Wishbone Ash
Bona Fide
Dead Ringer / Candlelight
Following in the footsteps of the slicker side of the late-‘60s British Blues Invasion, Wishbone Ash have been at it since 1969. And although there is only Andy Powell left from the original line-up, you’re still going to get what you’ve come to expect. In essence, this is nice, hugely competent blues-rock with a smooth edge. Wishbone’s pioneering twin guitar leads are of course in place and remain their strongest asset.
Powell’s easy way around a melody ensures that there are some very nice, gently flowing melodies on here, and particularly some of the instrumental parts work out nicely. But there is little or nothing new or exciting about the band these days. Songs like “Faith, Hope & Love” and “Ancient Remedy” offer fine psychedelic blues-prog, but it all gets a bit too schmaltzy and half-felt in the long run. A good enough effort that should please the fans, but this isn’t the one that will earn Wishbone a new audience.
Candlelight Records: http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk
