Throughout recent history, there’s been a number of bands who, for whatever reason, have ended up touring both as electric versions and acoustic variations. Fairport Convention’s Acoustic Convention for instance was convened out of necessity when one key member was unavailable. Whilst the Acoustic Strawbs could tour round places like the States and Europe a darn sight cheaper because acoustic guitars are a lot easier to check in and out of customs.
Martin Barr and his band are no exception to that rule as this double album from Esoteric/Cherry Red proves. Consisting of two live sets, one with the Acoustic Trio Live in the USA and the other featuring the Electric Quartet Live in Germany. The only difference between the band is that the acoustic trio is Martin Barre, Dan Crisp and Alan Thompson, whilst the Electric Quartet adds drummer Terl Bryant.
As we are all aware, age hasn’t been especially kind to Ian Anderson’s voice, and Dan’s voice really steps up to the mark with the power and presence that’s often missing from current Tull performances.
With such a wide-ranging Tull repertoire to draw on, alongside the impressive solo catalogue he’s steadily built in recent years with his band, these two sets form an excellent overview of Martin’s career neatly divided into acoustic and electric sections. As an added bonus on this release there’s no crossover of songs between the sets.
The acoustic set also brings a handful of well chosen cover versions. The old blues classic Crossroads, going back to Martin’s first love. Then there’s a great version of The Eagles, New York Minute, as well as a wonderful cover of Everything Stops For Tea. This acoustic line up gives Martin and Dan plenty of opportunity to shine with their guitar interplay front and centre, with Martin even breaking out the mandolin and flute for extra colour.
When we look at the electric quartet, and this is where it gets a bit heavier, with tracks like Martin’s own Back to Steel and Tull classics Hunting Girl, For 1000 Mothers, and a brilliant version of A New Day Yesterday. You also get the wonderful medley of Eleanor Rigby flowing seamlessly into I Want You (She’s So Heavy). Anyone who was at the HRH Festival in 2018, when the Martin Barre Band delivered this on the opening night, will remember just how electrifying that moment was. This set is incredibly powerful when experienced up close, and the CD captures that intensity remarkably well. With standout performances of Hymn 43 and My God from the Aqualung album. The segue from Karl Jenkins’ Palladio into Martin’s own Moment of Madness, and finally Wind Up, is an absolute joy.
The electric quartet shows its full power here, while Martin and Dan’s guitar chops and Dan’s vocals, especially on the Aqualung material, arguably surpass the original recordings. For anyone who has followed Martin’s career since leaving Tull, this collection is a perfect place to dive in, capturing the best of both worlds – the delicate, beautiful acoustic passages and the full tilt electric rock band.
As live albums go, this most definitely highlights the full skills of the Martin Barre Band. It’s highly recommended for fans of Martin and those of us who want to hear Tull material interpreted in a different way to how the parent band is doing it these days.
[Editor note: TPA caught one of the few Martin Barre Electric Quartet UK shows earlier this year – you can read our report HERE]
TRACK LISTING
DISC ONE: The Acoustic Trio Live in Homer, N.Y., USA – 2025
01. Empty Café (2:39)
02. Spanish Tears (4:04)
03. As Told By (3:47)
04. Home (3:50)
05. Sea Of Vanity (2:49)
06. Crossroads (4:12)
07. Winter Snowscape (5:01)
08. Can’t Find My Way Home (3:57)
09. Boureé (1:23)
10. It’s My Round (2:16)
11. Martin’s Jig / Hymn 43 (4:20)
12. Trinity (4:12)
13. New York Minute (4:59)
14. Cheap Day Return (1:40)
15. Everything Stops For Tea (2:43)
16. Still Loving You Tonight (5:37)
DISC TWO: The Electric Quartet Live in Germany 2024
01. Hunting Girl (5:19)
02. Back To Steel (4:05)
03. A New Day Yesterday (3:23)
04. For A Thousand Mothers (4:35)
05. Eleanor Rigby (3:10)
06. I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (5:45)
07. Serenade To A Cuckoo (2:25)
08. Cross-Eyed Mary (4:04)
09. Sea Lion (3:57)
10. Hymn 43 (3:25)
11. My God (including Palladio) (9:36)
12. Moment Of Madness (3:19)
13. Wind Up (6:11)
Total Time – 116:00
MUSICIANS
– The Acoustic Trio:
Martin Barre – Guitars, Mandolin, Flutes
Dan Crisp- Vocals, Guitar
Alan Thomson- Acoustic Bass, Guitar
– The Electric Quartet:
Martin Barre – Guitar, Flute
Dan Crisp, Guitar, Vocals
Alan Thomson – Bass
Terl Bryant – Drums
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Esoteric Recordings | Cherry Red Records
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 1st May 2026
LINKS
Martin Barre – Website | Bandcamp (Cherry Red Records) | Instagram
