Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Barre, Martin
Label: Edifying Records
Release: 2013
Rating: 4/5
Martin ‘Lancelot’ Barre, one of the finest guitarists in rock history, knows a thing or two about patience. For more than forty years he was a member of the legendary prog-rock band Jethro Tull, right up to the ‘fateful’ year of 2011. That was when he and the undisputed Tull chieftain Ian Anderson stopped working together and each went their own musical way. Before that, Martin had to put up with plenty of Ian’s whims. From 1969 on, when he joined Jethro Tull, it was always clear who the boss of the band was, but the disagreements between him and the cult flautist/singer evidently grew too big in the last few years, so the time had come for the guitar maestro to open a new chapter in his career. Martin, who draws his guitar style mostly from blues, baroque-arranged classic prog rock and traditional British folk, has released four albums in his solo career so far.
»Away With Words« is his fifth solo outing in a row and his first album since the breakup of Jethro Tull. Martin evidently wanted to take a not-so-subtle dig at his former comrade, because on the cover of »Away With Words« you can spot a stone head of the ancient Greek god Pan on the wall in the background, and it bears an uncanny resemblance to Ian Anderson (from his younger years). By their own account, Barre is one of the role models for guitar masters like Joe Bonamassa, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, while Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) called Martin’s work with Anderson ‘magical’, so »Aways With Words« is a record that deserves the special attention of all fans of guitar virtuosos.
Anyone who has loved Jethro Tull for years knows that Martin is not only an excellent guitarist but also an occasional flautist and a gifted songwriter, even though his favorite Tull album is also the most controversial one of their career – the electronic abomination »Under Wraps« (1984), on which Barre co-wrote two tracks. His solo work has been quite a bit better, especially the album »Stage Left« (2004), so as expected, »Away With Words« is a real treat for fans of his distinctive, subtle approach to the guitar, one that no other guitar interpreter of the Jethro Tull legacy can match for refinement.
On »Away With Words« Martin, joined by former Tull bassist Jonathan Noyce and the rest of his solo crew, mostly plays instrumental music with an emphasis on acoustic guitar. Track by track, he’s mixed new original compositions with some beloved favorites from the vast Jethro Tull treasure chest. The confident, pastoral-tinged opening with his own composition »At The First Light« quickly flows into the Celtic treat »Moths« from the Tull masterpiece »Heavy Horses« (1978), where Martin’s signature, incredibly subtle chord picking takes over in an instant, which is enough to make an ‘olde-worlde’ atmosphere bloom. Next comes the somewhat more melancholic »It’s My Round«, which then flows into »Requiem«, the closer from »Stormwatch« (1979).
Martin shows off his sharp sense for guitar and ambient mischief again by joining another »Heavy Horses« classic, »One Brown Mouse«, with the new piece »Fatcat«; when the fat cat’s away, the brown mouse dances its own reel. Next up is the ambitious, neoclassically minded suite »Air, made up of three parts: the traditional piece »Lament Of the Spalpeen«, the earlier solo number »Martin’s Jig« and the »Aqualung« (1971) standard »Hymn 43«, in the middle of which singer Dan Crisp does a pretty good job on vocals. »All Bars Hold« is an acoustic-guitar instrumental barely a minute long, while Barre then also pulls off a very good acoustic take on »Pussy Willow«, the evergreen from »The Broadsword And The Beast« (1982). He’s merged the new piece »Snapshot« with the »Under Wraps« track »Paparazzi«, which for the first time comes out sounding listenable, even good, and there are plenty of passionate electric guitar passages to hear here too.
»Long Ago« with its melancholic pulse links up nicely with »Home«, the serene standard from »Benefit« (1970). The festively spiced »Fire At Midnight« from »Songs From The Wood« (1977) is likewise a wonderful match for Barre’s new piece »From The Ashes«. »Protect And Survive« from the album »A« (1980) has always been one of Martin’s favorite Tull songs. This traditionally punchy number turns out hugely interesting even in its acoustic makeover. The combination of »Spare A Thought« and a classic from »Too Old To Rock’n’Roll: To Young To Die« (1976), titled »From A Dead Beat To An Old Greaser«, creates an indescribably melancholic mood. The closing solo piece »Sundown« is full of bright chords that build a thoroughly relaxing atmosphere.
On »Away With Words« you can hear loud and clear why Barre’s guitar was an irreplaceable part of the Jethro Tull sound for more than four decades, and why it was only right that the story of the legendary band ended the moment he left. Regardless of Ian’s attempts to rewrite the past, Martin Barre, who is currently on a solo tour of his own where, ironically, he plays long-standing classics from his former band, remains an unforgettable part of the Jethro Tull legacy. Meanwhile, Martin already has a new live album in the works, titled »Order of Play«, which is due out in September 2014.
Lineup
Martin Barre – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, flute, bouzouki, bass guitar, bass clarinet, mandolin
Jonathan Noyce – bass guitar
Dan Crisp – vocals
Frank Mead – flute, blues harp, whistle
George Lindsay – drums and percussion
Production
Martin Barre
Tracklist
1. At First Light/Moths
2. It’s My Round/Requiem
3. One Brown Mouse/Fatcat
4. Air: Lament Of the Spalpeen/Martin’s Jig/Hymn 43
5. All Bars Hold
6. Pussy Willow
7. Snapshot/Paparazzi
8. Long Ago/Home
9. Fire At Midnight/From The Ashes
10. Protect And Survive
11. Spare a Thought/From a Dead Beat to An Old Greaser
12. Sundown
