WISHBONE ASH

track-List:
The King Will Come
Warrior
Throw Down The Sword
Rock n Roll Widow
Ballad Of The Beacon
Baby What You Want Me To Do
The Pilgrim
Blowin’ Free
Jailbait
Lady Whiskey
Phoenix

WISHBONE ASH are:
Andy Powell – guitar, vocals
Mark Abrahams – guitar
Bob Skeat – bass
Mike Truscott – drums

Almost fifty years ago to the month, British rock band Wishbone Ash brought out ‘Live Dates’, their most commercially successful album.
A milestone, not only for the band, but also in the history of rock music.
“At the time, we had been on tour non-stop for three years, had released ‘Argus’ – from today’s point of view our most important studio album – and were like a well-oiled machine,”
remembers founder Andy Powell, who continues to helm the group.
“We had made a name for ourselves as a dynamic live act, so it only made sense to capture the energy and vibrancy of our shows on a live album. Fortunately, the record company funded the costly Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Truck, so we were able to record several shows during our UK tour and compile the most powerful moments on ‘Live Dates’.”
Fast forward half a century and we find ourselves in the summer of 2023, with Wishbone Ash celebrating the anniversary of their 1973 concert classic with a new edition.
‘New’ meaning:
the same material in exactly the same sequence, performed by the current line-up and recorded at Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, New York.
The new release is entitled ‘Live Dates Live’ and will be available on CD, vinyl double LP and for digital download on Steamhammer/SPV from 29 September 2023.
Andy Powell:
“‘Live Dates Live’ is our tribute to the original and our thank-you to all those fans who have been instrumental in making Wishbone Ash one of the few bands from the early seventies who are still active today, who still record new albums and tour on a regular basis.”
One thing that makes ‘Live Dates Live’ so special:
Wishbone Ash present the songs in exactly the same sequence as on their 1973 masterpiece, starting with the three ‘Argus’ classics ‘The King Will Come’, ‘Warrior’ and ‘Throw Down The Sword’, followed by ‘Rock ’n Roll Widow’ and ‘Ballad Of The Beacon’, both from ‘Wishbone Four’.
Powell:
“It’s always exciting for me to see which songs are requested by the fans. ‘Rock ‘n Roll Widow’ is regularly among them.”
Of course, the setlist of ‘Live Dates Live’ includes ‘The Pilgrim’ and ‘Jail Bait’ from their second album ‘Pilgrimage’, as well as their biggest single hit ‘Blowin’ Free’, and – concluding and culminating in a furioso twin-guitar duel – the immortal almost 14-minute ‘Phoenix’ from their 1970 debut.
It should come as no surprise to Wishbone Ash fans that the ‘Live Dates Live’ cover artwork brings to mind the original sleeve design.
After all, this is a band famous for its attention to detail.
Of course, Wishbone Ash mark 2023 have little in common with the 1973 line-up.
Or do they?
After all, guitarist/vocalist Andy Powell still keeps a tight hold of the musical reins.
In addition, guitarist Mark Abrahams, bassist Bob Skeat and drummer Mike Truscott are first-rate musicians, some of whom may be a lot younger, but ooze the original spirit and philosophy of this outstanding band.
“Sometimes Mark, Bob and Mike seem more familiar with the old songs than I am,”
Powell smiles,
“Mark, for example, was a Wishbone Ash fan from a very young age and knows our tunes inside out.”
So what is our recommendation to Wishbone Ash fans – and in fact to rock music fans in general?
Well, they should definitely listen to ‘Live Dates Live’, not only because of the ‘good old days’, but because it’s a terrific live album featuring haunting, timeless songs.
And they should definitely check out the band on their autumn 2023 tour.
It’s guaranteed to be worth their while.
As it has been for more than fifty years.