Martin Barre, one of THE most underrated guitarists .... ever!

Martin's solos were so fluid. I loved them. A man who never received the proper praise he so much deserved.

The thing I love about Martin Barre's playing with Tull is that he rarely if ever overplays anything. There's an economy of style and tautness about his phrasing, always with a melodic sensibility that perfectly complements the song. He's more interested in playing to the song than drawing attention to himself and what he plays is all the more effective as a result. Very few players seem to do that in the same way.

Martin Barre is without doubt one of the hidden guitar geniuses of British rock. His working together with Ian Anderson was simply magic.

MB is criminally underrated. He took the English Sound in his own direction. A master of tone and phrasing.

Not only Martin, but the entire band, Ian is a genius! How can they not be in rock & roll hall of fame. This is why hall of fame has no credibility.

Martin Barre hasn't had the attention he deserves. Thanks for this Tim.

One of the most underrated guitarists of all times - thanks for doing this!

I was in high school in the early 70s and 4 of us entered the State Clasical Music Ensamble competition. Lots of string quartets played. We were last to perform. They were shocked when we came in with a drum set, bass rig, guitar amp, and microphone and flute. We played Bouree by Jethro Tull. I played bass. The audience went crazy and we got a standing ovation. We also got disqualified and banned from ever coming back.

My father was a huge Tull fan, and passed his love for their music onto me, so I have been a Tull fan since I was like 4 back in 1980. I have always been bothered by the fact that the guys from Tull didnt get the recognition they really deserved. Ian is one of the greatest song writers of all time, and Clive Bunker and Barrymore Barlow were insanely good drummers, and both were way ahead of their time. Overall one of the greatest bands to ever exist. At least in my opinion.

This is super dope you did this. Martin does not get anywhere near the respect he deserves now adays. My favorite band ever. I caught a lot of flak going to high school in the late 90s early 2000s playing Jethro Tull at parties for my friends lol. I’m even named after Ian Anderson!

Finally, someone gives Martin Barre some love. one of the best, most interesting guitarists out there. the upper tier guitarists have an identifiable sound, and Martin is a guy that stands out

Martin Barre's solo on the title track, Aqualung, is one of the irrefutable all time greatest rock guitar solos of all time. Martin Barre, Leslie West and Andy Powell are at the top of my most underrated rock guitar players list.

Martin is GOLD! I saw him in New Jersey twice in the last few years. AB-SO-LUTE-LY BRILLIANT! He’s in his 70’s and plays with the energy of a High School kid! I LOVE THIS GUY!!!

Martin Barre- EASILY one of the most varied, and interesting guitar players in history!

Martin, dearest. One of the few of my heroes. Unforgettable and 100% musical. My all time favourite band, Jethro tull. I am 52, and came up with jethro at 18. Now i play classical music but i will be in love with jethro for my entire life

I had a chance to meet him a couple of years ago. Very humble man and his band put on a great show! Definitely a big musical influence for me .

Most people heard Tull, but never really listened to them closely. They were so tight and so perfect. Their live shows were filled with a lot of silliness, but the band was always so tight.

Seal Driver is one of the most emotive solo's I've ever listened to. Makes the hairs on the back of the neck stand up.

Pibroch (Cap in Hand) and Martin's playing on it were so important to me. I know other albums get the love but Songs from the Wood was it for me.

Martin is the most underappreciated guitarist in all creation. Just watch him BLAZING on those Madison Square Garden shows.

Cross-Eyed Mary and Hymn 43 have always been some of my favorite Jethro Tull/Martin Barre Guitar works. Simply spectacular stuff.

I had the pleasure of seeing MB at a small club in Santa Cruz a few years ago. BLEW ME AWAY. He played PRS and Soldano Decatone and his tone was impeccable. It was an evening of old and new songs that became a guitar clinic for most of the players there. There were a LOT of players there to see him.

Ive always loved Barre's tone. The solo here and the sound he pulls in Pibroch..........man I love that!

Martin's band brings back the power of live Jethro Tull sans flute. Still stunning audiences. His work on Locomotive Breath does not get the recognition it deserves. Many online lessons for the rhythm but none for the lead guitar. Thanks for the video! Brilliant playing! Far beyond anything I'll ever be able to do.

I agree 110% underrated and under appreciated! I saw him live twice back in the 70's! Amazing tone and kick ass leads!!

Thank you! Martin is one of the most underrated players on the planet. And you sir, are a MAD scientist as well.

I saw the Martin Barre Band in Melbourne, Australia in 2019. We met him before the show What a gentle, delightful man. Signed our albums and posters. Then proceed to play the hell out of Tull repertoire as well as some of his new stuff. Can't wait for a repeat performance. Hey Tim, go see him!

Martin Barre's tone and attack was amazing. Tull was one of my Top 5 bands live. Sooo tight. Saw them three times back in the 70's.

I was lucky enough to see Jethro Tull in 1973 at the old "Fabulous Forum" in L.A.. I was blown away by the sound, and there even was a projected movie. The sound system was tremendous and it was the first time I ever saw the "spinning horn speaker" they really filled that huge space with sound.

The Teacher is a little less known, but one of my favorites.

“We’d locked ourselves away in the studio-us doing Aqualung, and them working on Led Zeppelin IV-and I hadn’t seen Jimmy Page at all,” explains Barre. “Finally, he walked into the control room to say hello, just as I was recording the solo to ‘Aqualung.’ Now, in those days, if you didn’t get a guitar solo in one or two takes, it might become a flute solo. It was, ‘Go in there and do it or else.’ And here was Jimmy waving like mad-‘Hey, Martin!’-and I’m thinking, ‘I can’t wave back, or I’m going to blow the solo!’” Q: What was your setup on that tune? A: That was a Hiwatt amp with a 4X12 cabinet, and a Les Paul Junior. We’d played in America with a band called Mountain, and I loved Leslie West’s sound. I thought his tone was tremendous, so I bought a Les Paul Junior. That was the only guitar I used on the Aqualung album. I didn’t use any effects; I plugged straight into the Hiwatt.

How you doing Tim? Thanks for this kind of a tribute to Martin Barre. His heaviness in his guitar playing surely hooked all the youngsters like myself back in the early 70's. Jethro Tull were the most unique medieval musicians/actors of the times. You couldn't distinguish them from the real thing, what a great hook. Peace Tim. Keep Rocking us!

I love the way he plays notes multiple times as opposed to jumping from one note to another. You don't hear that very often these days.

Man you are doing some wonderful topics lately Tim. Keep enjoying this stuff and we’ll enjoy it with you.

Martin is a WAY underrated musician. Excellent flautist, sax player, marimba, mandolin etc, etc, etc. Thanks Tim, for shedding some light on one of Rocks greatest guitarist.

My God, I feel so blessed to have lived in a time where so much diverse and magnificient music was being PUMPED out!!!

You forgot about John Evan’s brilliant intro - begins with classical style keys and morphs into blues - I can jam on his blues vamp in that intro for days - genius stuff - the songs about the population explosion breathing down our necks.

Went to a Led Zep concert summer of '69 in Anaheim CA the opening band was Jethro Tull. Never heard of them but I was an instant fan from then on. The week before I went to a Led Zep concert in Pasadena and I'd never heard of them and I became an instant fan. The next week I go to a Led Zep concert and became an instant fan of Jethro Tull.

Love Martins playing, and so do zillions of others.Keep on rockin’ Martin.🎸👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I saw Jethro Tull live in early 70ties when they presented Aqualung. Outstanding performance. Martin Barre played a Hamer doublecut during the entire show.

Tim, THANKS for doing this one. I was just chatting today with my 33-yo daughter about Jethro Tull (I'm 66). Martin Barre's solos are so memorable, I can sing along with them, And they're first or second takes? WOW!! Hearing 'Aqualung' at 15 was a watershed event in my life, and the first album where I started to (try to) transcribe. I did Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath, Hymn 43, Slipstream. Man what an album!! I'm a keyboard player and was always daunted by Jeff Hammond's intro to Locomotive Breath through my youth and well into adulthood, and finally I had to learn it for a gig about 8 years ago and I DID, albeit slowing it down in spots to get it all. AGAIN, THANKS!!! A GOOD DAY TO TALK TULL!!!

Tim, brother you always look so damn happy when you play. Glad I found you through Rick, his channel and yours make my day. Thanks for all you do for the guitar community.

Martin is BY FAR my fave guitarist. I have been heavily into Tull since the early 70s and have been to many of their concerts. Been to LOTS of rock concerts but Tull is always my fave no question. Love to watch them working.

I appreciate very much your efforts to help memorialize the work of Martin Barre. Martin is essential to the music of Jethro Tull.

Saw Jethro Tull a couple of times in the mid 70s. What a great show they put on, just went watch the 3 part interview. What a great guy.

Absolutely one of my favorite songs of all time saw them many times Martin is fabulous

1969 - Stand Up was my introduction to Jethro Tull, and what a mighty album that is, huge fan of The Tull

One of my favourite bands. I started listening to Jethro Tull in 1973 and still listen to tracks from their albums every week, either whilst working out or resting my eyes. I love the old line up, as it was full of mad men who really entertained their audience. During one concert Ian Anderson referred to him as Martin "Trousersnake" Barr ay. Cracking rendition, by the way.

I think I have more Tull in my music collection than any other band. Barre is pure genius and very underrated. Aqualung was ground breaking in the way it tackles social issues head on when everyone else was looking the other way. It still stands up today against any rock music.

The guitar work on flying colours off broadsword is sublime

Seeing Martin tonight. He’s actually approaching 80!

Saw JT on The Bursting Out tour in ‘79. Exactly like the live album and Martins tone was levels above almost everything I’d ever heard. Such a quality player. Thx Tim!

The Les Paul Junior on the Aqualung solo is just doing something magical. Right on the edge of feedback. Hi Watts I believe? And the low notes just start to gurgle when he moves them. When I set up live and start to hear those things I know it's gonna be a fun night! This is in my top 5 solos. I loved it as a child before I even knew what was going on.

Martin always made it look so effortless live. Brilliant Band.

I was 9 yrs old in 1977. Lived in a duplex, and above us lived a family with 3 girls. The oldest was 7 years my elder. I used to play with her little sister and 1 night I snuck into her bedroom where she always had this incredible music emanating. I thumbed her records and stopped on, what I'd later get to know as Thick as a Brick. She came in, startled me. And rather than be angry she asked if I'd like to listen to it. YES PLEASE. Afterwards she grabbed my wrist and very seriously said, " I don't know if they'll still be around when you're old enough but promise me you'll never miss a Jethro Tull show when they're in town.". I said, " why Lori?" And she smiled this incredible smile and said matter of factly, " because they're the best you'll ever see!" I promise, I replied. Well.... by 1983 I was old enough and good to my word I've NEVER missed a Tull tour. I wound up becoming a musician because of that day. Thank you Lori....you changed my life forever.

Martin is definitely one of my favorite guitarists, and he with Tony Iommi can be hear still in my playing. Seen his band at least a half a dozen times, and they are always great to see. The band has a very early Tull feel to it, like if you saw them in the very early 1970s.

Barre has long been one of my favorite guitarists, as well as Tull.

Im 66 yrs old and still listening to Jethro Tull! And i’m still digging it to!

Martin Barre's sound on "Aqualung" is my favorite 70s Rock sound. Just delicious punchy and solid crunch, but still recognisable chords and not too much distortion. IIRC a Gibson Les Paul Junior with a P90 plus several amps, one being a Hiwatt, driven by a Hornby Skewes treblebooster.

I agree with everything you said. Martin is one of my favorite guitarists and probably one of the most underrated. When you hear him talk he is always very humble and just lets his music speak for itself.

Thanks for the video. MLB is definitely one of the greats. His lead playing and Ian's acoustical parts, vocals and flute playing are legendary. The songwriting is unsurpassed and they deserve way more recognition.

Tim......awesome that you are doing a peice on JT! My very first live concert in Savannah Ga back in 1975, was Jethro Tull!! Great guitar and allows that les Paul to do what it does best....and you nailed it!!

I never thought I would see and hear this. Barre was a one-of-a-kind guitarist and was as big a part of Tull's music as was the flute. I have been passionate about that guitar sound my entire life from 16 till today. It still, in my estimation, is one of the most distinctive guitar sounds ever created. I would know it anywhere immediately and his licks never get old. Thanks, this segment made my day and opened up a door I thought was closed a long time ago.

Saw TULL in Prov and came away spent, tired, just watching,listening and moving( IT WASN'T all THE DRUGS)..Best live show ever,ever..Not a missed ,wrong, note EVER from LORD BARRE

Without question, Martin was/is one of the most underrated guitarists in rock and roll. Loved his playing on all of those early Tull albums. There was such a chemistry in the band back then. A friend and I literally followed the band on the entire eastern leg of their 'Passion Play' tour in the US. After three or four nights the band recognized us and started interacting with us from the stage. And every single performance was mesmerizing and unique. What great music!

I've always admired Barre for the way he complimented his guitar parts for the complex compositions Anderson made. Jethro Tull is unique and so is Barre's playing.

To be fourteen and hearing JT and the novelty of Ian's flute and Martin's knock out licks in those times can't happen again for my ears. But I remember them tone for lick for tune. Thanks Tim. Or 'ta' in limey-speak.

Tim, in the late 90s I attended a Tull concert at Rang Bhavan, Bombay. There were three generations of fans in the sold out crowd. My introduction to Tull was Songs from the Woods and Thick as a Brick. Been besotted since and still am at 72. Led Zep, Deep Purple and Moody Blues are my other heroes. You play fantastic. Thanks. Shashi.

someone finally giving Martin his due. such a classy, under appreciated talent

I had the privilege to see Martin Barre perform live last month. I was in the second row, center stage. Flawless playing. The entire band was amazing. Martin is one of the coolest guitar player ever. Glad he toured Canada. Also very glad my daughter told me he was coming to town!

He's so underrated. And it's not just the hits. People love to hate Crest of a Knave because of the grammy win and Metallica nonsense, but that record and Rock Island after it both have some great playing.

Saw Tull on the catfish rising tour. Managed to score backstage passes. All the press had Ian walked in but over in the corner is Martin just leaning up against the wall in the corner by himself. Talked to him for about 20 minutes. Kind and gracious and totally just down to earth. Was an amazing moment in my life.

Martin deserve more credit, he is just so tasteful in his playing, I'm a long time fan.

Tim, you're absolutely spot on!!! Martin got me into guitar, in the '90s, and I heard the same qualities in your playing, when i found out about you, a little later...

Used to love seeing Martin play live with Tull. They'd always send him out by himself for the second or third encore and he'd be unshackled (I always felt Tull's music placed such exacting demands on his playing that he never really got a chance to shine) for a good ten minutes of absolutely jaw-dropping, paint-blistering solo guitar. Such a treat! One of my favorite rock guitarists and probably the most underrated rock guitarist in the history of rock. Thanks for doing this episode Tim!! And yeah, you channel him admirably!!

I was just thinking about the amazing wealth of music pouring out of the UK during that era. It's a small country but so punches above its weight. And I grew up through it. And that music is as fresh now as it was then. Lucky me!

Been a big Martin Barre fan for, well forever. Same for Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull generally. Glad you did this Tim. Tull needs more recognition on guitar channels. Pass that notion along to your buddy, Rick Beato! ps. You are freakin' awesome Tim!

This music is damn good. JT are way underrated. It’s embarrassing that they are not recognized as Hall of Famers. Let’s think they have their own Hall of Fame. No one else gets in.😁 Thank you Martin Barre!!

The story about Martin (70) and his love for music and going out on the road with his band is similar to Steve Hackett (72). I saw Steve a few months ago and it was world class and now I need to see Martin and his band. Thanks Tim!

I have seen Martin every chance I can get. He has matured in style but stays true to his roots, no superfluous gymnastics. Plus he has that wonderful British sense of humor! Gotta love him!

One of the best and expressive guitarists. Have loved them esp their live Bursting out, Aqualung, Thick as a brick, and Heavy horses.

A long time ago, I got hooked on Tull with the Benefit album. Aqualung was just an added bonus. Surprisingly, so many people have never listened to Benefit.

Brilliant Tim. Always felt Martin was a unique guitarist with amazing feel and chops, yet not classified with his fashionable contemporaries. I love how you mention the blemishes. When recording, I try to push the envelop and sometimes in the mistakes find some gems to work up. Usually I leave it rough and sometimes it doesn't work, but that is the fun of playing guitar. Thanks for the upload Tim.

Saw Tull live around '72 and it was an epic show and I say that after having seen most of the biggest bands of that era, including Zep and Floyd.

I saw Martin Barre's band after he left Jethro Tull a couple of times at an awesome little venue in Asheville, NC. Both times they blew the roof off the joint. They were GREAT! Martin is a guitarist of the highest caliber, and a true gentleman in person. He doesn't get even a fraction of the credit he deserves.

Thanks for honoring Martin! Seen Tull quite a few times in the 70s. JPP and MLB were my inspirations for getting a Paul. 👍🏼👍🏼❤️🙏

I understand the song "Locomotive Breath" better now. All these years I haven't paid attention to the depth of the solo guitar and Barre in the song. Jim, you're great.

Martin is a genius ... all the songs guitar arrangements, colors, melodies are amazing in Jethro Tull ... Martin is one of my ten favorites guitarists of all times ... the sound, the great notes in all songs. the touch feeling and power, energy. a lyrical guitarist !!!!!!!!

Aqualung was the first album I bought after I left school and started work in 71, he's always been in my top group of guitarists. Love your enjoyment of his playing.

Tim I have loved Jethro Tull since their first album came out. When they released Benefit they were really starting to heat up. I saw them two years in a row 70 and 71 if my memory serves, at the L.A. Forum. Two great concerts. Listening to Tim ripping on Aqualung and Locomotive breath really flooded me with massive emotion. I really love you Tim, you are a great guitarist and teacher.

His new shows have been amazing. A few years back, in a little place in New Hampshire, USA I remember thinking that he’s better now than ever. No one sounds like him.

Great choice. I'm sure this has been mentioned down the stream a bit, but for me, it's his vibrato, Put him in a football stadium with 50,000 players wailing away - and you can pick him out in a second. What a player. Listening to them since '72. And, thanks to KZfaq, things like, Minstrel in the Gallery - the live versions - locked in with the bass and drums - ahh - this was a great choice. Thanks, Tim

I'm 62 years old (Sept 11). I have 30 guitars. Many more if I really counted. I saw 11 Jethro Tull shows. You need to see the band -- Martin L Barre. MLB is a truly hip band. He only gets better, he only gets better ..... I saw , in 1973 , the Warchild --- It was Warchild the put me in love with MLB --- (I have 5 kids, too). I still am in love with the greatest -- and I mean the greatest -- musician, ever. Hersheypark, Philadelphia, Houston .... and on. By the way, the LP you played -- WOW, WOW I have one that is brown one (who cares). Martin Lancelott Barre is the greatest ---

Martin Barre was one of my guitar heroes! and when I found out that he did all those parts on Aqualung with LP Jr. I had to dig mine out immediately! Heavy Horses and Stormwatch are underrated JT records, IMO. Bit after their prime, but really imaginative.

Jethro Tull were one of the best bands of that era, from their earlier blues style, through all the permutations after.

I got to meet Martin around 1978 or so. Brief meeting, but like you said, he seemed really upbeat and happy to be there. Nice, friendly guy.

Oh Tim....😅you are clearly a man that enjoyes his work.....and i like your playing too....always a pleasure to watch you.....and it even makes me feel good to be 70 like Martin Lancelot Barre as well.....and i still enjoy playing my guitar...great stuff.....

Thanks Tim for this great video. I saw Martin this past January in the Dallas area and was blown away by his excitement and mad skills at 74! After watching your videos for several years I feel like you and Martin are similar in that we have all heard your work but never really knew much about the guitarist behind the great sounds. We all know Ian as the front man but Aqualung would be elevator music without Martin's opening lick! Thanks again for your fine work!

Saw Jethro Tull many times in the 70's early 80's and never disappointed.