound effects) to the closing encore of the classic Locomotive Breath, Jehtro Tull's front man Ian Anderson "pulled the plug" and delivered a classic 2 hour plus performance featuring great new acoustic versions of the band's discography spanning more than 40 years. Ian was joined onstage by David Goodier (Tull bassman #7 as Ian likes to call him) master guitarist, Florian Opahle, John O'hara on keyboards plus several guest local musicians. There were even 2 new Indain music inspired songs sprinkled in to the setlist, Tea With The Princess and A Change Of Horses that hopefully will find their way on to the next album. Highlights of the show were a rare live performance of the not too well known March Of The Mad Scientist (an extra track on the remastered Minstrel In The Gallery CD), Rocks On The Road, Bouree, Mother Goose and of course Aqualung, The band was tight and at the ripe old age of 62 Ian's flute playing was better than ever and his voice didn't miss a note! It was a rare treat to enjoy a concert where no ear plugs were required.

What more can be said other than incredible. Ian Anderson and his band impressed the hell out of a packed house at the Vic Theater playing old Jethro Tull standards and some real rare jems. A perfect evening with five other musicians in an acoustic setting was a delight to see and hear. Ian packed up and hit the road for some select shows without Martin Barre and Doane Perry, but he did bring along some familiar faces. David Goodier and John O'Hara had filled in the gaps on bass and accordian for the short tour bringing some whiskers to the stage. Florian Ophale stepped into the mighty big shoes he had to fill on guitar. Meena Bhasin came and sat in on viola during some of the songs for this wonderful eclectic version of Jethro Tull music. Opening the night out with "Dun Ringell" was a shock to most Tull fans, but immediately going into "March the mad Scientist" was just overwhelming. The set list had been a nice mix of the B side material and some of the more popular stuff. An excellent event for the true fans of Jethro Tull music. Different versions of "Locomotive Breathe" and "Aqualung" closed out the show. The variations of the these staple songs were delightful to hear within the new rendition of them. You thought that your ears started to play tricks on you when they first went into these songs. Well done. "Jack in the Green" and "Bouree" were a couple other pieces that filled up the allowed time for the show. Listening to these songs again without the pops and hiss of the vinyl left you asking one question, Where's Jethro?

Ian still has it on the flute, but his voice is half gone. So what does he do? He relies on some half cocked video he has added to the concert, which is about agriculture, global warming, snd who knows what else. Most of the fans find this annoying, so he has some stupid farmers and college guy sing on the video, to give Ian a breather. All in all, its awkward stuff. Isn Anderson is pushing 70, and does non stop touring. Gotta wonder, does he really enjoy it at this point, i would think its about the money, yet, im sure that he is very comfortable. If he is in to stay vital, rather than retirement, that s okay. The concert goers are not coming to see a documentary, so i hope Ian gets the message. He will get the message, because i m told he reads each and every one of these reviews!

My first concert, Passion Play, was amazing. My Dad dropped me off and picked me up after the show as I was in junior high in Wichita, KS. Intoxicating event. Fast forward to a few years ago at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO. Even more amazing in the small venue. Crisp with exceptional acoustics of an opera house. Now getting ready to see Mr Anderson at Red Rocks-taking my boys-the 13 year old about the same age when I saw Passion Play. Gonna be a killa....

Ian Anderson along with Jethro Tull was right along side the acts of Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and so on, but has not received the credit of which is due. Ian Anderson still plays at least a hundred shows each year and travels extensively all over the world. His vibrant presence on stage is always precise and consistent though at times it can be a little corny, however, Ian Anderson still puts on on the best live show out of anyone that i've ever seen, and I would highly recommend attending one.

I was so disappointed that this tour was a movie with actors singing the songs rather than Ian singing the songs himself. I hated the film, it was amateurish and bizarre and looked like a bad student film, and was hard on the eyes, The new material is not very good, and the older material was sung by actors on a screen, it was so disappointing. I saw Tull back in 1992 and it was an amazing show. I will say that Ian is still excellent on the flute, which was really the only plus.