ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...6/25/15

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 06/27/2015

"Our agent at the time was a history graduate, we were dithering about searching for band names and he suggested it and I was sort of like; yeah, well, OK. Then it dawned on me; we're named after a dead guy," explained founding member and music icon Ian Anderson with a laugh on how legendary rock band Jethro Tull got their name. "So let that be a lesson to you children; pay attention in history class!"

The year was 1968 and Tull was on their way to becoming an emerging force to be reckoned with in what was becoming the post Beatles era of rock music. Album oriented "Classic Rock," had begun to dominate radio airwaves and harder, more heavy concept records were lining record store shelves. Every band, unique in its own way, from the album packaging and art to their on and off stage gimmicks or antics; music was changing and Jethro Tull was an integral part of it.

Anderson, the front man and face of the band is widely credited with introducing the flute into rock music. Helping to launch an entire trend into the genre; Anderson blazed a trail with his use of this wind instrument. Now more than four decades later, thirty studio and live albums and more than sixty million records sold world wide; Anderson is bringing his first "Quasi rock opera" to the masses. Tickets are now on sale for "Jethro Tull, The Rock Opera," premiers in the U.S. beginning with a show at the Chicago Theater in Chicago,IL on November 1 and ending with a show in Newark, NJ on November 11 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

"Other than the Pretty Things and then Pete Townsend writing what is the all time greatest rock opera "Tommy," which really isn't an opera at all, not in the operatic sense, it's not in the traditional connected sense where it's a series of arias incorporated to tell a story; it's a series of songs that were put together to tell a great story and this is something like that but not quite," explained Anderson. "This is the re-imagined story of the agricultural inventor who suffered with bronchial disorders as a child and who, as he got older, moved to study in France hoping that he could find ways to treat his illnesses. All these years later I started looking into that, I wanted to find something out about him and I discovered that whether it be by fate or accident; many songs that I've written coincide with his life or career. I didn't know at the time I wrote it that a song such as "Aqualung" could actually relate to his bronchial disorder but it is all quite similar and there are quite a few of the songs that are like this; so I assembled them all together into this sort of an opera style show."

"Heavy Horses," "Farm On The Freeway," "Songs From The Wood," "Aqualung," "Living In The Past," "Wind-Up," "A New Day Yesterday," "The Witch's Promise," "Locomotive Breath" and multiple other classic from the Tull collection will be part of this undertaking; some modified a bit to "fit the bill" so to speak but not drastically altered. "I didn't do much really in the way of altering the songs," he explained. "What I did was bring them up to speed to reflect a modern day chemist who is trying to feed the planet; a very hungry planet. Other than obvious cosmetic changes and a few pronoun changes; I've done very little in the way of changing the material. Those who come to the show are going to hear approximately twenty songs from the best of the Jethro Tull repertoire and they'll all be relevant to the show and what I am trying to do; so obviously there will be no "Bungle In the Jungle," Anderson said with a slight laugh.

Also included in this presentation will be some new material and some "Virtual guests" as well. "I'm using the original lyrics for the most part and incorporating them in a theatrical, multi-media event. The virtual guests will be on a large screen and will interject at precise moments to help tell the story."

Anderson's concerns about the show are minimal at best; even sort of poking fun at himself or any possible detractors who think an aging rock star is grasping at straws to continue chasing a ship which has set sail. "Oh I am sure there are cynics out there who are thinking, "Look at this pathetic old man trying to get his music out" and they can't see a very old chap doing what I am still doing; I say humor me until I am ready to go away."

This series of eight shows in November are just the start of something much bigger to top off 2015 and prepare the band for a larger scale tour in 2016. "We are scheduling more in 2016 after Easter. In September we will take it to the west coast of the U.S. and shows in Europe as well. I am looking forward to this tour but as I get older I don't want to be away from family for prolonged periods of time. I'm not a homebody by any stretch but doing months on end on the road doesn't hold the same appeal as it did years ago when we were younger and more; shall we say expressive and versatile?

As the laughter faded from his voice a seemingly confident Ian Anderson, the face of Jethro Tull took his leave. A leave which will bring he and the band back here once again come fall. Anderson once said, "A band to me is whomever is in the room at the time." Well, this tour features a new band, a new show and a few history lessons as well and tickets are on sale now.

To obtain tickets or learn more about Jethro Tull; please visit www.jethrotull.com .

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!

THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS

Alchemist & Barrister

28 Witherspoon Street Princeton

(609) 924-5555

Thurs. 10 p.m. Matt Roach

Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham

All shows 21+

New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info

Amalfi's Restaurant

146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville

(609) 912-1599

Sat. 9 p.m. No Way Out

Amarones Windsor Inn

29 Church St. Windsor

New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info

(609) 448-7144

Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Country" Ron Crites

Fri. 8 p.m. Living The Dream

Sat. 8 p.m. (TBA)

Tues. 8 p.m. Ambiance the Duo

Blend Bar & Bistro

911 Highway 33, Hamilton

(609) 245-8887

New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info

Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam

The Backstage at Championship Bar

931 Chambers St. Trenton

Fri. 7 p.m. Corners Of Sanctuary, Suicide Conspiracy, Escape From Crete, (TBA). All ages, $10

Sat. 5 p.m. Mesina, Allora Mis, Midnight Anthem, Lurk, In Theory, (TBA). All ages, $10

Sun. 4 p.m. In Dying Arms, Phantoms, War Among Us, Disaffect, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12

Candlelight Lounge

24 Passaic St. Trenton

(609) 695-9612

Sat. 3 p.m. Daryl Yokley Tenor & Alto Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)

Chickie's & Pete's

183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-9182

Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs

Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night

New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info

Dog & Bull Brew House

810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.

(215) 788-2855

Thurs. 8 p.m. Kevin Toft & The All Star Band

Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Keli Vale Jazz Duo (9 p.m.) Brian Eastburn

Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Faraway Guys

Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz Duo (3 p.m.) Tommy Griggz

Mon. 8 p.m. Jay Regan

Tues. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus

Wed. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson

Fran's Pub

116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.

(215)862-5539

Thurs. 9 p.m. Curtain Call

Sat. 8 p.m. The Kim Yarson Band

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam

All shows 21+

Halo Pub

4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square

(609) 586-1811

Sat. 7 p.m. (TBA)

Halo Pub

9 Hullfish Street Princeton

(609) 921-1710

Sat. 6:30 p.m. The Ragtime Relics

Havana New Hope

105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-9897

Thurs. 8 p.m. Denny Laine and Steve Holley w/ The Cryers. Doors at 6 p.m., $30

Fri. 8:30 p.m. Bigg Romeo

Sat. (12 p.m.) Brian's Harley Davidson Presents: "Rock & Ride For The Cure." (8:30 p.m.) Schwubby Buzzer

Sun. (1 p.m.) Sip and Shop (6 p.m.) JB Kline

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends

Ivy Tavern

3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton

(609) 888-1435

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Fri. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke

Sat. 10 p.m. F2 & The Anchovy Brothers

Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z Memorial Jam

All shows 21+

John & Peter's

96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-5981

Thurs. 9 p.m. Skunk Ruckus

Fri. 9 p.m. Ammunition

Sat. (3 p.m.) The Real Fugitives (9 p.m.) Rainbow Fresh

Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin Presents: A drag Show Benefit (9 p.m.) Collin J. Rocker

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Tim

Tues. 9 p.m. DJ Aggreschen

Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational

All shows 21+

JoJo's Tavern

2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-2678

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke

Palermo's Of Hamilton

310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton

(609) 838-7979

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+

Patriot's Crossing

1339 River Rd. Titusville

(609) 737-2780

Fri. 7:30 p.m. Buffalo Trixx

Sat. 7:30 p.m. Dan Zimmerman & The Torquebillies

Pete's Steak House

523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton

(609) 585-8008

Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deb and The Sons of Rock

Randy Now's Man Cave

134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 424-3766

Check web site for upcoming shows

RHO Waterfront

50 Riverview Plaza Trenton

(609) 393-7300

Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (9 p.m.) The Soul Cruisers

Sat. 10 p.m. "The Best of Both Worlds: Blue and White Affair" w/ DJ Diamond Cuts and DJ Wallah

All Shows 21+

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown

(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. Sneak Attack

Sat. 9 p.m. Tres Hombres

Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night

The HOB Tavern

146 Second Street

(609) 291-7020

Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke

The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555

Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron

Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Copacetic

Sat. 10 p.m. Stereo87

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv

Wed. (8:30 p.m.) Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron

The Millhill Basement

300 South Broad St Trenton

(609) 989-1600

Thurs. 7 p.m. Toys That Kill, Mikey Erg, Honah Lee, The Groucho Marxists, Benny The Jet Rodriguez. $10

Sat. 9 p.m. The Rentiers, Tim hoh Jr., Logan Carpenter, Playoff Beard. $8

The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 324-0880

Sat. 8 p.m. Sofia Nicole / Joe Keris. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)

The Sticky Wicket

2465 South Broad St. Hamilton

(609) 439-0007

Fri. 9 p.m. New Dawn

Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys

The Sun National Bank Center

81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 656-3200

Check web site for upcoming events

The Trellis Outdoor Bar & Patio

30 Route 156 Hamilton

(609) 581-6782

Sat. 9 p.m. Tequila Rose

Tilted Kilt

557 US Hwy. 130 North, Hamilton

(609) 585-1800

Fri. 9 p.m. Kevin Toft & The All Star Band

Tir Na Nog

1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 392-2554

Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill

Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)

All shows 21+

Trenton Buzz

702 Pine St. Trenton

(609) 392-6000

Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat

Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777

Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Cinema Thursday Presents: (TBA)

Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree

Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.

Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)

400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-8300

Fri. 10 p.m. (TBA)($5 cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. The Law Suits. ($5 cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night

All shows 21+

Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock

All shows 21+