Martin Barre – Away With Words

Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre released his fourth solo album AWAY WITH WORDS, through RSK’s new label, Edifying Records on 30th September. The record features new arrangements of Tull material together with some brand new compositions by Barre. Having been tipped off about his faultless performance at London’s Borderline we felt it was high time we showcased his excellent new release.

With the seminal prog outfit still on indefinite hiatus, Martin Barre brings back to life some of Jethro Tull’s classics but also less known gems, with the invaluable help of engineer James Bragg. The track list features RequiemFrom a Deadbeat to an Old GreaserMothsHome and Fire at Midnight amongst others.

 “Re-arranging and representing the Tull songs featured on this album became a very pleasant and rewarding task. These lesser known songs have always been amongst my favourite pieces of music and reworking them brought back many good memories” – he confides enthusiastically. Talking about his new compositions included in the album, he says “I have written the rest of the music, hopefully with sympathy and taste. Composing and re-arranging is my passion.  Bringing together the many acoustic instruments was a delight for me, but of course the electric guitar couldn’t be totally left out of the picture!”  He goes on to say “This album is a fusion of my writing blended together with Ian (Anderson’s) in a continual movement of music.”  

 On Away With Words, multi-talented Barre plays Acoustic/Classic/Electric Guitars, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Bass, Flute & Bass Clarinet, with Dan Crisp taking care of vocals. Completing the line up are Frank Mead on Blackwood Flute, Whistles, Bodhran and Blues Harp, Jonathan Noyce on bass and George Lindsay on drums & percussion.

Track listing:

1.  First Light/Moths
2.  It’s My Round
3.  One Brown Mouse/Fatcat
4.  All Bars Hold
5.  Air: Lament Of the Spalpeen/Martin’s Jig/Hymn
6.  Pussy Willow
7.  Snapshot/Paparazzi
8.  Long Ago/Home
9.  Fire At Midnight/From The Ashes
10. Protect & Survive
11. Spare A Thought/From A Dead Beat To An Old Greaser
12. Sundown

Martin Barre started his music career in the early 60s playing saxophone. He audition for Jethro Tull in 1969 and was handpicked by Ian Anderson to take on guitar duties from Mick Abrahams. Today he’s the longest standing member after Anderson himself, having appeared on all of their albums apart from their first.  Barre is also a talented flautist, both live and on record, with Jethro Tull and solo. The quality and uniqueness of his work and a series of high profile collaborations contributed to make him one of the world’s most rated rock musicians, with his signature ‘Aqualung’ solo voted as one of the top guitar solos of all times (Guitar Player Magazine).

Artist’s website: http://www.martinbarre.com/

Still a favourite JT song: and what a classic rocked out version it is…