Album review: MARTIN BARRE – Roads Less Travelled

Garage Records [Release date 31.08.18]

You always thought with Martin Barre’s post-Tull albums that he was searching for his own niche. ‘Away With Words’ in 2013 was a largely acoustic mish-mash of Tull covers and originals, ”Order of Play’ (2014) was essentially a live re-working of Tull tunes. 2015′s ‘Back To Steel’ was a tentative step to the more flamboyant writing style he aspires to.

Roads Less Travelled represents the culmination of several more years post-Tull toiling, and some quite extensive touring in North America. Martin is ably assisted by his regular band members especially vocalist Dan Crisp whilst Alan Thomson and Darby Todd hold down the formidable rhythm section.

However the addition of Becca Langsford’s lead vocal on a couple of tracks is refreshing and harks back to the female vocals fronting much of 1996′s second solo foray The Meeting. Barre-ophiles may regard Roads Less Travelled as closer in spirit to that earlier album than the more recent solo output. Alex Hart sings the lead on another piece ‘You Are An Angel’. Both ladies provide backing vocals elsewhere.

This is a very likeable album although punters expecting to find guitar in extremis will be sadly disappointed. The one instrumental – ‘Trinity’ – is all acoustic and this actually references the wonderful ‘Misere’ from The Meeting, reminding us again of the all-important guitar wig-out that Barre does so well.

The emphasis is unashamedly on the song structure and an upbeat vibe throughout. The closing piece also features Josiah J’s Hammond figures which provide a welcome and contrasting texture and perhaps could have been deployed more widely.

It is to Barre’s credit that there’s a breezy accessibility to these tracks, from the opener ‘Lone Wolf’ to the appealing title track. If there’s one criticism, for this reviewer a couple of crackling electric instrumentals would have just tipped this latest offering to stellar proportions and satisfied the die-hards.

In some respects Roads Less Travelled is a coming of age for one of rock’s best-loved guitarists and genuine nice guy. It shows also there’s still plenty of mileage on the road ahead. ****1/2

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

Featured Artist

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)