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Spirit Flying Free (AND CD 16) £8 Back in 1965 Carter and Barre were together in Brum Beat combo The Moonrakers. After that band split John Carter got a proper job and Martin Barre eventually joined Jethro Tull in '69 and has been there ever since. Smart move, John! They met up again in the mid 70's and have kept in touch ever since, with the idea of making an album together often discussed but not acted upon - until John sent Martin a tape of some of the songs he'd written over the years. Martin was so taken by them that he immediately assembled a band of stellar proportions to play on the album. So it was that the unknown singer / songwriter John Carter found himself in the studio with current Tull members Martin Barre and John Noyce, ex Tull and Fairport Convention bassist Dave Pegg, Fairport's violinist Chris Leslie, ex Tull drummer Paul Burgess and ace producer and guitarist Mark Tucker. The result was Spirit Flying Free, a true masterpiece. The songs are sublime, the playing (obviously) is of the highest calibre. *** REVIEWS *** Q MAGAZINE Reviewed: September 1997 Genre: Rock & Pop Release Date: 21-Apr-1997 A curious tale this, of how chartered surveyor Carter convinced extremely famous old schoolmate Martin Barre (28 years in the belly of Jethro Tull) to back him on a debut album he should have made 30 years ago. Many of the melodies here take odd twists and turns, but emerge fleshed out and polished thanks in particular to co-producer Mark Tucker's thoughtful programming. It's basically dadrock with a few nods (Melody Of Words and I'll Take A Stand This Time) to folk. Your Dry Land plays the epic card, but it's The Student, Spirit Flying Free and No Easy Way that take the honours, thanks to those quirky melodies and Barre's trademark guitar. In fact, the presence of so many current and ex-Tullsters (Barre, Dave Pegg, John Noyce, Paul Burgess) means that you're occasionally listening out for old Ian Anderson himself. This is rather more than just a Martin'll Fix It job though, and if Carter's voice lacks muscle, the songs have plenty. Reviewed by Rob Beattie 1 of 2 Next back to band list Price: £8 # 101(CD16) |
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A New Day Records 75 Wren Way Farnborough Hants GU14 8TA |