Enter five guys dressed out in trench coats and flat caps, namely Jethro Tull. Tull's line-up were Ian Anderson, Barriemore Barlow - drums, John Evans - piano and organ, Martin Barre - lead and rhythm, Jeffrey Hammond - bass. After discarding their coats, Ian Anderson announced that they were going to perform 'Thick as a Brick', the new LP. The set started with Ian on acoustic guitar backed by Barriemore Barlow on xylophone, suddenly the lights flashed on and Tull crashed into the number. Ian Anderson dived across the stage mockingly conducting the band as he moved around the individual musicians before going into a solo on flute which produced some real extremes, sometimes gentle and soft and now violent and screaming.

John Evans entered the solo on piano and after a short passage, we were thrown back into some heavy mind shattering rock. The set was then interrupted by a short burst of humour from the band and as the lights came on, it was discovered that a wigwam had been erected in the middle of the stage from which two guys emerged. A flash of colour as lights tabbed on and an explosion of sound as again we hurtled back into 'Thick as a Brick' - powerful, heavy and rich in sound. After this incredible passage, a solo from Ian on acoustic covered by his vocals, and the set ended. Tull received a standing ovation to which they returned at least another 30 minutes of excellent sound. A performance which reminded us that Tull are not a band to be easily forgotten.

Andy

Rod Stewart
Top Rank, Sunderland

Beefheart
The last time the captain was in Newcastle he really freaked people out at the Gogo - his latest concert was no exception. John Peel introduced the show, and before we knew what was happening a ballerina was balleting (?!) on stage to cries of "take 'em off" etc. Then came the captain, applause, said "meditation soothes the mind and body" in his most impeccable Indian accent, and off he walked. Following this monumental event, on floated a belly dancer and did her thing to cries of "shake 'em off" etc. The band got on after a very good bass solo from Rockette Morton in fancy suit and straw hat - lots of flash! The captain on stage was a big mountain of a man with a large black swirling coat, backed with embroidered figures, blowing wind, reminiscent of ancient mariner charts. The music was from the 'Spotlight Kid' album and was really good. 'Click Clack' produced some really fine harmonica work from the captain, the other numbers confirmed Beefheart's enormous vocal range (all 4½ octaves of it). Zoot Horn Pollo (six foot six inches tall would you believe) was great on lead, Roy Estrada (ex-Mother) working in all directions on bass, Ed Morimba on drums (wearing briefs as headgear, his hair hanging out like rabbit ears) and Winged Eel Fingerling being himself on lead guitar (featured in Alice in Blunderland).

The audience gave the captain a great reception but seemed a little quiet and stunned at the end. Beefheart's magic and promise is perhaps a little vulnerable when he's before us in the flesh. People seem to prefer the legend and the myth. This isn't to detract from a really great character who is only too human, even if unpredictable, and who leaves Muther Grumble readers the following message:

Love over gold
Everybody's coloured,
Or you wouldn't be able to
See them.
Don Van Vliet.
Captain

PS There will be an interview with Captain Beefheart in the next Muther Grumble.

Dave

Blues From Your Backyard
A while back some musicians in Newcastle took it upon themselves to record a single. The A-side is 'Highway 61' (an old blues number), and features Jeff Lawson on bottle-neck guitar, Martin Craig on guitar and Mike Maurice on harp and vocals. The other side is Donovan's 'Season of the Witch'. The whole thing is called 'Blues from your Backyard' and is available from Mike Maurice, 3 Moorfield High, West Jesmond, N'cle NE2 3NL, price 49p.

Pseuds Corner
Under protest I today first listened to 'Neasden' by William Rushton. It came as a great surprise to me that such a motley crew as Private Eye should produce such a masterpiece of wit and confusion as to have even the most sceptical listener painfully holding his tortured diaphragm as he - myself, in this case - sits back to listen for the tenth glorious, unwearying time to the shattering rhymes and cinematic jargonese of Mr Rushton. On the reverse we are treated to the ringing tones and contrapuntal language of 'The Trout'. Unsurpassable value this rendition - a must for all lovers of Schubert.