Early 1970s. What would later be called "classic rock" dominated the world, wonders were created in all styles and each band of prime importance must not only release a reference record but also burn for eternity its best performances. Wishbone Ash, a British band that does not look good with its rock with folk and medieval influences, fulfills these conditions in just two years, 1972 and 1973. During the premiere is published "Argus", a pivotal record (No. 3 and gold record across the Channel), several titles of which will now constitute the backbone of the concerts of the Ash. During the second arrives "Live Dates", eleven tracks recorded during the British tour, a sum considered one of the best live of all time, especially because of its parts of "twin guitars" that inspired combos like Thin Lizzy or Iron Maiden.
Half a century later only guitarist and singer Andy Powell remains from this golden era, still valiant at 73 years old (we will publish his interview this Monday, May 8). And always on the road, right now to celebrate the 50th anniversaries of "Argus" and "Live Dates". With no less than eleven dates in clubs in our country, including the mythical New Morning in Paris, for two different performances: all "Argus" Friday, and all "Live Dates", Saturday.
Good mood and tasty anecdotes
Powell is now surrounded by bassist Bob Skeat, who has been with him since 1997, guitarist Mark Abrahams and a newcomer, drummer Mike Truscott, who arrived last year. A fine team to do justice to a repertoire that has stood the test of time. Friday, May 5, in Paris, the musicians start however by offering some more recent titles, first the instrumental "In The Skin", then "Stand As One" and "Coat Of Arms", two tracks from the latest opus of the group, "Coat Of Arms" (2020). A good preparation for the sequel since the time machine takes us to 1972: place to the entirety of "Argus", and in order in addition! This makes it possible to hear titles rarely or almost never played, such as "Time Was" or "Sometime World". Then come the pieces de résistance, the classics, such as the boogie "Blowin'Free" and, of course, the absolute classic "The King Will Come".
Wishbone Ash (here in Belgrade, former Yugoslavia, in October 1982), has been on the road for over fifty years. PHOTOSHOT/MAXPPP/Zoran Veselinovic
The joy of the musicians is a pleasure to see. That of Powell, of course, dashing and author of some tasty anecdotes, such as that of the first concert of Wishbone Ash in Paris, in 1969, at the Golf Drouot. The artist remembers being surrounded at the time by pretty young French women, with charming names, Chantal, Anaïs, etc. And that everyone had slept in one apartment, the four musicians, their manager and... Chantal. Who, in the middle of the night, was talking to Ted Turner (the other guitarist at the time). And Powell imitated the young woman, saying in English with a strong French accent: "Ted, I am not a groupie"... Less prolix, or only on their respective instruments, Bob Skeat and Mark Abrahams are also all smiles, the latter also unleashing some solid slide parts.
We do not forget the coronation of Charles III
The rest of "Argus" delights our ears, via "Leaf And Stream", "Warrior" and "Throw Down The Sword". And the concert closes with a long ambitious piece, "Phoenix", a good quarter of an hour that begins slowly, grows, allows the two guitarists to embark on long but always very melodic solos, allows a reggae break, before collecting solid applause from the spectators. Only one song at the encore tonight, the boogie "Jail Bait", but it does not bother anyone, a good part of the audience returning the next day! Note that Friday benefited from a very nice first part, Little Odetta. A rock band from the Île-de-France region, but that evening reduced to its singer and two musicians, to deliver an acoustic performance that allowed us to discover that Audrey, the vocalist, has a hell of a chest!
Saturday, return to the same place. "It's a special day," begins Andy Powell, referring to the coronation of Charles III. The king has arrived. Wishbone Ash begins his show with "The King Will Come", in a slightly different version from the day before, since it includes an additional instrumental bridge. "Warrior" and "Throw Down The Sword" were also played on Fridays, but no one complains about the rehearsal. On the other hand, we laugh a good shot during the gaffe of Andy Powell. He announces in front of his stunned friends the next title, the cover of an old blues of Jimmy Reed, "Baby What You Want Me To Do" and... starts on its own. Because it is not the song planned, and Abrahams insistently shows him the bow on which has been placed a guitar for slide parts, the ones that will illuminate the song "Rock'n Roll Widow". Hilare, Powell apologizes and comments: "This is what we call a senior moment"! Then follow "Ballad Of The Beacon" and therefore the resumption of blues, before the musicians leave for an intermission of about twenty minutes.
An enchantment
The second part of "Live Dates" is of course an enchantment, with "The Pilgrim" or "Lady Whiskey" more heard in recent years, and a version of "Phoenix", by all accounts, even higher than that of the day before. At the encore, two last pearls: "Blind Eye" and "Living Proof", the occasion of final six-string games not stitched beetles. Given the success of the formula, it seems likely that Wishbone Ash will repeat the experience of playing an entire one of his old albums. "There's The Rub", which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. We are waiting for it with firm feet!
Wishbone Ash on French tour: this Sunday evening in Riom (Puy-de-Dôme), the 8th at Thor (Vaucluse), the 10th in Lyon (Rhône), the 11th in Beaumont-en-Véron (Indre-et-Loire), the 12th in Hérouville-Saint-Clair (Calvados), the 13th in Plozévet (Côte-d'Armor), the 23rd July in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois (Haute-Savoie)...
