Wishbone Ash are one of the UK’s best bands, and the originators of the harmony twin guitar attack. This live show was recorded in ’73 on the British tour to promote the Wishbone Four album. The guitars of Andy Powell and Ted Turner would be the band’s signature sound and copied by many. They have a very unique sound with the vocal harmonies that compliment the guitars to great effect.
The album starts with The King Will Come, and if I where to name a tune that best encompasses the band’s sound – this would be it. A brilliant song that sounds great in the live environment. Warrior is next from the brilliant Argus album. The song has an almost hypnotic Celtic feel that is strangely haunting. Throw Down The Sword closes out Side 1 and we continue with the Celtic medieval vibe. The lyrics conjure up images of King Arthur, which isn’t to far from Torquay where the band originate from.
The Ballad Of The Beacon on Side 2 is a great tune and one of the tracks I have loved since I first heard it. The melodies and harmonies really shine. Side 3 contains three of the band’s best know tunes: The Pilgrim, Jail Bait and Blowin’ Free (which surprisingly was released as a single in the UK and did really well). Side 4 closes out the record with 2 live favourites in Lady Whiskey and Phoenix. Phoenix is timeless, and the arrangements of the guitars and vocals is sublime.
The band were great up until the New England album, then after that they seemed to lose the spark. Anyway, this a really good live album that showcases them in their prime.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
