5 Stars
Wishbone Ash burst upon the rock scene in 1970 with the self-titled debut album, followed by Pilgrimage in 1971. Both made high entries into the British Charts and the low regions of the all-important American Billboard. These albums established their famous dual lead guitar attack, sumptuous vocal harmonies and songwriting skills. The band covered many bases, including the hippie ethic, superb musicianship, blues rock, and progressive rock, and it must be said that their good looks could not have hurt.
have Wishbone Ash running through him.
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But it was Argus in 1972 that was the game changer. Argus was voted album of the year by very influential British Music Paper Sounds. Sold-out world tours followed, creating a huge fan base.
Not only was the album a chart success, but it’s also a slow burner, still shifting plenty of units today. An album that should be in every record collection.
By 1973 the dream had shattered, and from then on Wishbone Ash were almost more likely to be in the headlines because of arguments within the band, or splits, than new releases or concert triumphs.
The albums and line-up changes kept coming (and going) with excellent musicians and some truly great albums mixed in with the odd duff move.
But always overshadowed by the monster that was Argus.
There are two versions of Wishbone Ash that tours and records these days. The one on this album is simply called Wishbone Ash, which features Andy Powell, as he won the court case and is allowed to retain the name. The other band must call themselves Martin Turner (ex-Wishbone Ash)—the cost of losing the case.
attack for many years.
Whatever the politics, in 2008, Andy Powell took his band out on the road, advertising that they would be playing the whole of the Argus album in order as it was on the original album. It was a good ruse and gave Wishbone Ash a sellout tour plus the opportunity to record this live album.
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It’s perfect. The guitar work is all that you could possibly ask for. At this stage in their career, the band had been together so long they were almost telepathic. As tight as the South African front row, if called upon also as brutal.
Does this band miss Martin Turner’s vocals? No, not really. The vocals are handled with great panache. There is also a certain amount of extra fire in the playing as it is live.
As advertised, the album Argus has a complete run-through, topped and tailed by Andy Powell’s instrumental guitar showcase ‘Real Guitars Have Wings’, plus ‘Mountainside’ from 2008’s Illuminations, and ‘Growing Up’ from 2007’s The Power of Eternity.
after a succession of great Bass players including Martin Turner,
John Wetton, Trevor Bolder, and Andy Pyle.
Then you get Argus, before an encore of ‘Way of the World’, an old Laurie Wisefield song from 1979’s ‘No Smoke Without Fire’. It’s over one hour and fifteen minutes of entertainment.
Kindled in the gourd patch by Mott the Dog on Pattaya’s Darkside.
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