Order of Play

..but he certainly is a hero of the guitar. Never one to seek the spotlight, Martin lets his guitar do the talking, and he can say more with one note, put more emotion into it than any other guitarist I’ve heard. Separated from Jethro Tull after more than 40 years, he is now back to playing the music he loves: that blues-drenched rock that defined the early Tull sound before synths and squeezy things squeezed him to the back of the stage. So here on this live in the studio recording Martin is back with a vengeance, playing a “dirty, nasty, low-down blues” take of A New Day Yesterday, a rocking Song for Jeffrey, and even Fatman from Stand Up, and To Cry You a Song and Teacher from Benefit. We’re also treated to a nice slice of Thick as a Brick, and an excellent version of Robert Johnson’s Crossroads on the mandolin.I can’t help missing the flute here and there, but Richard Beesley’s sax fills in nicely, without ever dominating. Dan Crisp too sounds out of place at first, as Ian’s voice is inseparable from these songs, but after a few plays you come to realize his Crisp’s voice too is well suited to the music.While it can be rightly said that Ian Anderson is the creative force behind Jethro Tull, and his quirkiness, humor and eccentricity have kept the music adventuresome and unpredictable, Martin was the engine that powered the band, a guitarist extraordinaire, a true virtuoso who can shred with the best but favors tone and control over speed. It is wonderful to hear him playing the music he loves, and if, like me, you love it too, you will thoroughly enjoy this set.There are a lot of high profile guitar heroes out there, but Martin Barre is a name few recognize. Give this CD a listen and you will wonder why.

Nice to hear these tunes, many of which come from the Jethro Tull songbook. Martin plays an aggressive, loud guitar; much more so than in any Tull song. But Martin has hired a very good singer, Dan Crisp, who puts his own stamp on some classic tunes. Ian's voice has been awful since the '80s, and anyone who has seen Tull in concert since then has certainly had to wince more than once when hearing what time and cigarettes did to that wonderfully warm voice we used to know.I give this four stars rather than five because there are a few songs I could do without. And...a certain je ne sais quois: there is something too unvarying about this collection. Can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's the absence of a producer who has an ear for a cohesive work of art. Benefit, for instance, had a good variety of songs, and feels like a whole unit that is like a complete puzzle. Order of Play doesn't quite rise to that level.

I am a lifelong Jethro Tull fan. A while back I heard some snippets of Martin Barre's band and was not that impressed. However, I am very impressed with this disc. The band is tight, the sound is clean, and it features some of my favorite Tull songs. Martin has reworked some of the Tull classics, and they play others true to original form. The vocalist, Dan Crisp, breathes new life into the old Tull songs, and it has been a long time since I was excited about Tull vocals. He also has a nifty harmony thing going on the guitar with Martin that is excellent. I urge every Jethro Tull fan to purchase this disc - you will not be disappointed. In fact, this is one of the most satisfying releases from Tull, Ian or anyone related to Jethro Tull in years. I cannot take it out of my CD changer. I hope this band tours the western U.S., as I will be there if they do. I eagerly await other releases from this band.

MARTIN BARRE, IAN ANDERSON'S GUITARIST SINCE JETHRO TULLS SECOND ALBUM (1969??) IS ONE OF THE BEST THERE IS, BUT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE SHADOW OF IAN ANDERSON ( IF YOU HAVE EVER SEEN TULL, YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND). THIS CD IS MARTINS BAND PERFORMING THEIR INTERPRETATION OF MOSTLY JETHRO TULL'S MUSIC. IT IS ALL DONE IN THE STUDIO , BUT WITH ONE TAKE. THERE IS NO OVER DUBBING, OVER MIXING. THAT IS REFRESHING IN TODAYS OVER PRODUCED, AND PHONY MUSIC WORLD. THIS CD IS WHAT THEY DO IN A LIVE CONCERT MINUS THE AUDIENCE. ON EACH SONG, MARTIN DESCRIBES WHY HE DID THE SONG THE WAY HE DID IT. IF YOU ARE A JETHRO TULL FAN AND A MARTIN BARRE FAN, THIS IS FOR YOU AND A MUST HAVE. IF YOU ARE NOT , YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE INTERPRETATIONS. PERSONALLY, I RESPECT MARTIN BARRE'S WORK, AND REALLY ENJOYED HIS APPROACH ON EACH AND EVERY SONG. HE IS ONE OF THE BEST THERE IS! WOULD LOVE FOR HIS BAND TO COME TO THE USA!!

Martin is certainly a good guitar player but I still prefer the Jethro Tull renditions of Tull songs like Thick As A Brick, Teacher, Locomotive Breath, Fatman, and New Day Yesterday. Dan Crisp does well on the vocals one these songs. I also like the blues songs Crossraods and Rock Me Baby.

I've always liked Martin Barres style,and here he serves up some old Tull favorites with some surprises.The sax is a nice touch on the album.Along with Martins great chops,I'm reminded,somewhat of Mick Abrahams,Blodwyn Pig.

TRULY AWESOME!!!!!!!...IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!!!...I HOPE MARTIN DOES MORE LIKE THIS ONE USING THE SAME LINE-UP OF MUSCIANS...THE VOCALS FROM DAN CRISP ARE PERFECT & RICHARD BEESLEY DOES A GREAT JOB ON SAX / CLARINET FILLING IN THE FLUTE PARTS AND THE REST OF THE BAND ARE RIGHT ON...OH! AND OF COURSE MARTIN'S GUITAR PLAYING IS AS ALWAYS SUPERB!!!

Very nice album with a mixture of Jethro Tull songs and blues classics. All the songs are re-arranged by Martin Barre. This album has the feel of the Jethro Tull album, "A Little Light Music", with that live and acoustic feeling.I also highly recommend Martin Barre's new instrumental album, "Away with Words".

I've always loved Tull and Martin Barre is a huge part of that band's success .This is a different take on mainly Ian Anderson songs and they are done extremely well although the vocals aren't to my taste on some of the songs ..I particularly like A new day yesterday , with Martin's guitar giving it a heavier stance . I really like the guitar on this version of Thick as a Brick and Teacher .Well worth a listen if you are a Tull fan , with a different style than Ian Anderson's originals . Martin Barre shows us why he was an integral part of that band .

Really good work. As others have stated these songs have a harder edge to them than the JT originals, but that is fine to my ear. Not much needs to be said about the songs themselves. If you are reading this I am confident you know all about them already. Another reviewer is far from effusive about the vocals but I have no problem with them. Martin is in fine form and this is altogether a pretty strong release and certainly recommended. Word of warning: It comes unannounced in one of those hideous digipak covers!!

Martin has always been a driving force in Jethro Tull. Anyone who has been to a Tull concert has heard his creativity when he performs one of his guitar solos while Ian takes a short break. On this album, it is nice to hear Martin's interpretation of some of the most iconic and not so iconic Tull tunes. His band is excellent and choice of tunes is great. My favorites are TAAB and To Cry You a Song. Certainly worth buying if you're a Tull fan or a fan of a truly great guitar player.

Sublime guitar work. Subjectively, the vocals disappoint.With regards to sleeve art, I'm intrigued to know whether the white numbering/lettering on the wall is 1A or IA (Ian Anderson)

What a guitar player, I have always been a big Jethro Tull fan but hearing Barres versions of old Tull songs and his own songs as well is just great, brillant album and a great bonus as well