TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Hi Maart!

I have to say that you are one of the most versatile musicians in this field.  You've played with so many bands/musicians and in many styles of music.  My question is.... what type of music did you start out intending to play in the beginning and which do you enjoy the best?

BTW, I remember that you, Peggy and Doane did a little folk dittie in the front of the stage during the Rock Island tour.  Tull concerts are usually the current/back catalogue of Tull songs and seeing your trio was quite refreshing.   Ian doesn't give up the spotlight too often...  very glad he did that time!  ;)

Best,
Annette

I remember that too and always wanted to know what the tune was... never did find out...

Amy

Hi Annette

As far as I remember (it was a l-o-o-ng time ago now) I started out wanting to play bass in a band like Jimi Hendrix Experience or Deep Purple or Led Zeppelin.

Although I kind of grew up with Irish music socially, I don’t think I ever took folk music seriously until I heard Full House (FC, 1970) and heard Swarb for the first time. Then I kind of got hooked on the folk-rock thing for a while.

Then I heard the real thing. The BEATLES of Irish folk music, Planxty, supported Steeleye Span on a UK tour about 73?/74? and when I went backstage at Manchester Free Trade Hall for autographs, Planxty were still playing and apparently hadn’t stopped since they came off stage. The Steeleye guys were just watching, except I think Peter Knight joined in. Fab stuff and a realisation that it was a life rather than a gig.

Meanwhile I’d been playing double bass in the Lancashire Schools Symphony Orchestra under Malcolm Daly so I was exposed to the vast orchestral repertoire, which led me to getting autographs from the likes of Paul Tortelier and his luscious daughter Maria (!) and Luigi Dallapiccola. My first ever tour overseas was in Denmark, over thirty years ago, with the LSSO. Sitting on the bottom of an orchestra is very rock’n’roll I assure you dear reader!

Then I needed something to fulfil the musical education I’d had, partially from my school music teacher Peter Larkin, and mostly self-taught, and I got into Prog, I confess. Thing is, these guys rocked harder than all the usual suspects, it’s just that most people didn’t understand it. Karl Jenkins (Soft Machine) is finally getting some recognition, including a recent honours list, and if there were any justice in the world, Dave Stewart would now be King/President.

After that I got employment playing in dance bands and backing cabaret so I was thrust into many different styles in a very short space of time. BTW, you need to be able to read music for this…

Then back to folk music etc. and after that I attained musical freedom.

Donio, Peggio & Maartio’s section was fun and gave Ian the chance of a tiddle-break. My favourite one though was when DP and Ian went off and I got to play fretless at the front of the stage, on a pointy prow of a ship type thing with Maarty Barre and Donio whacking it out while I took a solo in front of 25,000 people every night. Only happened in USA. Very nice…

What do I enjoy the best? Don’t be silly! Music…

Maart

Excellent explanation Maart, thanks! :D   

Yes, I saw your solo on that tour as well!  I'm glad you had the opportunity to perform that way with Tull --- I think it gave you a great deal of exposure among Tull fans.  You've won the hearts of many of them!

I've not heard of Planxty, I'll have to check them out. 
Annette :)

One of Ian Anderson's favourites! The early stuff is classic but the new Live 2004 is just as fab. My favourites are After The Break and Words And Music.

Maart