Wishbone Ash ‘Backbones’ (Talking Elephant)

From page 91 of Classic Rock Magazine February 2005



Cover of February 2005 issue.
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In the decade since the reunited original Wishbone Ash line-up dissolved again, the band have released half a dozen albums as guitarist Andy Powell continues the band’s trademark twin guitar style with various partners. And a dozen live albums have come out spanning the band’s 25-year career.

For those who haven’t been able to keep up with that, the three-CD ‘Backbones’ is a somewhat selective overview. CD one pulls in tracks from 1996’s ‘Illuminations’, a disappointing AOR-styled album; 2000’s ‘Bare Bones’, where Ash songs from the past and present get the unplugged treatment; and 2002’s ‘Bona Fide’ which is a return to the classic guitar-driven riffs of yore, courtesy of current guitarist Ben Granfelt.

Most of CD two comes from the two ‘Tracks’ albums featuring live material from the early 70s onwards. But the absence of detail means that only true fans will know whether that’s Ted Turner, Laurie Wisefield or even James Crompton pitting their plectrums against Andy Powell. Dedicated fans will also need this album for CD three, which has three unreleased live tracks from 2002 and a 50-minute interview with Powell.

★★★ ★★

Hugh Fielder

Graham Parker ‘The Real Macaw’ (Lemon)
Black Widow






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