European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 15, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Jethro Tull traditional venerable Rock group adopts acoustic sound Rock with a twist by Ron Mckinney staff writer that old time Rock group Jethro Tull delighted a capacity crowd at Frankfurt Germany Salte oper this week although a few electronics were added to what had been promoted As an acoustic concert. True the acoustic guitars mandolin and flutes played a prominent part of the 2vfe-hour concert. But the electric Bass and Lead guitars were used on nearly every number. Yet really what could you expect from a band that rocks like Jethro Tull Quot we be had a few moans that its not really an acoustic concert which is True Quot said Lead guitarist Martin Barre. Quot it is a Compromise. If you just did a show with completely acoustic instruments for two hours it just  be us. I think the Compromise is a Good  the focus on acoustics is an outgrowth of the groups experiences last year in America playing before very Small audiences. Quot it shed a different Light on the whole concert performance thing. Its rather Nice to get Back to the basics and make it very simple Quot Barre said backstage at the alte oper. With the hard edged sounds that have marked the groups style since the late 60s, relying on an acoustic guitar simply does no to work Barre said. Quot we tried it Quot said the 45-year-old englishman. Quot we tried playing Aqualung and locomotive breath with acoustics they just sounded puny. And people would just say a its a Novelty but it Isnit the same thing anymore. Its totally lacking and it would be shortchanging the  Jethro Tull is not a group to shortchange its audience whether live or in the recording studio. The group has put together 24 albums Over its Quarter Century Selling More than 30 million copies in the process. The band generated a near cult following from the very beginning in 1967 by combining Tull s Brand of Rock a no Roll music with Ian Andersons flute and his somewhat bizarre behaviour onstage. Although Andersons voice struggled at times during the show his antics did no to. He prowled around the stage like a Mountain cat he sat at a Small table onstage and Ian Anderson la atoll Hla our Agalua Aalf in Thea Moat recant Jethro Tull tour of Europe. Us Mew Abranz shared wine with a German waitress while the rest of the band rocked on and he balanced two giant balloons on his head before sending them into the audience. Jathro Tull As Anderson s antics clearly Point out is More than just about Rock n Roll music. Its entertainment. When Anderson 45, Wasny to delighting the crowd with his growling vocals his flute or his inspiring play on the mandolin he was doing so with his offbeat and occasionally tawdry commentary and behaviour. This pied Piper of Rock and Roll was As unpredictable As Ever. At one moment he urged the crowd to follow Safe sexual practices at the next he lucidly extolled his interest in sex with underage girls. As always Anderson a his eyebrows gyrating like Windshield wipers on High a left his audience wondering what s going on in that mind of his. Some of the group s albums have been classics including Aqualung a passion play stand up thick As a Brick and Crest of a Knave the latter earning the group a grammy for 1988 s Best Rock band. In the show that was Well sort of acoustic Jethro Tull played songs that Date Back to the original band Long before Bass guitarist Dave Pegg 1979 and drummer Dave attacks this tour signed on. The compilation of Tull classics with the added blend of acoustics is an innovative approach to an old a but certainly not tiring a sound of music. And with the creative Force Ian Anderson at the forefront Jethro Tull is As exciting As Ever. Jethro tul plays saturday and sunday at 8 30 . At the try Art Stu Yosu in Ankara Turkey. The performances Are sold  action Lin Ramstein to upgrade Legal defense office recently during a visit to both the area defense Council add and the staff judge advocate sea facilities at Ramstein a Germany i could not help but notice the differences in the buildings and furnishings the office building that houses the sea offices i believe it s called the Law Center appears fairly new or at least recently renovated. It is obvious that a lot of Money had been spent on furnishings and equipment for the offices and courtroom. The add is housed in a Section of a Security police Barracks and if the add has been renovated in recent years it s hard to see it. I have not seen ceiling tile used for a Wall covering in 10 years and even then it was shortly to be removed As fire Hazard. I done to know How old the tile is at add but it probably should be checked to see if it contains Asbestos. The carpeting has obviously seen better Days. I believe the add Here at Ramstein does a great Job and i hear they have one the Best if not the Best records in Europe for acquittals. But the contrast Between the facilities including office equipment and furniture of the sea and add is Stark a and i emphasize Stark. I believe if i was a defendant represented by the add and prosecuted by the sea no matter How much Faith i had in counsel this contrast would at least have a psychological Impact on me. I would be reminded of the Ever popular television and theater plots where the Public defender working out of a run Down Dingy office Short of personnel and on a shoestring budget is battling it out with a prosecuting attorney who has seemingly unlimited funds and resources. While i understand that the Chain of command for the add and sea Are separate they Are both under the air Force Legal services Center Are they not who is responsible for funding and  the funding for facilities equipment and furnishings be More equal the differences in the two offices i think would be considered an embarrassment to the military Justice system. Tech. Sgt. Steven d. Van Deureen Rama teen a Germany a maj. Bruce r. Lewie Public affaire chief department of the air Force Headquarters 86th fighter Wing Safe replies you have identified a problem that has already been recognized. Improvements for the add office have already begun. These improvements were delayed because the ads were considering a move to another location. Late last year the decision was made to stay in their present office because it is More centrally located than the proposed alternatives. Through the efforts of several 86th fighter Wing organizations new carpeting will be installed in the entire add office. This carpeting should be in place by the end of May. There is More to be done and both the 86th fighter Wing and the air Force Legal services Agency intend for the add facility to reach the desired level of professional appearance in the near  to write us _ readers action line is the readers Quot court of last resort Quot striving to answer some of the questions about life overseas in a military environment or quest bus about policies and guidelines when other avenues for answers Are not readily available. If you have a question and Don t know where to turn for the answer write to readers action line co the stars and stripes unit 29480, Apo a 09211. All letters must be signed and preference will be Given to those seeking information of general interest to our readers. Page 16 a the stars and stripes Friday May 15, 1992