Martin Barre

Roads Less Travelled

Garage Records ✪✪✪✪✪

Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre is not only one of prog-rock-folk’s leading guitarists but one of the most versatile too. On his new 11-track album (seventh solo release), his playing is as vibrant and unique as it’s ever been, where he plays mandolin, acoustics and electrics (usually PRS P22 with piezo into a Soldano amp; a great combination). Opener Lone Wolf has quite a heady mix of mandolin (outro solo too), banjo and a richly overdriven electric for the main riffs and solo. Out Of Time has a clean electric guitar that shapes the song’s structure; more pop-rock here than folk-rock. The rousing I’m On My Way should go down well live; it’s well written and features some of the best electric guitar playing (fantastic tone, tasty solo) on the album. Things get pretty rocky with Roads Less Travelled with eighth-note electric riffing and layered female backing vocals; an obvious choice to name the album after. If you hanker for something a little quirkier, Badcore Blues features great acoustic playing and, rather than Dan Crisp singing this time, the lead is by Becca Langsford. Great stuff!