Wishbone Ash

Time Was/The Wishbone Ash Collection

MCA

 

When asked, I often refer to these guys as one of the truly precious gems in music and one of the few bands of this consequence who continue to endure and yet still remain predominantly unknown. (Except of course, to rock historians and music nuts like me.) I stumbled onto Wishbone Ash twenty years ago when they released Wishbone Four. Best trip I've ever had. Needless to say, Wishbone Four spent a lot of time on my turntable. Six months later, the double album Live Dates was released. (That too, spent many hours spinning at 33-1/3 rpm.) Recorded over four nights during the '73 summer tour of England, it remains as one of the best live albums ever recorded, and also the least appreciated. Perhaps this inexpensive double-disc, career-spanning retrospective will change all that and they'll finally get the recognition which by now is long overdue and well deserved.

 

An English equivalent of the Allman Brothers (with blazing dual lead guitars, melodic bass lines, tasty, distinctive drumming and a penchant for long jams), the original line-up of Andy Powell/ Ted Turner (guitars), Martin Turner (bass) and Steve Upton (drums), made five albums during their first three or four years together. The bulk of the material included on Time Was comes from the first three:Wishbone Ash, Pilgrimage and Argus (released in '70,'71,and'72 respectively.) The set kicks off in fine shape with "Phoenix" an intense ten minute guitar workout. The 1970 debut single "Blind Eye" is next, followed by "Errors Of My Way" and although both are shorter songs with vocals, they're certainly no less ardent. Twin lead guitars are this band's trademark and many of the twenty-three tunes here are brimming them. "Handy" clocking in at 11:35 and named for the jazz composer W. C. Handy, is an improvisational jam that sounds like it was recorded in one take. Phew. A cover of "Vas Dis," a number written by organist Brother Jack McDuff is another hot one. "Lullaby" is just that. A quiet dreamy guitar duet sans drums. Next are two previously unreleased tunes, "Where Were You Tomorrow" an all out boogie from the Pilgrimage sessions and a live version of "The Pilgrim" that was recorded in a small Memphis studio in 1972 for a radio-only promotional EP. "Blowin' Free" and "Time Was" both from Argus round out disc one.

 

Disc two begins with three more from the same album. "Warrior," "Sometime World" and "The King Will Come." Three from Wishbone Four are next "So Many Things To Say," "Ballad Of Beacon" and "Sorrel." A live version of the Jimmie Reed classic "Baby What You Want Me To Do" with a steaming slide guitar duel is the last song here to feature the original line-up. The remaining six cuts span the years '74 -'81 which reflect a couple changes in personnel. Guitarist Ted Turner left after the live record and was replaced by Laurie Wisefield. "F*U*B*B" a longish instrumental from There's The Rub sounds like it could've come from an earlier album. Done in their typical style, it starts out slow and winds to a feverish pitch. After that the mood of rest of the songs change. Clear evidence of newcomer Wisefield's country rock influences that serve to mellow the band's sound a bit. "Front Page News" and "714" are two prime examples of this. The fire's still there, but the damper's been closed a bit. "You See Red" and "Pay The Price" are examples of the band during the late '70s before the subsequent departure of another original member. Martin Turner was the next to leave, finally calling it quits after more than twenty years with the band. John Wetton was called to fill in on bass for the final MCA release, Number The Brave in 1981. It wasn't until 1986 when original manager Miles Copeland, now world famous as the navigator for the Police and owner of I.R.S. records, called on Andy Powell and Ted Turner asking them to participate in a series of all instrumental albums. (The notable Guitar Speak series) The resulting reunion lasted three years and produced two more albums featuring the original line-up. Nouveau Calls and Here to Hear. Steve Upton left prior to the recording of the final I.R.S. album, Strange Affair. (Unfortunately all three are now out of print.) Nowadays the band continues to tour and record with the twin lead guitars of Turner and Powell lighting the way. New members, Andy Pyle and Ray Weston on bass and drums round out the group.

 

This set, compiled by Andy Powell and Ted Turner, is clearly a labor of love and is true testament to the enduring qualities of a band whose members may have made different decisions had their music reached more people. And although it might be hard to try something new without first hearing it, I strongly suggest that it would be a good move on your part to check this out, pronto. If nothing else, the price is right. (SC)

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