• From: Netherlands.
  • Registered: 2006-04-27
  • Posts: 2,186

Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

I follow Wishbone Ash from their beginnings. Bought  their first 3 lp's and saw them live at least 10 times.

last time I saw them was in De Sprong here in Winterswijk about 3 years ago. Only Andy Powell was an original member but they still played like in the old days.

A live-CD I can recommend is called:

The living Proof-Live in Chicago.

Live dates is very good, this one even better. It's from1998 but with Ted Turner, the other guitarplayer from the beginnings.

Andre Wittebroek

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Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

This is without a doubt the best guitar band that ever walked this earth....Andy Powell is a master band leader, song writer and guitar player....Laurie Wisefield was an amazing player....Ted Turner was as inspirational to young guitar players as any one.....and the band today with Muddy Maninen as the 2nd guitar player is UNREAL...unfortunately folks in the US might not get to see the band as much anymore because it is not financially rewarding....but, I got into this band in 1993....not 1972....and I can not speak highly enough of how damn good this band was, is and will continue to be....and I'm an axe guy, so I'm talkin' about AP's WA

  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

I love this forum so much. I'm away for a few days back in the old country and when I get back someone's talking about the Ash. Dude I am an Überfan of long standing my most memorable gig of the original line up being at Reading Festival where they co-headlined with Robin Trower (like, rock nirvana or what?). Think it was '74. 100,000 people, oh those heady days of youth.
The beauty of the Ash today is they still rock. I usually see them twice a year. As Andy Powell always says "If it's February, it must be the Fabrik in Hamburg!" and so it is. Getting Muddy in the band a couple of years ago was a master stroke as his playing adds so much depth. Using the Les Paul as he does (a lot) it has really beefed up the sound. He plays slide too and this really brings back the feel of the old Ted Turner days.
Get to see them if you can. Andre is right the "Living Proof" is an excellent an example of Ash live but I can guarantee the current line up stands up against that recording. If you haven't seen the Live at Hamburg DVD I can recommend it. Andy's vocals have sometimes been criticised, even by Martin Turner himself recently, but I think Andy does a more than passable job and we are there for the guitar work, right? What I love about the Andy Powell version of the band is that he has kept the flame burning, they still write and record new material and deliver a professional show. I hear they have actually recorded a full new live version of 'Argus', following the exact track listing. I shall wait for February to buy it, at the show, and hopefully Andy and the boys will do the honour of signing and joining us out front for beer. Hope to see some of you there!

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • MikeT
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Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

I think the Live in Hamburg CD is also a great way to hear the new line-up, all be it without Joe Crabtree on drums(the newest member replacing long standing drummer Ray Weston).  This disc is incredible and the folks in Germany are true fans because they help make that recording amazing.  The Live in Chicago disc is also exceptional, I must agree.  I own their entire catalog and think that the majority is well worth owning...of course all bands slipped and fell along the way, and there are a couple of releases by the Ash that may not be as good, but for my money there has never been a better guitar based unit and there probably never will be again.  Go ahead and tell me who, 'cause if I'm missing something I'd love to hear it, then own it!!!!!!! But there ain't nobody.

23 Reply by shaunb (edited by shaunb 2008-12-28 13:13:03)

  • Registered: 2008-11-29
  • Posts: 8

Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

hansamike wrote:

I love this forum so much. I'm away for a few days back in the old country and when I get back someone's talking about the Ash. Dude I am an Überfan of long standing my most memorable gig of the original line up being at Reading Festival where they co-headlined with Robin Trower (like, rock nirvana or what?). Think it was '74. 100,000 people, oh those heady days of youth.
The beauty of the Ash today is they still rock. I usually see them twice a year. As Andy Powell always says "If it's February, it must be the Fabrik in Hamburg!" and so it is. Getting Muddy in the band a couple of years ago was a master stroke as his playing adds so much depth. Using the Les Paul as he does (a lot) it has really beefed up the sound. He plays slide too and this really brings back the feel of the old Ted Turner days.
Get to see them if you can. Andre is right the "Living Proof" is an excellent an example of Ash live but I can guarantee the current line up stands up against that recording. If you haven't seen the Live at Hamburg DVD I can recommend it. Andy's vocals have sometimes been criticised, even by Martin Turner himself recently, but I think Andy does a more than passable job and we are there for the guitar work, right? What I love about the Andy Powell version of the band is that he has kept the flame burning, they still write and record new material and deliver a professional show. I hear they have actually recorded a full new live version of 'Argus', following the exact track listing. I shall wait for February to buy it, at the show, and hopefully Andy and the boys will do the honour of signing and joining us out front for beer. Hope to see some of you there!

the cd is called argus ,then again live, the cd is top draw, but my all time fav is sometime world, the solo by ap is class,, buy and enjoy,, cheers   shaunb.......

  • Registered: 2008-11-29
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Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

the tour dates for o9, or out now just booked for the lowry, in manchester,, looked at joes dates too ,playing a bit to far for me to attend, hopefully he will play a bit closer to home for me,as the new year goes on..........
                                                            shaunb....

  • From: near Nürnberg Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-19
  • Posts: 1,204

Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

Will see them on January, 27th in Nürnberg Hirsch. Hope to meet you, Thomas.
Günter

Rock On and Keep the Faith

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  • Registered: 2007-12-24
  • Posts: 133

Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

Stiil a great band. Andy powell comes from the same part of the East End as me.
Hope to see them at Shepherd's Bush in the new year.

Jeff

To Live's To Fly
  • Registered: 2008-11-17
  • Posts: 5

Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

Awesome to see all the support on the Joe B   board for the mighty Wishbone Ash...( as well as some of the usual WA forum members who are enthralled by JB! big_smile )

Been a fan since I was 11, roughly 1976....neighbors had all the early WA stuff, so I was constantly exposed to it....been a rabid supporter for all these years....
WA today is still led by Andy and basically is firing on all cylinders.....Joe B actually has opened for WA.....had a chance to say a quick hello to the drummer in Raleigh, and he was surprised and happy I mentioned WA...   Andy and twin guitarist Muddy Manninen are a tour de force on guitar.....I personally believe Muddy is the BEST '2nd" guitarist overall Andy has had, and I grew up on Wisefield  !!

hopefully   some of the JB fans can come out to Las Vegas in August for the annual ASHFEST  !!   please visit the Wishbone Ash website at www.wishboneash.com  for more info on this fantastic fan gettogether!!

steve

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Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

Wishbone Ash was a favorite of mine in the early 70's and I still frequently listen to Argus.  Twin guitar acts were peaking around that time and I've always hoped there'd be a resurgence of that unique sound.

  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

sekrph wrote:

Awesome to see all the support on the Joe B   board for the mighty Wishbone Ash...( as well as some of the usual WA forum members who are enthralled by JB! big_smile )

Been a fan since I was 11, roughly 1976....neighbors had all the early WA stuff, so I was constantly exposed to it....been a rabid supporter for all these years....
WA today is still led by Andy and basically is firing on all cylinders.....Joe B actually has opened for WA.....had a chance to say a quick hello to the drummer in Raleigh, and he was surprised and happy I mentioned WA...   Andy and twin guitarist Muddy Manninen are a tour de force on guitar.....I personally believe Muddy is the BEST '2nd" guitarist overall Andy has had, and I grew up on Wisefield  !!

hopefully   some of the JB fans can come out to Las Vegas in August for the annual ASHFEST  !!   please visit the Wishbone Ash website at www.wishboneash.com  for more info on this fantastic fan gettogether!!

steve

Funny you mentioned this about Muddy as I said exactly the same thing on the forum last week to Eva I think it was. She had seen them earlier in the week here in Germany and I caught them again on Monday of this week. My first time was when they headlined the Reading Festival in '74 I think it was. Andy hams it up quite a bit with his playing these days but Muddy really keeps him honest. There is no doubt in my mind that his fat Les Paul sound has added an enormous amount to their live performances. 1000 or so people in the Fabrik at Hamburg is testimony to the enduring quality of their music and playing.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • mikeb
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Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

Folks, what is your favourite post classic-Ash composition? I include the Wisefield years in the "classic" Ash period. For me it is the song "Mountainside" from "Illuminations". First time I heard it, it immediately brought me back to Pilgrimage/Argus daze....

You Can Do Anything You Want To Do

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  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

mikeb wrote:

Folks, what is your favourite post classic-Ash composition? I include the Wisefield years in the "classic" Ash period. For me it is the song "Mountainside" from "Illuminations". First time I heard it, it immediately brought me back to Pilgrimage/Argus daze....

Although post the "classic Ash" period 1989's 'Hear to Hear' actually featured the classic ash line up with Ted Turner back on guitar. On this album he contributed one of my favourite Ash tracks "Why don't we?". That said I find the best version of it (IMO)is to be found on "Live in Chicago".

They didn't play it live on Monday but it was in the set last year and Muddy and Andy do a great job with it still.

As to my favourite of all time, there are so many possibilities, and yet, when I stick on my vinyl copy of the first album I find the combination of tracks on Side 1 irresistable. Of those the solo"s in "Error of my Ways" always stand out. So although it rarely features in any live sets these days, it remains perhaps as an all time fave with me.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
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Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

hansamike

I believe yesterday was AP's 59th birthday... If it was Thursday, it must be somewhere else in Germany other than Hamburg!!! (I guess Monday's are reserved for Hamburg)

Hope you had a good one Andy wherever you are, an extra long version of "Sometime World" would have been a great present from you to your fans....

Mike

You Can Do Anything You Want To Do

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  • From: Netherlands.
  • Registered: 2006-04-27
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Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

Hi Mike,

My favourite  track from the postperiode is:  This Strange Affair from The Living proof- Live in Chicago.

Great rythm, beat  and solo. it's like an ols steamtrain rolling and rollingand....

Why don't we   -is great too I agree!

Andre Wittebroek

34 Reply by hansamike (edited by hansamike 2009-02-21 14:41:49)

  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: any wishbone ash fans , past and present,

mikeb wrote:

hansamike

I believe yesterday was AP's 59th birthday... If it was Thursday, it must be somewhere else in Germany other than Hamburg!!! (I guess Monday's are reserved for Hamburg)

Hope you had a good one Andy wherever you are, an extra long version of "Sometime World" would have been a great present from you to your fans....

Mike

59 eh? Andy really is knocking on. Interesting with him now is that he knows he can still cut it as a player, but he is a very generous performer and Muddy gets a lot of space in the set to really cut loose which really adds to the twin lead dynamic. "Sometime World" got an airing on Monday but I note Andy 'cheats' a little bit these days and the solo from the album is shortened quite a bit which is a shame. Christ, hark at me, I sound so anal......nevertheless its always a highlight.

I think they were off up to Scandinavia after Hamburg. Next year, being the big 60 for him maybe there will be a party.

They often play a Monday in HH, I don't know why. Never affects the turn out though and I think they were quite impressed there were so many for a cold Monday night in the Fabrik. Rock on!

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012