Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull: "Frank Zappa... was unable to escape his more eccentrically comic work"
Shrike!
June 30, 2006
Larry Sakin
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/06/30/060136.php
There are few rock musicians that can say they’ve experienced all
the different phases the musical form has taken in the last forty
years or more. One of them is Jethro Tull vocalist, flautist,
violinist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter, Ian Anderson. I
spoke with him by phone earlier this month as he was preparing to
tour Europe and Asia.
[snip]
In between his solo recording and his work with Tull, Anderson
has been working with full classical/pop orchestral arrangements
of Tull music. In July, Anderson will be touring the US, playing
with several orchestras.
“It’s a great challenge, something I look forward to. For me,
it’s just another progression for these songs, another chance to
improvise on the established themes. It’s so important for a
musician not to be trapped into a form. Frank Zappa worked a
number of forms, but was unable to escape his more eccentrically
comic work. In a way, it kind of ruined him because people
couldn’t appreciate the directions he chose after he was through
with all of that. I don’t want what Tull has done in the past to
be completely representative of us. We’ve all grown as musicians,
and our work has grown with us. Keeping the music fresh keeps me
thinking of new ways to interpret what we’ve done, and allows our
songs to find a wider audience. What could be better than that?”
[snip]
Gary
music and just done all that incredible music he would not have reached
as large an audience to begin with. So net net I think his audience
was larger for the cool music even as a result of the comedy stuff.
Amazing though that Tull is still grinding it out, I always really
liked them too.
Michael Gula
> Interesting theory, and probably true, but if he had skipped the comedy
> music and just done all that incredible music he would not have reached
> as large an audience to begin with.
And he wouldn't have been true to himself, which probably meant more
than anything else.
It didn't 'ruin' him. Anderson is wrong.
Dirk Van de moortel
"Michael Gula" <mike...@erols.com> wrote in message news:4vydnWf2YPDKSjjZ...@rcn.net...
Absolutely. He should have said:
"In a way, it kind of ruined him because I, Ian Anderson,
couldn't appreciate the directions he chose after he was
through with all of that"
What a silly thing to say.
Dirk Vdm
Big Al Tomatoes
Why the hell is it that rock acts don't feel they've made it until
they've worked with an orchestra?
Dan Buxbaum
>
> Why the hell is it that rock acts don't feel they've made it until
> they've worked with an orchestra?
>
For Ian, working with an orchestra puts more emphasis on the
"instrumental" arrangements rather than "vocal", since his voice has
diminished over the years, while his instrumental talents have even
improved--it could be argued.
I agree with his assessment of FZ, but Frank always tried to remain
'topical' in his (song-based) subject matter and musical satirical
elements live, which caused a certain uneveness--and more change-over
stylistically from band to band; while Tull was based in a more
'timeless' British folk-rock/blues/rock n' roll/Monty Python
tradition--though they pushed the envelope enough as well, especially in
the "prog" seventies.
---
(or maybe not)
Dirk Van de moortel
"Big Al Tomatoes" <stabu...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:_JidnT6E7YL27jvZ...@adelphia.com...
>
> Why the hell is it that rock acts don't feel they've made it until they've worked with an orchestra?
Because the orchestra act might help mom and dad noticing
and perhaps even appreciating ;-)
Dirk Vdm
Shrike!
> It didn't 'ruin' him. Anderson is wrong.
True that.
Shrike!
> Interesting theory, and probably true, but if he had skipped the comedy
> music and just done all that incredible music he would not have reached
> as large an audience to begin with.
The "comedy music" was a means to an end, as I believe, FZ
himself stated. Without doing the "comedy music" he would have
been a starving artist creating virtually unheard "classical"
music far outside the accepted norm for that oeuvre.
> So net net I think his audience
> was larger for the cool music even as a result of the comedy stuff.
Yes, I believe so. His "comedy music" and outstanding rock music
endeared me to him enough that, as a musical ignorant, I delved
into and appreciated not only his "classical music", but, that of
Varese, Xenakis, and avant garde music in general.
If FZ hadn't shown and led me to alternatives, I likely would
have remained just another mindless sheep subsisting on what is
now considered classic rock, and, oldies music.
Addendum - It is the lack of avant garde music being broadcast on
Sirius satellite radio that is my second biggest complaint with
that service; right behind not enough FZ, Beefheart, and related
artists being played.
Shrike!
>> "Michael Gula" wrote
>> It didn't 'ruin' him. Anderson is wrong.
> Absolutely. He should have said:
> "In a way, it kind of ruined him because I, Ian Anderson,
> couldn't appreciate the directions he chose
That was enough of a statement for me to accept without following
it with:
>after he was through with all of that"
> What a silly thing to say.
Yes, but it was an interview which typically, or should, contain
subjective content. We are only able to disagree with Anderson's
comment. Perhaps he simply misstated his perceptions or knowledge
of FZ's career in the nanoseconds required to state something
analogous to what he wished for Tull.
But then, I've been wrong before in analyzing what I, and many
other people, think and say.
pbuzb...@yahoo.com
Shrike! wrote:
> Gary said the following:
>
> > Interesting theory, and probably true, but if he had skipped the comedy
> > music and just done all that incredible music he would not have reached
> > as large an audience to begin with.
>
> The "comedy music" was a means to an end, as I believe, FZ
> himself stated. Without doing the "comedy music" he would have
> been a starving artist creating virtually unheard "classical"
> music far outside the accepted norm for that oeuvre.
Even FZ's orchestral music often included comedic elements. IMO,
Anderson's suggestion that the association happened against FZ's wishes
is incorrect.
Pat Buzby
Chicago, IL
Dirk Van de moortel
"Shrike!" <cal...@newsguy.com> wrote in message news:44A6B45F...@newsguy.com...
> Dirk Van de moortel said the following:
>
>>> "Michael Gula" wrote
>>> It didn't 'ruin' him. Anderson is wrong.
>
>> Absolutely. He should have said:
>> "In a way, it kind of ruined him because I, Ian Anderson,
>> couldn't appreciate the directions he chose
>
> That was enough of a statement for me to accept without following it with:
>
>>after he was through with all of that"
>
>> What a silly thing to say.
>
> Yes, but it was an interview which typically, or should, contain subjective content. We are only able to disagree with Anderson's
> comment. Perhaps he simply misstated his perceptions or knowledge of FZ's career in the nanoseconds required to state something
> analogous to what he wished for Tull.
Yes, of course, possibly.
>
> But then, I've been wrong before in analyzing what I, and many other people, think and say.
Haven't we all, so many many times?
It's what can make a little chat interesting :-)
Dirk Vdm
David Z
I agree with Michael here.
I'm a big fan of Tull, particularly their 1968-73 period. But I think
Anderson doesn't fully comprehend Frank's work. Humor is as much a part
of Zappa's music as the notes.
And Frank's humor withstands the test of time as much as the rest of his
music. I'm continually amazed at how funny his stuff is even listening
to it the 100th time. How many comedy routines would still be funny
after that much repetition?
Steve Brooks
> "Michael Gula" wrote
>> Gary wrote:
>>
>>> Interesting theory, and probably true, but if he had skipped the
>>> comedy music and just done all that incredible music he would
>>> not have reached as large an audience to begin with.
>>
>> And he wouldn't have been true to himself, which probably
>> meant more than anything else.
>>
>> It didn't 'ruin' him. Anderson is wrong.
>
> I agree with Michael here.
>
> I'm a big fan of Tull, particularly their 1968-73 period. But I think
> Anderson doesn't fully comprehend Frank's work. Humor is as much a
> part of Zappa's music as the notes.
Often the humour is in the notes.
--
SB
David Z
news:rMwqg.8798$Xp3....@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> >>> Interesting theory, and probably true, but if he had skipped the
> >>> comedy music and just done all that incredible music he would
> >>> not have reached as large an audience to begin with.
> >>
> >> And he wouldn't have been true to himself, which probably
> >> meant more than anything else.
> >>
> >> It didn't 'ruin' him. Anderson is wrong.
> >
> > I agree with Michael here.
> >
> > I'm a big fan of Tull, particularly their 1968-73 period. But I
think
> > Anderson doesn't fully comprehend Frank's work. Humor is as
> > much apart of Zappa's music as the notes.
>
> Often the humour is in the notes.
Exactly. That's why I say that Anderson doesn't understand Frank's
work.
http://s10.invisionfree.com/ZAPPATEARS
i think ian was right
ask anybody about fz and all they know are the comedy songs
too fucking bad !
and iv'e been saying it for 25 years !
David Z
message news:3ovma2tuer0h305qk...@4ax.com...
> >> > Interesting theory, and probably true, but if he had skipped the
> >> > comedy music and just done all that incredible music he would
> >> > not have reached as large an audience to begin with.
> >>
> >> And he wouldn't have been true to himself, which probably
> >> meant more than anything else.
> >>
> >> It didn't 'ruin' him. Anderson is wrong.
> >
> >I agree with Michael here.
> >
> >I'm a big fan of Tull, particularly their 1968-73 period. But I
think
> >Anderson doesn't fully comprehend Frank's work. Humor is as
> >much a part of Zappa's music as the notes.
> >
> >And Frank's humor withstands the test of time as much as the
> >rest of his music. I'm continually amazed at how funny his stuff
> >is even listening to it the 100th time. How many comedy routines
> >would still be funny after that much repetition?
>
> i think ian was right
> ask anybody about fz and all they know are the comedy songs
> too fucking bad !
> and iv'e been saying it for 25 years !
That's true. But I think that relates more to how Frank promoted his
music, than to the music itself.
Frank's music takes a few times listening through before you get the
hang of it. If Frank wanted to develop a wider audience, he needed to
put the more accessible stuff out there first to draw them in. But I
think deep down Frank really never wanted to do that. His attitude was
that you either liked his complex music, or to hell with you.
Dave W
Well, Frank needed to continue to produce more commercial (to his fan
base) comedy music to support his desire to produce his less commercial
endeavors, like LSO, Jazz From Hell, Boulez, and Yellow Shark. If he
would have continued to only produce Jazz From Hell type works, he would
have quickly gone out of business. I actually prefer his more serious
works, which I think have held up better over time than silly pieces
like Dinah-Moe Humm and Titties 'n Beer.
Squanto McGorbachev
"Shrike!" <cal...@newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:44A6B091...@newsguy.com...
David Z
news:5Berg.5603$Ym2.4814@trndny05...
> >> Interesting theory, and probably true, but if he had skipped the
> >> comedy music and just done all that incredible music he would
> >> not have reached as large an audience to begin with.
> >
> > The "comedy music" was a means to an end, as I believe, FZ
> > himself stated. Without doing the "comedy music" he would
> > have been a starving artist creating virtually unheard "classical"
> > music far outside the accepted norm for that oeuvre.
>
> Shrike! is correct!!!
Just doesn't sound right to me. Makes it sound like Frank was a sell
out. A clown dancing for dollars.
I give Frank a lot more credit for artistic integrity than that.
Les Cargill
Well, yeah. To a great extent. I suspect Frank shows up on
the Simpsons as two characters - Krusty, and Frank
Grimes. That should reflect the duality
in question...
The whole whingeing "sellout" thing is pretty ugly, anyway.
We probably should all sell out at some point.
> I give Frank a lot more credit for artistic integrity than that.
>
>
That's the point - the great ones can sell out *and*
maintain integrity. That's what, say, Picasso did.
The Bad Thing is when they
try to stay after they run out of juice.
Not to beeyatch too much here :) , but there's a sort
of bogus Marxist pink to when people accuse other
people of selling out. Simple skepticism sez we
dunno enough to judge other people like that.
We can't all be as fortunate as Barton Fink.
--
Les Cargill
Milhouse G
And also not a terribly accurate statement on your part.
--
Milhouse Guidry of the mWo
- reading comprehension is apparently a lost art
"If it takes you more than two, *MAYBE* three posts
to say what you think needs to be said,
you don't know what you're talking about and should shut up."
--The Bede
mWo. It's not just the coolest, it's fa lyfe, so survey says
whether you like it or don't like it, never E-e-e-ver tell
me he did *not* just SMELL what mWo 3:16 reeks of.
Milhouse G
> "Michael Gula" <mike...@erols.com> wrote in message
> news:4vydnWf2YPDKSjjZ...@rcn.net...
>
>>Gary wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Interesting theory, and probably true, but if he had skipped the
>>>comedy music and just done all that incredible music he would
>>>not have reached as large an audience to begin with.
>>
>>And he wouldn't have been true to himself, which probably
>>meant more than anything else.
>>
>>It didn't 'ruin' him. Anderson is wrong.
>
>
> I agree with Michael here.
>
> I'm a big fan of Tull, particularly their 1968-73 period. But I think
> Anderson doesn't fully comprehend Frank's work. Humor is as much a part
> of Zappa's music as the notes.
I really think Anderson's statement applies more to people's perceptions
of Zappa's work than his own opinion of it. Why does no one else see
this? I don't believe he meant that FZ's comic inclinations "ruined" him
as an artist, per se, but that it hindered people's acceptance of his
work outside those "comedy rock and roll" lines.
--
Milhouse Guidry of the mWo
"If it takes you more than two, *MAYBE* three posts
Zoot Spliff
"Milhouse G" <milhouse_...@derekmarvelli.org> wrote in message
news:4k1lbpF...@individual.net...
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