Posts tagged Wishbone Ash

(Review from allaboutjazz.com, the-trades.com)

A new album and a new (Finnish) guitarist to complement Andy Powell, this time it’s Muddy Manninen’s turn who was already touring with the band since 2004.

Listening to the opening track, it’s absolutely uncanny to hear the tenor vocals mesh with the dual guitars that harmonize to create hooks. The effect is the same on the next track, “Dreams Outta Dust” but the little things make it sound different, including how the second vocal enters on the second line of the verse while a mandolin murmurs in the background. The largely original material on this disc, recorded in just over three weeks in Massachusetts, takes a variety of forms. “Healing Ground”, for instance, alternates a dirty guitar figure that acts as a refrain, the dynamics of which are highlighted by way the instruments drop out on the bridge to reveal a sole falsetto vocal.

Skeat plays various keyboards, while Manninen handles lap steel and slide (the way he decorates “Your Dog” demonstrates how he serves the song, instead of flashing pure technique). And for his part, Powell, still brandishing a Gibson flying-V guitar, does an admirable job on vocals and like his three compatriots, he knows that less is definitely more when it comes to soloing.

In fact, Clan Destiny keeps improvisation in tight rein. Wishbone Ash uses the studio as a means to craft smart arrangements, rather than confine jamming. Nevertheless, the quartet generates some momentum on “Steam Town”, while the instrumental “Surfing a Slow Wave” sounds at once everything like vintage Wishbone Ash and something more, its delicate tandem lines echoed in the melancholy of “Loose Change”.

The album is a mellow and moody mélange of well-crafted musicianship. Polished and professional, while still retaining a natural, earthy feel.

Line-up:
- Andy Powell / lead vocals, guitars, mandolin
- Muddy Manninen / vocals, guitars
- Bob Skeat / bass, piano, clavinet, vocals
- Ray Weston / drums, percussion

Track List:
01. Eyes Wide Open – 5:13
02. Dreams Outta Dust – 4:26
03. Healing Ground – 4:20
04. Steam Town – 4:00
05. Loose Change – 4:46
06. Surfing On A Slow Wave – 3:47
07. Slime Time – 4:53
08. Capture That Moment – 3:30
09. Your Dog – 3:32
10. The Raven – 4:46
11. Motherless Child – 4:04

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(Review from progarchives.com)

After an anxious wait of some 5 years to see whether there would be any further new material released in the name of Wishbone Ash, Andy Powell finally put the fans out of their misery with this 1996 release. While misgivings about the absence of Ted and Martin Turner plus Steve Upton were only to be expected, the continuation of the twin lead guitar line up, backed by a solid rhythm section and a dedicated lead vocalist, offered the reassurance that Powell was intent on business as usual. Pretty much all the songs here are co-credited to Powell and the multi-talented Roger Filgate.

The 6 minute opener “Mountainside” could easily have been lifted straight from one of the band’s early albums, only the unfamiliar vocals belie its origins. A lengthy burst of harmonised guitars introduces an upbeat toe-tapper with a pleasing energy and freshness.

An early highlight is “Top of the world”, a mid paced number with jangling guitar and a great hook. The song suits Tony Kishman’s voice well and the lead guitar work here is right up there with the band’s finest. The lyrics could be, at least in part, a reflection on the former days of the band: “Say goodbye to the old days, they’re over and gone. Facing up to the realisation that we’ve got to move on.”.

Andy Powell takes on lead vocals for “No Joke”, a song firmly rooted in the “Argus” days, with changes of tempo and incisive guitars. This one will please long term fans immensely. The following 10 minute “Tales of the wise”, might be described as a loose remake of “Phoenix”. This magnificent epic has all the ingredients of a Wishbone Ash classic, with an opening anthem leading to a raising of the pace for a lengthy guitar break. This really is one of the finest songs recorded in the Wishbone Ash name for many a long year, and alone makes the album worthwhile.

The latter part of the album settles down to a series of more straightforward guitar rock songs. Of these, the biting “Mystery man”, a song empathising with the plight of Vietnam war veterans, stands above the rest. The song actually sounds rather like a Free number, with its brooding blues style. We close with a bonus instrumental track “The crack of dawn”, a sort of backing track for “Leaf and stream”.

This is a fine album in the Wishbone Ash name, which captures the essence of the band while moving them firmly into the late 1990′s.

Line-up:
- Andy Powell / electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin, vocals
- Roger Filgate / electric & acoustic guitars, lap steel, bass, keyboards, back vocals
- Mike Sturgis / drums
- Tony Kishman / vocals
with
- Mark Templeton / keyboards
- Mike Mindel / keyboards
- Paul Avgerinos / keyboards, welding, back vocals

Track List:
01. Mountainside – 6:01
02. On Your Own – 5:33
03. Top of the World – 6:38
04. No Joke – 6:46
05. Tales of the Wise – 10:05
06. Another Time – 5:23
07. A Thousand Years – 4:05
08. The Ring – 4:35
09. Comfort Zone – 4:26
10. Mystery Man – 4:28
11. Wait Out The Storm – 3:44
12. Crack Of Dawn – 3:17

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(Review from wishboneash.co.uk)

Steve Upton quit the band during the early sessions of this album due to personal problems, marking this album the first album in the band’s 21-year history without him. Upton’s departure led to him not only parting company with the band, but also quitting the music business altogether

For the recording sessions the band initially recruited drummer Robbie France. France toured with Wishbone briefly during the Autumn of 1990, but was eventually replaced by Ray Weston, a noted figure on the London studio scene who had previously played with Martin Turner during the early 80s. Both drummers appear on the album.

As with its predecessor “Here To Hear”, compositions penned by the individual members of the band dominated Strange Affair. The material chosen covered a diverse range of styles but, to a certain extent, indicated that the three songwriters in the band were pulling in three vastly different musical directions.

The dominance of Andy Powell as vocalist/songwriter on tracks such as “Strange Affair”, “Hard Times” and “Renegade” made for an overall bluesier feel on those songs. Martin Turner continued to pursue his interest in incorporating synthesisers into the band’s music and contributed the track “You” which had an autobiographical lyric content. Ted Turner meanwhile contributed a mixed bag of material from the dreamy “Say You Will” through to the all-out of “Standing in the Rain”, the latter being arguably the finest song on the album.

Strange Affair remains a mixed bag of ideas and, while lacking the consistency of many of the band’s other album releases, still contains many first rate tracks.

This album truly marked the end of the “reunion” era. Shortly after the album’s release, Wishbone Ash also parted company with IRS Records and the album was quickly deleted, resulting in it being unavailable for several years.

Line-up:
- Andy Powell / Guitars, Vocals.
- Ted Turner / Guitars, Vocals
- Martin Turner / Bass, Vocals, Keyboards
with
- Robbie France / Drums (3, 4, 9, 13)
- Ray Weston / Drums & percussion (1, 2, 5-8, 10-12)

Track List:
01. Strange Affair – 4:22
02. Wings Of Desire – 3:51
03. Renegade – 3:55
04. Dream Train – 5:01
05. Some Conversation – 4:18
06. Say You Will – 4:08
07. Rollin’ – 3:55
08. You – 3:52
09. Hard Times – 3:03
10. Standing In The Rain – 5:41
11. Strange Affair (Bonus Brass) – 4:28
12. Rollin’ (Bonus Brass) – 3:55
13. Dream Train (Bonus Brass) – 5:03

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(Review from wishboneash.co.uk)

Along comes Miles Copeland with the idea to create a new, all-instrumental label. Having been Wishbone Ash’s original manager, he convinced the band to reform the original lineup and release a new album of vocal-less music. Nouveau Calls saw the four original members of Wishbone Ash – Martin Turner, Steve Upton, Ted Turner and Andy Powell, working together for the first time since 1974. Copeland’s adage was simply “no vocals”, hence the album title pun.

Upon its release, Nouveau Calls surprised both fans and critics with its broad musical scope. As one would have expected, influences that had not been heard in Wishbone Ash’s music for some time – such as Andy Powell’s folk-tinged guitar melodies, Ted Turner’s lap steel and Martin Turner’s strident melodic bass lines – were clearly evident in the album’s music.

Whilst containing the traditional Wishbone Ash hallmarks and ideals, the album also had a definite contemporary feel. Martin Turner, in particular, had been keen to utilise the technological advances of the eighties such as synthesisers and sequencers, which nestled comfortably alongside the band’s trademark twin lead guitars on tracks such as “Tangible Evidence” and “Real Guitars Have Wings”, the latter of which would open the band’s live set for many years.

Although the reformation of the original Wishbone Ash line-up had originally been intended solely for the purpose of recording Nouveau Calls, such was the enthusiasm within the band, that the four originals agreed to undertake a concert tour to promote the release.

Line-up:
- Andy Powell / Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin
- Ted Turner / Lap Steel & Electric Guitars, Banjo
- Martin Turner / Bass, Keyboards
- Steve Upton / Drums, Percussion

Track List:
01. Tangible Evidence – 4:24
02. Clousseau – 3:41
03. Flags of Convenience – 4:32
04. From Soho to Sunset – 3:27
05. Arabesque – 4:31
06. In The Skin – 4:52
07. Something’s Happening in Room 602 – 3:34
08. Johnny Left Home Without It – 3:40
09. The Spirit Flies Free – 3:45
10. A Rose is a Rose – 3:40
11. Real Guitars have Wings – 3:15
12. T-Bone Shuffle – 3:35

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(Review from progarchives.com, amazon)

Following up the magnificent “Argus” was always going to be a monumental task for Wishbone Ash. Instead of trying to create another similar album, the band decided to go back to basics, making their folk sound more apparent than ever.

Many songs in Wishbone Four seem precursors to sounds honed by latter groups like Bad Company, Foreigner and Bob Seeger’s Silver Bullet Band. There are also similarities to the Grateful Dead, early Fleetwood Mac and even King Crimson to be heard in Wishbone’s first of several attempts to become a singles band. Unlike Wishbone’s previous three recordings, songs are shorter and often catchier as well. There are some great rockers on this album, alternating with some softer tracks, all of them sprinkled with anthemic solos from the dual guitars of Andy Powell and Ted Turner. Yet it is the ballads which dominate the album, two in particular standout above the rest.

“Ballad of the Beacon” hails the return of more traditional harmonised multi-tracked vocals and the unique guitar sound of the band is far more apparent. The song (the lyrics of which reflect the band’s decamping to Wales to work on it) is one of the hidden gems of the Wishbone Ash catalogue.

The wonderful “Everybody Needs a Friend” is an acoustic guitar based 8˝ minute ballad features an excellent vocal performance of a fine melody, combined with some of the finest lead guitar work the band have come up with. The lyrics, while melancholy, are optimistic and supportive. The track is immeasurably enhanced by the addition of mellotron.

Guitarist Ted Turner would leave the band after the tour of this album, apparently unhappy with the step he felt the band had taken, and the classic line up of the band was at an end.

Line-up:
- Martin Turner / bass, vocals
- Andy Powell / guitars, vocals
- Ted Turner / guitars, vocals
- Steve Upton / drums

Track List:
01. So Many Things To Say – 5:06
02. Ballad Of The Beacon – 5:04
03. No Easy Road – 3:48
04. Everybody Needs A Friend – 8:24
05. Doctor – 5:53
06. Sorrel – 5:03
07. Sing Out The Song – 4:24
08. Rock ‘N Roll Widow – 5:50

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(Review from progarchives.com)

With such brilliant debut, Wishbone Ash had their hands full to live-up to their burgeoning reputation.

With the impressive opener “Quo Vadis”, Wishbone Ash shows that they have become even tighter than before and they use some of the best scatting on a hard-driving beat: this will become a trademark of theirs for a few years to come.

Once the lenghty intro over with, the (sort of) title track actually swings into a typical Wishbone Ash swing that they were becoming so famous for, and once the three vocalist get into their scatting, the track is really take you places that all progheads love: paradise. “Jailbait” is clearly a return to the rockier (and macho) tracks of the first album. Another highlight of the album is the enjoyable “Valediction”. The usual great drumming, complementary dual guitars and incredible bass works are still among the major asset of the album.

“Pilgrimage” is a something of a transitional album for Wishbone Ash, sitting between the raw excitement of their superb first album, and the majestic excellence of “Argus”. A unique hybrid of these two albums.

Line-up:
- Martin Turner / vocals, bass
- Andy Powell / guitar, vocals
- Ted Turner / guitar, vocals
- Steve Upton / drums

Track List:
01. Vas Dis – 4:46
02. The Pilgrim – 8:33
03. Jail Bait – 4:45
04. Alone – 2:23
05. Lullaby – 3:03
06. Valediction – 6:20
07. Where Were You Tomorrow – 10:25
08. Jail Bait (Live) – 4:54

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(Review from progarchives.com)

With Laurie Wisefield now firmly installed as the second lead guitarist and sometime vocalist, Wishbone Ash continued to develop the sound and style they had introduced on “New England”.

The opening title track sets the scene for the album in a slightly laid back, mid-paced song. Apart from the delightful vocals, the song features some excellent integral guitar work, which complements the composition rather than dominating it. That laid back atmosphere is repeated in songs such as “Midnight dancer” which changes pace mid- way, the slow wah-wah guitar giving way to an all to rare burst of faster lead guitar duelling. Wisefield assumes lead vocal duty on the Crosby Stills and Nash like “Goodbye baby, hello friend”, another relaxed song with more of a pop basis. The CSN influences appear elsewhere from time to time, perhaps emanating in part from the style of Wisefield’s previous band Home. On the relaxed instrumental “714″, we even have orchestration by Mike Lewis, surely a first for Wishbone Ash.

And so it is that a succession of slightly melancholy mid-paced songs with strong harmonies flows seamlessly on. All the while, bursts of great but all too brief guitar work intrude, but usually they simply serve as a solid basis for the tracks.

The second side is slightly harder, but rarely does the pace reach anything like what might be described as energetic. Songs such as “Right or wrong” have a stronger blues influence, with hints of Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple.

There are no feature tracks on “Front Page News”. This is a straightforward album of ten 4-5 minute songs, consummately performed but with little development. This is a proficient offering packed with pleasant melodies, while undoubtedly standing as the band’s least aggressive release.

Line-up:
- Martin Turner / bass, vocals
- Laurie Wisefield / lead, 12 string & rhythm guitars, vocals
- Andy Powell / lead, rhythym & acoustic guitars, vocals
- Steve Upton / drums

Track List:
01. Front Page News
02. Midnight Dancer
03. Goodbye Baby, Hello Friend
04. Surface To Air
05. 714
06. Come In From The Rain
07. Right Or Wrong
08. Heart Beat
09. The Day I Found Your Love
10. Diamond Jack

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