Tell No More Tull Tales

What’s Mike Boehm got against older musicians (“Talkin’ ‘Bout Degeneration,” Sept. 24.)? About the only thing I could agree with Boehm on in his review of Jethro Tull’s concert is that, yes, Ian Anderson’s voice has somewhat diminished over the years and that the band indeed played in Irvine on Sept. 21.

Musicians play live for two reasons: to play the songs that their fans want to hear, and to promote their product. Boehm wondered about the amount of songs played from “Aqualung,” even as he himself mentioned it had just been re-released, with added tracks, and remastered.

Last year’s tour (which Boehm seemed to have forgotten about) was built around tracks from their 1995 release, “Roots to Branches.” It’s the economy, stupid!

He, apparently, was the only one in the enthusiastic crowd not enjoying Tull’s choice of set list. On the quieter numbers, such as “Mother Goose” and “Songs From the Wood,” Anderson’s voice seemed to rise to the occasion, leading me to believe that perhaps part of the problem lay in a proper [sound] mix.

The fans on hand were there to hear [Tull and Emerson, Lake & Palmer] play their hits, and both groups did just that.

The only thing that slightly diminished my total enjoyment of the evening was the sad realization that many of my generational brethren are still unable to say “when” in terms of alcoholic consumption.

Curiously, Mr. Boehm similarly trashed Peter, Paul & Mary and even threw in Crosby, Stills, & Nash for good measure, in spite of the fact that they were nowhere around this past weekend. Geez, now I’m starting to hope I die before I get (too) old.

CHRIS CRINER

Aliso Viejo