Martin Barre’s name tops the list of the very best rock guitarists…ever. At times subtle, at times heavy, at times blues, folksy, whatever-ever-else needed (and not just playing guitar but ) for decades Barre was the singular axman presence in Jethro Tull. You’ve heard him on classic riff-tastic tracks like “Aqualung”, “Hunting Girl,” “Teacher,” strumming madness down the tracks on “Locomotive Breath” and plucking many pastoral moments of intricate picking on more tunes then can be named here.

Mr. Barre is presently on a solo tour of the states (Martin and his band will be in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, Saturday December 19th) behind his just released 3rd solo album, Back To Steel (see here). The gentleman (and a true gentleman Barre is) found some time from his busy schedule to have a sit down with shortandsweet.

Best known as the guitarist for decades in Jethro Tull, Martin Barre has released another in his short line of brilliant solo works. Back To Steel features Mr. Barre playing guitars, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, flute and keys…and writing almost all of the 15 songs on this CD.

Opening with heavy big riffs of the title track, we get Martin as dexterous as ever with a good foil in vocalist Dan Crisp and organist Patrick James Pearson. A wonderful lead issues forth from Barre on “the long song “It’s Getting Better” showcasing one of the aspects of Barre’s playing I have always liked; he can spin his fingers into very complex lead phrases but they never seen overwrought, they do indeed rock!