Legendary rock guitarist returning to Market Hall
From boycotting playing his most recognizable work to not listening to other legendary guitarists, Martin Barre has proven he has his own approach.
Not wanting to become predictable and boring, he said he’d rather keep audiences unsure of exactly what they’ll get when he takes the stage.
“That’s the way I like it,” he said from New York last week ahead of a concert at Peterborough’s Market Hall Performing Arts Centre.
The long-time lead guitarist of iconic British progressive rock band Jethro Tull pointed out he will play a float melody one minute and move into a hard rock solo – such as the iconic solo from Aqualung – the next.
“I’ve always been that way. I like to find the alternate route to making music work,” he said.
The 72-year-old Birmingham, England native returns to the city Tuesday night after releasing Roads Less Travelled in August, an album he called diverse in direction with songs ranging from rock to country.
The Martin Barre Band, which includes vocalist Dan Crisp, bassist Alan Thompson and new drummer Darby Todd, tends to play three to five new songs at each show, plus fresh, up-tempo blues takes on classic tracks from Jethro Tull and Barre’s solo career.
Jethro Tull, which continues to tour with leader Ian Anderson, has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide.
Barre, who was in the band from 1968 to 2012, has released six solo albums, starting with A Summer Band in 1992.
NOTES: Tickets for Martin Barre Band are $38 for assigned seating and $48 for assigned table seating, or $78 for VIP table seats that include a pre-show meet and greet, signed poster and complimentary refreshments.… Tickets are available at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-7491146 or online at www.markethall.org .