Album Review of
Live In NY

Written by Robert Silverstein
February 7, 2020 - 12:00am EST
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A joint release between Purple Pyramid and MVD, Live In NY is a most impressive return to form by rock guitar innovator Martin Barre. Of course, it was Martin’s electric guitar work that changed the fortunes of Jethro Tull following the departure of Mick Abrahams in 1969. Martin’s instrumental albums are a blast but Live In NY is a Jethro Tull tribute album featuring Martin backed up by his band including Dan Crisp (vocals, guitar), Alan Thompson (bass) and George Lindsey (drums). The interplay between Dan’s vocals and Martin’s memorable riffs brings a new dynamic to vintage Tull classics from the 1970s balanced out by several of Martin’s newer instrumental pieces, and there’s also a cover of the Beatles’ 1966 classic “Eleanor Rigby”. Recorded live in upstate NY during 2019, the three disc package includes two CDs and a DVD, but unfortunately the DVD is presented without indexing so you’ll have to toggle your way through the extensive live tracks. As witnessed throughout the excellent sounding package, Tull’s music and specifically, Martin’s guitar work is still magical. Thanks to a range of historic Steve Wilson remix box sets of Tull’s historic 1969-1979 heyday, Martin’s guitar work will be appreciated by early fans and newcomers to the Tull legend for decades to come. Perhaps the heyday of Tull is 40 years past yet, as Live In NY indicates, Martin’s guitar work and Jethro Tull’s music has only improved, like fine wine, in time.