Discussion
Well worth seeing, very polished show I saw them in Carlisle of all places around 18 months ago. However I then saw the Martin Turner ‘Version’ at the cluny in Newcastle around a year ago and found it more authentic. I would happily see either version as both put on a very good show but for me Turner is WA
Been a Wishbone Ash fan since 1971, their history is well documented in two books by lead guitarist Andy Powell and bass player Martin Turner.
In a nutshell, they fell out several years ago, resulting in a court case over the rights to the name.
There are two "rival" groups doing the rounds, personally I prefer Martin's version, but Andy is a great guitarist and has been with the band through all the various lineup changes.
A sad story, similar to Barclay James Harvest, another favourite of mine.
Here they are in their prime.
In a nutshell, they fell out several years ago, resulting in a court case over the rights to the name.
There are two "rival" groups doing the rounds, personally I prefer Martin's version, but Andy is a great guitarist and has been with the band through all the various lineup changes.
A sad story, similar to Barclay James Harvest, another favourite of mine.
Here they are in their prime.
Polly Grigora said:
Often one wonders how a sole remaining member of a band could possibly use a bands name from the past
Pink Floyd pushed things to the limit when Roger Waters didn't socialise with them anymore
In his book Andy Powell argued that he has been in the group throughout and "kept the fire burning" over fifty years and the judge agreed with him.Pink Floyd pushed things to the limit when Roger Waters didn't socialise with them anymore
Martin Turner has to go out as Martin Turner (ex Wishbone Ash) he is not allowed to go out as Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash.
Polly Grigora said:
Often one wonders how a sole remaining member of a band could possibly use a bands name from the past
Pink Floyd pushed things to the limit when Roger Waters didn't socialise with them anymore
Check out Little River Band, not a single original member and three of the originals who still perform together can't use the name.Pink Floyd pushed things to the limit when Roger Waters didn't socialise with them anymore
An all Australian band that now has an all American line up
Should add I have been a Wishbone Ash fan since their first self titled album
Wacky Racer said:
Polly Grigora said:
Often one wonders how a sole remaining member of a band could possibly use a bands name from the past
Pink Floyd pushed things to the limit when Roger Waters didn't socialise with them anymore
In his book Andy Powell argued that he has been in the group throughout and "kept the fire burning" over fifty years and the judge agreed with him.Pink Floyd pushed things to the limit when Roger Waters didn't socialise with them anymore
Martin Turner has to go out as Martin Turner (ex Wishbone Ash) he is not allowed to go out as Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash.
When I first met my wife (girlfriend then) she knew I was a huge fan and had the first self titled LP and Pilgrimage. She had then gone off on a week's pre-booked hol to italy with a girl friend. When we met back up on return she had bought me Argus on cassette as a pressie, so I could play it in the car. When I shoved it in the cassette player I was gobsmacked... she was singing and knew every single word of every track (the two of them had played it to death!).
I bought everything of theirs, even most of the ones after Martin had left.
I thought the split was so unnecessary. I started to read all the versions of the bust up. I've seen both incarnations live and for me Martin wins.
The most telling is when the old hands like Ted Turner, Laurie Wisefield, Steve Upton, get asked by Martin to appear with him, they turn up and they play with Martin's line up (whichever it was or is). I've never seen any of them turn up to play with Andy Towell (sorry, that's what Martin called him the last time me and my wife watched them, which with some irony was last month, 9th Sept in ...Bath!)
When the very special boxed set 'Wishbone Ash The Vintage Years' came out in 2018 in a limited edition, who were there to discuss it in an over quarter of an hour video? Martin Turner and Laurie Wisefield. - Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQabrjDlwuU
We hadn't seen either incarnation since I think it was a Cox's Yard in Stratford upon Avon, which I believe as a venue is now long gone?
We saw both bands there on different dates. We still preferred Martin's version.
In Bath last month they had a new drummer, Sonny Flint (I thought that name rings a bell.). He plays a Ludwig set that he's restored himself. I filmed a fair bit of it but have not uploaded it yet.
Bloody hell, Bath has changed a tad since I last went there in the 90s! Didn't realise the environmentalists had infiltrated so ended up driving round the city trying to avoid their clean air crap areas. Bit like Oxford is today, but of course not as bad.
Sorry, going off topic.
We parked near the event, had a nice meal in a pub and drinks so we could get in early. Doors opened 7.30 for 8pm. Bloody hell, go in on the dot and the place was packed! Not surprising for just 18 quid plus booking fee. I think that's what I paid all those years ago when watching the band live at Hammersmith Odeon in 1978.
Well, it looked like standing at the back then? No way, my wife weaved between the seats and tables and then signaled to me. I walked through to the front, one table and chairs right slap bang in front of the stage. Why was nobody sitting here? We asked others they said it's fine, sit down, nothing is reserved. So we did. I was really wondering why nobody else had grabbed the table? Perhaps it would be f loud!
Nope. It was f brilliant from start to finish.
Afterwards Martin signed my old Hammersmith New England Tour brochure and shook my hand. He didn't shake my wife's hand, he listened to the tale of her giving me the Argus cassette and how she knew every word. He said he wasn't going to shake her hand. Huh? Then he planted a kiss on her cheek!
We noted Flint had uploaded the opening song by someone he knew who'd videod it. It was a bit of a surprise as you can see us to the left of the stage (well, my wife with her head of hair). They started appropriately with 'The King Will Come' from Argus, plus a little 'God Save' guitar intro (well, it was only the day after Her Maj had passed away).
There are more dates on their tour and we will definitely be going to another. We'd planned for the Nuneaton gig on the 1st Oct but had to cancel. A pity as that was Martin's 75th birthday.
I said 'Flint' rang a bell. Sonny is the son of famed Hughie Flint - former John Mayall and McGuinness Flint.
Edited by dandarez on Saturday 8th October 22:55
I went to see Andy Powell's Wishbone Ash at The Arc in Stockton last week.......absolutely brilliant gig, and they played Argus in it's entirety. They're a band i've only really got into in more recent years and it was great to hear Andy relating tales of life on the road in America in the early 70's, as well as talking about the recording sessions for Argus. The sound was spot on too, and it was great hearing the guitar solos played as they were on the album. A very enjoyable evening. 
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