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MELODY MAKER
5 July 1980
JETHRO TULL — BIG SPLIT
Ian Anderson signs Eddie Jobson
Ian Anderson has re-vamped Jethro Tull with sweeping changes in the line-up. OUT go pianist John Evan, drummer Barriemore Barlow and keyboardist David Palmer. IN comes the highly-rated keyboards player Eddie Jobson from U.K. plus a 20-year-old Los Angeles drummer, Mark Craney. REMAINING is the exceptional guitarist Martin Barre and top bassist Dave Pegg, the ex-Fairport Convention star who joined Tull a year ago.
The new Jethro Tull has been rehearsing and recording at Anderson’s London studio, Maison Rouge, and at Anderson’s Buckinghamshire home. A new album is expected in September, when the band will play concerts.
Anderson had been frustrated with the old line-up for some time and finally took the dramatic plunge to fire three musicians. He felt that the band sound was stagnating and that his ideas needed interpreting by new blood. His major signing is Eddie Jobson, whose exit from U.K. must throw into doubt the future of this band. It has been gradually building an American following, and was critically well-regarded in Britain. The remaining members are John Wetton (bass) and Terry Bozzio (drums).
Drummer Barlow and pianist Evan — who went to school with Ian — both come from Blackpool, as does Anderson. Their musical link with Ian dates back a decade to just after Tull made its first impact.
RAY COLEMAN