Jethro Tull (November 2004)

Date of Performance: November 19, 2004
Venue: The Palace Theater, Albany, NY, US

It is hard to believe that Ian Anderson has been performing Tull music since the late 1960s. He has seen many band members come and go, but his faithful sidekick Martin Barre has been firing up the guitar licks for over 30 years himself. The band seems very solidified these days with Doane Perry (drums) and Andrew Giddings (keyboards), who both are now veterans, and newbie Jonathon Noyce (bass) who has been on board for a number of years himself.

The Palace Theater in Albany New York is a beautiful place to hear and see a show. Tull showed their versatility with two sets of music, one mostly acoustic, and the other with the band doing what they do best, rocking the audience. Opening with "Life Is A Long Song," it was an intimate feel the band gave off. One of my personal favorites, "Jack In The Green" was the first set highlight for me. They also played some solo material from Anderson's and Martin Barre's latest releases. Tull released a wonderful album of Christmas music last year, and since we are getting close to the season (the malls and radio stations have already started) the band decided to bring out "We Three Kings."

The electric set got the band and audience rolling with classics such as "Cross-Eyed Mary," "My God," and "Locomotive Breath." The band continues to show that they are much more than a progressive rock band, and it is a shame that more bands don't offer such diversity in their music. The theater appeared full, and the band played their hearts out, what more can you ask for?