Ian Answers Fan Questions

Remember when you posted that challenging, amusing, insightful (or maybe all three) question to Ian late last year ? Well, Ian did! Ian spent a goodly afternoon in early May 2004 between European tour date legs to provide audio responses. You can listen to the 2.5 hour entire set (in two groups) or join in at various questions.

Ian answered almost every query from the edited list provided by the webmaster. Questions related to facts on the website, or redundant to others, usually did not make the list to the fluted one. Hope you got your question but if did not, blame the web geek.


Entire Set     First Half  (1:13) |   Second Half (1:15)

By Questions, Fan Name

  Click on the question number to go directly to it. Questions are abbreviated.

Question		Fan Name
1	Will you ever consider recording with the other band members present in the studio with you again ?	Tom Fashing
2	Aside from the departures from the Tull lineup with the arrival of the 1980's, why did Tull decide to basically abandon the folk sound for the favor of synthesizers ?	Mick Larkins
3	In a few songs, wine is mentioned. I've noticed white wine more often than red. A personal preference or does it just work better lyrically ?	Felicia Villiers
4	Considering the albums from "Aqualung" through to "Songs from the Wood" and approaching the subject matter - how would the changed (changing?) times effect your approach to these subject areas now as opposed to then and how would you overcome the challenges presented by the present times in addressing these subjects (whether from religion to whatever)?	Alexander Haas
5	Have you ever thought of just doing a "rarities" type of tour, where you skip playing the usual songs like Aqualung/Loco and play things you normally don't?	Jack Grafing
6	Are you now playing the type of music your once younger self imagined you would create ?	Peggy Harris
7	Is there any chance in the near future that we could be hearing 'Reasons for Waiting', 'Fire at Midnight,' 'Summerday Sands,' 'Slow Marching Band,' or 'Cold Wind to Valhalla' in the setlist live, perhaps on the next tour?	Carol Hart
8	With the success of The Osbornes on MTV,what are the chances you, Shona, kids, and cats might score your own family "reality" show: The Andersons? Could be big on Animal Planet...	Lou MacMillan
9	Over the early years of your career you've shared with us your carnal side: snot running down a nose, willie kissing,late-night roll-your-owns, feminine curse laments. But the last few years have seen a more "mystically-minded Ian" with quite a number of spiritual ideas expressed in albums like Roots to Branches, Divinities, Rupi's Dance, and even SLOB and Dot-Com (well, there was a penis on the cover of that one). I like it all, because I don't necessarily see carnal and spiritual as always being mutually exclusive. And I'd love to hear you talk a bit about the carnal and the spiritual in your life. Are you in a state of flux?	Paul Farmer
10	Your opinion on the recording industry lawsuits on downloaded internet songs?	Dan Schettine
11	Have you ever journeyed to Key West and visited Hemmingway's abode to see his polydactyl cats?	Bob Martin
12	Do you ever consider how you'd like to mark Tull's swansong when the time comes?	Rick Fontaine
13	It is obvious that you and Jeffrey were and are very close friends. I would like to know how Jeffrey inspired and effected your views on art, music, life, etc.	Carsten Bergmann
14	Did the "proper" flute playing technique lend itself to the direction of your music, or is that all a kind of happy coincidence? Also, why the decision to use bamboo?	Christopher Syn
15	Why do not Ian Anderson and Martin Barre, together with others of your choosing, team up with Paul McCartney, and write/produce some fantastic songs together ?	Joseph T. Sustrik
16	What was this song about -- "When Jesus Came to Play” ?	Dave K
17	What do you think the Ian Anderson who had just recorded the "This Was" album, would have thought if you gave him the opportunity to listen to "Rupi's Dance" or "The Christmas Album"?	Tommy Kvarsvik
18	If you were to write an album where from the get-go you knew it would never have to be performed live, what sort of music might we hear? Would you write it in the keys you used to use pre-1984?	Robert Rukrigl
19	The 'electric' Tull albums ("A", "Broadsword", etc.) seem to have a love-em-or-hate-em reputation amongst fans. What is your opinion of the works after a couple decades have passed, and what did you take away from that era, musically?	Karl Meyers
20	Could you please tell me, who are your heros, who do you look up to and, why. They may not necessarily be musicians.	Terry Worth
21	Could fans hear a web broadcast of the following recorded but unreleased songs ? "Dinosaur," "DJ," the instrumental "End Game," "8.40 from nowhere." If recorded, Andy Giddings' "Parrot," also known as 'Clint Eastwood the song with no name'	El Nino
22	Several of your songs seem to refer to real-life incidents. I was hoping you might share the events that form the background to "Wind-Up" and "Big Riff and Mando," in particular.	Erik van Rijn
23	I did take notice at "Rubbling Elbows" (being a bit below you and in the second row) of your shoes. They were right spiffy and I was wondering what kind they were so I could get myself a pair.	Jeff Rohaly
24	If you could be any kind of cat, what kind of a cat would you be and would you like to see some pictures of my new kitten, Gordie?	Blue Smith
25	I would like to see you add to the format to include more about your interests and see some multimedia tributes to Jethro Tull. It would be fun to have you reminisce about life on the road with Jethro Tull band members you have become friends with over the years. A mini This Is Your Life, combined with your quick, rapier wit.	Ed Jennings
26	How would you equate your obvious love and concern for the animal kingdom with having made a lucrative nest-egg from slaughter and, in the past, supporting others in hunting for sport? Where do you stand on blood sports and, in particular, fox hunting and The Countryside Alliance?	Jeff Stone
27	Many musicians feel compelled to write and sing about their individual causes or the social ramifications of politicians, for instance, Sting and Bono. How do you feel about a musician's role and responsibility to bring political and global awareness to the listeners?	Jacqueline Kelleher
28	As I listen to the New Tull Christmas CD I realize that through the years you have shown concern for the homeless and less fortunate. I wonder if the band or you yourself do any work in this area?	Steve Dalton
29	Recently Elton John signed a contract to become the resident musical act in Vegas. Other bands, like the country band Alabama, set up a theatre of their own where that's the only place they ever play. Do you think there would ever come a day when Tull would consider such an arrangement?	John Mitchell
30	I have heard it, Robert Plant once made off with your long, wool coat. Can this story be true?	Michael Blaustein
31	Have you ever been approached to do a creative project in the interactive CD medium ?	David Oleynik
32	You seem to have grasped, or at least been exposed to, a lot of Eastern philosophy at a relatively young age. Were there any particular experiences, books, lectures, etc. that started you down this path?	Roger Townsend
33	My brother Will and I would like to what are your "mom's jam sarnies."	Ray Taylor
34	Given the opportunity to have lunch or hang out with any historical figure living or deceased, who would you choose?	Mark Roy
35	Can you tell us how Elizabethan music has played a part in your music?	Michael Bubb
36	What lullabies did you sing to your children? Were they your own songs? What was the first instrument you suggested your children play when they expressed an interest? Lastly, what was your favorite story to read to them?	Peggy Harris
37	Has Jonathan Noyce some Italian background? He travels to Italy and learns italian a lot, so what could you say more about Jonathan's connections with this country?	Lukas Was
38	What is a snipe bog?	Talking Monkey
39	What is the story behind this indian girl picture sticked to Andy Giddings' keyboards before Jethro Tull shows?	Lukas Was
40	You have just discovered Aladdin's Lamp. The Genie has granted you 3 wishes. What would they be?	Mark Roy
41	Are these nice pictures in 'Rupi's Dance' booklet, shots on carpets from your home in England?	Lukas Was
42	Can you briefly give your opinion of downloading copyrighted music over the internet and the efficacy of the recent prosecution of individuals in the US. ?	Kevin Donley
43	I know... the pepper growing question is getting quite redundant. It appears to be taking the place of salmon questions. But... What I would like to know... what do you DO with them after you grow them??? Do you have any recipes you would pass along to us? Also, by the way, do you cook?	Felicia Villiers
44	Would you be amenable to utilizing this site to survey what songs your diehard fans would like to see/hear performed live?	Felicia Villiers
45	Do you listen to any classical music? If so, which composers/pieces interest you?	Richard Derby
46	Is it true you have 15 loos in your home?	Talking Monkey
47	How has being successful and wealthy changed your song writing? Your early stuff was often written from the viewpoint of the man in the street, but these days, you can't have much in common with Joe Bloggs. Singing a blues about which colour Porsche you want, ain't gonna cut it, so how do you deal with that ?	Joe Moody
48	Do you enjoy the music of your peers and contemporaries, or do you think of them as the competition? I'm thinking of the likes of David Bowie, Roy Harper, John Martyn, Robert Plant, King Crimson, Richard Thompson...	Joe Moody
49	What are your memories of this glorious place? (Isle of Skye) I've been there many times and can't understand why you would leave such a magical piece of land! I'd stay forever if I could!	Pat McGuckin
50	Any sign of a new Tull album on the horizon. I have been a fan since 1969 and have seen the band in concert many times (uk only)and just love your music. Are you still writing new material or is your solo career taken over?	Peter White
51	I have always had a question about the line " ...the Monkeys seem willing to strike up the tune." I have always thought that was a sly little reference to the Prefab four, The Monkees, though I'm biased because I am a Monkees fan.	Joseph Auger
52	When you introduce a song to the other musicians in the band, do you feel it's beneficial to let the other members know what you feel the song and lyrics are about so they can construct their parts with that in mind?	Mark Frayman
53	Have you ever considered doing what Santana did by bringing your big name mainstream rock artist fans like Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews and Ritchie Sambora, among others, into the studio to record with you solo or with Tull?	Rob Curtis
54	What things about your career are you most proud of and what would you like to go back and do differently?	Rob Curtis
55	How could you define Tull fan?	Lukas Was
56	Has Tull been approached to help compose music for any movie sound tracks, as opposed to existing Tull tunes being used?	Robert Johnston
57	How if at all has your friend Griminelli influenced your flute playing? I saw you in Boston with the girl from the Boston Symphony during Grim's Lament, it was really interesting to see you with a classical flautist.	Tim Sullivan
58	What kind of cloth are trousers, which you wear during Jethro Tull shows and also backstage? They're not jeans, but perhaps also not typical sport dress... Some fans think that they are part of your pyjamas, but in my opinion they are looking quite good and the most important thing - I suspect that they're very comfortable.	Lukas Was
59	How about having a kitty cat meet and greet with fellow feline lovers?	Leszek Koziol
60	How did you acquire an autographed Sean Connery Walther PPK? When no one is listening to you secretly fire it?	Leszek Koziol
61	"Neither am I good nor bad..." I like this line. It appears in "A Passion Play" as well as Rupi's Dance (maybe not exactly but in meaning). Could you explain what it means to you?	Raymond Gambill

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