Wishbone Ash, Exeter Corn Exchange, 7th October, 2012

Reality Over Retro

I have been waxing lyrical of late about the current rock/psychedelia musical renaissance and will, no doubt, continue to do so. However, if it is possible to still see and hear the original, then that is an opportunity to grab with relish and I therefore strongly recommend catching Wishbone Ash on their current Elegant Stealth tour.

Formed in 1969, this band has written some of the finest melodic rock tracks out there and performed these then – and now – with exquisite twin guitars and west coast harmonies. Last night’s performance was a knock-out with the tightest harmonies but more impressively the sublime guitar work of both Andy Powell and Muddy Manninen – their duel on the perfect rendition of Phoenix, from side two of their debut eponymous album, simply stunning. This current guitar line-up is ably supported by Bob Skeat on those fine harmony vocals and bass, and Joe Crabtree on excellent drumming and percussion duties.

The band has over its 40 years undergone significant line-up changes and there are in fact two incarnations: last night’s, and original member and named Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash. I can’t speak for the latter, but Andy Powell’s embrace of the band’s history – and their current output – is superb, and he is the single original member to have consistently straddled the band’s fluctuating membership. The Corn Exchange set was bookended by The King Will Come and Blowin’ Free, both from the band’s third and their most successful album, third Argus, and it’s genuinely one of those nostalgic aural reveries to hear such a classic like Blowin’ Free being played live and with such pristine presence. Other blasts from a significant past were Warrior, Lady Jay and Jail Bait. 

I picked up a copy of their latest release Elegant Stealth and will be reviewing that soon. This morning I have been listening to a bootleg copy of a recent gig in the States [April, 2012] and these are relatively easy to find and will demonstrate just how consummate this band’s playing is. But do yourself a considerable favour and get to one of their current gigs – such reality over retro is about as far-out as it can get.